Healthy Parenting Handbook with Katie Kimball
Truth: Kids don’t come with a handbook! But what if there was a parenting handbook that aligned with your healthy living values? In each episode of the Healthy Parenting Handbook Podcast, mom of 4 Katie Kimball interviews experts in fields like nutrition, medicine, psychology, parenting, technology, entrepreneurship, and more to give parents tools to raise healthy, independent kids. Intentional parents, here comes clarity about what you can DO to keep your kids physically and mentally healthy!
120: Eating God's Way for Christian Families with Wardee Harmon
I love it when a conversation feels like it’s been years in the making. This one really has!
Today’s guest is someone who has quietly, faithfully shaped the way I think about food for a long time—my friend Wardee Harmon from Traditional Cooking School.
And if you’ve ever felt like the world of “healthy eating” is a swirl of contradictions…one expert says this, another says that…you are not alone. (Honestly, it can make your head spin before you even get dinner on the table.)
Wardee has this rare gift of bri...
119: Make Perimenopause About Gain, Not Loss (& What You Need to Eat) with Cynthia Thurlow, NP
Let me ask you something. When was the last time you felt genuinely sharp? Not just “I had coffee and I’m functional” sharp, but clear-headed, energized, actually-in-the-room sharp?
Most of us have quietly accepted a version of ourselves that’s a little foggy, a little tired, a little “off” and chalked it up to getting older, being busy, or just how things are now. But here’s the thing: that fog has reasons. Real, biological, fixable reasons, and most of them have nothing to do with willpower or discipline.
In this post...
118: The Menopause Gut: Understand How to Respond to Changing Hormones in Your 40s with Cynthia Thurlow NP
I’m joined by Cynthia Thurlow, a nurse practitioner and expert in perimenopause and menopause, and this conversation truly feels like a mini masterclass in understanding your body. We talk through what is really going on with your hormones, how your gut plays a much bigger role than you might expect, and why so many of the symptoms we tend to brush off are actually connected.
In this episode, we cover:
What the gut microbiome is and why it affects nearly every system in your bodyWhy perimenopause can start earlier than you might ex...117: Heal Your Hunger: How to End Emotional Eating Now with Tricia Nelson
Have you ever eaten chocolate or chips when you feel stressed?
Rewarded yourself for a job well done with a little sticky celebration?
Hid from sadness with a whole box of ice cream to yourself?
The term "emotional eating" might be new to you, but I'm sure you can see how it works. This interview with Tricia Nelson, author of Heal Your Hunger, is powerful in that we unlock the hidden truth behind why many of us can't lose weight --
It's not about the food.
<...116: How to Translate the Language of Your Child or Teen's Behavior with Wendy Snyder
If you’ve ever looked at your child’s behavior and thought, “What is going on right now?”—you’re not alone.
In this episode, we go beyond surface-level parenting advice and get into something deeper: what your child’s behavior is actually trying to communicate.
Wendy Snyder introduces a powerful framework that helps you “translate” your child’s actions in real time. Instead of reacting with frustration, you’ll start to see patterns, unmet needs, and opportunities to teach life skills. It’s a shift that can completely change how you experience everyday p...
115: Why Starting Over Is a Parenting Superpower with Wendy Snyder
There’s a moment in this conversation I can’t quite shake.
A mom drops her child’s favorite stuffed animal into the trash while her four-year-old begs her not to. If that makes your stomach tighten, you’re not alone.
Because even if you’ve never had a “trash can moment,” you’ve probably had that moment. The one where you hear yourself and think, “Wait…is this how I want to parent?”
That’s exactly where this conversation with Wendy Snyder begins. Not from perfection, but from honesty, growth, and a...
114: The Truth About Time Management for Moms (It’s Not Your Planner) with Anna Dearmon Kornick
If you’ve ever thought, “Why can I not get my life together when it comes to time?”—you are absolutely not alone.
This conversation felt like such a breath of fresh air because we’re not talking about rigid schedules, perfect planners, or waking up at 5am (thank goodness). Instead, we’re digging into what actually works for real moms with real lives… you know, the kind where kids interrupt everything and plans fall apart before lunch.
I had so much fun hearing about Anna’s real-life experiences in the professional...
113: The Two Stories of Every Cluttered Space with Ingrid Jansen of the Declutter Hub
If you’ve ever stood in the middle of your house and thought, “Where do I even start?”… you are absolutely not alone.
