Archive | TRAVEL AND BOOKS

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. 🌱

I might not have little ones at home anymore (can you believe Eben’s 24!? He was 8 when I started this blog), but that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped keeping a well-stocked, eco-conscious travel essentials kit on hand. Whether we’re hiking in the mountains, road tripping to a new town, or heading off for a weekend in the RV, there are two things I never leave behind: the Keep>Going Woodland Mini First Aid Kit and Handzies Soap + Water Wipes.

These two items have become non-negotiables in my adventure bag—and they’re especially perfect if, like me, you’re always looking for ways to stay prepared and reduce your environmental impact while you travel.

🧰 Keep>Going Mini First Aid Kit – Small but Mighty

Let me start by saying: I’ve owned a lot of first aid kits over the years, and most of them either fall apart or take up too much space. The Keep>Going Woodland Mini Kit is a total game-changer.

I keep one in our RV, one in the car, and another in our hiking pack—and every single one has come in handy at some point.

🌱 Refillable & Built to Last – The soft-shell case is compact and durable, not one of those plastic boxes that cracks after one trip.
🩹 Loaded with 60 Essentials – Everything you need for everyday mishaps: bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, tweezers, even burn cream.
🎒 Perfect for Travel & Trail – It’s lightweight enough for day hikes but thorough enough to keep in the RV for longer trips.
🌲 Cute, Too! – I know function matters more, but I’ll admit—I love the woodland print. It’s fun and stylish without being overly “medical.”

👉 Shop

Handzies Wipes are made with real soap, water, and essential oils, and they actually leave your hands feeling clean—not sticky or overly scented.

🌿 Biodegradable & Plant-Based – No alcohol, no harsh chemicals, and no synthetic fragrances. Just clean, simple ingredients that are kind to your skin and the earth.
🚗 Perfect for Travel – I keep a stash of the individually wrapped wipes in the glove compartment, hiking pack, and my travel pouch.
🖐 Gentle Yet Effective – Whether we’re dealing with sunscreen, trail snacks, or just need a refresh after a hike, these wipes always come through.
🌸 Smell Amazing – Light and fresh, not overwhelming. They feel like a little luxury when you’re on the go.

👉 Shop Handzies Wipes.

Where We Use Them the Most

Over the past few years, these two items have become staples in our travel and outdoor routines. Here’s where they come in clutch:

🥾 Hiking – It’s rare that we don’t need at least a bandage, some antiseptic, or a wipe after a few miles on the trail.
🚐 RV Trips – Both products live in our RV full-time. I keep a pack of these tucked in the driver’s side door of our RV—perfect for when Jayson dumps the tanks after a trip and needs a quick, easy way to clean his hands!
🚗 Road Trips – Long drives, snacks on the go, questionable roadside rest stops—you’ll be so glad to have Handzies and a mini first aid kit close by.
🎡 Outdoor Events & Weekend Markets – You never know when you’ll need a quick clean-up or a bandage for a stubbed toe. These essentials make it all feel seamless.

Why I Love These Eco Essentials

There’s something so satisfying about being prepared and staying aligned with your values. Both Keep>Going and Handzies are focused on quality, sustainability, and real-life practicality—which makes me feel good about supporting them.

✅ Reusable & refillable
✅ Plant-based and biodegradable
✅ Compact, travel-friendly, and functional
✅ Made with families and adventurers in mind

I might not be packing diaper bags anymore, but I still want to keep our adventures comfortable, clean, and as low-waste as possible. These products help me do exactly that—without taking up half the trunk.

If you’re heading out for hiking season, planning a long RV trip, just love a good road adventure, or have kiddos that you are taking ANYWHERE, I highly recommend adding these two items to your essentials kit. They’re small, smart, and eco-conscious—everything I look for in my travel gear.

🌿 Shop the Essentials:
🧰 Keep>Going Mini First Aid Kit – Woodland
🧼 Handzies Soap + Water Wipes

💬 Do you have a go-to product you always pack for road trips or hikes? Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking to upgrade my on-the-go setup!