Contact Me

Would you like me to come on your podcast or join an Instagram Live? Drop me a line and we’ll set something up.

Are you a member of the media who needs a knowledgeable voice for a radio segment, TV show or news article? I’ve got plenty of experience with media appearances and I’m always happy to chat.

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Click on the link to drop me a line!

Linda@lindamcgurk.com

Linda-455-low-res

rainorshinemamma

Swedish American author, speaker and nature play advocate🌿 Living an open-air life⛺️ Start here👇🏼

Seeing the Northern lights AND walking in moonligh

Seeing the Northern lights AND walking in moonlight so bright no headlamp was needed? My cup is full🙌🏻🌕
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#rainorshinemamma #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #theopenairlife #northernlights #norrsken

When I moved to Indiana nearly 20 years ago, I not

When I moved to Indiana nearly 20 years ago, I noticed a widespread aversion to winter. Granted, there have been times when I've struggled with the dark and cold as well, but if there's one thing I learned from my upbringing in Sweden and the Nordic outdoor tradition of friluftsliv, it is that there's beauty to being outside in every season❄️

We can't do anything about the weather, so why let it ruin your day? There is so much to discover outside in the wintertime and once you accept the weather for what it is, it's much easier to actually embrace the season💨

If fall shows us how beautiful it is to let things go, I think winter is nature's way of sparking our resilience and showing us that when it is dark outside, our light can come from within🔥

What are your feelings about winter?

PS. Speaking of winter, I highly recommend the book Wintering by @katherinemay_.
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#rainorshinemamma #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #winter #wintering #outsideeveryday #theopenairlife #lifeisbetteroutside

Raise your hand if you’re struggling with mental

Raise your hand if you’re struggling with mental health during the dark season🙋🏼‍♀️ To feel a bit blue in November is very common in Scandinavia as daylight is in short supply and the days keep getting shorter until the winter solstice. The darkness used to bother me too, but now I try to embrace it as a part of a seasonal rhythm. These are a few of the things I do to take care of myself during the dark time (and if this sounds egotistical, my POV is that if my mental health is down, everybody around me will suffer as well):

🌊 Cold plunges - refreshes the mind and keeps anxiety and depression at bay.
🌞 Walks in daylight - helps regulate hormones and improves sleep.
🙏🏻 Gratitude rituals - helps us appreciate what we have and makes us happier.
🔥 Fire, inside and outside - because it brings people together and it’s hygge.

What do you do to stay upbeat during the dark season (not to mention the depressing state of the world)?
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #theopenairlife #mentalhealth #novemberblues

This giveaway is now CLOSED. Congratulations to th

This giveaway is now CLOSED. Congratulations to the winners:
@beperks89
@thedupontnest
@becca.stark14
@enjoyfulbeing
@kmkabraham

Send a DM with your address, email address and phone number to @rainorshinemamma to claim your prizes😁

⭐️⭐️⭐️GIVEAWAY⭐️⭐️⭐️

One year ago, I published my second book THE OPEN-AIR LIFE, about the Nordic outdoor tradition friluftsliv📚To celebrate, I’ve partnered with @outdoorschoolshop for an amazing giveaway! Five lucky winners will receive a copy of my book as well as a gift card for Outdoor School Shop, which is a great one-stop-shop for children’s outdoor gear that stocks several of my favorite Scandinavian brands🧦

5 winners will each receive:
1 copy of THE OPEN-AIR LIFE from @tarcherperigee (value $20)
$100 gift card from @outdoorschoolshop

How to enter:
1. Like and save this post
2. Follow @rainorshinemamma and @outdoorschoolshop
3. Let us know in the comments what type of outdoor gear you need for your kids (or yourself!) right now.

