Healthy Lifestyle

Protein Chia Seed Pudding with Kefir & Almond Milk

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Protein Chia Seed Pudding with Kefir & Almond Milk

This protein-packed chia seed pudding is more than just a delicious grab-and-go snack—it’s a nourishing way to start or fuel your day. Chia seeds are tiny powerhouses, loaded with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein to keep you feeling full and energized. Pairing them with kefir adds probiotics for a happy gut, while almond milk keeps it light, creamy, and plant-based. It’s the perfect balance of taste and nutrition in every spoonful.

Trying to hit my protein and fiber goals is a big deal to me these days. These make it easier!

Benefits of Protein
Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues, supporting strong muscles, and keeping your metabolism active. It also helps stabilize blood sugar, curbs cravings, and keeps you feeling satisfied longer. Adding protein to meals—like in this chia seed pudding—turns a simple snack into lasting fuel for your body and mind.

Benefits of Chia Seeds
Chia seeds may be tiny, but they’re packed with powerful nutrition. They’re a great source of plant-based protein, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. These little seeds help keep you fuller longer, support digestion, balance energy, and even promote heart and brain health—all in just a spoonful.

Benefits of Kefir
Kefir is a probiotic-rich fermented drink that supports a healthy gut and strong immune system. It’s loaded with beneficial bacteria and yeast, along with vitamins, minerals, and protein. Regularly enjoying kefir can improve digestion, boost nutrient absorption, and help maintain overall wellness.

Protein Chia Seed Pudding with Kefir & Almond Milk

Ingredients (Makes 5 half-pint jars)

  • 2 ½ cups unsweetened kefir
  • 2 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
  • 11 ? Tbsp chia seeds (about 2 Tbsp + 1 tsp per jar)
  • 5 tsp agave syrup (adjust to taste)
  • Optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract, pinch of cinnamon, or cocoa powder.

Instructions

  • 1. In a large mixing bowl or measuring pitcher, whisk together kefir, almond milk, protein powder, and agave until smooth.
  • 2. Stir in the chia seeds and mix well to prevent clumping.
  • 3. Divide evenly into 5 half-pint jelly jars.
  • 4. After 10 minutes, stir each jar again (this keeps the chia from settling).
  • 5. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, until thick and pudding-like.
  • 6. Top with fresh fruit, nuts, or granola before serving, if desired.

Whether you enjoy it for breakfast, a midday pick-me-up, or even a healthy dessert, this pudding is a simple way to fuel your body and support your well-being. Each jar is a reminder that eating well can be both effortless and delicious. Nourish yourself, savor the goodness, and let this little pudding keep you going strong.

Nutrition approx. (per jar)

  • Calories: ~228
  • Protein: ~17.8 g
  • Carbs: ~17 g
  • Fat: ~9.1 g

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

Interested in being part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Sourdough Banana Crumble Bakery-Style Muffins

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Sourdough Banana Crumble Bakery-Style Muffins

If you’ve ever had a banana crumble bakery muffin — you know, the kind that’s perfectly domed, tender on the inside, and topped with that irresistible crunchy crumble — you’ll be thrilled to make these Sourdough Banana Crumble Muffins at home. The sourdough adds just enough tang and so much moisture the muffins are tender and delicious.

Making sourdough banana crumble muffins are the perfect way to use up overripe bananas and sourdough discard, and they stay moist for days. Pair with your morning coffee or enjoy as an afternoon treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bakery-worthy texture: tall, domed tops and tender crumb.
  • Sourdough flavor: discard adds subtle tang and depth.
  • Easy to make: no mixer required.
  • Freezer-friendly: great for make-ahead breakfasts.

Ingredients

Muffins

  • 1 cup (240g) mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)
  • ½ cup (120g) sourdough starter discard (unfed)
  • ½ cup (120ml) melted butter
  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (50g) white sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg (optional)

Crumble Topping

  • ½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (50g) white sugar
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 4 tbsp (55g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • ½ cup (60g) chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Make the Crumble Topping

In a small bowl, mix flour, both sugars, chopped pecans, and cinnamon. Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to rub the butter into the mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs. Refrigerate while you prepare the muffin batter.

