The Raw and The Cooked - Simple Rhythms for SAHM, Honest Motherhood, and Books Worth Reading
Dara Boxer is a stay-at-home mom to four kids six and under, committed to living a simple, well-organized, and beautifully functional life — mostly for her own sanity. A former personal chef and cooking instructor, she brings that same intention to her home: from seasonal meal planning to laundry systems, quiet time routines, toy storage, and everything in between.
Episodes release on Thursdays, and alternate between honest book reviews and practical strategies for managing the chaos of home life with little kids. Come for the rhythm tips, stay for the raw motherhood truths — and maybe leave with a better grocery list.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 14 minutes
- Episodes
- 189
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
#69: Getting Through the Dinner Rush
We’ve all been there. It’s 5pm, your kids are tired, cranky, and hungry, and ask you the age old question, “mom, what’s for dinner.” The after-school / before dinner window can be such a challenging …
#68: Book Reviews | 3 Contemporary Romance Recommendations
I love a good contemporary romance, and here are the 3 most recent ones I've read and enjoyed:
- The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
- The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
- Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
#67: What Do I Do With All My Kids Artwork?
If you have a child over the age of two, there’s a strong chance you are flooded with art work that they create. Here's what I do:
- Hang and display ~20 pieces at a time
- rotate as new pieces come in
- sav…
- rotate as new pieces come in
#66: Book Club | You're Not Listening by Kate Murphy
This is a really well researched book, and it’s very well presented, easy to grasp, very approachable. Most of it boils down to the significance of listening, and why it’s so important and crucial to…
#65: A Small and Simple Act of Kindness
Mailing your loved ones a handwritten birthday card is such a small and simple act of kindness that makes a strong impact.
www.daraboxer.com
#64: Three Thriller Novels: One to Recommend, One to Avoid, and One Was Overrated
of the three thrillers i read last month, i have one recommendation, one to avoid, and one i found overrated:
- Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
- A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
- Daisy Darker by …
#62: Simple Home, Kitchen, & Bathroom Swaps to Save Money
simple and easy swaps you can implant to save money:
- powdered laundry detergent
- making your own all purpose spray
- dryer balls
- generic brands at the grocery store
- dried beans vs canned
- blocks of cheese vs…
#61: Baby Products I’ve Loved and Used for all 3 Kids
tried and true baby products I’ve used for all three kids, specifically focusing from birth through the first six months:
- solly wrap
- ergo 360 baby carrier
- doona carseat / stroller
- haaka silicon breast p…
#60: I Love Taylor Jenkins Reid Novels
Taylor Jenkins Reid's Top Five Novels
- Daisy Jones & The Six
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
- Malibu Rising
- Carrie Soto is Back
- One True Loves
Also, listen to episode 18 - all about Liane Moriarty!
#59: Six Meal Planning Tricks That Have Been Saving Me Lately
these six tricks have been so helpful lately!
- rotisserie chicken!
- healthy grab & go snacks
- batch dry ingredients while baking (your future self will thank you!)
- meal prepping throughout the day
- thursdays…
#58: Book Club | You Should Read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Today, and Today, and Today!
a book recommendation for you: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
www.daraboxer.com
#57: The How and Why of a Spending Freeze
Spending Freeze 101:
- Lay out your own rules and expectations ahead of time
- Pick a length of time, mark your calender
- Write down your WHY
- Unsubscribe from marketing emails
- Maybe you also go on a social me…
#56: Book Review | Sea of Tranquility was a Sea of Garbage
An honest review of Emily St. John Mandel's Sea of Tranquility (spoiler: I hated it!)
www.daraboxer.com
#55: Tips to Thrive as a SAHM
This is the most beautiful blessing, the gift of staying at home with our children. Here are some quick tips to thrive:
- Your mindset
- Run your home like a business, automate as many routines as you can
- …
#54: My Favorite Fiction Novels from Last Year
- A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz
- Finlay Donovan is Killing it by Elle Cosimano
- Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
- Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
- The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
- The Book of Cold Cases by Simo…
#53: How to Transition from Naps to Quiet Time
The HOW's and WHY's of beginning a Quiet Time routine:
- Schedule quiet time in the same spot as your previous nap time
- Go over ground rules and expectations with your child
- Incentivize with treats / rewa…
#52: Winter Meal Planning Ideas
Eating seasonally in winter looks like:
- fennel
- kale
- mushrooms
- brussel sprouts
- endives
- radishes
- parsnips
- carrots
- potatoes
- sweet potatoes
- quinoa
- lentils
SAMPLE WINTER MEAL PLANNING MENU
Monday — Steak wi…
#51: A Thriller and a Romance, Two Binge Worthy Book Recommendations
Two novels that are binge worthy and wonderful:
- Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier, the thriller
- Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan, the romance
www.daraboxer.com
#50: Simple Daily Routines for the Fourth Trimester and Beyond
As new mothers, we need to take care of ourselves, at the most basic level:
- We need to drink as much water as we can, especially if we’re nursing.
- We need to continue to nourish our bodies with healt…