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A Few Green Things: Easter Weekend Energy, Spring Feels & Small Joys 🌼

April 18, 2025 0

Happy Easter Weekend, Friends!

The sun’s been peeking through more often, the hummingbirds are back (at least one of them!) and I’m feeling that little spark that comes with the end of a long winter. You too?

This weekend we’re planning a mix of cozy and adventurous, Eben is coming home for Easter weekend today after his observation hours and a summer job interview! We’re going to make pizza’s in the Gozney and watch horror movies with the sliding glass doors wide open to the forest! Scary!

Then, tomorrow we’re heading the farmer’s market and on a long bike ride with my father in law! I can’t wait. Here are a few other green things for your Easter weekend.

🍋 Make Naturally Flavored Sparkling Water
I’ve been obsessed with making my own fruit + herb sparkling waters lately, less waste, no weird ingredients, and totally refreshing. Our current favorite? Lemon + cucumber + a sprig of rosemary.
→ Try one of these 10 refreshing combos

🥾 Get Outside for a “Not-So-Boring” Nature Walk
We like to add themes to our hikes or backyard strolls. This weekend? A color scavenger hunt. Pick 5 colors, try to spot them all in nature. It’s silly, grounding, and way more fun than a typical walk.
→ These printable scavenger hunts are adorable

🧁 Bake Something Springy (But Easy)
We’re planning to bake lavender shortbread cookies or lemon muffins, something that tastes like sunshine but doesn’t require a mixer or a huge cleanup.
→ This 5-ingredient lemon muffin recipe looks perfect

🌱 Plant a Tiny Garden (Indoors or Out!)
If the ground’s still too cold where you are, try planting a few herbs inside on the windowsill. Mint, chives, basil, parsley—, ll grow well in pots and make your kitchen smell amazing.
→ How to grow herbs indoors—even in low light

🧴 Spring Clean One Tiny Thing
Not the whole house. Just one drawer. Or your tea shelf. Or the basket of random chargers. Sometimes the smallest tidy-up makes the biggest mental shift.

📚 Read Something Green + Inspiring
I’ve been thumbing through Your Natural Garden again this week and dreaming about the native plant beds I want to build this year. If you need something inspiring, check out this week’s garden book roundup and giveaway!

🐝 And Just a Reminder: You don’t have to do anything this weekend. Sitting in the sun with a cup of tea totally counts. So does saying “no” to a packed schedule so you can wander a little slower.

Here’s to a weekend filled with fresh air, warm mugs, and little moments that make you feel grounded.

xo,
Sweet Greens

Eco-Friendly Habits That Actually Stick (Even with a Busy Family)

April 17, 2025 0

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of living more sustainably and creating eco-friendly habits, especially with kids, work, pets, travel, and a million other moving pieces, you are not alone. I’ve tried it all: zero-waste swaps, homemade everything, schedules that looked dreamy on paper but unraveled by Tuesday afternoon.

Over the years, I’ve learned that the green habits that last aren’t the ones that require perfection. They’re the ones that feel doable, flexible, and kind. To the planet, and to you.

Here are a few small-but-mighty sustainable habits that have actually stuck in our home (and might work for yours too):

🧺 1. The “Towel Basket” Trick
We keep a drawer of cloth napkins and small reusable towels right in the kitchen. Everyone knows to grab one for snack time, lunch, wiping spills, you name it. Bonus: they’re cuter than paper towels and wash up beautifully.

🍴 2. One Low-Waste Meal a Week
We started with “Meatless Mondays” and evolved it into “Low-Waste Wednesdays,” where we build dinner around what’s left in the fridge or pantry. Think veggie soups, sheet pan meals, fried rice, or grain bowls. It’s fun, budget-friendly, and a great way to use what we have.

🚰 3. One Water Bottle Per Person, Period.
It sounds simple, but giving each family member their own bottle and making that the go-to has helped us cut down on plastic waste so much. Ours live by the sink, get rinsed daily, and go everywhere with us, from hikes to road trips.

🌿 4. Backyard Compost, the Lazy Way
You don’t have to have a fancy setup. Just a covered bin out back and a small container under the sink. We have one under the kitchen sink that we dump veggie scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells, and let nature do its thing. Then, we have a larger one in the garage, but you can definitely start small.

🧺 5. Laundry, Lightened Up
We switched to eco-strips and wool dryer balls years ago, and never looked back. Bonus: doing fewer, fuller loads (and line drying when we can) saves time and energy. And I swear sheets smell better after a little sun.

💚 6. Talk About the Why, Not the Rules
The biggest shift came when we stopped making it about what we “should” do—and started connecting our habits to our values. Talking about why we reuse, why we garden, why we unplug. It made the process collaborative and less about guilt or pressure.