2. Preheat the Oven

Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, sourdough discard, oil, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.

4. Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Don’t overmix — a few streaks of flour are fine.

5. Fill and Top

Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Sprinkle generously with crumble topping.

6. Bake

Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Tips for Perfect Muffins

  • Room-temperature eggs help the batter mix more evenly.
  • Don’t skip the crumble — it’s the bakery magic.
  • For taller muffin tops, start baking at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes, then reduce to 375°F (190°C) for the remaining time.

Storage & Freezing

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze muffins (without the crumble losing too much crunch) for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp or warm in the oven for a few minutes.

If you love these you’ll also love this recipe for peach sourdough muffins!

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

Interested in being part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

A Mindful Path Through Healing

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A Mindful Path Through Healing
A New Offering from the Heart

Something meaningful is in the works. And it’s coming from a place that’s deeply personal—shaped by lived experience, rooted in compassion, and devoted to healing in all its forms.

Over the past several months (and really, over the course of many years), I’ve been gathering what I’ve learned—through my own healing journey, through teaching, and through deep listening to others—and weaving it into something I’ve long envisioned:

A Mindful Path Through Healing.

This upcoming program is a sanctuary for those navigating pain, recovery, life transitions, or simply the tender uncertainty of being human. It’s for those craving a reconnection with their breath, their body, their nervous system, and their inner wisdom.

This isn’t a quick-fix or a checkbox approach.
There are no promises of perfection here.
Instead, what you’ll find is a gentle unfolding. A space to soften into your healing, to explore supportive practices, and to remember that healing doesn’t have to happen alone—or all at once.

This program is being built on the pillars I return to again and again in my own life:

  • Mindful movement that meets your body where it is
  • Breath practices to soothe the nervous system and anchor presence
  • Nervous system support rooted in science and soul
  • Rituals and nature-based practices to remind you of what’s steady
  • Mindset and reflection to support inner clarity
  • And gratitude—because even in pain, there is always something worth honoring

Whether you’re healing from physical pain, moving through emotional stress, or just feeling disconnected and unsure of your next step, this space is being created for you.

I can’t wait to share more soon.
For now, just know: it’s coming.
And it’s being crafted with you in mind—gently, intentionally, and with so much heart.

You are not alone.

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

Interested in being part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Stay Cool: Aromatherapy for Long, Hot Days

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Stay Cool: Aromatherapy for Long, Hot Days

Summer brings so much beauty — the garden in full bloom, light-filled evenings, fresh foods, and a slower rhythm. But with the brightness also comes the heat. And for many of us, that heat can leave us feeling fatigued, irritable, or just plain worn out.

Thankfully, nature gives us cooling allies in the form of essential oils. Whether you’re moving through hot days physically or emotionally, this blend is a gentle, refreshing way to come back to center.

Why Cooling Aromatherapy Works

Certain essential oils help calm the nervous system, reduce the sensation of heat, and bring a sense of lightness and clarity. Think of them as summer’s breath of fresh air.

The blend below is one I reach for on long afternoons, after gardening, or when I need to feel refreshed and grounded at the same time.

Cool & Calm Summer Mist Recipe

You’ll need:

  • 2 oz glass spray bottle (amber or cobalt blue is ideal)
  • Distilled water or rose hydrosol
  • 5 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 5 drops lavender essential oil
  • 3 drops spearmint essential oil
  • Optional: 1 tsp witch hazel or aloe vera juice (to help oils disperse)

To make:

  1. Add the essential oils to your empty spray bottle.
  2. If using witch hazel or aloe, add it next.
  3. Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water or hydrosol.
  4. Shake gently before each use.

To use:
Mist over your face (eyes closed), neck, chest, or even the backs of your knees. Keep it in your bag or fridge for extra chill.

