This Mother Essentials list is less a quick hit and more a lovingly mapped universe—and that’s exactly how Allie Summers lives. The San Francisco–based children’s book author and the mind behind the newly released Galaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Hélène Courtois (MIT Kids Press), Allie approaches her essentials with deep intention, curiosity, and care. With a passion for writing about nature and contemporary women in science, Allie is raising two daughters (Zuri, 12, and Nova, 10), and her family life is the gravitational center of everything she does.

Her list is guided by a clear thread: joy drawn from nature and family, minimizing environmental impact, strict phone boundaries, giving back, and a commitment to being fully in the now. Because that philosophy touches every part of her days, these Mother Essentials are expansive and thoughtfully divided into three parts: Things Allie uses and loves, Practices that shape her rhythms, and Causes she actively supports and fights for. Together, they form a grounded, intentional blueprint for a life rooted in presence, wonder, and care.

Things I Use:Roberto’s Carrots. “AKA the best carrots in the entire universe from Rodriguez Bros. Ranch. I buy them in bulk at the AIM Clement St. Farmer’s Market.”

Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds. “I use this as a base to make laundry detergent, dish soap, dishwasher soap, and all-purpose cleaning spray. After having kids, I became hyper aware of the ingredients in all the daily products we use. Not just food, but cleaning supplies, makeup, lotion, shampoo, etc.” Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner, $14.69, Thrive Market.

Recycled & Repurposed Jean Jacket. “This is the jacket I grab everyday before running out the door. Local S.F. designer Gene Duven makes small batch beautiful streetwear with cast away jeans that are out of style or headed for the incinerator. She just opened a local store in December: Space Craft Earth at 755 Taraval Street.” Denim Jacket, $420, WRN FRSH.

Kamperett Clothing. “My Oma Dress in Japanese Cotton Cabana Stripe is my uniform. I throw this dress on to go to anything and everything and I always feel ready to go. Designer Anna Chiu is a genius at designing womenswear that makes you feel elegant and beautiful.” Kamperett.com

Bikini + Vivida Towel Jacket. “Both of these are necessary for cold plunging and swimming in the Bay. My family gifted me the towel jacket a few years ago and it was the best gift ever! So much better than putting my fleece on after.” Bikini, $9, Target. All Weather Puffer Changing Robe, $420, Vivida.

Hoka Speedgoat Trail Shoes. “Trail running is often my only time alone and one of my favorite things to do to stay fit and balanced. I prefer a narrow trail in the trees for miles. Also, I’m pretty sure the endorphins keep the smile on my face.” Speedgoat 6 GTX, $170, Hoka.

Galaxy Mapper. “After writing this book, my daughter Nova wants to be an astrophysicist—my job is done!” Galaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Hélène Courtois, $17.70, Bookshop.

Odin: Dog Hero of the Fires. “Really, I love any book by local S.F. writer Emma Bland Smith. She is our household’s favorite author.” Odin: Dog Hero of the Fires, $13.04, Bookshop.

San Francisco Public Library. “I am literally in love with the San Francisco Public Library and so grateful to all the librarians. I still think it’s magic that you can put books on hold and have them delivered to your preferred branch. Plus, I print everything at the library ($2.00 worth of printing a day!). I’m always doing research for books and new topics and I couldn’t do it without the library resources. I listen to audio books from Libby and Hoopla in the car. It seems like this is the last truly free institution. Plus, you walk in and it’s like a warm hug.” SFPL.org

Notebook + Pen. “I start every project with a pen to paper and fill up a notebook every few months. I use spiral-bound decomposition notebooks and a Swiss Caran d’ Ache ballpoint pen.” Decomposition Notebook, $12, Decomposition. Popline Ballpoint Pen, $42.30, Caran d’ Ache.

Berkey Gravity Water Filtration System. “I’ve had this system for over 10 years. It requires a lot of maintenance, but it’s worth it for clean water you can trust.” Big Berkey Water Filter, $367, Berkey.

Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle. “I bring water everywhere I go. These don’t have any plastic touching your water. I love the bamboo lid because it sits flat when you set it down and it’s stainless steel.” 27oz Reflect with Bamboo Cap, $32.95, Klean Kanteen.

House Plants. “Plants bring such an absurd amount of joy into my house. This past summer, my fishbone cactus had its first ephemeral nocturnal bloom. The fragrance permeated the entire room and the blossom was only open for a few hours.”

Coffee + Pour-Over Set. “That warm cup of morning coffee made with intention and care (my beans are solar roasted in Maine). It is the fuel for the rocket ship.” Ethiopia Light Roast Coffee, $20, Precipice Coffee. Stagg [XF] Pour-Over Set, $99.95, Fellow.

Moxi Roller Skates. “Roller skating is one of my favorite things to do. I need to find some skating friends, because my family rarely wants to go with me. If you could bottle San Francisco and release its essence, you’d find it at the 6th Ave. outdoor roller skate park in Golden Gate Park.” Skates, $199, Moxi Skates.

The Visitors at SFMOMA. “This video installation by Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson was so great. I’m so sad it closed. When it was open, I would go all the time. I would sit there for the hour loop and feel swollen by everything that is beautiful and joyful about humanity. I cried happy tears every time. I still try to go to SFMOMA monthly, but I miss The Visitors.” The Visitors at SFMOMA.

California Academy of Sciences Membership. “Nova and I love attending the monthly Dean Astronomy Lectures (the first Monday evening of the month). They invite an astronomy professor or researcher to share their research in the planetarium. It’s fascinating to hear what is being studied and discovered and it makes me feel like a college student again, for a night.” CalAcademy.org

Quiet Time Organic Cotton Bath Towels. “I love the designs, but mostly I love wrapping myself and my kids in organic cotton towels.” Ultimate Bath Sheet Bundle, $199, Quiet Town.