May the forest be with you and good luck!🌳

This giveaway closes on Nov. 4 and the winners will be announced shortly after. Must be 18 and reside in the US to enter. The giveaway is not endorsed by or affiliated with Meta.
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#theopenairlifebook #openairlife #outdoorschoolshop #outdoorschool #outdoorgear #lifeisbetteroutside #outsideeveryday

A few years ago, I never would’ve thought cold s

A few years ago, I never would’ve thought cold swimming was for me. Now it’s an obsession. Studies show that cold swimming can reduce the risk of airway infections, boost the immune system and be effective against anxiety and mild depression. Would you/have you ever tried to immerse yourself in nature this way?
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#rainorshinemamma #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #theopenairlife #coldswimming #coldplunge

There's no panacea for good health but eating well

There's no panacea for good health but eating well and getting outside for a daily walk can get you pretty close. That's one of the reasons why I find living by the mantra "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes" so helpful - it throws out all doubts and feelings of indecision. I've made a habit of getting outside every day and now it's just a part of my rhythm🌿

I grew up in a culture steeped in friluftsliv, or "open-air life", where daily outdoor time is the norm, which has helped me be consistent about getting outside. But even if you didn't, you can reap the benefits of everyday nature connection in your adult life, and pass the healthy habits on to your children🌳

It you want more outdoor time in your life but find it hard to create a habit that sticks, keep these two Atomic Habits-inspired tips in mind:

1) Small habits matter. The power of small changes is often underestimated. If 15 minutes outside per day is all you can realistically achieve, then start with that. The beauty of starting small is that if you increase the time spent outside by just 1 percent every day for an entire year, you will theoretically have increased your outdoor time by 37 times by the end of the year. (Granted, if you start at 15 minutes, you end up at over 9 hours per day, which may not be realistic unless you work outside, but you get the idea!)

2) Create an outdoor identity. Your behaviors are a reflection of your current identity, whether consciously or subconsciously. Consequently, if you want to change your behavior to get outside more, you have to start thinking of yourself as an outdoorsy person. This is called identity-based habits. In this case, decide that you want to be an outdoorsy person and prove it to yourself through small actions that reinforce that identity.

For more tips on how to create a nature habit that sticks, check out my latest blog post: https://rainorshinemamma.com/how-to-create-a-nature-habit/💪🏼🌳
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #naturehabit #outsideeveryday #lifeisbetteroutside #openairlife

Ad for @outdoorschoolshop Hands up if you think

Ad for @outdoorschoolshop

Hands up if you think getting outdoor gear for the family can be kind of pricey🙋🏼‍♀️ I’m not a big shopper (my kids make fun of me because they think I’m hopelessly unfashionable) but if there’s one thing I always make sure to have, it’s reliable outdoor clothes for myself and my family💪🏻

These four tips go a long way toward saving money on gear, while at the same time reducing our footprint on the environment. I think #2 is my favorite - which one is yours?🤔 Find more cool patches here: https://outdoorschoolshop.com/shop/snow/care-repair/?aff=5)
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #outdoorgear #careandrepair #moneysaving #moneysavingtips

I'm always struggling to find the right words at t

I'm always struggling to find the right words at times when the world seems more infused with hatred than compassion and violence seems to trump communication. Cursing the seemingly impossible task to strike a balance between condemning atrocities and infusing hope. Fighting my instinct to withdraw and hibernate through the calamity like a bear, refraining to emerge until the snow has melted and the relentless killing has stopped💔

But whenever I feel devastated, powerless and demoralized at the state of humanity, I remind myself that even though we may not be able to affect world events, nature is there as a force to lean on in hard times, for adults and children alike🌳

So bring a child outside and watch the sunset together. Help a turtle cross the road. Let yourselves be awed by the sound of leaves rustling in the wind. Show them that the world is beautiful and what it means to be loving, kind and compassionate. That's how we change the world, one child at a time🌿
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#rainorshinemamma #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #friluftsliv #outdoorfamilies #lifeisbetteroutside #naturetherapy #naturelovers

October 4th is National Cinnamon Roll Day, so I ha

October 4th is National Cinnamon Roll Day, so I had to repost this favorite from last year😁 I’ve never learned how to make proper cinnamon rolls like my mom, but these simple ones made of pizza crust are pretty much foolproof, even for a novice. The trick here is not to skimp on the fat - if the rolls are dripping, you’ve done it right😋👍🏻

SWEDISH CAMPFIRE CINNAMON ROLLS

1 pre-made pizza crust
5 ounces margarine or butter, soft
4 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 ounce margarine or butter for frying

Make a fire and place a large cast-iron skillet over it, letting it heat up. In a bowl, add the margarine, cinnamon and cardamom and beat until smooth and all ingredients are mixed. Remove the packaging from the pizza crust and spread it out on an even surface. Distribute the margarine mix evenly over the crust, then roll it up from the long end. Divide the roll into 16 equally sized pieces. Add the rest of the margarine to the skillet and let it melt, then add the rolls. Put a lid over the skillet and leave the rolls for 5-10 minutes, then turn them and bake the other side until they’re golden brown and slightly crispy.

