Blog – Holistic Moms Network

Happy 20th Anniversary HMN!

October 10, 2023 Gretchen

Dear Holistic Moms Network Community, What a time of gratitude it is as we come together to celebrate two decades of nurturing, supporting, and empowering our incredible community! I am honored to have been a part of the journey for the past 11 years as a member, a volunteer, and as Executive Director. From the moment our nonprofit was founded, it became clear that we were not just creating an organization; we were building a family. The love and care that each one of you has poured into our community has made it into a haven of holistic wellness, support, and immense compassion. For two decades, we have been on a shared mission to create a healthier, more harmonious world […]

Reconnect with Nature: The Benefits to Getting Outdoors

June 6, 2023June 12, 2023 Gretchen

Many of us feel a deep connection to nature and can sense the calming effect that spending time outdoors has on ourselves and our family. Intuitively it makes sense, we evolved over thousands of years living among nature and have only recently have separated our daily lives from the outdoors. Its fascinating to learn the science behind why we feel that way and to hear about all the benefits that nature has on our minds and bodies that we might not immediately recognize. The amazing thing is that these benefits are so accessible, you might already be doing some of these things every day. Beyond our own awareness of the mindfulness and calm that being outdoors can bring, science has […]

Achieving Flow State

May 15, 2023May 16, 2023 Gretchen

It’s May, when we intentionally celebrate moms in every form. Mothering and motherhood is so much about caring for others, understanding others’ needs and wants, learning and doing for our kids, laughing and crying, investing time and energy, and giving of our physical and mental being. We wanted to talk about something that isn’t always part of the mothering conversation, but it can make it all even more rewarding and fulfilling: achieving flow state. This is, of course, beneficial to everyone, but can be particularly important for moms. Flow state, also known as being “in the zone,” is a state of mind in which you are fully immersed in a task or activity, experiencing complete focus and deep enjoyment of […]

Connecting with Our Mother Earth

April 18, 2023April 18, 2023 Holistic Moms

As Earth Day approaches many of us focus on doing. Lists of ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle are abundant, and it’s a necessary piece of our responsibilities as we mark Earth Day each year. We created this resource a couple of years ago to help with just that. This year, however, we would like to go a bit deeper, and reflect on our relationship with the planet that sustains us, specifically from the perspective of mothers and motherhood. As mothers, there is nothing more precious to us than the bond we share with our children. It’s a connection that runs deep, built on a foundation of unconditional love, nurturing, and protection. As we celebrate Earth Day, we are reminded […]

Creating a Vision Board

January 17, 2023April 18, 2023 Holistic Moms

The new year brings thoughts of goals and and visions for the coming months as well as a reflection on what has past. Spending time thoughtfully checking in with yourself, understanding where you are, what you want and setting intentions for the year can be a powerful step towards manifesting those goals into reality. Making a vision board enables you to visualize those goals and by placing it in a prominent spot that you see everyday can help inspire you to take continual small steps resulting in big changes over time! You can use a vision board to focus on just one area of your life, the bigger picture, or specific long or short term goals. Get started by […]

light shining through the pine trees covered in snow

Celebrating Winter Solstice

December 13, 2022April 18, 2023 Holistic Moms

“The winter solstice celebrates the return of hope to our land as our planet experiences the first slow turn toward greater daylight. Soon we will welcome the return of the sun and the coming of springtime. As we do so, let us remember and embrace the positive, enriching aspects of winter’s darkness. Pause now to sit in silence in the darkness of this space. Let this space be a safe enclosure of creative gestation for you.” Excerpt from ‘The Circle of Life’ by Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr The winter solstice, the darkest night of the year, is a time of reflection, looking inward and gathering courage and hope to sustain us through the remaining long nights of winter. It […]

The Essential Role of Support in Breastfeeding

August 17, 2021August 17, 2021 Holistic Moms

“Breast is Best”. “Breastfeeding is Natural.” As accurate as these slogans may be, breastfeeding doesn’t always come easily for many women. From latch challenges to supply problems, any mom – first time or not – can run into hurdles when it comes to breastfeeding. Our culture and the lack of support around breastfeeding can exacerbate the situation and make staying the course even harder. Without the pillars of support and community, moms face both obstacles and social pressures that often deter them from nursing their children. As the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) rightly notes, moms need support every step of the way.

It’s Plastic Free July. Plastic: Problems and Solutions

July 16, 2021September 14, 2021 Holistic Moms

We all know the general issues with single-use plastics, but it is always staggering to revisit some of the statistics, and good to share solutions we can implement personally, and within our communities. One of the Holistic Moms Network’s Guiding Principles is teaching our children to respect and care about the natural world. Another is living more simply and consuming less in an effort to reduce our impact on the environment and to emphasize non-material values. Teaching our kids about the issues with plastic, and how to reduce our use, as well as how to help bring change, is an important piece of these principles.

Holistic Moms Network Names New Officers

July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 Holistic Moms

The Holistic Moms Network (HMN) has recently seated a new Board of Trustees and named three new officers to lead the organization. Board Members include Barbara Arango, CAE, of Palatine, IL, Michael Connolly of Glen Gardner, NJ, and Megan Strauss, LMSW, of Salida, CO. Ms. Arango, a current Executive Director in the association space, has assumed the role of Chair. Mr. Connolly, retired VP-Treasurer of Tiffany & Co, was chosen as HMN Treasurer. Mrs. Strauss, a current Executive Director and Founder of a Colorado non-profit has been named Secretary.

The Science of Nature: Why Being Outdoors Matters

June 10, 2021July 7, 2021 Holistic Moms

by Nancy Peplinsky, Founder, Holistic Moms Network “Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” -Khalil Gibran If there can be silver linings for the pandemic […]