Author Archive | Jennie Lyon

I’m going to be honest with you, perimenopause snuck up on me. One day I was sleeping soundly and powering through my to-do list with ease, and the next I was tossing and turning, overheating, and feeling not quite myself. Sound familiar?

Perimenopause, the transition into menopause, can bring on a whirlwind of symptoms: mood swings, fatigue, disrupted sleep, hot flashes, and brain fog (to name a few). But here’s the good news: you’re not alone, and there are gentle, eco-friendly ways to support your body through this season of change.

Today I’m sharing some of the tips and green products I’ve been using to feel more grounded, rested, and well.

🌙 1. Prioritize Sleep, Even When It Feels Elusive

Sleep is often the first thing to suffer during perimenopause. Hormonal shifts can wreak havoc on your rest, and for me, getting a good night’s sleep became a challenge.

My favorite sleep savior?
👉 Sound of Sleep – Sound + Sleep
These compact, highly-reviewed sound machines are total game-changers. Whether I’m dealing with congestion, night sweats, or just a restless mind, the soothing soundscapes help lull me into deeper, more restorative sleep. Plus, their travel-friendly options make them easy to bring along on our RV adventures. PS: Your adult son who comes home for summer break from college is going to try to steal it from you!

Pro Tip: Choose the Bluetooth-enabled version so you can customize your soundscape from your phone without getting out of bed!

🍵 2. Support Your Hormones Naturally

Hormone balance can feel like a moving target during this time, but there are gentle ways to support your system:

• Seed cycling with organic flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds.
• Herbal teas like red clover, raspberry leaf, and chasteberry.
• Maca powder blended into smoothies to help with mood and energy.

Eco Pick: I love Gaia Herbs and Traditional Medicinals, both offer sustainably-sourced, organic herbal products that are perimenopause-friendly. Herbs like:

Gaia Menopause Support Daytime
Traditional Medicinals Stress Ease Tension Relief Tea

🛁 3. Soothe Your Body with Mineral Baths

When hot flashes strike or your joints feel achy, soaking in a warm (not hot) bath can feel like heaven. Add:

• Epsom salts for magnesium
• A few drops of organic lavender essential oil
• A splash of apple cider vinegar for pH balance

Eco Pick: Try the Taspens Relaxing Bath Herbs for a soothing soak!

🧘‍♀️ 4. Move Your Body Every Day

Even gentle movement helps regulate mood, boost energy, and reduce hot flashes. My favorites lately?

• Morning yoga (even just 10 minutes)
• Midday walks with Olive
• Stretching before bed

Eco Pick: Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga Hat – it’s made from non-toxic, sustainable materials and built to last.

🥗 5. Eat the Rainbow (and Ditch the Hormone Disruptors)

This season calls for even more colorful veggies, clean proteins, and healthy fats. I also started avoiding:

• Processed soy
• Sugar
• Plastic food containers

Eco Pick: I’ve replaced our food storage with ECOlunchbox Stainless Steel Tri Bento and Bento Wet Box, zero plastic, zero waste, and they last for life.

💚 6. Be Gentle with Yourself

One of the biggest lessons I’m learning in perimenopause is how to slow down, listen to my body, and not push through when I’m feeling off. This phase asks for grace, rest, and self-compassion.

Final Thoughts:
Perimenopause is real, and it’s not always easy, but it’s also a powerful time to reconnect with yourself and reimagine your wellness routine. With a few lifestyle shifts and a little eco-friendly support, you can feel more like you again.

Got a favorite product or natural tip for perimenopause? I’d love to hear it! Let’s support each other through this journey 💚

If you know me, you know how much I love our RV adventures—morning hikes, campfire dinners, slow drives down back roads. But let’s be honest: most RVs and campers aren’t exactly charmers right out of the gate. They’re functional, yes… but inspiring? Not always.

So when I picked up DIY Camper and RV Reno by Janelle and Chadwick Payne, I instantly felt like I’d found my new favorite project guide. It’s part DIY manual, part design inspo, and part permission slip to make your space (even if it’s on wheels) feel like you.

🛠 A Guide for Real-Life RV Living

This book isn’t just for full-time RVers or seasoned DIYers—it’s for anyone who’s looked around their camper or trailer and thought, “This could be so much better.”

Janelle walks you through every stage of a camper reno, from the first swipe of paint to installing faux beams, shiplap walls, and even peel-and-stick tile (yes, real tile is totally possible in a tiny rolling home!). It’s beautifully photographed, easy to follow, and honestly, just really inspiring.

