These Are the Nightly Rituals a Busy Food Blogger (and Mom) Follows to Get Her Glow

As a wellness enthusiast, you strive to dedicate the hours after leaving the office (or, ahem, shutting your laptop) for self-care. Because that's not always easy, we're tapping wellness pros to share their real-talk p.m. rituals.

And this time, we teamed up with Espira by Avon, the skin-care supplements that nourish from the inside out, to find out how real moms master their evening routines. Below, recipe developer and superstar mom to two daughters Laney Schwartz details hers—including her nightly skin-care hack: Espira P.M. Restore, which mixes into water for a non-GMO, antioxidant-rich cocktail packed with collagen peptides to promote firmness†.

Laney Schwartz
Creator of Life is but a Dish

Typically, I stop working around 4 p.m. each day. I pick up my girls almost everyday after school, so that acts as a hard stopping point for me. Anyone who works from home knows that it’s nearly impossible to work while young kids are running around.

After I pick them up, we come home and they play together for a bit. I begin the process of making dinner, which from start to finish usually takes about one hour with all the distractions. The girls love to help!

We’re big eaters in this house but I never feel badly about it because it’s all nutritious and delicious! I go to the grocery store every Monday and buy whatever looks good and inspires me. I typically plan my meal around a protein. We mainly eat chicken and fish. I love to add roasted veggies, rice, and/or a salad.

My husband comes home around 6 p.m. and we eat dinner as a family at least five times a week. This is my favorite family activity as it gives us a time to slow down, talk, and enjoy each other's company.

This is my favorite family activity as it gives us a time to slow down, talk, and enjoy each other's company.

Our kids mostly eat the same food as us.  The trick for getting kids to try new foods is setting a positive example—and patience. My youngest daughter barely ate fruits or vegetables for almost two years. At family dinners, she would observe and see what we were eating. In the last six months or so, she has completely come around, asking to try new things. Keeping the experience around food positive and enjoyable for kids is the best thing you can do for them and for yourself.

After dinner, the girls take showers and get ready for bed. We read books, sing songs, and chat in bed before they fall asleep.  My favorite time with them is what we call resting, where I lie in bed with each of them for about 5 to 10 minutes with the lights out and sound machine on. We talk about the day, what’s happening tomorrow, or simply just close our eyes together. It’s the absolute best.

I know this might sound silly but cleaning my kitchen is an essential part of my nighttime routine. Waking up to a clean, organized kitchen each morning is for sure a big part of my self care.

Comfort is of the utmost importance to me when it comes to bedtime so I put on my pajamas as soon as humanly possible. After the kitchen is clean, I like to brush my teeth, wash my face, hair in a scrunchie, and cuddle up on the couch under a blanket watching our favorite shows.

In the past year, I've become really committed to my skin-care routine. I get a facial every four weeks and use the same high-quality products daily. My main focuses are reducing sun spots, hydrating, and brightening my skin.

My p.m. skin-care routine consists of washing my face with a gentle cleanser, using my exfoliating pads two to three times a week, and finishing with my dreamy night cream.

I sip Espira PM Restore as I’m winding down for the night and it feels like my nighttime treat. In the past few weeks, I’ve noticed my skin is refreshed each morning. I love that it’s something easily incorporated into my already simple evening routine.

In partnership with Espira by Avon

Photos: Laney Schwartz

†These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.