We made these before dinner time, which was a strategic mistake since they’re rather filling and there were enough for the kids to eat three each😳 Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
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#theopenairlife #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #friluftsliv #campfire #campfirecooking #cinnamonrolls #cinnamonrollsrecipe #kanelbullensdag #outdoorliving #freshair #outdoorsyfamilies

Six years ago today, my first book There's No Such

Six years ago today, my first book There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather saw the light, with little fanfare. There was no big release party or nationwide book tour, just a few book signings at some local libraries. Sales were tepid. But the reviews and the private messages I received told a different story and I could tell that the book was resonating with you, the readers.

💪🏼 You told me the book reassured you about your parenting choices.
🌿 It helped you get outside more with your kids.
📚 It made you question the prevailing norms on early childhood education.
☀️ Many of you even said it had changed you lives for the better.

I know the book has also inspired some of you to start nature play groups and forest schools in your local communities, from Indiana to Montana. Slowly, a community of parents and other caregivers who all share the same passion for outdoor play and nature connection started to build🌳

It's the kind of community I wish I would've had when my kids were little and it has been beautiful to watch. I know there is no way the book would be where it is today without the fervent support it has received from YOU, the readers who have taken the message to heart and made it part of your own identity as caregivers.

Seeing you embracing the book and telling the world about it, in person and on social media, year after year, is beyond anything I could've expected when I wrote it. For that I just want to say THANK YOU❤️ With every hour spent outside with a child, you are making a difference.
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #friluftsliv #sixyearanniversary

This giveaway is now CLOSED. Congratulations @dian

This giveaway is now CLOSED. Congratulations @dianaosbornetatu @raisingmavericks and Lisa B. (FB)🎉🤩🥳

⭐️⭐️⭐️GIVEAWAY⭐️⭐️⭐️

Six years ago today exactly my first book, There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather entered this world. I didn't have a very big social media following at the time and only had a small launch party with my closest friends. Even though the book had received some very nice advance reviews, I was anxious about the reception and sales were pretty tepid at first😬

Then something happened.

My readers - YOU - started contacting me to tell me your own stories about making room for nature and outdoor play in your children’s lives in this hyper-digitalized, crazy-competitive, fear-driven and nature-disconnected age. You took the message of the book to heart and made it yours. You spread the word on social media, to your friends and family and in your book clubs. Some of you even said reading the book was life changing❤️

And you know what? It’s been nothing short of life changing for me too. Your love and support over the years have given me a sense of community and the drive to keep advocating for children’s right to a childhood infused with nature. For that, I thank you🙏🏼 Please keep sharing your stories to help get my book in the hands of another generation of parents, grandparents, teachers, healthcare workers, decision makers and anybody else who have an impact on children’s lives⭐️

Now, if you’ve read this far, you deserve a chance to win a signed copy of my book to celebrate the six-year anniversary of the publication day! I’m giving away three copies. Here’s how to enter:

☑️ Like this post
☑️ Comment below why you would like to win
☑️ Tag two friends who you think should read the book

Good luck🌿

Must be 18 and residing in the U.S. or Canada to enter. This giveaway is not sponsored by or affiliated with Meta.
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #anniversary #giveaway

“Can we learn to love nature from inside a house

“Can we learn to love nature from inside a house or a speeding car? Possibly, but it seems unlikely.”

