When I was a kid on the farm, gardening meant tilling — every spring the soil was turned, turned, and turned again. We did pile on plenty of horse manure, which kept things fertile, but the work was heavy and the weeds always seemed to bounce right back. When I moved to Ireland as an…
When I first started gardening, I thought neat rows and wide spaces were the goal. But nature doesn’t grow in straight lines — forests don’t leave bare soil between trees, and weeds are just plants rushing in to fill the gaps. These days, I’ve become a believer in planting close, letting roots and leaves support…
In the Spring, my kids know it’s time for our slightly odd tradition: tromping into the woods in gloves and long sleeves to pick a plant that will sting us if we’re careless. Nettles are one of those “why would anyone eat that?” foods until you taste them — earthy, mineral-rich, and a little like…
Winter meals are about survival — soups that bubble away for hours, and root vegetables that, if you forget them in the crisper too long, go from crisp to Gumby-flexible. (If you grew up in the ’80s like me, you know exactly what I mean. #IYKYK) But spring? Spring feels like the farmers market is…
Every spring, we crave a fresh start — lighter meals, more movement, a clean slate. But too many “reset” programs leave women depleted, not renewed. Here’s how to reset your body without burning out. When “Reset” Means Restriction Every April, the internet fills with challenges: juice cleanses, 7-day detoxes, bootcamps. They sound refreshing, but in…
Most of us assume if we have a filter, our water is “safe.” But the truth is, most filters don’t catch the things we really need to worry about. 👉 The real issue? By the time water makes it to your glass, it’s not just water anymore. It’s a mixture of what came in from…
Back in college, it took a lot to really fatigue my muscles. The trainer at UO could get me there, but on my own it usually meant 5–7 mile runs before I felt that satisfying soreness. These days? A half-mile run with a stroller can do me in. (The toddler likes speed.) Different body, different…
For years I thought I was great at hydration. I carried my big water bottle everywhere, refilling that baby like I was winning at adulting — and then spent half my day running to the bathroom. Meanwhile, my skin looked dull and at some times sallow, my energy crashed mid-afternoon, and I was living in…
If protein is the bricks of your body, fatty acids are the mortar. They’re what hold your hormones, brain, and cell membranes together. Without them, communication breaks down. Think of it like trying to run Wi-Fi on a frayed cable — the signal won’t hold. I’ve lived this. When I was eating “clean vegan” years…