I recently came across a post by a fellow widow that asked, “How does anyone survive, or even want to, in this life that has been forced upon us?”

As soon as I read it, I felt a deep connection. Because I know that feeling all too well.

When Kevin died, my world was turned upside down, and I didn’t know how to keep moving forward. The weight of grief is hard enough to carry on its own, but when it’s compounded by everything else that comes with it - loneliness, exhaustion, confusion, and emotional overwhelm - it feels impossible.

I remember how I felt just three months after Kevin died, as I faced my first Christmas without him. I looked nothing like I had before - haggard, lifeless, utterly drained. I didn’t realise at the time that nutrient deficiencies had begun to take their toll on me, or that grief was literally draining every ounce of my energy and vitality. I had nothing left.

But I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t know how best to care for myself, how to manage my emotions, or even how to prepare for the emotional triggers of the holiday season. I stumbled through that first Christmas, raw and unprepared, just trying to survive, hoping I’d somehow make it through. I had no real guidance or practical support, so it was just a lot of messy trial and error.

But you don’t have to go through it like that.

That’s why I wrote Nourishing Through Loss: A Gentle Holiday Guide. It’s the guide I wish I’d had back then, designed to help bring a little light, comfort, and control to a season that feels impossibly heavy when you’re grieving. It’s part cookbook, part survival guide to get you through the challenges of the holidays with more ease, energy, and stability. 

Excerpts from my book:

Why What And When You Eat Is Important During The Holidays

The holiday season often brings a whirlwind of emotions, traditions, and expectations, which can feel overwhelming after the loss of a loved one. For many of us, the comforting foods of the holidays hold deep emotional significance, yet they can also become a source of imbalance. The abundance of rich meals, sugary treats, and irregular eating patterns can affect your body and mind in many ways, amplifying feelings of fatigue, sadness, and overwhelm.

When you’re grieving, your body is under significant stress, which impacts your digestion, energy levels, mental well-being, and emotional resilience. This makes the timing and quality of your meals especially crucial during the holidays. Regular, balanced meals help stabilise your blood sugar which is key to managing mood swings, cravings, energy dips, and your emotions.

Thoughtful food choices also support your digestion which takes another hit during the festive season when we often eat combinations of foods that are harder for the body to process.

How Blood Sugar Impacts Your Grief Journey

Recognising the signs of a blood sugar rollercoaster is the first step towards regaining more control. Look out for these common indicators:

• Energy crashes followed by intense cravings
• Mood swings tied to eating patterns
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Feeling "hangry" more often than usual
• Waking up during the night
• Increased anxiety or emotional sensitivity

Regular, balanced meals help stabilise your blood sugar, which is key to managing mood swings, cravings, energy dips, and your emotions. As I share in the book, "By paying attention to what and when you eat, food becomes an ally, helping you find more balance, energy, and peace."

Here’s what you'll find inside:

✨ Tools to steady your mood, energy, and emotions through food: Grief can wreak havoc on your physical health, but the right foods can help keep everything more balanced, especially during times of high emotional stress.

✨ Recipes for festive meals and drinks that truly nourish and comfort: The holiday season often feels like a whirlwind of social pressures, and meals are at the centre of it all. The recipes I’ve included are designed to nourish you physically and emotionally, offering comfort without the overwhelm.

✨ Strategies for navigating social pressures and gatherings: The holidays are full of emotional triggers. You don’t have to endure them alone. This guide helps you create healthy boundaries and navigate social situations with more ease.

✨ Tips for mindful eating to avoid digestive upsets: Grief can often cause digestive issues, and traditional holiday foods don't make it any easier. Mindful eating strategies can help calm your system, allowing you to enjoy the food you eat without discomfort.

✨ Self-care practices to create small moments of peace and calm: This isn’t just about food; it’s about creating space for yourself amidst the emotional chaos. Small, simple self-care practices can bring moments of balance, helping you cope with emotional triggers and stay grounded.

Whether you’re spending this season alone, or with family, Nourishing Through Loss will help you care for yourself - physically and emotionally. You deserve to move through this season with more energy, resilience, and peace.

I understand how difficult it is to face the holidays without your loved one. But you don’t have to face it alone. I’m here to support you with practical advice, nourishing meals, and simple self-care strategies that can make a real difference. Let me help you take back some control and find moments of calm and nurture during this emotionally triggering time.

Find gentle, practical support here.

This guide is meant to be your companion, not another item on your holiday to-do list. Take what resonates with you, and feel free to concentrate on that part. Grief is deeply personal, and there’s no right or wrong way to navigate this season.