The Raw and The Cooked - Simple Rhythms for SAHM, Honest Motherhood, and Books Worth Reading

Dara Boxer
  • 4.7 (3)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Dara Boxer is a stay-at-home mom to four kids six and under, committed to living a simple, well-organized, and beautifully functional life — mostly for her own sanity. A former personal chef and cooking instructor, she brings that same intention to her home: from seasonal meal planning to laundry systems, quiet time routines, toy storage, and everything in between. Episodes release on Thursdays, and alternate between honest book reviews and practical strategies for managing the chaos of home life with little kids. Come for the rhythm tips, stay for the raw motherhood truths — and maybe leave with a better grocery list.

  1. 3D AGO

    #188: Raw Monthly Budget | What My Family of Six Actually Spends

    Ever wonder what a real family budget looks like? This week I’m opening up our June 2025 numbers — every dollar we spent on groceries, clothes, dining out, birdseed (yes), birthday parties, and last-minute ice cream runs. I’m sharing where the impulse spending sneaks in, what makes it worth it, and how I think about money not just as math but as a living record of our values, chaos, and care. Come peek behind the budget curtain. I hope it inspires you to look at your own spending with a little more honesty — and a lot more grace. Send us a text www.daraboxer.com

    28 min

  2. AUG 21

    #187: What If September Didn't Have to Feel So Overwhelming?

    September has a way of rushing in with new routines, school schedules, and endless lists, leaving us feeling like we’re already behind. But what if this month didn’t have to feel so overwhelming? In this episode, I’m sharing how I’m experimenting with a gentler rhythm for fall — including my idea of a “fall dashboard” to keep things simple — and how we can give ourselves permission to focus on what matters now, instead of everything at once. Full Post Here. Send us a text www.daraboxer.com

    26 min

  3. AUG 14

    #186: What We Ate This Week, How I Prepped, & What I Spent, Part VII

    This week on the podcast, I’m sharing exactly what our family of six ate over the course of a full summer week—plus what we spent on groceries and dining out. With my dad visiting, it was a lively, food-filled few days of sourdough baking, summer dinners, and simple breakfasts. Tune in for a peek at our real-life meal rhythm, how I balance homemade with easy wins, and the total cost of feeding our crew this July. Mentioned Recipes:  Sourdough Brownies 🍫Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies 🍪Sourdough Tortillas 🌮Greek Chicken Marinade 🍋Full Post Here. Send us a text www.daraboxer.com

    13 min

  4. AUG 7

    #185: How I Structure Summer Weekdays with Four Small Children

    In this episode of The Raw and the Cooked, I’m taking you inside a typical summer weekday morning in our house—with four kids under six, it’s as wild and sweet as you’d imagine. From the early wake-up call (courtesy of the cat) to swim lessons, snack prep, and that sacred solo coffee shop hour, I’m sharing the rhythms that help keep things (mostly) running. If you’re deep in the trenches too, I hope this one makes you feel a little less alone. Full Post Here. Send us a text www.daraboxer.com

    15 min

  5. JUL 31

    #184: [REPLAY] Audio Magic: When Narrators Transform Good Books Into Great Ones

    The magic of audiobooks lies in the unique relationship between listener and narrator. Just as our parents became our first storytellers, reading bedtime stories with dramatic voices and engaging inflections, today's professional narrators transform words on a page into immersive experiences. The right narrator can elevate a good story into something extraordinary—think of George Saunders' "Lincoln in the Bardo" with its hundred-voice cast, or the perfect pacing in "Daisy Jones and the Six" that brings its interview format to vibrant life. Mentioned Audiobooks: Fates and Furies by Lauren GroffLincoln in the Bardo by George SaundersEverything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola YoonPachinko by Min Jin LeeThe Hate U Give by Angie ThomasDaisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins ReidMrs. Everything by Jennifer WeinerSuch a Fun Age by Kiley ReidA Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne FowlerValentine by Elizabeth WetmoreFriends and Strangers by J. Courtney SullivanRed, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuistonOne to Watch by Kate Stayman-LondonThe Unhoneymooners by Christina LaurenThe Push by Ashley AudrainApples Never Fall by Liane MoriartyCrying in H Mart by Michelle ZaunerThe Four Winds by Kristin HannahThe Plot by Jean Hanff KorelitzNora Goes Off Script by Annabel MonaghanTomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle ZevinHidden Pictures by Jason RekulakThe Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'FarrellThank You for Listening by Julia WhelanDead Romantics by Ashley PostonPart of Your World by Abby JimenezThe Candy House by Jennifer EganYellowface by R.F. KuangPineapple Street by Jenny JacksonRemarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van PeltThe Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki BrammerBye, Baby by Caroline LoveringNothing to See Here by Kevin WilsonThe Rachel Incident by Caroline O'DonoghueMiracle Creek by Angie KimThe Last One at the Wedding by Jason RekulakThe Wedding People by Alison EspachAsk for Andrea by Noelle Ihli Send us a text www.daraboxer.com

    19 min

  6. JUL 24

    #183: [REPLAY] The Power of the Pan Sauce

    This replay dives into the magic of pan sauces — how they work, when to make them, and why they’re a shortcut to flavor and elegance. You’ll hear tips for building sauces from the bits left in the pan, plus my go-to combos that save dinner again and again. The Wooden Spoon Send us a text www.daraboxer.com

    14 min

  7. JUL 17

    #182: [REPLAY] Batch Cooking Will Transform Your Weeknight Dinner Routine

    Stop cooking every night, especially in the thick of summer time. Today, we're going to discuss stretching three meals into seven nights with the help of batch cooking.  Send us a text www.daraboxer.com

    10 min

  8. JUL 10

    #181: [REPLAY] Counter Intelligence: The Secret Life of Organized Kitchens

    Today, I'm sharing five simple strategies to transform your kitchen into a stress-free space where you'll actually enjoy cooking, focusing on manageable daily actions that create long-term impact. • Clean up completely after every meal, including a "three-minute sweep" to remove non-kitchen items that accumulate on countertops • Gradually declutter cabinets and drawers while putting away clean dishes, removing broken items and duplicates you never use • Reorganize kitchen storage based on frequency of use, putting regularly used items in accessible spots • Implement regular meal planning to reduce food waste, save money, and eliminate mealtime stress • Decant pantry staples into clear containers for easy visual inventory and declutter specialty ingredients you rarely use Take these changes slowly and steadily—even implementing just the meal planning will give you a sense of calm and clarity in your kitchen. Send us a text www.daraboxer.com

    15 min
See All (188)

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Dara Boxer is a stay-at-home mom to four kids six and under, committed to living a simple, well-organized, and beautifully functional life — mostly for her own sanity. A former personal chef and cooking instructor, she brings that same intention to her home: from seasonal meal planning to laundry systems, quiet time routines, toy storage, and everything in between. Episodes release on Thursdays, and alternate between honest book reviews and practical strategies for managing the chaos of home life with little kids. Come for the rhythm tips, stay for the raw motherhood truths — and maybe leave with a better grocery list.

Information

You Might Also Like