Devon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1233" height="1850" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/hannah-purelynourishing.jpg" alt="Hannah Barth Purely Nourishing " class="wp-image-77562" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/hannah-purelynourishing.jpg 1233w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/hannah-purelynourishing-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/hannah-purelynourishing-666x1000.jpg 666w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/hannah-purelynourishing-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/hannah-purelynourishing-1024x1536.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1233px) 100vw, 1233px" /></figure>



<p>For mums, summer can feel like a time of extreme turbulence. The days stretch ahead endlessly, and there’s this pressure to fill them with wholesome adventures, nature-filled activities, and magical family bonding. But wait – who’s doing the washing? Cooking three (or more) meals a day? And squeezing in a bit of work, maybe? That’s you, and it’s a lot.</p>



<p>Enter <a href="https://www.purelynourishing.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purely Nourishing</a>&#8216;s Hannah Barth – a South Hams-based mum and qualified nutritionist who runs ace online and face-to-face programmes for women of all ages. Her focus is specifically targeted at mothers and holistic &#8211; based around those all-important pillars of health: good food, plenty of movement, reducing stress and enhancing sleep. </p>



<p>While few us will be embarking on new eating plans at such a busy time, Hannah&#8217;s survival tips might just to help you reach the end of the holidays with messy hair (perhaps), a messy house (definitely), but also a few good memories and with your joy and sanity intact.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-the-routine-goes-temptations-grows">When the routine goes, temptations grows&#8230;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/walls-io-oqG6sctTvko-unsplash.jpg" alt="fridge with magnets and take a break sign " class="wp-image-77567" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/walls-io-oqG6sctTvko-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/walls-io-oqG6sctTvko-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/walls-io-oqG6sctTvko-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/walls-io-oqG6sctTvko-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>It starts with the innocent mini milk.. and ends with you hoovering up the remnants of a 12-pack of Magnums and wondering where the day went. The summer routine (or lack of one) brings with it an open-door policy to the fridge, and sometimes that’s just how it is. But if you find yourself chasing that same sugar buzz day after day, just take a second and ask yourself: are you tired? Thirsty? Bored? Peopled out? It might not be about the ice cream at all.</p>



<p>That said, food can be joyful and it should be. And the pleasure of a really good ice cream, shared on a warm step with the kids or eaten in a quiet moment when everyone is elsewhere, is real. So enjoy it. Fully. And then, consider the other small joys that are also within reach. Maybe a dip in cool water, a good laugh with a friend, or just five minutes of lying on the grass doing absolutely nothing. These things nourish us too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-let-the-efforts-of-today-count-for-the-many-many-lunches-of-tomorrow">Let the efforts of today, count for the many, many lunches of tomorrow </h2>



