Ever feel like your thoughts are actively working against your midlife health goals? Like, the moment you decide to try something new, your brain slams the brakes on with excuses like, "That's too hard," "I don't have time," or the classic, "My family will never eat that"? You are absolutely not alone! In my first-ever Ask Me Anything episode of The Family Fork, I tackle the questions that are truly keeping busy, midlife moms stuck. These are the real, raw struggles that pop up w...
You hear the phrase everywhere: gut health. It's on product labels, social media, and talked about by every wellness guru. But what does that even mean? More importantly, how does your gut health get impacted in perimenopause? And how are you supposed to fix it when you're already juggling a full life? Trust me, I get it. For years, I struggled with mystery symptoms that felt completely disconnected, from bizarre skin rashes and sore joints to an inability to lose weight and chronic anxiety....
Today, we're diving into one of my favorite topics: food! But we're not just talking about what to eat; we're talking about how to do it without spending a fortune. I know what you might be thinking—eating healthy, especially with an anti-inflammatory focus, is expensive. Maybe you have a big family to feed, or maybe you’re cooking for just a couple of people now that the kids are grown. Maybe your budget is tight. Whatever the reason, I want you to hear this loud and clear: eating healthy ...
Feel like you'll never get anywhere with perimenopause weight loss? You're not alone! It can feel like your body is working against you, making it impossible to see consistent results. You might be exhausted, feeling a little fluffy around the middle, and wondering if this is just your new normal. I see you, and I get it. But what if you didn’t have to give up? What if there was a different way? This week, I’m sharing five simple, powerful steps to help you lose one pound a week consisten...
You've heard me say it before: perimenopause and midlife can feel like an uphill battle. You're juggling a career, a family, and all the stress that comes with it, and it feels like your body is just not on your team. You're tired, you're bloated, and the number on the scale just keeps creeping up no matter what you do. I used to think eating "healthy" was enough. I was eating salads, whole grain bread, and oatmeal, and still, my body was sending up a million smoke signals—brain fog, sore ...
Feeling like you're stuck in a cycle of "I've tried everything, but nothing works"? I hear you, and honestly, I've been there myself. For over a decade, I've been on a health journey, and while I've done a lot of healing and made a bunch of changes, I've also made a ton of mistakes. The thing is, mistakes are part of the game! If you want to see different results with your health, you have to be willing to try something different, even if it doesn't work out perfectly. In this episode, I'...
Do you dread making dinner? Can't come up with healthy options that your family will eat, too? Stuck eating more than your fair share of takeout? With all of the recommendations out there for midlife moms (more fiber! more protein! eat healthy, and get more sleep!), its not surprising that you're overwhelmed with info. And yet you still don't know where to start! In this episode you'll discover how the Supper Club has been an instrumental resource for so many busy moms in perimenopause. I...
Juggling perimenopause, family, and weight loss goals can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like "healthy" and "anti-inflammatory" food means "no fun." It's absolutely possible, but it helps when you have a few boundaries or guardrails in place. In this episode, we're doing things a little differently and getting deep into our feelings. I’m sharing my story from a really dark time in my life, and how the lessons I learned through that experience actually created the foundation for ...
You hear it everywhere these days: building muscle is an absolute MUST for women in midlife. As a midlife woman, who is also recovering from breast cancer, I’ve been taking a deep dive into my own health. What I’ve learned about muscle is truly staggering. The statistics on bone fractures and falls for older women are jaw-dropping, but here's the thing: it all ties back to how much muscle we have. I'm giving you my top three most compelling reasons to start building muscle today, plus som...
I know what you're thinking when you see this episode title: is sugar really that bad? Maybe you're like me a few years ago, telling yourself, "I eat pretty clean, I don't really have that much sugar." (But, you’re still struggling to lose weight, even though you think your nutrition is totally dialed in). Or maybe you know deep down you could probably cut back on sugar, but you have no idea where to start. Whatever side you're on, get ready for some major eye-openers. Because sugar isn't j...