When to Use This Blend

  • After yoga or a walk
  • During hot flashes or overheated afternoons
  • While driving or commuting
  • At bedtime to settle the body
  • Any time you feel flustered or drained

The Energetics Behind the Blend

Peppermint cools and sharpens the mind
Lavender soothes agitation and brings emotional balance
Spearmint uplifts while grounding the breath

Together, they create a feeling of cool ease — like stepping into a shaded garden with your favorite iced tea in hand.

A Seasonal Reminder

Summer invites us to stretch out but also to soften back. To enjoy the warmth, but not burn out from it.

Let this cooling blend be your pocket-sized pause button. A breath of ease, a moment of relief — wherever you are.

With cool calm,
Stacie
Embracing Wisdom & Wellness

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Rooted in July: A Gentle Life in Full Bloom

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Rooted in July: A Gentle Life in Full Bloom

There’s something magical about July — the way everything stretches toward the sun, how the days linger a little longer, and how nature reminds us to both expand and rest. This is the season of ripening — in our gardens, in our meals, and within ourselves.

If June was the invitation, July is the deep breath in.

Life in the Garden

This time of year, my garden becomes both sanctuary and teacher. Each morning, I walk through barefoot, coffee in hand, gently brushing my fingers over the herbs and peeking at what’s ready to harvest. The basil is bold. The tomatoes are starting to blush. And the flowers — oh, the flowers — are singing in color.

There’s something deeply grounding about tending to growing things. The rhythm of watering, weeding, harvesting — it slows the nervous system and brings me right into the moment.

Even if you don’t have a garden, simply noticing the season around you — the smell of cut grass, the hum of bees, the heat rising off the pavement — can bring you into deeper presence.

Eat What the Earth Offers

In July, I lean into simple, fresh meals made from what’s in season. Think cucumber-mint salads, grilled zucchini, homemade pesto, berry crisps with just a hint of honey, and iced teas infused with lemon balm or lavender from the garden.

Here’s one of my current favorites:

Garden-Fresh Summer Bowl

  • Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Sliced cucumber
  • A scoop of quinoa or brown rice
  • Feta or avocado
  • Fresh basil or mint
  • Olive oil and lemon juice drizzle
  • Sprinkle of sea salt and cracked pepper

It’s light, refreshing, and packed with the vitality of the season.

Stay Cool, Stay Centered

While July can be expansive, it also brings intensity — in heat, energy, and pace. I’ve been reminding myself (and my yoga students) that staying cool isn’t just about air conditioning — it’s about staying centered.

Try this:

  • A short cooling breath practice like Sheetali or Sitkari
  • A few minutes with your feet in cool water
  • A walk at sunrise or just after sunset
  • A restorative yoga pose with a lavender-infused eye pillow

Let your daily rhythm soften with the season. Your nervous system will thank you.

Let Yourself Ripen

This season is not about pushing. It’s about becoming.
Let yourself bloom slowly. Rest deeply. Savor fully.

Whether you’re in your garden, on your mat, or at your kitchen table, may this month remind you that you, too, are a living thing — worthy of sunlight, nourishment, and ease.

With warmth from the garden and the heart,
Stacie
Embracing Wisdom & Wellness

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Diffuser Blend for for Calm & Clarity

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Some days call for quiet. For deep breaths. For a moment of stillness that feels like pressing your feet into the earth and letting the noise melt away.

This is where the Grounding Walk Diffuser Blend comes in. It’s inspired by that feeling you get on a peaceful walk through the trees—the earthy scent of soil and leaves, the whisper of wind, and the sense that everything is just as it should be.

It’s peaceful. It’s steady. And it’s just what you need right now.

Grounding Walk Diffuser Blend

  • 2 drops Frankincense – for deep calm and spiritual grounding
  • 2 drops Lavender – to soften tension and promote peace
  • 1 drop Patchouli – to anchor you in the present moment
  • 1 drop Rosemary – to bring mental clarity and fresh perspective

Add to your diffuser with fresh water, settle in, and breathe deeply.