Clothes from NOOMOON. “This store has such a beautiful collection of curated gently used clothes. Nova loves that she can trade in things she’s outgrown and use the trade in money towards something new. It’s rare that kids have purchasing power and NOOMOON makes this possible. Plus, I love that it keeps kids clothes in the cycle for longer—so sustainable!” Noomoon.shop

Fluf Organic Cotton Lunch Bag. “It fits containers, a water bottle, and is soft to hold and easy to wash.” Zipper Lunch Bag, $36.95, Fluf.

Stainless Steal Bento Box. “My 12 and 10 year old girls have had these containers since kindergarten and they are still going strong. They don’t hold smell and they can obviously take a beating. This is a must-have. I got myself the bigger version!” 3-in-1 Classic Box, $40, EcoLunchBox.

Practices I Love:Spending Time With My Kids. “Unstructured time with my kids is by far the most essential—cozying up with Nova and reading a book, cold plunging with Zuri and our dog before school, or going on a family adventure walk with no destination in mind. These are the moments I live for.”

Rising Early. “I wake up absurdly early (naturally). I cherish the quiet house and the uninterrupted time to write, read, do yoga, or catch up with my European friends, before starting the morning school-prep routine.”

Sweating. “Moving my body is a must. Run, bike, or swim—I joke that I do two-thirds of a triathlon every day. I either swim and bike with Zuri to school or run and bike with Zuri to school. I also pepper in yoga, walking, rock climbing, and weight lifting. I’ve heard from so many friends and experts that weight lifting is incredibly important to us women as we age, so I’ve recently added that in.”

Cold Plunging in the Bay. “I love a cold plunge and swim at Crissy Field beach with beach cleanup after (I believe in always leaving a place better than you found it!). The beach is a five minute walk from our house and I go there a few times a week with my dog and sometimes Zuri if she doesn’t have too much homework! Walking out of the cold water, I feel this euphoric sensation that everything is possible—I can do anything; the day is mine and life is beautiful. That’s probably why I keep going back even when it’s windy and freezing out.”

Beach Cleanup. “Every time I go to the beach, I pick up trash. There’s a great organization called Take 3 For the Sea that encourages everyone to take three pieces of rubbish when they go to the beach. It’s so easy and it makes a difference.”

Redwoods. “There is something majestic about redwood trees and I just want to be surrounded by them all the time, especially when it rains.”

Connections. “The time difference makes it hard to have regular phone conversations with my European friends who are like family. Sometimes I drink my morning coffee in the nook and listen to voice memos from my European friends and I send them a voice memo back. It makes me feel like we are having a café moment together.”

Breakfast. “After all the school dropoffs and walking the dog, I try to carve out 10-15 minutes to sit down for a quiet breakfast with myself and a book. Ahhhhh.”

Location Books. “I’m always reading 7-10 books at once. I have ‘location books’—one on the dining table, one by the couch, one in the bathroom, a few in my handbag, and so many on my desk. This way I can read wherever I am.”

Boundaries with my Phone. “I’m aware this is a luxury most cannot afford, but I’m lucky enough to be able to set strict boundaries with my phone. If I don’t actively need it, it sits in a cubby in the kitchen far away from me and at night it sleeps down there and I sleep upstairs. I don’t bring it on walks, runs, swims, etc. I wear an analog watch, so I don’t need my phone to tell time. Also, I batch respond-to emails and texts so I’m not constantly interrupted by this or that, but also because I like to be thoughtful and present in my responses and I can’t do that if I’m on-the-go. On the flip side, I’m grateful that it exists and I can respond to my editor from the top of a mountain or photograph a magical moment with my kids!”

Weekend Dog Walks with my Husband. “We chat about life and parenting and all the things. It feels good to reconnect after a busy week. BE PRESENT, NOW. I have always struggled with being in the moment, so most of these practices nudge me to remain present in the now—experiencing and sinking into the life that is happening right at that very moment and not thinking about my to-do list.”

Causes I Fight For:No Pesticides in Our Presidio. “The land managers spray pesticides (round up, cheetahpro, and others) all over the Presidio National Park to kill weeds (especially in residential areas). I’ve been fighting against it for the past three years now; advocating for a truly safer park for all. I started a petition, met with the Chief Park Officer, speak at the Presidio Board Meetings, and I am in constant communication with the team to try to get them to switch to proven alternative practices (e.g. steam-generated weed killers). It has been very slow trying to make any progress, but it’s worth it for all land and sea creatures (including humans, dogs, and dolphins).” No Pesticides in Our Presidio via Change.org

EWG (Environmental Working Group). “I love and support the work they do to fight for cleaner products, produce, and water. They have a useful searchable cosmetics database where they rate every ingredient in cosmetics as well as the overall products on a scale of 1 (best/green) to 10 (worst/red). Annually, they test produce for pesticides and come out with the dirty dozen and clean fifteen lists helping us to make safer food choices. EWG has been fighting the good fight for all of us, whether we know it or not.” EWG.org

For more MOTHER ESSENTIALS, peep our recent features with Sarah Fritsch of Studio Tigress, artist Lena Corwin, Hello!Lucky’s sister duo, doula and author Latham Thomas, Carla Wingett of Idlewild Floral, Andrea Faulkner Williams of Tubby Todd, Hana Getachew of Bole Road Textiles, artist & author Carissa Potter Carlson, actress & activist Hilary Swank, the co-founders of Hearth Display, author and organizer Aida Mariam Davis, design consultant Joyce Lee, self-care advocate Rachel Garahan, and DJ and director Va$htie Kola.