About us

Welcome! I’m Heather, the creator of Made in a Pinch.

I’m a native of North Carolina who transplanted to Colorado after college and will probably never leave.

I originally started this site with my dearest friend and college roommate, Lisa, in 2017 as a way for us to stay connected while living 2,000 miles away. Made in a Pinch began as a way for us to share the cool things we were learning as parents or doing with our kids.

Unfortunately, Lisa had to step away in 2019. After some debate, I decided to keep Made in a Pinch going because we had grown a community of other parents who were joining us on our journey and learning from us.

I have three kids – all boys! They’re all teens now, and while the parenting challenges are great, I love the people they are becoming.

We live outside of Denver, Colorado. I am a certified group exercise instructor and love getting outdoors every chance I get. If you’re in the area, you may find me teaching a class at a local gym or riding my bike out on the local trails – or even just walking my dog!

As seen in:

Fun Facts About Me

I grew up with one sister and never really spent time around boys. Then I gave birth to three of them.
Being outside on a beautiful day improves my mood, helps me feel grounded, and makes it easier for me to tackle hard things.
I believe that the world, in general, needs more kindness and less judgmentalness. I work hard to treat everyone who crosses my path with kindness and patience because that’s what I want too.
I’m far from perfect. Definitely not Pinterest perfect. And I don’t have it all together.
I enjoy organizing and love a good, satisfying decluttering session in my home. Ah!
I want my boys to be healthy, happy, and productive adults, and everything I do with them is done with that goal in mind.
I have a cat named Winnie and a dog named Maggie. They’re my girls! I adore their personalities.
I know there’s a difference between a goal or idealistic approach and reality. I don’t always follow my own advice. For example, while I believe that limiting screen time is the healthiest, there are days when we spend far too much time on screens!
I used to create completely impossible to-do lists and then get upset with myself when I couldn’t do it all in a day. I’ve learned to be more gentle – the lists are still impossible, but they get done over time.
I completely lack all fashion sense whatsoever.

What is Made in a Pinch all about?

Here at Made in a Pinch, you will find practical tips for parenting and living your life healthier and happier…one day at a time!

The name “Made in a Pinch” is rooted in our desire to make as many things from scratch as possible while feeling constantly in a pinch for time (or money). That goal led to Lisa and me sharing simple recipes that our families loved and easy DIY projects and activities that we made which turned out just as well (or better!) than store-bought alternatives. And it grew from there.

As someone who has studied child development and learned even more through the school of hard knocks as a parent, I know family life isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario where everyone “should” simply follow an impossible list of rules to “win” at parenting.

I believe it’s essential to be realistic about how you approach parenting and challenges with your kids and to do what works for you and your family.

One thing I know without a doubt is that building memories and strong relationships with your family is an essential part of the parenting journey that will last the rest of your lives.

And there’s good news! Whether you’re struggling with parenting, meal planning, health issues, relationships, or anything else, you don’t have to figure it all out today. And I’m here to help.

Come join me on this amazing journey, and you’ll find:

easy recipes
support for moms (and dads too!)
tips for stressing less and enjoying life more
tools and activities you can use to build memories that will last a lifetime
health and wellness tips for living life more naturally
easy homemade and DIY ideas to help save money and reduce the unnecessary chemicals in your life
how to use essential oils in simple but impactful ways
educational and fun activities for kids
and much more!

My Current 15 Favorite Posts (Changes Over Time)

1. Easiest Homemade Hummingbird Food Recipe (2-Ingredients!)

2. Healthy Homemade Strawberry Gummies (With Real Fruit)

3. How to Clean White Baseball Pants (Easy Mom Secrets)

4. Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Bites

5. Best 30-Day Fitness Challenge Ideas for Busy Moms

6. Adorable Lunch Box Notes For Kids To Make Their Day

7. Positive Affirmations For Teens For Boosting Self-Esteem

8. How to Know if You Have a Strong-Willed Child (+ free quiz)

9. Growth Mindset For Kids: How To Raise Independent Adults

10. East Coast vs. West Coast: Pros And Cons For Raising Families

11. Volunteer Opportunities for Kids: Fun and Impactful Ways to Give Back