In an effort to put a little pep in my step during these mid-winter blues, I decided to do a small project that might satiate my green thumb. And it’s true, I have learned that making a kokedama garden, while sipping on a cheery sunshine latte, is the best help for these mid-winter blues. Plus, a mood-lifting playlist while crafting only made this project that much better. I’m glad to admit that before long I found myself grooving to the music and wiggling out the grouch inside of me.

Seasonal living, and the artful practice of connecting nature, is tonic for the body and soul. It is all about taking care to notice the delicate transformations in our environment as they happen through the year and adjusting the way we live in response. It’s about being more in tune with each of the micro seasons that fall within a single year and the life cycles of the flora and fauna that inhibit our ecosystems. It’s about growing our awareness of the interconnectedness of all beings and engaging in communication with nature.

This time of year I always turn a bit reflective. The dark languid days between holidays seem to finally offer a bit of well needed respite. During this little gap on the calendar, time seems to slow to a crawl and we finally have time - time to rest, time to play, time to breathe, and time to dream. I find this time of year perfect for reflecting on the year gone by and setting intentions before launching myself into a new year, and in this case, a new decade. 

In general, I’ve been keeping it simple this year; by “it” I mean the whole Christmas-holiday thing. All of the expected activity that accompanies this hallmark holiday feels unnatural to me and out of alignment with my seasonal needs. Much of the over-consumption that happens during this season only adds to the global waste epidemic, and I no longer want to be a participant in that cycle. In true form, I’ve decided to create my version of what I want the holiday season to be. As you could have guessed, I want this season to be slower, simpler, in alignment with my seasonal needs, and gentler on the environment. I want to spend this season embracing the stillness that accompanies the freshly fallen snow. Here’s how I’m creating a slow and sustainable Christmas. Plus I’m sharing my low waste gift wrap design that is easy to implement.

It’s that time of year again - one of the most beautiful seasons, yet also one of the most stressful for many people. If you are a highly sensitive person like me, perhaps you can relate to the sheer overwhelm this season induces. However, when the crazy gets crazier during the holiday season, I know it's time to press pause and turn to my plant allies to help ease the stress and anxiety. Here are my favorite ways to use herbs for stress and anxiety, plus a handful of common herbs that calm. 

The land looks barren in November. Where others overlook this understated micro-season and turn their heads in disgust at the brown and grey, I see beauty. In my latest woodland adventure, I sought to bring the kiss of nature’s November to the holiday dinner table. As it turns out, I enjoy this simple foraged holiday tablescape so much that I think I’ll keep it around through the New Year. My holiday table will hold the space for intentional holiday gatherings, delicious home-cooked meals, catch-up conversations with old friends, and heart-centered connections with family. See how I’ve captured the essence of nature’s understated calm through my sustainably foraged holiday decor.

Building a slow and sustainable wardrobe is all about curating quality outfits that express your personal style while also considering the environmental impact of each garment. I have always enjoyed expressing myself through my personal style, and in years passed, I’ve admittedly exhibited wasteful habits. Now, the majority of my wardrobe is dedicated to small independent brands that champion quality-made, sustainable, and ethical practices. Here are my top tips for how to slow down your wardrobe and make it sustainable.

It is 8:30 Monday morning and I have a different sort of commute. As the sun crests over the peaks, I walk onward and upward into the forest. For those willing to walk the path less traveled, wild foraging is a journey that nourishes the body and re-wilds the soul.

The primordial pull to gather, preserve, stock up, and nest before the first Winter storm is very strong. Autumn, with it’s cooler temperatures, presents the perfect time to do our best gardening work. It is the work that prepares our garden for the following growing season. Here are my fall gardening tips:

In springtime, the sound of trickling water signals the snow melting in the warmth of a brighter sun. The smell of damp earth indicates the thawing of the ground. The first fuzzy buds begin to form and shoots of green peek through the soil. The energy of life, and possibility, is palpable. Here are my spring gardening tips…

Have you ever walked under evergreens and noticed the trees excreting drops of sap? On a recent adventure into the forest I came across a beautiful old pine tree that was dropping large globs of pine resin. Here are my instructions for sustainably harvesting pine resin and using it to craft an antimicrobial healing balm.

The mountains, lusciously green with patchy arrangements of snow, beckoned me. I craved wildflower lined trails and a quiet atmosphere where I could hike, eat, and relax in a small mountain village. Sundance Mountain Resort was the perfect setting for my solo slow day-venture.

Forty five minutes from San Fransisco lies Green Gulch Farm, a Japanese Zen Buddhist Monastery, which is set in a forest of ancient redwoods. This was the setting for my two week zen meditation retreat; a transformative experience I will never forget. To give you a glimpse into this illuminating experience, I’ve shared some of my journal entries and many photos of the beautiful zen center.

After wrestling with eco-anxious thoughts for years, I decided to choose not to let these concerns send me into a tailspin. Rather, I’ve allowed them to inspire the discovery of a better way to live. So, how do I manage my environmental anxiety in order to live my best life? I find balance through using the same tools I use to cope with general anxiety, hyper-sensitivity, and an empathic nature. This is what I do…

I’ll be participating in the Plastic Free July challenge this year in an effort to continue producing less single-use plastic waste. In my zero waste journey so far, I’ve learned that if I want to live my best life while also avoiding single-use plastic, I must prepare in advance. Here are some helpful tips to help us both remain plastic free this July and beyond.

As we stride into high summer, I look forward to reveling in all the abundance that comes with a summer harvest. I’ll fill my basket until it’s heavy laden with ready garden ingredients. Then, I’ll dine al fresco on all of this delicious organic goodness. Here’s my midsummer garden harvest (and how I’ve grown them) that will soon be adorning my plates for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Midsummer is the peak celebration of the Summer Season and the midway point in the solar cycle. Here are six illuminating rituals to slow down and connect to nature this Midsummer season.

Most often, living slowly shows us that we don’t need much - we can live quite comfortably (and happily) right here, right now - without a lot of extra. It’s a mindset dedicated to making things last, whether it be a pleasurable moment, our material items, or our general happiness. I suppose that the essence of what slow living means to me, is a focus on the present moment; the magic moments extracted from the mundane. These are my Moments of Slow…

I love to explore places near and far, whether they be wild lands or cities and I am deeply grateful to have traveled as much as I have around the globe. I am also aware that my travels have a negative impact on the planet. If you are like me - passionate about both the environment and traveling, then you may want to adopt more eco-friendly travel habits. With all of my traveling experience, here are 6 simple tips I’ve picked up along the way to be more sustainable in my adventures

I believe that sustainable living is rooted in mindfulness. Making sustainable lifestyle choices is about making intentional decisions in full awareness. Living sustainably is a challenge and can be exhausting - simply because we are literally working against the system we live in. As a global community, we do not have the luxury to mentally sweep this environmental crisis under the rug - as tempting as it may be. It is truly up to us to accept our current state, then make positive changes one moment at a time. This is the way of acting in mindfulness. One breath at a time. One moment at a time.