Whether you’re dreaming about updating your RV kitchen, freshening up a dated dinette, or just want to add personality to your weekend camper, this book gives you the tools—and the confidence—to make it happen.

🌸 What I Love About It

✨ Creative ideas that are doable – Nothing feels over-the-top or out of reach. She shows how small updates (like painting the cabinets or swapping out light fixtures) can completely transform a space.
🔧 Step-by-step tutorials – From countertops to cushions, this book covers it all with visuals and real-life advice.
🌿 Sustainability is woven in – Repurposing, reusing, and working with what you’ve got is a big part of her approach.
💪 Empowering and encouraging – Janelle’s “you’ve got this” vibe is contagious. She’s proof that you don’t need to be a pro to make something beautiful.

🚐 A Cozy Home, Wherever You Park It

We’ve been slowly refreshing little parts of our RV—nothing major yet, but this book has me seriously eyeing a kitchen redo. I’m already dreaming about white walls, warm wood countertops, and linen curtains blowing in the breeze. It’s all about creating a space that feels like home, no matter where you’re parked.

And as someone who loves sustainable living, I appreciate that Janelle promotes using what you have, sourcing smart, and investing in pieces that will last.

📚 Ready to Get Inspired?

If you’re dreaming of camper life, tackling a renovation, or just love beautiful, down-to-earth design books—you’ll want DIY Camper and RV Reno on your shelf. It’s one of those books you’ll flip through again and again, not just for the tips, but for the energy it gives you.

You can grab a copy here.

Here’s to cozy camper kitchens, adventures on the road, and spaces that feel like home—even with wheels.

Wildlife is wonderful to have flying about your space, which is why you want to encourage it as much as possible for the benefit of your garden.

Not only is it a wonderful view to be able to lounge outside with all the wildlife buzzing or flying about you, but it can help to boost your garden’s growth of plants and flowers through cross-pollination. 

With that in mind, here are some helpful tips to create a wildlife-friendly garden in six easy steps.

1. Build a pond

A pond is a great way to attract local wildlife, and if you’re willing to throw in a few fish, then this will assist with additional wildlife finding its way into your outdoor space.

Of course, any body of water, like a pond or a lake, will need regular maintenance. Lake weed removal is important, as is making sure any ponds or lakes are well fenced off from little ones and pets.

Not everyone will find a pond to be useful or wanted in the garden, but if you’re looking to encourage a variety of wildlife, from frogs to pond skaters, then installing a pond might be a good idea.

2. Compost food waste

To help nourish your soil and attract bugs of all kinds, you should look to compost any and all food waste that you can. Composting food waste is a great way to reduce the amount of waste that goes directly into your trash bin, but also to improve soil health and therefore attract wildlife.

Compost also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can do damage to the environment over time.

3. Feed the birds

Birds are a great addition to your garden, and they can be a great way to encourage more wildlife, like squirrels, to the garden too.

Feeding the birds with bird feeders and bird houses so that they can also nest is helpful to the environment. By giving them food and shelter, you’re helping them flourish and thrive in an environment that’s constantly changing. Not only that, but as more green space makes way for property, these bird boxes and bird feeders are crucial.

4. Native plant selection

Try to select plants that are native to your local area, rather than choosing any species that might otherwise harm the ecosystem. As wonderful as some species of plants and flowers can look, you might be endangering your other native plants as a result.

Try to select the plants that will thrive in your space so that your investment of time and money is well spent, too.

5. Let the grass grow

Letting the grass grow is a good way of encouraging wildlife to come into your garden and make it their home. If you’re cutting down the grass too short and too regularly, then it’s not going to allow certain wildlife the opportunity to make use of it.

Creating a wildlife-friendly garden is important, so make use of these tips to transform yours into a wildlife haven.

You know those little things that make a day feel extra sweet? For me lately, it’s been having a stash of Antonina’s Gluten-Free Brownies tucked away in the freezer, just waiting to be turned into a brownie sundae at a moment’s notice.

They’re rich, fudgy, and honestly? Shockingly good for being gluten-free. I say “shockingly” because, if you’ve tried your fair share of gluten-free desserts, you know they’re not always this indulgent. But these? These are the real deal. Soft, gooey, and totally crave-worthy.

And while I intended to savor them slowly… let’s just say Jayson has been doing his part to make sure the stash doesn’t last long. I’ve only managed to sneak one for myself so far, but it was so worth it.

🍨 A Brownie Sundae Tradition (With a Twist)

We’ve started a little weekend tradition of pulling one out of the freezer, warming it just a little, and topping it with a scoop of vanilla, and a drizzle of fudge and caramel. Simple. Delicious. And yes, totally movie night worthy!

