Happy weekend, friends! This morning, Jayson and I laced up our boots and started the day with a 3-mile mountain hike, one of those crisp, quiet mornings where the air smells like spring and everything feels just a little more alive. Along the way, we gathered some moss that had blown off the trees (don’t worry, we only collect what nature’s already released!) to use in our yard. It’s such a beautiful, grounding way to bring a little bit of our hike back home.
And speaking of green things… the Watauga County Farmers’ Market kicks off tomorrow, and we’re planning to make a full day of it! Jayson is bring along his Barebones Harvesting Bag for fresh local produce! After, we plan to visit a few of our favorite farm stands (we need eggs for Easter!), and then heading out for either a long hike or a scenic bike ride (depending on how ambitious we’re feeling post-market cinnamon roll!).
There’s something about spring weekends that feel like permission to slow down, soak it all in, and reconnect, with nature, with each other, and with the rhythms that feel most nourishing.
Here are a few green things that might inspire you to do the same:
🧺 The Pajamas So Good I Wear Them to Brunch Yes, I said brunch. These Forever French Baby pajamas are buttery soft, effortlessly cute, and absolutely lounge-to-lifestyle approved. [Read the post →]
🚐 Eco-Friendly Travel Must-Haves My go-to travel companions? A compact refillable first aid kit and the best plant-based wipes. Whether we’re hiking or RVing, these are always in my bag. [Read the post →]
🥜 Sustainable Snack Night with SunButter Nut-free, delicious, and perfect for low-waste snacking—this post includes simple, planet-friendly recipes you’ll love. [Read the post →]
🌸 10 Sweet Ways to Celebrate Spring as a Family From garden projects to backyard brunches, this post is full of easy, meaningful ways to enjoy the season together. [Read the post →]
As the world turns greener, I hope your weekend includes something fresh from the earth, something joyful with the people you love, and a little time to breathe it all in.
Until next time! xo, Sweet Greens
P.S. Do you have a spring ritual, favorite local farm stop, or weekend adventure planned? I’d love to hear what’s growing in your world—just hit reply!
First rule of home maintenance: stop trying to do everything yourself. You are not a one-person repair crew. Here’s how to get ahead of the madness.
Put maintenance on autopilot. A calendar reminder for checking smoke detectors, cleaning out the gutters, or changing the air filter takes the mental load off. If it’s scheduled, it won’t sneak up on you.
Hire help when it makes sense. Could you unclog that drain? Probably. Will it take you an hour and test your patience? Absolutely. Some things are worth outsourcing. Call a pro and save yourself the headache.
Embrace smart tech. A self-cleaning litter box? Yes, please. A robot vacuum that handles the dust bunnies? Game changer. Smart thermostats, leak detectors, and even app-controlled sprinklers can cut down your workload and your bills.
The Right Tools for the Job
Ever tried to fix a loose screw with a butter knife? Or trim a tree branch with the world’s dullest shears? The wrong tools make everything harder.
If yard work is your personal nightmare, the problem might not be you—it might be your tools. A Worx cordless lawn mower is lightweight, easy to maneuver, and ditches the gas fumes. No cords. No frustration. Just a clean-cut lawn with way less effort.
The same logic applies indoors. A solid wrench set, a reliable drill, and an extendable duster for those high-up spots? Worth every penny. Invest once, and you’ll save yourself from future headaches (and maybe even a backache).
Maintenance That Works for the Planet (and You)
Here’s a secret: the greener your home, the easier it is to maintain. Sustainable choices aren’t just good for the environment—they mean fewer repairs, less waste, and lower bills.
Swap high-maintenance plants for native ones.They thrive on their own; no extra watering or pampering needed.
Upgrade to LED bulbs. They last forever (okay, years), use less electricity, and you won’t have to change them constantly.
Install water-saving fixtures. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators reduce strain on your plumbing and lower your water bill.
Pick durable materials. Replacing cheap flooring every few years? Exhausting. Opt for quality that lasts, so you’re not constantly fixing what should have been done right the first time.
The 15-Minute Daily Fix
Instead of waiting for a disaster, try this: set a timer for 15 minutes. Fix one thing. Wipe down the fridge. Tighten that cabinet handle. Sweep the entryway. Small wins add up. When you chip away at maintenance every day, it never becomes a mountain.
Final Thoughts: Work Smarter, Not Harder
You’ll never escape home maintenance completely. But you can stop it from stealing all your free time. A little planning, the right tools, and a few eco-friendly upgrades make all the difference. Because let’s be real—you’ve got better things to do than spend your weekend battling a clogged drain.
Go enjoy your home. It’s meant to be lived in, not endlessly maintained.
The weekend is here, and after a full week of work, I’m more than ready for a little adventure. Spring is slowly starting to show up here in the mountains—longer days, but the snow keeps creeping in! It’s such a hopeful time of year, and I’m ready for hummingbirds and leaves on our trees!
