Nourish Me Mama was founded by passionate mother and Certified Nutrition Consultant Arti Chhaganlal who transformed her personal journey through fertility challenges, pregnancy and postpartum into a heartfelt mission to support other women. Rooted in the belief that food is medicine and that real nourishment begins from within, Nourish Me Mama offers holistic, evidence-informed guidance for mums navigating pregnancy, postpartum recovery and baby’s first foods. Drawing from traditional wisdom, modern nutrition and lived experience, this one-woman business is dedicated to helping mothers feel confident, supported and deeply nourished – in body, mind and soul. Here Arti talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind her business, how she balances work and family life, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
Nourish Me Mama was born from my own personal journey through fertility challenges, pregnancy and the transformative season of becoming a mother. After going through multiple IUI treatments and experiencing pregnancy loss, I made a conscious decision to support my body in the most nourishing, intentional way possible when I became pregnant again.
Postpartum brought a whole new wave of challenges – the exhaustion, the emotional load, the feeling of being completely depleted. It was during this time that I leaned into the traditional Ayurvedic practices my own mama shared with me. Through warm, grounding meals and deep nourishment, I began to feel more like myself again – slowly, gently, and with care.
Later, when it came time to introduce solids to my baby, I found myself overwhelmed by conflicting information. That moment sparked something in me: I wanted to create a safe, supportive space for other mamas navigating this journey – one that feels empowering, nurturing and rooted in real food.
Nourish Me Mama was created to walk with women through all stages of motherhood – from pregnancy to postpartum and baby’s first bites. My mission is to help mamas feel confident, supported and deeply nourished – in body and soul.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I’ve always believed that food is medicine – and that nourishing our bodies is one of the most powerful gifts we can give ourselves. That belief became even more personal after becoming a mama. Once I had my two little ones, I became deeply committed to making sure they were getting the nutrients they needed to thrive – and that I was taking care of myself, too.
That’s when I made the decision to formally study and become a Certified Nutrition Consultant through the Oh Baby School of Holistic Nutrition, specialising in Pregnancy, Postpartum and Baby Nutrition. Studying while working in the corporate world and raising two young children wasn’t easy – but I knew in my heart this was the path I was meant to follow.
Once I was certified, I began slowly building Nourish Me Mama from the ground up – brainstorming names, designing services, laying down the foundations and doing all the behind-the-scenes work, all while juggling motherhood and the everyday chaos of life. There were more moving parts than I expected – but every challenge felt worth it because I knew what I was creating mattered.
I officially opened for bookings in March 2025, once my website was complete. Since then, I’ve been offering 1:1 virtual consultations across New Zealand and Australia, writing blogs, collaborating with like-minded businesses and – most importantly – supporting incredible mamas and their little ones. Most of my clients have found me through Instagram, and it’s been so special to build genuine connections in that space.
There’s still so much in the works – new eGuides, growing my email list, expanding my offerings – the to-do list never really ends when you’re a one-woman show. But when your work is fuelled by passion and purpose, you just keep going.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
One of the biggest breakthroughs for me has been realising just how many mamas truly need this kind of support – and how transformative proper nourishment can be for their health, energy and emotional well-being during motherhood.
Educating mamas on the power of nutrition during pregnancy, postpartum and baby’s first years has been such a rewarding part of the journey. Seeing those “lightbulb moments” when a mama realises the impact that small, nourishing changes can make – that’s what drives me.
Another exciting breakthrough has been the opportunity to collaborate with some amazing mumpreneurs, writing blogs and connecting with like-minded women who are equally passionate about supporting mamas. Building a community, forming authentic partnerships and growing together has been incredibly special.
Honestly, even just starting Nourish Me Mama was a breakthrough. Launching the website, learning the ropes of running a business, putting myself out there – every small win has been a building block. It’s taught me that you don’t have to have it all figured out to make a real impact – you just have to start with heart and purpose and grow from there.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
The juggle is real – I won’t lie! Running Nourish Me Mama, raising two young kids, supporting a hubby who travels for work and working part-time during school hours keeps me on my toes. But for me, balance means being able to prioritise what matters most: my family, my work and my own wellbeing.
It’s not always glamorous or easy, and there are days that feel messy – but I’ve learnt that making even a little time for myself is non-negotiable. Whether it’s a quick 15-minute walk around the block, a short gym session or simply putting on a face mask, a little self-care goes a long way. I always remind my mama clients: you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Motherhood alone is a full-time job, so nurturing yourself – even just for a few minutes – can recharge your energy in powerful ways.
Some of the simple rituals and habits that help me balance work and family are:
- Morning movement: I get up early and exercise before the kids wake – even if it’s just a 20-minute yoga flow or a walk. It’s my time to connect back to myself.
- Afternoons are sacred: I don’t take meetings after 3pm. That’s my time to be fully present for my kids when they need me most.
- Family dinners: We eat dinner together every night, no matter how busy the day has been. It’s where our best conversations and laughs happen.
- Prioritising sleep: I aim to be asleep by 10pm to get a solid 7-8 hours of rest.
- Weekend meal prep: Prepping nourishing meals ahead of time saves me stress during the busy week and keeps the whole family thriving.
It’s about finding rhythms and habits that support the season you’re in. That’s true balance for me.
