Archive | HEALTH AND WELLNESS

If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that Olive, our sweet Frenchie, has quite the personality… and quite the list of allergies. Finding treats that are safe, healthy, and actually excite her? Let’s just say it hasn’t been easy. So when we discovered Natural Farm Pet chews, it was a total game-changer, for all of us.

These chews are the only ones she’s truly obsessed with and trust me, she doesn’t hold back when she loves something. The second I grab the bag, she’s spinning in happy circles. And once she gets one? It’s full-on tunnel vision chew mode. I even have to hold the end of the chew while she snacks, otherwise, she’d try to gulp it whole out of sheer excitement! P.S. I didn’t take new photos of Olive chowing down, she’s been really sick lately.

🐶 The Allergy-Friendly Treat We’ve Been Searching For

Olive’s skin and stomach are both incredibly sensitive, so we’ve had to be extra cautious with everything she eats. That’s one of the main reasons I love Natural Farm:

🌿 100% natural, single-ingredient treats
❌ No chemicals, fillers, or artificial additives
🐄 Grass-fed, hormone-free beef
📦 Eco-conscious packaging

Their chews are gentle on her stomach, great for her teeth, and don’t trigger any of her allergy flare-ups. And for a dog who’s allergic to just about everything… that’s a BIG deal.

🦴 Olive’s Favorite Chews (and Mine, Too)

We’ve tried a few different Natural Farm varieties, but Olive’s top picks are the bully sticks and odor-free braided chews. She loves the flavor and the satisfying texture, and I love that they last longer than most chews and don’t leave a sticky mess on the rug.

And let’s be real—as much as we all love our dogs, not all chews are created equal. Natural Farm’s chews don’t smell terrible, don’t splinter, and they actually do what they promise: keep Olive happy, occupied, and safe.

🐾 Why Natural Farm Stands Out

What really sets Natural Farm apart is their commitment to transparency and sustainability. As a pet parent, I care not only about what’s in Olive’s treats—but where they come from, how they’re made, and the values behind the brand.

✅ All-natural, traceable ingredients
✅ Ethically sourced and made with care
✅ No mystery meat, no junk, just real, high-quality protein
✅ Eco-friendly packaging to reduce plastic waste

They’re a brand I feel genuinely good about supporting and that peace of mind is priceless.

🐕 Treat Time = Bonding Time

One of my favorite parts of Olive’s chew routine? The little moment we share when I hold the end of her treat and she goes to town. It might seem silly, but it’s become a sweet little bonding ritual. She looks up at me with those big, grateful eyes like, “Thanks, Mom. You get me.”

🐾 Final Thoughts: A Treat Worth Barking About

If you’ve got a pup with allergies, a picky eater, or just a serious chewer who deserves something better, Natural Farm Pet chews are 100% worth trying. They’re clean, simple, and made with love—and if Olive’s reaction is any indication, your dog is going to be obsessed too.

🛒 You can check them out here.

💬 Got a pup with allergies or a favorite chew you swear by? Let me know! I’m always on the lookout for Olive-approved options.

We live in a world that glorifies busy. The to-do lists, the multitasking, the pressure to be constantly available, it all adds up. For YEARS, I lived on busy mode with an insane daily routine! My alarm would go off at 5 am and I’d jump out of bed and start right into my day. Seriously, I’d either immediately workout, do a bit of work or clean the house, but I was always busy.

I hit a breaking point after a couple of decades (yes, it took awhile!) but I realized it wasn’t serving me. I said to myself, what if, instead of speeding through the days, I slowed down on purpose? What if I chose simplicity, presence, and intention over hustle?

Welcome to the beauty of slow living, a lifestyle rooted in mindfulness, sustainability, and finding joy in the everyday moments. You don’t have to move off the grid or change your life overnight to experience it. You can begin right where you are, with a few small shifts in your daily routine.

Here’s how to create a more mindful rhythm in your days (with my favorite tips!), one that feels good for your heart, your home, and the planet.

🌞 Start Your Day Gently

Instead of diving straight into screens or tasks, give yourself a moment of stillness. Light a candle. Sip a warm drink. Step outside for a breath of fresh air.

Ideas to try:

• A 5-minute morning stretch or meditation
• Journaling or writing a few words of gratitude
• Opening the window to let in natural light and birdsong

This is how I start every morning now. Jayson and I wake up together, he makes me a cappuccino, and we snuggle next to the fireplace for quiet time!

It doesn’t have to be elaborate, it just has to be intentional. And since starting this routine, I feel so much more relaxed throughout the day!

☕ Create Rituals, Not Routines

Routines are helpful, but rituals are what ground us. A morning cup of tea, an afternoon walk, lighting a candle while you prep dinner—these simple habits become little anchors of peace throughout the day.

My morning ritual looks like this: cappuccino -> workout or a hike -> get ready -> ease into my morning work! The work out is definitely a ritual that I do not skip, it’s a lifesaver!

Ask yourself: What tiny moment can I turn into a sacred pause?

🧺 Do Less, More Mindfully

We often think productivity means doing more. But real productivity, the kind that leaves you feeling fulfilled, comes from doing fewer things with more presence.