What if I told you September is actually the best time of year to lean into your health, wellness, and fitness goals? Seriously. We’re talking about a season that’s naturally more structured, predictable, and calm. This is your chance to ride the “back-to-school effect” and actually get goals accomplished! In this episode, we're going to dive into why ditching the New Year's Resolution mindset and adopting a September goal-setting strategy will change everything for you. We'll uncover ho...
Feel like you're lacking "motivation" or "discipline" to build healthy habits? What if you could build habits that stick without either of those things? This week, Ashley shares three unconventional tips for building healthy habits, from her 10+ years of experience, that will help you finally create lasting change. Get ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about building habits and learn how to make them an effortless part of your life, even when it feels like everything is ...
It's a polarizing topic, but one that we should care about TODAY: the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet for our kids. You might think kids should just be kids, but what if the food they're eating is secretly causing hyperactivity, poor concentration, and long-term health risks? This week, Ashley makes a compelling case for why a healthy, anti-inflammatory approach is crucial for our children's well-being and shares a practical roadmap for making it happen without food fights. Healthy ...
If you have a love-hate relationship with snacks (especially after school snacks!), this episode is for you! While snacks can be a good part of a healthy day, they're often a source of stress, power struggles, and guilt for moms. This week, we're diving into how to reclaim snack time and turn it into a source of fun, health, and ease for the whole family! Ashley gets real about the damaging ingredients in many popular snack foods and shares a roadmap to navigate snack time with confidence. ...
Get ready! We're celebrating a major milestone: the 50th episode of The Family Fork podcast! To mark the occasion, Ashley gets vulnerable, sharing her personal journey—from healing after an abusive marriage to navigating cancer—to reveal the three most important lessons she's learned about health and life. Whether you're just beginning or starting over for the tenth time, this episode is a powerful reminder that we all begin somewhere. Get ready to be inspired and equipped with the foundat...
You hear it all the time, "reduce inflammation", but do you know WHY it really matters? It's more than just bloating or puffy hands; it’s a silent force that can affect your brain, joints, and overall health. This week on The Family Fork, Ashley gives you 5 compelling reasons why you need to start reducing inflammation TODAY: Clearer Thinking: Learn how brain fog, forgetfulness, and dropping words can all be signs of inflammation in your brain. Pain-Free Movement: Discover how reducing inf...
You hear that you're supposed to eat protein in perimenopause, but you're still confused. Knowing how much, what kind, and when can be a puzzle This week, Ashley is breaking down everything you need to know about harnessing the power of protein for more energy, less cravings, and sustainable weight loss (yes, even in midlife!) Discover why protein is your secret weapon against the challenges of aging, from muscle loss to hormonal fluctuations. Plus, stick around to the end for a special g...
It feels like you're doing everything to lose weight in perimenopause, but are you sabotaging your efforts without realizing it? This week, we're cutting through the noise and revealing five common traps that won't help you lose weight, and more importantly, what you can do differently to finally see results! Ashley shares common pitfalls, from calorie restriction to hidden "quick fixes," and shines a light on why your current approach might be stalling your progress. Get ready to shift y...
Want to know how to lose 8 lbs in 10 weeks -- right in the middle of perimenopause?! This week Ashley's pulling back the curtain to share how YOU can start making this kind of progress today. We're going beyond the typical advice (that doesn't usually work) to uncover powerful shifts that are essential for perimenopause weight loss. Get ready to ditch what hasn't worked and embrace a fresh, empowering approach! WAY Less Cardio: Discover why high-intensity cardio might be working against ...
Are perimenopause cravings leaving you drained and frustrated? Your solution is right here! Ashley knows the struggle is real, whether it's that 3 PM slump or the post-dinner sweet tooth. She's sharing powerful nutrition and lifestyle shifts that not only reduce cravings but also leave you feeling lighter, happier, and more energetic. How to Fuel Up: Discover why eating enough calories is crucial, and how incorporating ample protein, healthy fats, and balanced carbs (especially a savory bre...