The truth? You don’t have to live in a glass house full of mason jars to live more sustainably. You just have to be willing to start where you are, shift what makes sense, and let the rest evolve over time.

Tiny changes, big ripple.

Let’s Start with Soil: A Love Letter to the Garden Beneath Our Feet 🌱📚

April 16, 2025 0

I’ve always believed that the best things in life are grown slowly—with love, intention, and a little dirt under your nails. So when I came across Start with Soil by Juliet Sargeant, I knew it was a book I’d not only enjoy, but recommend to every gardener, green thumb, or curious nature-lover in my life.

This isn’t just a book about dirt (though spoiler: soil is so much more than dirt). It’s a gentle, beautiful guide to building a better garden by nurturing the very thing it grows from. Juliet Sargeant—garden designer, BBC Gardeners’ Question Time panelist, and one of my new favorite voices in the gardening world—invites us to slow down, dig deep (literally), and reconnect with the soil beneath our feet.

🌿 What I Loved About This Book

Juliet has a way of making science feel like storytelling. You don’t need to be an expert to follow along—she walks you through the basics of soil health, composting, no-dig gardening, and even creating rain gardens, all with a calm, encouraging tone. It feels like chatting with a wise friend who happens to know a lot about growing good things.

The illustrations are beautiful, the steps are practical, and whether you’re tending a big backyard garden or a tiny container setup on your porch, you’ll find something in here that resonates.

🧡 Why Soil Matters (Now More Than Ever)

Here’s something Juliet reminds us of again and again: healthy soil = a healthy planet. The way we treat our gardens affects everything from local ecosystems to global climate resilience. And while that might sound overwhelming, she makes it feel empowering. Because when we tend to the soil, even in our own backyard, we’re participating in something much bigger than ourselves.

You’ll walk away from this book knowing:
🌱 How to feed your soil, not just your plants
🍂 Why compost is gold (and easier than you think)
🌧️ How rainwater, mulch, and native plants work together
💚 That even small changes can make a big difference

🌼 A Spring Must-Read for Garden Lovers

As we tiptoe into spring, Start with Soil has become my morning companion—right alongside my cup of coffee and seed catalog stack. It’s inspired me to try a new composting method, rethink how I prep my beds, and—maybe most importantly—pause and appreciate the magic happening underground.

This is the kind of book you’ll dog-ear, reference, and pass along to a fellow plant-loving friend. It’s full of gentle guidance, thoughtful practices, and a whole lot of love for the natural world.

📚 Ready to Dig In?

You can pre-order Start with Soil here, and it officially releases on April 29, 2025. If you’re dreaming of a thriving, regenerative garden—or just want to fall in love with your soil again—this one’s for you.

Let’s get our hands dirty in the best way possible. 🌱

Vegan Baked Goods? Sweet, Simple, and a Little Bit Mighty 🍫

April 15, 2025 0

If you’ve got a soft spot for vegan baked goods that are big on flavor and food-allergy friendly, then allow me to introduce you to your new pantry MVP: Mightylicious.

These mixes are seriously next-level. They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan-friendly, and made with clean, real ingredients, but most importantly? They’re absolutely delicious. The kind of treat you whip up “for the kids” and then quietly hide the last one for yourself (no judgment here).

This week I’ve been baking with the Mightylicious Chocolate Brownie Mix and their new Vegan All-Purpose Flour, and let’s just say, my kitchen smells like heaven, and my family is very happy. So I thought I’d share the recipes that earned repeat requests by day two. 😄

🍫 Mightylicious Fudgy Brownie Sundaes

This brownie mix is a chocolate lover’s dream—rich, chewy, and deeply chocolatey without being overly sweet. Here’s how I’ve been serving them lately:

What you’ll need:
1 pouch of Mightylicious Chocolate Brownie Mix
⅓ cup coconut oil (or unsalted butter if you’re not dairy-free)
2 flax eggs (or regular eggs if you prefer)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional: dairy-free chocolate chips, walnuts, or a swirl of almond butter

To make:
Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8″ pan. Mix all ingredients until just combined. Pour into the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until set but still slightly fudgy in the center. Cool for 10 minutes (if you can wait!) and slice.

Serve with:
A scoop of vanilla coconut milk ice cream, a drizzle of almond butter, and a sprinkle of cacao nibs. Trust me.

🍪 Vegan Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (with Mightylicious Flour!)

This one’s become a quick favorite—crispy edges, soft centers, and just the right amount of chocolate.

What you’ll need:
1 cup Mightylicious Vegan All-Purpose Flour
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup almond butter
¼ cup maple syrup
2 tbsp melted coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
⅓ cup vegan chocolate chips

To make:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In one bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. In another, stir together almond butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry, then fold in chocolate chips. Scoop dough onto a baking sheet, flatten slightly, and bake for 10–12 minutes until golden. Let cool (they firm up as they sit).

