This month is the month I became a mom. 

It’s Smiths birth month.
He’s turning seven.

Seven has to be the most magical age there is before we remember that we can remember! 

 

This picture in many ways captures the spirit that is within each of us when we feel safe; happy, kind and free.

I believe that mom’s celebrate two birthdays each year. 

My son’s birth day was very much my own birth, becoming a mom.

My word for this year is ‘reimagine’.
I am reimagining my role; to myself, my family, my community and naturally with my La Saison team.

I moved to Napa in 2005, which marks twenty years as a California resident.

2025 will be the 18th season for La Saison.
Feels like a graduation year in a way.
I have studied and practiced a lot.
This life requires daily practice after all…

I have been called to the wisdom of Ayurveda since highschool and am feeling ready to answer the call.
 

Ayurveda is the language of nature, the seasons and nature’s intelligence that lives within each of us. Ayur “life” Veda “wisdom”

 

I am writing this during the Winter months in the northern hemisphere, when the sun is passing through the constellation of Capricorn, the water bearer, intuitively grounded in time.
 

Capricorn energy is so powerful.

Built on patience, endurance and self-discipline.

Look back at your wins and your challenges this past year.

What felt good? What didn't feel so good?

 

The mantra for Capricorn is 'I Master'. 

Capricorn thrives on long-term clarity and vision.

What is it that you will master in 2025?

These are a few questions for now; seeds of possibility for the season ahead.

Yes it is a ‘New Year’, however this is based on the Gregorian calendar which is man made. The newness that we hunger for most (now) will breakthrough as we enter the Spring Equinox in March, the same time that the days are longer with sunlight and the flowers start to Spring.

The seeds that I am planting for this year ahead is my journey with Ayurveda through ‘recipes’, however these recipes won’t look like most recipes, as I will be guiding through intuition. A pinch of this, a handful of that… fluid, like water.

Water is after all what connects us and is immeasurable really.

Now is the time to really figure out what you truly want for yourself, and then map out a strategy to make it happen! You may be wondering, what's my motivation?

Well, I am pre menopausal.
And my doctors are urging me to start hormone blockers and/or Chemo. This would change my entire biological makeup catapulting me into an unnaturally timed menopause just before my 42nd rotation around the Sun. How rude! 

 

Post menopausal women are often referred to as ‘crones’. 

Crone after all translates to crown:) 

 

How funny that we often picture the crone as a fragile old woman when really women have endless energy resources as we age if we tap within and stop fighting the change of becoming wiser. 

 

Did you know that women are known to have better cognition after menopause? We move from fight/flight/freeze to having enormous amounts of empathy. Our brain changes itself to be able to heal communities! 

Our choices matter and everything influences our well (water) BE- ING
Knowing what matters to YOU is where to begin.

And so, what are you practicing this season?

I am practicing being open to receiving all there is to receive when in alignment while nourishing the people closest to my heart, including me. Who I am behind closed doors is exactly who is met when I walk through an open door. I am proud of my consistency and deeply passionate about life. 

I am working on a weekly/monthly membership of Ayurveda inspired snacks, meals and beverages ready for pick up. 

 

Would you sign up if I offered something like this? 

 

Stay tuned, for our ‘coming soon’ at La Saison!

Here is the link to my very first Ayurvedic recipe without measurements kicking off the newness that is January, 2025, gently.

Turning dreams into reality is really a balancing act between:
Surrender and action
Intuition and strategy
Heart and mind

I am taking charge this ‘new year’ and preparing a personal cap and gown; graduating from my driven to prove 24 year old Natalie to my knowing there is nothing to prove 42 year old Natalie. Eighteen years in the making. It’s been quite the degree to achieve!

 

And so, 2025, I will be allowing food to be thy medicine because after all, 

Je Suis (I Am) happy, kind, free and this truth reminds me that I am safe.