Bryan Welsh, Mother Nature News

If want to raise a generation of Earth lovers, we need to give our children the opportunity to experience nature first hand. There’s no two ways about it🌿
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#rainorshinemamma #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #theopenairlife #openair #friluftsliv #livelifeoutside #lifeisbetteroutside #outdoorfamilies #wildchild #runwildmychild #1000hoursoutside

Have you registered for the Raised Good Online Sum

Have you registered for the Raised Good Online Summit yet? This transformative event will challenge the paradigm of modern parenting and deepen your confidence in your own ability to parent and lead through relationship, not strategy. The summit takes place from September 21st - 25th and is completely FREE⛰

AT THE END OF THIS 5-DAY SUMMIT, YOU’LL GAIN:
- A newfound confidence in your own abilities as a parent
- The awareness to become led by intuition and the confidence to practice it daily
- The education and research to back up your desire to parent as nature intended
- Factual insight to help you navigate challenging aspects of motherhood like sleep, breastfeeding, and discipline
- An appreciation for play, adventure, and simplifying childhood
- A community that reminds you you’re not alone in creating you own path

I will be speaking about Building Family Culture Through the Nordic Art of Friluftsliv on Day 5 and as you can see from the lineup there are 27 other great speakers at the summit this year!🙌🏽 .

Save your seat and REGISTER NOW (link in BIO) to get access to my session and learn from experts and thought leaders in conscious parenting, attachment, child development and more.
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@raisedgood #raisedgood #raisedgoodonlinesummit #parenting #naturalparenting

Lately, I’ve been feeling drained and scatterbra

Lately, I’ve been feeling drained and scatterbrained, and have had trouble staying on task😰 I suspected that my smartphone had something to do with it, since I had been self-regulating poorly and found myself constantly drawn to the online noise of news and social media. Then a couple of weeks ago, I did something I wish I would’ve done years ago - I set a screen time limit on my phone📵 And it was liberating.

With just a few clicks in the settings menu on my phone, I’d broken a bad habit simply by making it unavailable. (Shoutout to @jamesclear for making the science behind our habits - good and bad - so clear in his book Atomic Habits, which I have devoured lately.)

The first week, I reduced the screen time on my phone by 33% and so far this week I’m down by 10% more. I’m more focused and present and better able to relate to the kids’ screen time limits now that I’ve imposed one on myself. 100% recommend this simple life hack to anyone who wants to spend less time scrolling and more time strolling!🌿

So if your messages to me have gone unanswered, please have patience. I may just have run out of screen time for the day and will get back to you as soon as possible😜

Less screen time also means more time to spend with the family❤️ Last weekend was the last hurrah for summer here, so we took the opportunity to pack up the camper and took the whole gang to the Swedish west coast🏖️ Hanging on the beach was nice, but my fave part was my solo morning walk during the sunrise☀️

What are your thoughts on screen time limits, for yourself or your kids?
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #openairlife #lifeisbetteroutside #screenfreetime #screentime #screentimelimits #atomichabits #getterön #varberg #sweden

Would you like to learn more about parenting with

Would you like to learn more about parenting with more empathy, responsiveness and connection? Or get ideas for how to simplify childhood and embrace nature in your parenting journey? These topics and many more will be covered at the much-awaited fourth annual Raised Good Online Summit, Conversations on Natural Parenting. The 5-day summit is completely FREE - and you're invited!☀️

This summit is unique in the natural parenting space bringing together experts in clinical and developmental psychology, anthropology, evolutionary science, natural health, spirituality, early childhood education, neuroscience and more. This year features 28 natural parenting experts and thought leaders and I'm honored to be one of the speakers🌳

The summit takes place September 21-25 - will you join me? It's super easy to register and then you’ll be able to access my interview as well as conversations from 27 other incredible speakers. See you there!

Comment SUMMIT and I'll send you the registration link🙌🏽 You can also find it in my bio.
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@raisedgood #raisedgood #raisedgoodonlinesummit #parentingsummit #naturalparenting #rainorshinemamma

There are many ways of doing early childhood educa

There are many ways of doing early childhood education but I must say that there’s a lot to love about the Swedish system. Here, preschool goes on until age 6 and is a mix of ECE and daycare, dubbed “educare” as it is a holistic approach to the early years🌿

