Food labels can be confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes even scary. One of the most misunderstood terms you’ll see at the grocery store is GMO.

In this episode of Eat Your Seasons, I break down what genetically modified foods actually are, why farmers use them, and what they really mean for the food you’re feeding your family. No science degree required. No fear tactics. Just a calm, honest explanation.

We’ll talk about why GMOs were created in the first place, how they can affect food prices, food waste, and the environment, and why opinions about them are so divided, especially among parents. I also explain the real concerns people have, the benefits most of us don’t hear about, and how to decide what matters most for your own home without guilt or pressure.

This episode is for anyone who has ever stood in the produce aisle wondering if they’re making the “right” choice, or felt caught between conflicting food advice online.

You don’t have to care about farming to care about this. If you eat food, feed kids, or shop on a budget, this conversation matters.

Today’s episode is a replay from 2023—and it’s just as relevant now as it was then.

If months of gray skies leave you feeling “fine, but blah,” this episode is for you.

In this replay, I’m sharing my honest experience with what I call bad weather burnout—that drained, restless feeling that isn’t quite depression, but still weighs on you after long stretches of gloomy weather. I also share the simple mindset shift that helps me every year: finding or creating something pretty, even when the weather isn’t.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between seasonal depression and bad weather burnout
• Why seeing sunlight matters just as much as getting vitamin D
• Five practical coping skill categories you can build on good days to survive the gloomy ones
• Gentle, realistic ways to self-soothe, reframe, and regulate as a busy mom
• How creativity, beauty, and making something with your hands can shift your mood

If you’re craving more lightness, creativity, and emotional breathing room during long stretches of gray days, this episode will feel like a warm, validating reminder that you’re not alone—and that small shifts really do matter.

💛 Screenshot and share this episode with a friend who could use a little encouragement, and don’t forget to leave a quick review to help more moms find the show.

Enjoy this season and all the cozy moments it has to offer.

Food waste feels personal.

It’s money in the trash, guilt in your chest, and the quiet frustration of trying to do better.

In this episode of Eat Your Seasons, I’m sharing a real-life look at food waste—from forgotten pantry snacks and browning produce to a surprising homeschool field trip at a local apple orchard that completely shifted how I think about using what we buy.

We’re breaking down three simple principles farmers use to waste less—and how we can apply them at home without rigid meal plans, perfection, or overwhelm.

You’ll walk away with:

• A gentler way to plan for the food you already have
• Simple strategies to stop “losing” ingredients in your fridge
• A fresh mindset around sharing, storing, and actually using your groceries

If you’ve ever opened your fridge and thought, How did this go bad already? — this episode is for you.

LINKS:

Show notes for today's episode: http://ashtincopeseasonal.com/?p=28

SEASONAL PRODUCE GUIDE: https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/whats-in-season

ULTIMATE SEASONAL MEAL PLANNING GUIDE: https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/meal-planning-guide

JOIN MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER: https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/mealspiration-newsletter

JOIN MY PINTEREST SEASONAL MEAL BOARD: https://pin.it/7y9aDhtR5

Picky eaters aren’t just toddlers. They can be spouses, big kids, and sometimes even us.

In this episode of Eat Your Seasons, I’m sharing my number one rule for introducing new foods without turning dinner into a battle. We’re talking about how to help kids try unfamiliar ingredients, especially seasonal produce, while still keeping meals comforting and realistic for busy families.

I walk through how I approach picky eating in my own home, why pairing new foods with familiar favorites actually works, and how seasonal eating can be a tool for connection instead of pressure. This episode is for any mom who wants to expand her family’s menu without guilt, force, or food fights.

If you’ve ever felt discouraged by eye rolls at the dinner table or stuck cooking the same meals on repeat, this one’s for you.

Check the show notes for links, resources, and ways to get extra support with seasonal meal planning.