These cookies are perfect with a cozy cup of tea or tucked into lunchboxes for a surprise sweet treat.

🌿 Why I Love This Brand

Mightylicious bakes with purpose. Their mixes are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility and are free of the top 9 allergens. That means more people can enjoy home-baked comfort without stress or compromise. And the fact that they actually taste like the nostalgic treats you grew up with? That’s the magic.

Whether you’re baking for a crowd, a loved one with food sensitivities, or just treating yourself to something special, these two mixes are pantry must-haves. They make baking simple, joyful, and seriously satisfying.

You can shop their full collection here. I think your kitchen (and your taste buds) will thank you.

8 Beautiful Garden Books to Celebrate National Gardening Day (+ a HUGE Giveaway!) 🌸

April 14, 2025 0

There’s something magical about curling up with a stack of beautiful garden books, especially this time of year, when the days are getting longer, the seed catalogs are calling, and the garden is just beginning to wake up.

Whether you’re planting your first raised bed, propagating houseplants, or planning your dream perennial border, these books are full of wisdom, inspiration, and tried-and-true techniques to help you grow more mindfully. These are the pages I’ve been turning lately, dog-earing tips, scribbling in margins, and feeling so ready to get my hands in the soil.

And to celebrate National Gardening Day (that’s today!), I’m giving away a curated bundle of four of my favorite garden reads to one lucky Sweet Greens reader! (More on that at the bottom of the post 👇)

🌼 1. Nettles & Petals by Jamie Walton

A poetic, plant-filled love letter to slow, seasonal gardening. This one is pure inspiration, filled with musings on garden life, wild beauty, and why the smallest details (like the hum of bees or a sprig of mint) matter most. It’s the book you’ll keep by your bedside or gift to every plant-loving friend.

+ Nettles & Petals by Jamie Walton

🌿 2. Your Natural Garden by Kelly D. Norris

If you’re dreaming of a low-maintenance, pollinator-loving, wild-ish garden that feels like it belongs right where it is, this book is for you. Kelly encourages gardeners to go with the flow of their natural landscape and use native plants to create spaces that are both beautiful and ecologically rich.

+ Your Natural Garden by Kelly D. Norris

💧 3. The Water-Smart Garden by Noelle Johnson

Perfect for gardeners in hot or dry climates (or anyone trying to be more water-wise), this book is full of real-life garden designs, plant suggestions, and strategies to create thriving gardens with less water. Smart, practical, and timely.

+ The Water-Smart Garden by Noelle Johnson

🌸 4. The Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening by the American Horticultural Society

This is your go-to reference for plants that come back year after year. It’s loaded with trusted info on choosing, planting, and maintaining perennials, plus it’s backed by one of the most respected names in horticulture.

+ The Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening

🪴 5. The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation by Lindsay Sisti

For all my fellow houseplant lovers, this book is a must. It makes propagation feel approachable, fun, and (dare I say) addictive. From water rooting to dividing to leaf cuttings, Lindsay gives step-by-step visuals that make you want to start snipping immediately.

+ The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation by Lindsay Sisti

🥕 6. The Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening by the American Horticultural Society

If you’re growing your own food, or thinking about it, this book is a fabulous companion. It covers everything from crop rotation to pest prevention, all through an organic lens that puts soil health and sustainability first.

+ The Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening

🪴 7. Square Foot Gardening: The World’s Most Popular Growing Method

A classic for a reason. Whether you have a big backyard or a few raised beds, this book teaches you how to maximize space and yield without feeling overwhelmed. Great for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.

+ Square Foot Gardening

🌿 8. The 10-Minute Gardener by CaliKim

Short on time? This one’s for you. It breaks down how to build and maintain a beautiful, healthy garden with quick, manageable tasks. Perfect if you want a green space but don’t have hours to spend outside every day.

+ The 10-Minute Gardener by CaliKim

🌼 Sweet Greens Garden Book Giveaway!

To celebrate spring planting season, I’m giving away a bundle of 4 of my favorite garden reads to one lucky reader!

The winner will receive:
📘 Nettles & Petals by Jamie Walton
📗 Your Natural Garden by Kelly D. Norris
📕 Kitchen Garden Living
📙 The Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening

To enter:

  1. Follow me @SweetGreens on Instagram or Facebook
  2. Like the giveaway post (coming soon!)
  3. Tag a fellow plant lover in the comments
  4. Bonus entry: Leave a comment on this blog post telling me your favorite thing to grow 🌱

Giveaway closes April 30th and the winner will be announced the following day. Open to U.S. residents only.

Whether you’re reading in the garden, planning your next plot, or just dreaming of warmer days, these books are filled with the kind of wisdom that grows season after season.

Wishing you soft soil, sunny days, and a garden that brings you joy.

xo,
Sweet Greens

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