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

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 🍫

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!) 🌸

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

A Few Green Things: Happy Dogs, Comfy Hikes & An Early Easter Surprise 🐰

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

Olive-Tested, Frenchie-Approved: Why We Love Natural Farm Pet Chews 🐾💚

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.