By Doula Jen

Had to share this for our doula readers! Moms and Dads, you can use this too over the holidays or at collaborative dinner parties.

Cooking is one of my favorite things to do for a new mama. Yes, she loves it when I fold the laundry and help with breastfeeding positions, but a special kind of softening takes place when she is served a warm plate of food prepared especially for her. Across the world, cooking is a way to express kindness, gratitude, well-wishes, and love.

“We really don’t have anything,” Mama might say.

“Relax. I’ll figure something out,” I reply. And I do.

I’ve become pretty darn good at rummaging through cupboards and veggie drawers to create a meal…it’s a challenge I have fun with. That said, I’ve run into road blocks now and then in terms of my personal favorite go-to spices. I improvise, of course, but my new trick has made things a lot easier…

I pack a little spice kit in my doula bag.

Recently, I had a request for lasagna, so I packed Italian spices. The following week I was planning on making tortilla soup, so I packed my cayenne and cumin. When I have no idea what I’ll find in a fridge or if cooking is even in Mama’s plans for the day, I pack my general faves (which–if you’re curious include garlic salt, cayenne pepper, onion powder, oregano, rosemary, and crushed red pepper flakes). The spice bottles are small and easy to tote and ensure one less bit of rummaging, allowing more time to be with the mama and baby. Plus, it’s much easier for me to spice up a meal with what I’m comfortable using at home.

It’s the little things, friends. Happy seasoning!