JOIN MY EMAIL LIST: https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/mealspiration-newsletter

SNAG MY SEASONAL MEAL PLANNING GUIDE: https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/meal-planning-guide

GRAB MY SEASONAL PRODUCE GUIDE: https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/whats-in-season

CUSTOM MEAL PLANNING SERVICE: https://forms.gle/GJh7n67b7ZQM16qM7

What marrying an Englishman taught me about seasonal eating.

In this episode, I’m sharing how British food culture, yes even beans on toast, completely reshaped the way I approach fall and winter cooking. From growing up on Midwest comfort food to learning how to actually cook root vegetables, winter squash, and hearty greens, this is a story about expanding our food horizons, honoring seasonal produce, and building confidence in the kitchen.

We talk cozy UK food traditions, why some “weird” foods make more sense than we think, and how learning to cook unfamiliar ingredients helped me connect more deeply to food, culture, and family life. I also walk through a list of lesser-loved fall produce and share simple, realistic ways to work them into your weekly meals without a culinary degree required.

If you’ve ever felt stuck cooking the same things on repeat or unsure how to use seasonal produce, this episode is for you. It’s an invitation to try something new, let food be a source of connection, and enjoy this season one meal at a time.

PINTEREST SEARCH TERMS: ("x vegetable" dinners) aka, "Beets Dinners", "Leeks Dinners", "Winter Squash Dinners", and so forth. You can also search "Winter Produce Meal Ideas" and be less specific, but I believe that specificity yields better, more targeted results while leaving you space to get creative.

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JOIN MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER! https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/mealspiration-newsletter

SNAG MY (FREE) SEASONAL PRODUCE GUIDE! https://ashtin-cope-seasonal.myflodesk.com/whats-in-season

CUSTOM MEAL PLANNING SERICE: https://forms.gle/GJh7n67b7ZQM16qM7

SHOW NOTES: http://ashtincopeseasonal.com/?p=18

I recorded this episode from my front porch with a hot cup of coffee and a baby on my hip—because there was no better time or place to talk about a concept that’s been so fascinating to me lately: cottage season.

Not in the “I own a vacation home” kind of way (because that is a very different tax bracket than I am in)—but in the mindset of slower mornings, simpler meals, softer joy. In this episode, I’m sharing what “cottage season” means to me, and how you can start leaning into the cozy, nourishing, down-to-earth rhythms of this summer season without changing your whole life or buying anything new.

I talk about:

• Why summer doesn’t feel like it used to—and how I’m making peace with that
• Nostalgic childhood memories to recreate for my girls
• What’s actually behind all that dreamy cottagecore content online
• A few tiny-but-powerful ways you can bring more beauty and intention into your home this week

I want this episode to feel equal parts comforting and grounding. If you’re craving slower days, more connection, and a summer that feels good, sans perfection, this one’s for you.

After a long break (and a lot of life), I’m back—and this time, things are getting a little cozier. In this honest reintroduction, I’m sharing where I’ve been, why I stepped away, and the new direction I feel called to take this podcast.

We’re keeping it simple, heartfelt, and a little less polished—more like coffee with a friend than a lecture. If you’re craving slower rhythms, real-life stories, and a deeper connection to food and family, you’re in the right place.

Let’s start fresh—together.

Motherhood is full of changing seasons—just like nature. From the sleepless newborn stage to the whirlwind of the toddler years, and all the way to watching your teens grow into young adults, every season has something to savor. But in a world that constantly rushes us, how can we slow down and truly embrace each stage?

In this episode, we’ll explore 10 simple ways to be more present and soak up the season of motherhood you’re in right now. We’ll talk about:
✔️ How motherhood mirrors the natural seasons (and why that’s a good thing!)
✔️ The pressure to “slow down” vs. the reality of modern motherhood
✔️ Practical ways to be present, celebrate growth, and embrace change
✔️ Why letting go of perfection makes the journey more meaningful

If you’ve ever felt torn between “cherishing every moment” and just trying to make it through the day, this one’s for you. Let’s shift our focus from pressure to presence—and find the beauty in every messy, magical season of motherhood.

👉 If this episode resonates, share it with a fellow mom who needs the reminder! And as always, enjoy this season and all the eats it has to offer.