The Swedish national curriculum for the preschool is 26 pages long and talks far more about giving children opportunities to grow and develop than about teaching them specific academic skills. It is quite telling that the document that governs all preschools in Sweden mentions the word “play” 28 times, “values” 25 times and “development” 74 times, whereas the word “math” is only mentioned 6 times and “reading” 1 time (and not in the context of learning how to read but that children should be given the opportunity to develop their language by listening to adults reading). Not because math and reading aren’t important but because there is an overwhelming consensus among parents and educators that childhood isn’t the time to chase imaginary academic milestones. It’s a time for children to play, explore, follow their interests, discover who they are, build integrity, acquire democratic values and develop a life-long desire to learn❤️🌿
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #earlychildhoodeducation #theearlyyears #preschool #preschooleducation #prek #letthemplay #letthemexplore #letthembelittle #letthembewild #letthembekids

It was an absolute joy and honor to be a guest on

It was an absolute joy and honor to be a guest on former ABC News anchor Dan Harris' podcast @tenpercenthappier and talk about the Nordic concept of friluftsliv⛺️ Dan turned his life around thanks to meditation (something you can read about in his book that goes by the same name as the podcast) and while I don't meditate in the traditional sense, I often experience a meditative flow while I'm in nature.

Did you know that friluftsliv and meditation have similar physical and mental health benefits? They can both lower our heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress, improve sleep, control anxiety, increase self-awareness and help us be in the present moment, just to name a few😇

Learn more in the episode here 👉🏼 https://link.chtbl.com/gXmxCIJv #friluftsliv #rainorshinemamma #openairlife #theopenairlife #outdoorlife #getoutside #outsideeveryday #intotheforest #forestlover #mentalhealth #meditation

Iceland is amazing. That is all, y’all❤️

I’ve been procrastinating publishing pictures from this trip because I just didn’t want to step out of my bubble. I hadn’t seen the kids for six weeks, as they’ve spent the summer with their US family, and it was so special to have an entire week in this beautiful landscape to reconnect. Even though we practice friluftsliv in our nearby nature areas 95 percent of the time, I also recognize the power of being awed by the wild and unknown.

I’m really glad the girls jumped on the idea to adventure in a 4x4 vehicle with a rooftop tent, even though there were times when I really questioned my decision (like every time I had to cross through a river in said vehicle - Icelandic country roads are something else🤪).

I’m still processing all the experiences and emotions from this trip but let’s just say that I still believe camping is a fantastic way to grow close as a family. (On a side note, I can see myself selling my house and doing this full-time when I retire😅)
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #iceland #travel #outdoorfamilies #outdoorfamily #camping

“Friluftsliv is not something you can touch - it

“Friluftsliv is not something you can touch - it’s something you can feel in your soul.”
- August Casson

When I interviewed August Casson for my book The Open-Air Life, he really nailed it with his description of friluftsliv. There are so many definitions of this concept but when it comes down to it, it’s the feeling of being one with nature that does it for me. The feeling of being home.
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#friluftsliv #openairlife #theopenairlifebook #lifeintheopenair #lifeisbetteroutside #vacation #vacationfriluftsliv #norway

Have you ever made lasagna on a camp stove? If not

Have you ever made lasagna on a camp stove? If not, take this as your cue to try it! This lasagna marries one of my favorite dishes - Eggplant Parmesan - with the one-pot lasagna format that works so well for outdoor cooking.🍆🍅🍝 This recipe serves 2 and it is YUMMY! Bon appetite!😋

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 large eggplant, cut in ¼-inch slices
1 package diced tomatoes
1 bouillon cube
1 tablespoon of mixed dried herbs, e.g. oregano, basil and thyme
½ teaspoon chili flakes
5 lasagna sheets
¼-1/2 cup water
Dash of balsamic vinaigrette
Pinch of sugar
2/3 cup grated cheese or plant-based alternative
Salt to taste
Parmesan cheese or plant-based alternative to serve

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat up the olive oil in a medium pot.
2. Add the garlic and onion and sauté while stirring until translucent.
3. Add the eggplant slices and sauté while stirring until soft and golden brown.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, bouillon and herbs, and bring to a boil.
5. Break the lasagna plates in smaller pieces and add to the pot. Stir until the lasagna plates are covered and add some water if needed.
6. Add the vinaigrette, sugar and grated cheese and cook on low heat under a lid for 15-20 minutes, or until the lasagna plates are soft. Stir intermittently to keep the lasagna from burning.
7. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve.

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