And with Mother’s Day coming up (and Father’s Day right behind it), I can’t think of a sweeter way to celebrate than a brownie sundae on the porch, coffee in hand, family nearby, and something cozy playing in the background. Because sometimes, love looks like holding onto the last brownie in the freezer and saving it for someone else. (I hide it, don’t tell Jayson!)💛

💚 Why We Love Antonina’s

These brownies are one of those feel-good finds I love sharing. They’re:
✨ Certified gluten-free (great for sensitive tummies)
🍃 Made with quality ingredients you can feel good about
🧁 Perfectly portioned, great for spontaneous sundaes or weekday treats
❄️ Freezer-friendly so you can stock up and indulge when the craving strikes

You can find Antonina’s in the freezer section of your local store or browse all the treats here. Their cupcakes, muffins, and cakes are also so good—we might need to build a second freezer at this point.

☀️ Sweet Moments, Slow Mornings, and Sundaes with Love

So whether you’re celebrating Mom, Dad, yourself, or just the arrival of a sunny spring weekend, let this be your reminder that joy doesn’t have to be big or complicated. Sometimes it’s as simple as a brownie sundae, a shared laugh, and a few quiet moments with the people you love most.

Happy early Mother’s Day to everyone who nurtures, supports, and shows up with love, whether that’s in the form of wisdom, warmth, or a really, really good brownie.

📍P.S. Keep a stash in the freezer, you’ll thank me later.

Happy weekend, friends.

This week has been a sweet little blend of sunshine, quiet routines, and a few things that brought me a lot of joy, plus one very happy Frenchie (thank goodness because she has been sick!). 🐶 Olive has been loving her new chew sticks from Natural Farm Pet (more on that in a second), and I’ve been leaning into slow mornings, good spices, and leggings I might never take off.

Here are a few green things from my world this week that made life feel just a little lighter, simpler, and sweeter:

🐣 Easter (a Little Early!) with Eben & His Girlfriend

We’re celebrating Easter a bit early this year since Elizabeth, Eben’s girlfriend is heading home from college next week, and I couldn’t be more excited to have them both here. We’ve got a weekend of cozy spring fun planned, natural egg dyeing, of course, and yes… I’ve got a special Easter egg hunt prepped just for them. I know they’re 18 and 24, but honestly? You’re never too old for a little fun and tradition. And you better believe I’ve put together fully loaded Easter baskets for each of them, because festive surprises and organic chocolate never go out of style. And Jayson’s making a coconut cake, so I can’t wait!

🐾 A Chew Stick Worth Barking About

If you’ve been following along, you know Olive has allergies, lots of them. So when we find a treat she loves that actually agrees with her? It’s a big win for everyone. We tried the chews from Natural Farm Pet and she’s officially obsessed. I love that they’re single-ingredient, free of fillers, and responsibly made. She loves… well, everything about them. I hold the end while she chomps away like it’s her life’s purpose.

Read the full blog here → [Olive-Tested, Frenchie-Approved]

☕ The Joy of Slow Living

This one has been on my heart lately, how to slow down, not just when life forces us to, but by choice. I’ve been starting my mornings with the windows open, savoring my coffee, and reminding myself that doing less can actually be more nourishing. If you’re craving a little simplicity and peace in your day, this post is for you.

Read the blog → [The Joy of Slow Living: How to Create a More Mindful Daily Routine]

🧂 Flavor with Intention

Let’s talk pantry staples: I recently started using the Stella Herb & Spice Blends Complete Minis, and they’re so good. Clean ingredients, reusable glass jars, and flavors that take even simple meals to the next level. I shared a few of my favorite ways to use them in this week’s blog, like tossing with roasted veggies or whisking into vinaigrettes.

Spice things up → [Flavorful Living with Stella Herb & Spice Blends]

🥾 Hiking in Head-to-Toe Comfort

Shoutout to Jayson for picking me up the Mondetta high-waisted leggings and seamless active tee, I’ve been living in them. Whether we’re out hiking, on the road in the RV, or just running errands, they’re soft, supportive, and made from recycled materials. Plus, Mondetta is a B Corp, which makes me love them even more.

Read why I’m hooked → [My New Go-To for Hiking & Living In]

🌱 A Weekend Invitation

Wherever you are, I hope your weekend includes something soft, something simple, and something that brings you joy. Maybe that’s a walk outside, a fresh meal, a cozy book, or your pup snuggled up beside you.

And if you’re feeling inspired to make a few green changes—big or small—know that every little bit counts.

Until next time!
xo,
Sweet Greens