Kristin, a graduate of Cornell and the Culinary Institute of America with over 20 years of experience in the food industry, offers fresh, creative, and custom culinary experiences. Her postpartum doula journey began when a friend recommended she read The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing a New Mother.
In my work, I combine postpartum doula services, in-home care, and chef services all in one. Providing support to families as they adjust to life with a newborn is my calling. I am pleased to include, (but not limited to), help with chest-feeding and infant care— along with employing a 'food as medicine' approach to postpartum recovery. As an accomplished Chef, I create meals that are tailored to the individual needs of a family—taking into consideration dietary restrictions and personal preferences. I also include soothing, nutritious foods to help the birth parent regain strength and vitality. Overall, I am very passionate about providing the necessary nurturing and compassionate care to families required during the postpartum period.
As a Postpartum Doula,
my ultimate goal is to provide unparalleled assistance during the crucial days and weeks after childbirth. I offer my unwavering support for up to 3 months after birth, providing expert guidance with infant care, and both emotional and physical support for the birthing and non-birthing parent. Light housekeeping, cooking, and access to invaluable resources are also included. My unwavering focus is to be an impartial third-party helper for families as they seamlessly adjust to their life with a newborn. While my certification in CPR and First Aid is a testament example to my expertise, my role is strictly non-medical. Therefore, I don't offer medical advice, perform clinical tasks, or diagnose conditions. I do, however, obtain and share key resources with you to be able to deal with such matters quickly.
Please visit Evidence Based Birth or DONA International website for more information.
COMMITMENT TO BEING EQUITY-MINDED
As a care provider, small business owner, and person I am committed to the ongoing dismantling systems of bias, behaviors, and beliefs. This may be in the form of self education, actively supporting BIPOC individuals or organizations, choosing to offer services outside of a system rooted in racism and patriarchy, and using privilege I may have to vocalize social awareness based truths. I view myself as a lifelong learner and I value ideas, feedback, and collaborations on ways I can more effectively stand for inclusive responsibility.
About Me.
I am a Culinary Institute of America & Cornell University grad with more than twenty years of experience in the food & hospitality industry across the country. From Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises in Chicago, IL, and Sakara Life in NYC.
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I had the privilege of experiencing a farm-to-table lifestyle growing up, visiting my Grandfather's dairy farm in Northeastern Pennsylvania and actively partaking in my Father's large backyard garden in Frederick, Maryland. These experiences set the tone for my passion for the food industry and farming skills in my own life - WWOOFing* in Borgo Val di Taro, Italy & the Relais & Chateaux property, Winvian in Litchfield, CT. Waking up to feed the pigs and chickens, pressing apples for cider, or spending my summer days pickling vegetables & making jams are memories I cherish. My understanding of farm work has developed a profound respect for my family - as well as all farmers-and what it takes to cultivate such a pristine product.
My pronouns are she/her/hers, and getting dirt under my fingernails, pick out beautiful bouquets of wildflowers, early mornings at a farmer's market, running on a trail in the woods, and eating the best pho in town (or making it for that matter!) are sure-fire ways to put a smile on my face. I meditate, walk, hike, bike, travel (when possible!), work on never-ending side projects, scratch that acting interest itch, and more. I try to have fresh (then soon after dried) flowers on my car dashboard as much as possible (without obstructing my road view, of course). I have networks in NYC, upstate NY, Chicago & Seattle, where I work.
Email Me: Kristinavage@gmail.com