When to Use This Blend

  • During meditation or journaling
  • After a long or emotionally draining day
  • When you feel ungrounded, overwhelmed, or disconnected
  • While stretching, resting, or enjoying a cup of tea

Let this blend be your companion on the days when your nervous system needs a reset—no walk required, just the intention to come back home to yourself.

Want to Take It Outside?

You can also turn this blend into a DIY grounding perfume or a roller bottle using a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil. Just reduce the number of drops and keep the same ratio for a gentle, portable version of your peaceful forest walk.

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Finding Joy in the Everyday: Why Simple Moments Matter

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I wasn’t headed anywhere special. Just me, my sporty blue Jeep, a wide stretch of road, and that particular kind of stillness that comes when you’re not rushing to get somewhere. It was one of those ordinary days that didn’t begin with a plan. But as life often reminds me, the most beautiful moments rarely need one.

I had driven past fields and fences, wildflowers and weathered barns, when I noticed a quiet little scene that pulled at my heart. I slowed down, pulled over, and let myself be drawn into a moment that asked nothing from me—just presence. There, on the side of the road, surrounded by sun and soil, was a glimpse of simple beauty. And it was more than enough.

This moment became a gentle reminder: joy lives in the everyday. Not just in the big celebrations or grand adventures, but in the pause. In the noticing. Paying attention to the way the light touches a leaf or how the wind plays with your hair as you drive with the windows down.

Since we live in a world that constantly pushes us to do more, be more, hustle more, we forget how healing it can be to simply be with what is. To let the road stretch out before us and not be in a rush to arrive. Joy is not something we earn. It’s something we allow. It meets us when we slow down long enough to see it.

The Benefits of Finding Joy in the Everyday

1. Reduces Stress
Pausing to appreciate small, joyful moments calms the nervous system, lowers cortisol levels, and supports emotional regulation.

2. Strengthens Resilience
When we train ourselves to find beauty in ordinary days, we build emotional endurance for the harder ones.

3. Improves Mental Health
Gratitude and joy are directly linked to increased life satisfaction, lower levels of depression, and improved outlook.

4. Enhances Presence
Joy brings us back to the present moment, grounding us in our bodies and our breath, rather than our to-do lists or worries.

5. Encourages Connection
Everyday joy invites us to share, to smile at strangers, to slow down with loved ones, to open our hearts to the world again.

So here’s my invitation: pull over sometimes. Let yourself linger in the unexpected quiet. Roll down the window. Let the sun warm your face. Let joy find you right where you are.

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Post-Hip Replacement Rehab Part 4 | Gentle Stretching & Mobility for Healing

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Post-Hip Replacement Rehab Part 4 | Gentle Stretching & Mobility for Healing

If you’re in the midst of your hip surgery recovery journey and looking for a supportive way to restore flexibility and mobility—without getting down on the floor—this session is for you.

In Part 4 of the Post-Hip Replacement Rehab Series, we explore gentle, yoga-inspired movements using a chair for support. These mindful stretches are designed to promote functional movement, ease muscle tension, and encourage breath awareness for a grounded, healing experience.

What to Expect in This Video:

  • Seated and standing stretches to gently open and lengthen the body
  • Breath-led movement to calm your nervous system and invite awareness
  • Supportive transitions that build trust in your body’s strength
  • A compassionate pace for mid-to-late stage recovery

Whether you’re returning to movement after surgery or integrating a long-term recovery plan, this session invites you to move mindfully and with kindness.

Inspired by my own healing journey through multiple hip surgeries, I offer this practice as a tool for encouragement, stability, and deeper connection to yourself.

Follow the Full Rehab Series:
 YouTube Playlist Link

Let’s continue healing, one breath and one stretch at a time. Thank you so much for your continued support of me and my healing and work.