<p>Before having children, I greatly enjoyed the simple pleasure of deciding what to have for dinner. Oh, what distant memories are these. Right now, happiness comes in the form of a few classic dishes I know everyone will eat. Even better if I can cook it once and then shoehorn it, often reluctantly, into a few other meals. Try these idea and recipes for size.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/cisco-lin-YMkX5NjURhk-unsplash.jpg" alt="roast chicken Cisco Lin for Unsplash " class="wp-image-77564" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/cisco-lin-YMkX5NjURhk-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/cisco-lin-YMkX5NjURhk-unsplash-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/cisco-lin-YMkX5NjURhk-unsplash-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/cisco-lin-YMkX5NjURhk-unsplash-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Roast chicken for dinner: buy the biggest you can find, or even cook two. The leftover cold roast chicken can be used to fill sandwiches and wraps – with a bit of salad, for days.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/anna-pelzer-IGfIGP5ONV0-unsplash.jpg" alt="plate of salad Anna Peltzer for Unsplash " class="wp-image-77573" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/anna-pelzer-IGfIGP5ONV0-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/anna-pelzer-IGfIGP5ONV0-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/anna-pelzer-IGfIGP5ONV0-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/anna-pelzer-IGfIGP5ONV0-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Embrace the tins, bulk out salads, veggie bowls and chillis with plenty of tinned goodness. Chickpeas, black/butter/kidney beans, lentils and whatever you can find, these add protein and are great for making meals go further.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/clara-farras-gpRdrgRuHKY-unsplash.jpg" alt="clara-farras-gpRdrgRuHKY-unsplash.jpg" class="wp-image-77578" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/clara-farras-gpRdrgRuHKY-unsplash.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/clara-farras-gpRdrgRuHKY-unsplash-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/clara-farras-gpRdrgRuHKY-unsplash-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/clara-farras-gpRdrgRuHKY-unsplash-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If the ovens going on.. fill it up! Chopped roasted veg is delicious cold in a salad or can be blitzed in a tomato sauce or soup.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1523" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/everlasting-meal.jpg" alt="An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler book cover " class="wp-image-77582" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/everlasting-meal.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/everlasting-meal-525x800.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/everlasting-meal-657x1000.jpg 657w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/everlasting-meal-768x1170.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you like these ideas, check out <em>An Everlasting Meal</em> by Tamar Adler &#8211; it&#8217;s an essential guide to this type of practical cooking.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lower-the-bar-and-ease-the-pressure">Lower the bar and ease the pressure </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1506" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/senjuti-kundu-JfolIjRnveY-unsplash.jpg" alt="happy child covered in paint" class="wp-image-77566" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/senjuti-kundu-JfolIjRnveY-unsplash.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/senjuti-kundu-JfolIjRnveY-unsplash-531x800.jpg 531w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/senjuti-kundu-JfolIjRnveY-unsplash-664x1000.jpg 664w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/senjuti-kundu-JfolIjRnveY-unsplash-768x1157.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This is not the time to aim for picture perfect, whatever that is! This summer season is about keeping a bit of balance. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could let go of the Pinterest version of the summer holidays. Lazy afternoons spent building rafts and floating down the river, in fact that might be Huckleberry Finn! Let’s leave Mark Twain where he is and accept that some days will be screen-filled, snack-heavy and chaotic. That’s fine. It’s all about balance, with a bit in there for you. If the kids are occupied, in whatever way, then take a moment to yourself. Even just a cuppa in a quiet spot, a moment to think (or not) can work wonders to recharge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reach-out-you-are-not-alone">Reach out &#8211; you are not alone</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/andriyko-podilnyk-e9o1WL22J8w-unsplash.jpg" alt="andriyko-podilnyk-e9o1WL22J8w-unsplash.jpg" class="wp-image-77569" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/andriyko-podilnyk-e9o1WL22J8w-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/andriyko-podilnyk-e9o1WL22J8w-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/andriyko-podilnyk-e9o1WL22J8w-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/andriyko-podilnyk-e9o1WL22J8w-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Chances are, there are plenty of mums out there feeling exactly the same as you: somewhat unprepared and anxious about a great gaping hole of time without much routine. Reach out, meet up, share the load, perhaps arrange some childcare swap days. Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is ask for help, in a world where everyone seems to have an opinion on everyone else. It can feel like an admission of failure to put your hand up and say, ‘<em>I’m going to need some help here</em>’. But the reality is that most of us are surviving without the community that existed in the past. We are all out there doing it. Let&#8217;s not do it alone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-finally-don-t-forget">And finally don&#8217;t forget&#8230;</h2>



<p>If your house looks like a bomb site and you’ve worn the same outfit for three days, but there were also some laughs, cuddles, and a moment where the chaos paused, that’s a win. Be gentle with yourself.</p>



<p><strong><em>Want to try Hannah&#8217;s 5-day plan to boost your energy? <a href="https://www.purelynourishing.co.uk/newsletter-signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sign up here</a> to receive a free PDF.</em></strong></p>



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A nutritionist on surviving the kids holidays without hitting the biscuit barrel

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A nutritionist on surviving the kids holidays *without hitting the biscuit barrel*

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