But what if the problem isn’t your lack of discipline… it’s your approach?
In this conversation, I sat down with Ingrid Jansen from The Declutter Hub, and she completely reframed how I think about clutter. We didn’t just talk about getting rid of stuff. We talked about why it feels so hard in the first place—and how to make it feel doable (even in the middle of real life).
Becau...
112: Financial Literacy for the Whole Family with Amanda Teixeira
Money fights are rarely about the money.
They usually start somewhere small. A decision. An assumption. A moment that feels harmless at the time.
And then suddenly you are on a honeymoon, of all places, realizing you are not actually on the same financial page at all. That is exactly where this conversation begins.
Amanda shares a story that many couples will recognize: a beautiful life moment that quietly turned stressful because expectations were never spoken out loud.
Because money is not just math! It...
111: Troubleshoot Your Child's Poor Digestion with Tara Hunkin, NTP
What if I told you you might have to throw away half of the healthy food you worked so hard to put on the dinner table?
What if I told you that can basically happen AFTER your kids eat everything on their plate?!?!
Healthy food is only the first part of being nourished—we need to make sure the entire system of digestion is working correctly for all the hard work to count! mind blown
Today I get to talk to Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Tara Hunkin about ge...
110: Ask Me Anything: Picky Eating, Screen Time, and Intentional Choices
Ever wonder how to handle picky eating at parties without creating food battles? Or how to set healthy screen time boundaries when screens feel like the only babysitter?
In this Ask Me Anything episode of the Healthy Parenting Handbook podcast, I’m answering your real-life parenting questions about dessert rules for kids, the Division of Responsibility in feeding, raising independent children, and building healthy family habits that actually stick.
We’re talking about practical strategies for limiting screen time for toddlers and young kids, alternatives to s...
109: Quick Change Tastebuds, Slow Biology, & Why Gut Health May Impact Picky Eating with Elissa Arnheim
Did you know that picky eating can sometimes be caused by the messages the bacteria in your gut are sending to your brain?
So the CHILD isn’t being a sugar monster…or making stubborn choices just to drive you crazy…their gut bugs are the sugar monsters and their brain has pruned too much!
I learned so much from Elissa Arnheim in this interview, both the philosophical to feed MY brain and the practical—some of which I implemented that very day!
Here are my favorite quotes:<...
108: Why You're Stuck in a Clutter Loop (and a System Won't Save You) with Katy Wells
Have you ever looked at a box in your house and felt like it was… talking to you?
Not literally. But emotionally.
Because in this second half of my conversation with decluttering expert Katy Wells, we go deeper than surface clutter. We talk about the hidden reasons we hold onto things. And friends, it is not about storage bins or label makers.
It’s about stories.
Stories about who we used to be. Who we hoped we would become. Stories about guilt, failure, scarcity, and expectations w...
107: Helping Kids Take Ownership of Their Space and How Decluttering Can Solve Your Anxiety with Katy Wells
What if the stress you feel at home is not just about your schedule… but about your stuff?
I know. That sounds almost too simple.
But when Katy Wells came back on the Healthy Parenting Handbook podcast, we did not just talk about decluttering. We talked about cortisol. About magnets for your attention. About why walking into your own kitchen can change your mood in seconds.
And friends, this one hit close to home.
Because if you are trying to raise independent kids, teach life sk...
106: No Such Thing as Bad Weather: Practical Ways to Get Kids Outside with Pooja Tandon and Danette Glassy
Our hearts tell us we want to be outside, that we were created for nature…when it’s warm and beautiful and sunny!
I don’t know about you, but I do find that when it’s cold, rainy, snowing, or blowing, I tend to be grateful for my 4 walls, central heat, and mug of tea indoors.
How can we change this paradigm in ourselves and in our culture where the outdoors is becoming less and less popular all the time?
It doesn’t happen by accident. To be intentional about outdoor and nature tim...
105: How Danish Families Build Connection, Responsibility, and Contentment with Jessica Joelle Alexander
I couldn’t stop thinking about this interview with Jessica Joelle Alexander – and honestly, I haven’t stopped since! As a mom and as someone who teaches kids to cook and helps families connect around the table, I was deeply struck by how peacefully and intentionally Danish families seem to live: more play, less pressure; more “we,” less “me.”
In this episode of the podcast, I’m talking with Jessica Joelle Alexander, author of The Danish Way of Parenting and The Danish Way Every Day. This is part two of our conversation, and we’re digging into:
<...104: The Danish Way of Parenting with Jessica Joelle Alexander
In America, we tend to raise kids with a constant sense of striving. We measure success early, track milestones closely, and quietly worry about whether our children are doing enough, fast enough, and well enough.
The Danish approach offers a striking contrast. Instead of pushing children to prove themselves, Danish parenting emphasizes something far more grounded: helping kids rest well within themselves.
In this episode of the Healthy Parenting Handbook, I talk with Jessica Joelle Alexander about what that actually looks like in real life. We explore:
why Danish children are often described as...Teen Tidbits, Day 5: The Teenager’s World Is No Longer Black & White: How to Use That to Your Advantage as a Parent
Today’s teen tidbit is number five, and it gets right to the heart of what’s actually happening in your teen’s brain right now!
Somewhere around ages 11 or 12, kids move from a black and white way of thinking into a world full of gray, nuance, and questions, which is why “because I said so” suddenly stops working. (And honestly, that’s a good thing.)
In this quick episode, we’ll talk about why teens are wired to push boundaries again, how that’s developmentally healthy, and how we as parents can level up by ke...
Teen Tidbits, Day 4: Passing on Family Values Through Teen Involvement in the Kitchen
In this Teen Tidbit, I share how the kitchen is one of the most powerful places to pass on family values through working side by side toward a common goal. Cooking together naturally opens up conversation and creates opportunities to model what matters most, whether that is serving others, being good stewards of our resources, or choosing real food as part of daily life.
I talk about how asking teens to cook foods they may not personally enjoy teaches empathy and service, how flexible cooking skills help reduce food waste and stretch a grocery budget, and how m...
Teen Tidbits, Day 3: Why Cooking Helps Teens Let Go of Perfectionism
As a continually recovering perfectionist myself, I share why that drive to do everything just right can actually hold kids back from starting, trying, and growing. We’ve all heard “progress over perfection,” but I wanted to explore what that really looks like in everyday life, especially for teenagers who can freeze up when things don’t feel exact or guaranteed.
The kitchen, in my opinion, is one of the best places to practice letting go of perfection. When I filmed Teens Cook Real Food with eight real teens who were mostly beginners, we captured the messy, real-lif...
Teen Tidbits, Day 2: How Agency in Cooking Teaches Teens to Make Smart Choices
In this Teen Tidbit, I dive into why agency is such a powerful (and often overlooked) developmental need for teenagers. Agency is really the combination of having choices and having the skills to act on those choices, which together give teens real options in life.
I’ve intentionally woven this into the Teens Cook Real Food course, sometimes in ways that feel a little chaotic, like cooking multiple versions of the same recipe at once to show how flexible cooking really is.
Even when it feels messy or overwhelming at first, teens are more than capa...
Teen Tidbits, Day 1: Passing Along Ownership to Our Kids
Get in on the free parenting series on parenting teens here: https://raisinghealthyfamilies.com/teenvids
In this Teen Tidbit episode, I share why passing on ownership of health, time, and responsibility to our teens matters so much, especially through teaching real-life skills like cooking. After hearing from a beta test mom whose 13-year-old confidently made pancakes on his own, I explain that ownership has two parts: practical skills (which are easier to teach) and psychological ownership (which takes time and intentional parenting).
The earlier we involve teens and give them real responsibility, the better prepared t...
103: Steps to Meal Planning on a Budget for Teens and Young Adults (Part 2)
In the last episode, we made it through step 3 of the 5 steps to meal planning on a budget!
Now let's dive into steps 4-5. I am collaborating with two of my most frugal friends who are GREAT cooks to compile 5 steps to meal planning on a budget, merging both requests of our families of teens.
May I introduce you to Tiffany of Don’t Waste the Crumbs and Steph of Cheapskate Cook, who never cease to amaze me with their ability to save money while also generously hosting friends and...
102: Meal Planning on a Budget for Teens and Young Adults (Part 1)
We just celebrated 10 years of teaching kids to cook online, which honestly feels surreal. It still feels like yesterday that we were filming the very first lessons, crossing our fingers, and wondering if anyone would even want this.
Fast forward a decade and nearly 20,000 families served, and the answer is clear. This work matters. It is changing kitchens, confidence levels, and family dynamics in real ways.
Over the years, parents have consistently asked me about two skills that go beyond what we teach inside Kids Cook Real Food:
...101: Raising Work-Ready Teens Through Leadership and Life Skills with Arthur C. Woods
Somewhere between “I can do hard things” and “Can you order for me?” is a whole lot of teen growth waiting to happen.
Arthur C. Woods has spent decades working with teens, and he brings a refreshingly practical take on leadership that starts way earlier than a title, a team captain badge, or a future resume. We talk about why teens are more capable than we think, why they are not always being challenged to prove it, and how everyday life skills at home connect directly to leadership, resilience, and work readiness.
In this episode, we cover...
100: Why Are You So Tired? (Chronic Fatigue and Long Haulers with Dr. Evan Hirsch)
Way back when my husband and I were new-ish parents, he read a headline that talked about parents being "bone tired" at the end of the day.
For years, we referred to that phrase: "We're BONE TIRED. Parents are all BONE TIRED." (Put a little lilt and emphasis on "bone" and you can hear us in your head now.)
As it turns out, Dr. Evan Hirsch would recommend that we stop with those negative thoughts, because they're not going to take us anywhere good. He's an international expert on chronic fatigue (and...
099: Child Melts Down, Parent Blows Up — No More! Scripts for Calm Connection with Author and Therapist Bryana Kappadakunnel
Have you ever blown up at your kid because they’re melting down?
Just wanted their bad behavior to STOP because you feel like a bad parent if it doesn’t?
Committed that you would parent differently than your parents, but see some cycles repeating you don’t like?
My guest today is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has seen a lot of hurting and struggling families in her decade-plus working with clients, and she brings some of the best scripts I’ve e...
098: Having Clear Intentions About Things, Memories, Relationships with Diane Boden
When your podcast guest says, “Our goal as parents is to raise up these self-sufficient, independent people someday,” you know she’s in the right place!
Diane Boden and I talk all about her journey to minimalism and the intentional mindset she’s fostered over the last 14 years.
It’s not just about the “stuff” but about experiences, relationships, schedules, and even goals.
We dig into all that and more in this encouraging interview!
Resources We Mention for Living with Intention
Diane’s book, Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with S...097: Teens Want to Be in Control. Here's Why They're NOT (& What They Can Do About it) Direct from a Teen Author of The Teen Health Revolution
My guest today is 17-year-old Abdullah Ansari, and listening to him talk about teen health, food, stress, tech, and purpose made my jaw drop more than once. Not because he sounded rehearsed or polished. But because he sounded awake in a way most adults are still struggling to be.
He talks about teen health like it is urgent. Because it is. He talks about food like it is power. Because it is. And he talks about freedom in a way that completely reframes how most teens think about independence.<...
096: Coughs, Colds and Bees: How Honey and Other BEE Products Can Keep our Kids Healthy! with Carly of Beekeeper’s Naturals
Coughs, Flu and School Germs, oh my!
If cold-and-flu season causes tremors in your heart but you hate the idea of using over-the-counter drugs on your kids just to get through the night, I have great news: The bees got your back.
Carly from Beekeeper’s Naturals joins us today to share about the power of nature – she will feed your science geek brain and share SO many practical ideas and uses for bee products (bet you’ve never even heard of some of them!):
What beats coughs as effect...095: How Can We Allow Other People to Partner with Us in Parenting? with Author of Don't Mom Alone Heather MacFadyen
We’re lonely!
It’s hurting us!
And we’re not very good at connecting with other humans.
Heather MacFadyen is here to help. Author and podcaster of Don’t Mom Alone, she’s all about building connection to help moms do their jobs better.
“Loneliness can be when you’re with others but not feeling truly known,” she said in this encouraging interview. We talk about the 3 kinds of relationships moms need to nurture, how to shed the unattainable standards society is trying to place on us, and how to <...
094: Homeschool Routines That Build Connection with Pam Barnhill
If you’ve ever felt that homeschooling can slip into a checklist of math pages and grammar drills, you’ll love this conversation. Pam Barnhill, a veteran homeschooling mom of over 15 years, reminds us what education can truly be: a chance to connect deeply with our kids and nurture a lifelong love of learning.
Resources We Mention for Homeschool Routines
Get Pam’s free Advent Morning Time PlansCheck out her books: Gather; Better Together (Amazon/Bookshop.org); Plan Your Year (Amazon/Bookshop.org); The Confident Homeschooler Is homeschooling right for me? What...093: Eating Disorders Expert & Dietitian on How to Foster a Healthy Relationship with Food for Your Kids
The very morning I did this interview, my husband was complaining about how badly he felt because of a certain number...and when I heard Heidi's final "practical" challenge to parents, I knew we had to do it. This interview was a HUGE paradigm shift for me, and you will alternately want to turn it off as it gets challenging and find yourself cheering out loud!
Heidi Schauster, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S is an expert on eating disorders and talks with me today about how we as parents can foster a healthy relationship with food for our kids...
092: Navigating Holiday Stress with JoAnn Crohn
The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year ... or the most overwhelming. Between the excitement, the sugar, the schedule changes, and the constant stimulation, even the calmest kids can start to unravel. And let’s be honest, parents can too!
In this episode, I sat down with JoAnn Crohn, a former school teacher who’s now on a mission to help overwhelmed moms rediscover joy and raise healthier, happier families. She has a gentle, realistic way of helping moms shift from chaos to calm, especially during high-stress seasons like the holi...
091: The Daily Scoop: Secrets to Healthy Poops for the Whole Family with Genevieve Howland of Mama Natural
Our digestion happens every day and REALLY can impact how we feel, think, and treat others!
So let’s talk all about poop. :)
My guest today is brimming over with practical tips about assessing your digestive output (aka poo) and solving issues in gut health based on what you see.
Genevieve is a wealth of knowledge on gut health and poop and so generous with her time and practical tips. If you’re a fan of healthy living without being too complicated or spending too much mone...
090: Decode Your Child’s Behavior and Dial in Your Parenting Boundaries from the Author of Transforming Toddlerhood, Devon Kuntzman
Let’s talk toddlers.
If you’ve ever thought, “What on earth is happening in that tiny human’s brain?”—this episode is for you.
Here’s a taste of what we explored:
Why “all behavior is communication” might be the most important parenting mantra you’ll ever adoptWhat really happens when you distract your toddler—and how to do it wellThe surprising power dynamic at play in your home (hint: it’s not what you think)How setting boundaries doesn’t stifle toddlers; it sets them freeWhat it looks like...089: Bring Back Flavor with Regenerative Farming with Farmer Lee Jones
Did you know we’ve lost 80% of the nutrients in vegetables in the last 100 years?
As farming has become big agriculture focused on scale, transportation, and profit, human health has suffered along with soil health.
Farmer Lee Jones has become one of regenerative farming’s most enthusiastic promoters, and to hear him wax poetic about butternut squash and the way Brussels sprouts grow is like a sports announcer commentating on the game-winning score!
In this highly entertaining episode (I can see why Rachael Ray offered him a show through her production company!), you’ll get...
088: Informed Consent Isn’t Optional: Reclaiming Your Role as a Healthcare Consumer with Alexandra of Just the Inserts
It shouldn’t be controversial to make your own healthcare decisions!!
Informed consent has become a buzz word for no good reason.
When it comes to informed consent, I personally follow 2 rules:
Ask all the questions.Don’t make quick decisions.I hesitate.
About everything.
If I don’t feel 100% peaceful about something, I don’t do it. You’ll hear my shocking realization about where that response may have been birthed in this interview as I figure it out myself while talking with Alexandra.
Hesit...
087: Mess Is a Sign of Life: Overcoming Perfectionism and Overwhelm About Homemaking with Mystie Winckler
Do you know any mom who ISN’T feeling a little overwhelmed by all the tasks she’s juggling, who’s NEVER thought, “My house isn’t clean/organized/gorgeous enough,” or who doesn’t think she has a lot of improvement to make on homemaking?
I thought so.
My guest today, Mystie Winckler, speaks to moms who are overwhelmed or paralyzed by perfectionism, who know their lives will never look like their favorite Instagram influencers, and who are tempted to just give up at home.
(Me! Raises hand…)<...
086: The Evolution of Modern Food & Label Reading 401 with Becky Wells of Hippie Moms
You get to sit in on what turned into a college class in food history and nutrition label reading!
This interview is high-energy, high impact, and will fill both your academic brain and your mama heart.
Becky Wells of Hippie Moms is passionate about helping other mamas understand their food and build a healthy foundation for their families, and she cuts through all the marketing confusion and teaches us how to Just. Eat. Food.
I thought this interview might be more for the rookies to healthy living among us...