Much love, Stacie

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Simple Summer Joys: A Mindful Celebration of the Season

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As the days stretch longer and the sun lingers just a bit more sweetly, I’m finding myself drawn to the simplicity of summer. There’s something about this season that invites us to slow down, breathe deeper, and take pleasure in the little things.

You don’t need a packed vacation or a fancy plan to feel the fullness of summer joy. Sometimes, it’s the smallest moments that hold the most magic. Think about it:

  • The first bite of juicy watermelon on a hot afternoon
  • A barefoot walk through the grass or warm sand
  • Reading in a hammock with a breeze on your skin
  • The scent of fresh flowers on the kitchen table
  • A slow sunset walk with nowhere to be
  • Yoga outside with birdsong in the background
  • Homemade lemonade, extra ice, and a splash of calm
  • A morning that starts slow, with sunlight and stillness

It’s these little rituals that shape a season—what I like to call everyday joy.

Which simple summer moment brings you the most joy?

  • Strolling a farmers market
  • Picnic in the park
  • Barefoot in the grass or sand
  • Evening walks at sunset
  • Reading in a hammock
  • Morning yoga in the sunshine
  • Fresh flowers on the table
  • Homemade lemonade with extra ice
  • Watermelon on the porch

Or maybe you have one of your own? Comment below or share on social media and tag me — let’s inspire each other to embrace the slow, simple beauty of summer.

Want More Inspiration?
Subscribe to my YouTube channel for seasonal wellness tips, summer recipes, essential oil blends, and ways to root deeper into calm and joy — all season long.

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Post-Hip Replacement Rehab Series Part 3 | Seated Balance & Tree Pose Prep for Hip Stability

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Post-Hip Replacement Rehab Series Part 3 | Seated Balance & Tree Pose Prep for Hip Stability

In Part 3 of the Post-Hip Replacement Rehab Series, we focus on seated balance and gentle tree pose preparation—a beautiful combination for building confidence, strength, and coordination during your healing process.

This practice is designed for those who may not yet feel ready to stand but are eager to engage their hip flexors, improve postural awareness, and activate stabilizing muscles—all while seated.

In This Class You’ll Explore:

  • Hip flexor activation for stability
  • Controlled leg movements to build strength
  • Tree pose-inspired motions to promote neuromuscular connection
  • Breath-led awareness for calm and focus
  • Supportive cues for posture and alignment

Whether you’re in early recovery or looking for seated practices to supplement your healing, this class offers accessible yet powerful movement with compassion at its core.

Start Your Journey Today

 • Watch Part 1 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NCSvw0_cogU
 • Subscribe for the full series: Click here
• Support this work: Buy Me a Coffee
• Watch the full Rehab Playlist: View Playlist

Let this gentle practice guide you into deeper strength and steadiness—right from your chair.

With love and support,
 Stacie

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

The Benefits of Gardening

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The Benefits of Gardening + 5 Easy Vegetables & Flowers to Grow for Beginners

There’s something incredibly healing about placing your hands in the soil, feeling the sun on your back, and watching something grow under your care. Gardening is more than just a hobby—it’s a grounding ritual, a way to connect with the earth and your inner calm.

For me, gardening has become a gentle form of therapy. On days when my body aches or my mind feels overwhelmed, tending to even a small garden brings me back to the present. The rhythm of watering, weeding, and nurturing offers a simple joy that can’t be found in screens or busy schedules.

The Healing Benefits of Gardening

Whether you’re working with a big backyard or a few pots on a patio, gardening offers many benefits:

  • Reduces stress and anxiety: Tending to plants activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting calm and relaxation.
  • Boosts mood and mental clarity: Just 20 minutes outside in the garden can increase serotonin and help reduce brain fog.
  • Encourages gentle movement: Digging, bending, and planting offer mindful, low-impact physical activity.
  • Promotes healthy eating: Growing your own food makes it easier to nourish your body with fresh, seasonal produce.
  • Connects you with nature: Gardening brings awareness to the seasons, weather, and rhythms of the earth—things we often overlook in busy life.