Eben’s back at school after a great spring break visit (why do I always miss him so much more after having him home for a week!) and now it’s just me and Jayson for the weekend. So we’re planning one of our favorite kinds of day trips—we pick a new town on the map, hop in the car, and see where the day takes us. We usually find a pretty trail to hike, pop into local shops or antique stores (we always find something quirky!), and cap it off with dinner at a restaurant we’ve never tried before. No agenda, no rush—just fresh air, togetherness, and discovery. 💚
Before we unplug and hit the road, here are a few green things to inspire your weekend (and week ahead!):
🍃 SunButter Snack Night Is a Thing Now Did you know SunButter uses way less water than almonds and recycles sunflower seed shells into turkey bedding? I mean—give that spread a gold star, right? This week, we had the best low-waste snack night with homemade energy bites, apple nachos, and even little DIY chocolate cups (yum!). Perfect for a road trip or lazy afternoon. Read the full post here →
🍃 A Tiny Beauty Detox (That Feels So Good) I want to encourage you to switch out your beauty products for cleaner, low-waste options. I shared some of my favorite swaps this week: refillable lip color, solid shampoo bars, and the cutest compostable deodorant that smells like citrus heaven. A little self-care, minus the plastic guilt. It’s a win-win!
🍃 New Find: Spring Seeds with Personality I’m thinking about placing a seed order from Hudson Valley Seed Co. I can’t stop staring at the artwork on their website. The seeds look amazing, but they’re also heirloom, non-GMO, and tell a story. I added their Calendula, Rainbow Chard, and a dreamy Bee Balm mix to my cart so far!
🍃 Quick Green Hack: Freeze Your Veggie Scraps! If you’re not composting (yet!), try this: keep a container in the freezer for onion ends, carrot peels, celery tops, etc. Once it’s full, toss it all into a pot for the best homemade veggie broth. Zero waste and so much flavor.
🍃 Just for Fun: The Most Charming Compost Bin Ever We have this bamboo fiber compost bin from Bamboozle under our kitchen sink. It’s so cute you could leave it out, but I’m a minimal countertop gal! If you’ve been dragging your feet on composting because your bin looks like, well… a bin—this might be your moment.
Wherever your weekend takes you—across town, into the woods, or curled up with tea and a good book—I hope it’s full of fresh air, tiny joys, and green inspiration. Don’t forget to look up, breathe deep, and notice what’s blooming. 🌿
xo, Sweet Greens
P.S. I’ve been sharing more behind-the-scenes over on Instagram—pop over and say hi! I might even post a few snapshots from whatever hidden-gem town we end up in this weekend. 🚗🌄
Laundry is a necessary part of life, but it’s also a huge contributor to water waste, plastic pollution, and chemical runoff. From single-use plastic detergent bottles to energy-draining washing habits, our laundry routine has a bigger environmental footprint than we realize. The good news? Making your laundry routine a sustainable laundry routine doesn’t have to be difficult!
With a few simple eco-friendly swaps and mindful habits, you can reduce waste, save water, and keep your clothes fresh—all while being kind to the planet. 🌎✨
Here are the best sustainable laundry hacks featuring eco-friendly detergents, plastic-free laundry essentials, and water-saving tips!
♻️ Step 1: Swap to an Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
Most conventional laundry detergents come in plastic jugs, are loaded with harsh chemicals, and contain artificial fragrances that can irritate skin and pollute waterways. Switching to a non-toxic, biodegradable detergent is one of the easiest ways to green your laundry routine.
🌱 Blueland Laundry Tablets – A Zero-Waste Favorite!
My family uses Blueland for our laundry, and it’s been a game-changer! Their plastic-free laundry tablets come in compostable packaging and dissolve completely in water—no waste, no mess.
🌿 Why It’s a Sustainable Choice: ✔️ Plastic-free, dissolvable tablets (no bulky plastic jugs!) ✔️ Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free & gentle on skin ✔️ Non-toxic & biodegradable formula ✔️ Cute metal times to store your supplies in!
🧺 How to Use It: Simply drop a Blueland laundry tablet into your washing machine before adding clothes—no measuring, no spills! We also use their Oxi Laundry Booster!
Conventional dryer sheets may make your laundry smell fresh, but they contain synthetic fragrances, chemicals, and plastic fibers that aren’t biodegradable. Instead, switch to reusable wool dryer balls to soften clothes naturally while reducing drying time!
🐑 LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls – A Must-Have Swap!
LooHoo makes 100% wool dryer balls that replace disposable dryer sheets while helping clothes dry faster, softer, and with fewer wrinkles!
🌿 Why It’s a Sustainable Choice: ✔️ Naturally softens fabric & reduces static ✔️ Cuts drying time by up to 25% (saving energy!) ✔️ Reusable for hundreds of loads
🛁 How to Use It: Toss 3-6 wool dryer balls into the dryer with your clothes and enjoy fluffier, fresher laundry—without waste!
🌱 Eco-Friendly Tip: Add a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or lemon) to your dryer balls for a natural, non-toxic scent boost!
🧺 Step 3: Use Sustainable Laundry Baskets & Organizers
Plastic laundry baskets are prone to breaking and often end up in landfills. Instead, opt for durable, eco-friendly laundry hampers & organizers that are built to last.
📦 Three by Three Storage Solutions – Organize Sustainably!
Three by Three offers beautiful, functional, and sustainable storage solutions perfect for keeping your laundry space clutter-free while reducing plastic use.
🌿 Why It’s a Sustainable Choice: ✔️ Minimalist, eco-conscious design ✔️ Made from recycled & sustainable materials ✔️ Perfect for organizing laundry & household essentials ✔️ Products come in fun, color combinations
🌱 Eco-Friendly Tip: Keep a separate bin for air-dry clothing to save energy and extend the life of delicate fabrics!
💧 Step 4: Save Water & Energy with Smarter Washing Habits
Did you know washing clothes accounts for 16% of a household’s total water use? 🤯 Reducing water and energy consumption can lower your environmental footprint and save money on utility bills!
🌊 Easy Ways to Cut Water & Energy Use:
💡 Wash in Cold Water – 90% of the energy used in laundry goes toward heating water. Cold washes clean just as well while preserving fabrics!
⏳ Use the Quick Wash Cycle – A shorter cycle uses less water and electricity without sacrificing cleanliness.
🧺 Only Wash Full Loads – Running half-empty loads wastes water. Wait until you have a full load before running the machine!
🚫 Skip the Dryer When Possible – Air-dry clothes on a rack or outdoor line to save energy and extend fabric life!
🚰 Step 5: Shop for Plastic-Free Laundry Essentials
Beyond detergent and storage, switching to zero-waste laundry accessories can reduce plastic waste and help the planet.
🌎 Fill Good Co. – Your One-Stop Shop for Sustainable Laundry!
If you’re looking for plastic-free, refillable laundry essentials, check out Fill Good Co.. They offer a curated selection of sustainable household products, including:
🌱 Eco-Friendly Tip: Shop at refill stores like Fill Good Co. to cut down on waste and reuse containers instead of buying new ones!
🌿 Make Laundry Day More Sustainable!
Laundry doesn’t have to be wasteful! By making a few simple swaps, you can create an eco-friendly laundry routine that’s better for your clothes, your skin, and the planet.
✅ Switch to non-toxic, plastic-free detergents like Blueland ✅ Ditch dryer sheets & use LooHoo wool dryer balls ✅ Upgrade to sustainable laundry storage from Three by Three ✅ Buy zero-waste laundry essentials at Fill Good Co. ✅ Wash smarter by using cold water, shorter cycles & air-drying clothes
Ready to go green with your laundry routine? Start with these easy swaps and enjoy cleaner clothes, a healthier home, and a happier planet! 🌍💚
💬 What’s your favorite eco-friendly laundry hack? Drop it in the comments!
Hello, Eco Friends! 🌿 The weekend is here, and I couldn’t be more excited to slow down, make homemade pizza, and cozy up with a movie. Spring is just around the corner, and I’m already dreaming of sunshine, garden-fresh greens, and eco-friendly outdoor adventures. But for now, it’s still a bit chilly—so we’re embracing the indoor vibes!
Eben is home this week for spring break! 🎉 He’s been busy doing observation hours for his Master’s degree, so we’ve only been catching up over dinner. Tonight, we’re taking it slow with homemade pizzas in our Gozney. I surprised Jayson with it as a holiday gift when we moved to the Banner Elk mountains, and let me tell you—it was so worth it! Living in the mountains means going out for dinner is a trek, and since we love pizza, bread, pretzels (you get it!), the Gozney has been a game-changer for our outdoor space. We use it all the time!
But before I unplug for the weekend (and dig into some pizza!), here are a few green things to inspire your days ahead:
🍃 A Fun Read: Go Forth and Forgage – I’m loving this guide to foraging over 50 of the most common edible and medicinal North American mushrooms. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about wild mushrooms (or dream of foraging your own food), this book is a must! 🍄
🍃 DIY Green Cleaning Hack: Forget store-bought sprays—this 3-ingredient, all-natural cleaner will leave your home sparkling and toxin-free. (Hint: it involves lemon essential oil!)
🍃 The Perfect Pretzel Sandwich: We’ve worked with Smart School House for years, and we’re obsessed with this Pretzel Sandwich recipe! 🥨 Who knew pretzels could be the perfect base for a next-level sandwich?
🍃 How to Raise Eco-Conscious Kids: Want to teach your kids about sustainability in a fun, hands-on way? Here are some fun ways to get started.
Wishing you a restful, nature-filled weekend! Enjoy the little green moments and don’t forget to take a deep breath of that fresh, crisp air.
xo, Sweet Greens 🌿
P.S. Follow along on Instagram (I started it back up!) for more behind-the-scenes from our weekend adventure!