Whether it’s folding laundry, cooking dinner, or working on your laptop, try doing just one thing at a time. Slow living invites us to stop rushing through tasks and instead connect with them.

This one is TOUGH for me. I’m a multi-tasker to a fault! But I’ve been trying to slow down, do one thing at a time, and it’s making a difference.

🧼 Make Everyday Tasks Beautiful

Yes, even the dishes. Especially the dishes. Choose tools and products that you love to use, beautiful, functional, sustainable. A wooden dish brush, a glass bottle of natural soap, a handmade dish towel.

Turn on music, take your time, and let it be a part of your rhythm instead of a chore to check off.

As I’ve gotten older, this has become very important to me. I don’t buy anything unnecessary that doesn’t light me up!

🌿 Get Outside, Daily

Whether it’s a morning walk, lunch on the patio, or a quiet moment in the garden, nature has a way of slowing us down. Let the sun, breeze, and birdsong remind you to breathe deeper and live more gently.

This is essential to my own well-being, I love to sneak a hike in the morning or the afternoon (depending on how busy my day is!)

Leave your phone behind and allow yourself to simply notice, the smell of fresh earth, the sound of wind through trees, the way the light shifts.

🧘‍♀️ Let Go of “Shoulds”

A big part of slow living is rewriting the story of what a “successful” day looks like. It doesn’t have to be packed with productivity. Maybe success looks like taking a nap, saying no to a commitment, or spending 15 quiet minutes reading a book you love.

Again, this one is a work in progress for me! I’ve gotten better at it now that Jayson works for me and is home all day! He’s great at letting go of “shoulds” which in turn is rubbing off on me.

Give yourself permission to rest, recharge, and redefine your pace.

🕯️ Create a Soft Evening Wind-Down

Let your evenings signal a gentle transition. Dim the lights, close the laptop, and swap screen time for something more soothing.

Try:

• Reading by candlelight
• A lavender-scented bath
• Herbal tea and journaling
• A short walk under the stars

Now that we are empty nesters, it could be really easy to grab dinner on the sofa (or bed – my favorite! Don’t judge!) but Jayson and I have been very mindful to have dinner almost every night at the dining room table, just like we did when Eben lived at home.

The way you close your day matters. Let it be slow, soft, and nourishing.

💚 Slow is a Superpower

Choosing slow doesn’t mean you’re falling behind, it means you’re tuning in. To your breath, your surroundings, your values, and your life.

Start small. Pick one slow habit and make it part of your day. Let it root you in something deeper than the scroll, the schedule, or the rush.

And remember: you don’t have to do it all to do it well.

💬 I’d love to hear: What’s one way you’re slowing down this season? Share your favorite slow living rituals in the comments!

Spring may still be around the corner (up here in the mountains), but March has a way of whispering change. The days are getting longer, the air feels just a little softer, and nature is slowly beginning to wake up. It’s not quite the bloom of April or the buzz of summer, but that’s what I love about it—it’s a pause. A breath. A space to savor the slow moments and reset before the rush.

If you’re anything like me, the start of the year was go-go-go. Resolutions, planning, organizing, doing. But March offers a different kind of energy—a quiet invitation to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with what matters most.

Here’s how I’m embracing the season with a sustainable, intentional reset—and how you can, too.

🍃 Refresh Your Routines—Gently

Instead of waiting for the official spring clean, I like to ease into it. A few small shifts can feel so grounding right now:

• Swapping out heavier winter decor for light, natural textures (hello, linen and rattan)
• Going through one drawer, one closet, or one shelf at a time
• Opening the windows, lighting a candle, and letting fresh air and scent revive the space

This month, it’s not about overhauling everything. It’s about finding small, mindful ways to make your home and habits feel lighter.

☕ Make Your Mornings More Mindful

I’ve been trying to reclaim my mornings a little—stepping away from screens and diving into something slow and simple instead.

Lately that looks like:

• A warm mug of coffee or tea in silence
• A few pages of a feel-good book
• A quick gratitude list or journal entry
• Stepping outside for just five minutes to breathe

Even 10–15 minutes of quiet can shift the tone for the entire day.

🌎 Reconnect with Nature

March is the perfect time to get outside and watch the world change in real time. You don’t have to wait for full blooms—there’s beauty in the slow return of color, the softening of the ground, the songbirds coming back.

Take a walk without your phone. Sit on the porch with a cozy blanket. Start prepping your garden or even a few herb pots. Nature is the best reset there is—and it’s free, grounding, and always available. Jayson and I started up our daily hikes (now that it isn’t freezing!) and it’s giving me LIFE!

♻️ Simplify & Choose Sustainability

There’s something about this season that naturally calls for less. Fewer distractions. Fewer obligations. Fewer products.

It’s a great time to:

• Switch to eco-friendly household products (reusable towels, natural cleaners)
• Finish what you already have before buying more
• Declutter your digital space, too—clean out files, unsubscribe from emails, organize your phone

Simplicity and sustainability go hand in hand. When you slow down, you naturally consume more consciously.

🌷 Let This Be the Season of Slow

You don’t have to wait for a dramatic spring overhaul to feel refreshed. Let this in-between month be your gentle nudge to rest, reset, and realign.

Here’s to cozy mornings, cleaner spaces, longer walks, and saying yes to the moments that matter. 💛