Top 5 Vegetables for Beginner Gardeners

If you’re new to gardening, these veggies are forgiving, productive, and perfect for beginners:

  1. Cherry Tomatoes – Easy to grow in containers or garden beds. They thrive in full sun and reward you with a burst of sweetness all summer long.
  2. Zucchini – Zucchini grows quickly and abundantly with very little effort. One plant can keep you well-stocked for weeks.
  3. Lettuce – Grows fast and doesn’t need a lot of space. You can even harvest leaves as needed for salads.
  4. Radishes – These root veggies mature in as little as 3–4 weeks and are fun to grow with kids.
  5. Green Beans – Whether you choose bush or pole varieties, green beans are reliable, tasty, and great for beginner hands.

Top 5 Flowers for Beginner Gardeners

Flowers bring pollinators, beauty, and joy. These blooms are easy to grow and great for first-time gardeners:

  1. Marigolds – Hardy and pest-resistant, these sunny blooms also protect vegetables from unwanted bugs.
  2. Zinnias – Fast-growing, colorful, and loved by bees and butterflies.
  3. Sunflowers – Tall, cheerful, and incredibly easy. They grow quickly and bring instant delight.
  4. Calendula – Not only pretty, but also edible and great for herbal remedies like salves and teas.
  5. Cosmos – Delicate and wispy, cosmos add charm and require minimal effort to flourish.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a green thumb or fancy tools to begin. Just a bit of curiosity, some sunshine, and a willingness to nurture something tiny into something beautiful. Start small, stay curious, and let your garden grow alongside you.

If you’re already gardening—or just getting started—I’d love to hear what you’re planting this season. Let’s grow together. ?

With dirt under our nails and joy in our hearts,
Stacie

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves including gardening tools!

Adrenal Fatigue & High Cortisol at Night: Natural Ways to Find Calm

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Let’s Talk About Adrenals, Cortisol & Calm

Lately, my evenings have felt especially hard—my body gets tense, my muscles ache, and my nerves feel like they’re buzzing under my skin. Even when I’m exhausted, I struggle to settle. If you know that tired-but-wired feeling… you are not alone. ?

For me, it often comes down to adrenal fatigue and high cortisol at night—a common challenge for anyone managing chronic stress or fibromyalgia. When the adrenals are constantly “on,” it’s hard for the nervous system to power down.

One thing that’s helped me so much is creating a consistent, gentle evening routine—especially using this calming essential oil blend designed to support the adrenals, ease the nervous system, and reduce those cortisol spikes that keep us restless.

Adrenal-Calming Oil Blend

Add to a 10–15 ml roller bottle with carrier oil (like fractionated coconut):

  • Tulsi (Holy Basil) – Stress relief – Balances cortisol, deeply calming.
  • Cedarwood – Grounding – Calms the mind and supports deep rest.
  • Frankincense – Stability – Eases tension, promotes nervous system balance.
  • Clary Sage – Hormone harmony – Soothes mood swings and emotional stress.
  • Bergamot – Uplifting – Gently boosts mood while easing anxiety.
  • Roman Chamomile – Soothing – Softens irritability and supports sleep.

I apply it to my lower back (over the adrenals), my heart, and wrists—and just breathe. Sometimes I’ll diffuse it too as I wind down for bed.

Pair this with soft lighting, some gentle breathing or stretching, and maybe a cozy tea or magnesium supplement… and you’ve got a ritual that reminds your body it’s safe to rest.

Let me know if you try the blend—or if you’re also riding that high-cortisol wave at night. We’re in this together. I am happy to mail you one to try! Also, looking for my favorite essential oil tools and supplies? I’ve curated a selection of my top-quality blends and tools over on my Amazon shop—everything I use in my evening routines and yoga offerings. Click here to explore and shop my must-have oils, diffusers, and more: www.amazon.com/shop/embracingspirityoga.

Happy exploring, and may these simple treasures bring calm and joy to your days!

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating.