Soul Garden Yoga & Wellness

I have so many beautiful native plants growing in my garden, and one of my favorite evening rituals is wandering among them after dinner. Unless the rain has done the watering for me, I gently tend the garden and notice which plants seem to call out for a cup of tea.

Lately, my Lippia alba has been especially vibrant, filling the air with its bright lemony, citrusy scent. I paired it with a handful of Bidens alba, a plant that grows abundantly in Florida and is often overlooked as a “weed,” yet is wonderfully nourishing.

Lippia alba, sometimes called bushy lemon balm, has long been used to support relaxation, digestion, and respiratory health, and is valued for its calming, soothing qualities. It also contains aromatic compounds and antioxidants that have been studied for their anti-inflammatory benefits.

Bidens alba is rich in antioxidants and has traditionally been used to support immune health and overall vitality. This humble native plant reminds me that some of nature’s greatest gifts are often growing quietly all around us.

Tonight’s tea steeped in my treasured Japanese kyusu, a traditional single-steeping teapot I brought home from Japan when I lived there from 1992–1994.

Every time I use it, I’m reminded how simple rituals, like gathering herbs, brewing tea, pausing for a moment of stillness can connect us to both nature and memory.

What plants in your garden are calling to you these days?

Your Breath Is Always With You AND Here Are 3 SIMPLE Ways to Use It.

I love a good guided breathwork experience. I love teaching it, and I love taking a class or workshop for myself.
There is something powerful about having the time, space and guidance to really explore your breath.

But what about the other 99% of your life?

What about the stressful email, the difficult conversation, the annoying traffic, the restless night, or the moment when you find yourself spiraling into the “what-if?” vortex of doom and gloom?

That’s where simple breathing practices become really valuable.

After years of teaching yoga, meditation and breathwork, I’ve come to rely on THESE 3 simple practices that I can use pretty much anywhere, anytime.

Observe.
Slow & Soften.
Nose.

They sound almost ridiculously simple.
And you might be thinking, Really? That’s it?

Yes. Really.

But don’t just read about them.
Try them. Right now.

Swipe through the three practices and give each one a moment. Notice what happens when you actually experience them rather than simply reading about them.

Because your breath isn’t just something you practice in a yoga class or a guided breathwork session.
It’s a tool you can access when life is actually happening.

Your breath is always with you.

You might as well make it your ally. 🌿

THE SECRET IS OUT… IT’S PERU! 🇵🇪

I’ve been dropping little hints… and now I can finally reveal where we’re headed!

September 21–27, 2027 join me for an unforgettable wellness retreat through the heart of PERU!

Imagine waking up surrounded by the majestic Andes, exploring ancient Incan history, connecting with vibrant local culture, sharing incredible food, and making memories in some of the most breathtaking places on Earth.

This isn’t just a trip. It’s an experience for the soul.

Wander through the colorful Pisac Market

Explore the magical Sacred Valley

Kayak or paddleboard across serene Piuray Lake

Get hands-on with a Peruvian cooking experience

Meet adorable alpacas and llamas

Discover the incredible Maras salt mines

Walk through the historic streets of Cusco

And experience the unforgettable wonder of Machu Picchu

Along the way, we’ll weave in meaningful wellness experiences designed to help you slow down, reconnect, restore, and truly be present.

Adventure. Culture. Connection. Wellness. Wonder.

Peru is calling… and I cannot wait to experience it with you! 🇵🇪✨

More details in bio.

Join Us — October 23-25, 2026


The SWC Wisdom Weekend


A weekend of learning, reflection, connection, and community — created for women who want more intention, clarity, and balance in everyday life.


Over three days, you’ll explore themes like self-trust, values, home and wellbeing, and navigating change — through guided workshops, shared meals, and honest conversation with women asking the same questions you are.

Link in bio for all the details!




Early bird pricing ends September 15th.
Register for both Saturday and Sunday and receive a special personalized gift.

When Wellness Grows in Your Backyard

Sometimes the right people come into our lives at exactly the right time.

I met my friend Polly on my second service trip to the Dominican Republic with Caritas Smile. As our personal chef, she wasn’t just nourishing our group, she was teaching the local community how to transform the abundance of green bananas growing around them into green banana , a simple food packed with nutritional benefits.

Fast forward to this week...

One of my banana trees was overflowing, so I harvested an entire rack of green bananas and headed to Polly’s house to learn.

We boiled, peeled, blended, baked delicious gluten-free bread, and froze the remaining biomass into cubes ready to add to soups, smoothies, sauces, and more.

Green banana biomass is rich in resistant starch, a prebiotic fiber that supports gut health, helps stabilize blood sugar, and keeps you feeling satisfied longer.

More than anything, this afternoon reminded me of something I already believe:

Food can be medicine.

Sometimes wellness isn’t found in the latest trend. Sometimes it’s growing quietly in your own backyard, just waiting for you to discover it.

Thank you, Polly, for sharing your knowledge—and for reminding me that nature has so much to teach us.

One of my favorite things about growing food isn’t just the harvest. It’s the community that grows alongside it.

When we walk our dogs or simply take a neighborhood stroll, we notice what’s growing in everyone’s yards.

Who has a mango tree loaded with fruit? A banana patch? Soursop tree? Chaya tree?Lemongrass? Okinawan spinach?

Or maybe they’re all about beautiful ornamentals.

Every yard tells a little story.

And then comes the sharing.

An older neighbor walks by my house throughout the year and always helps herself to a few handfuls of fresh pigeon peas when they’re in season. When my pigeon pea season ends, she shows up with a bag full of sweet mangoes from her tree.

It’s never an equal exchange, but that’s never been the point.

Another neighbor generously lets us pick as many juicy mulberries as we want from his enormous tree.

So today I’m baking homemade moringa cookies for both of them as a small thank-you. (I got this recipe from my dear friend Elaina Merlis who truly opened the garden gate for me🙏)

This is what gardening and an edible yard can do. It starts conversations, creates connections, and turns neighbors into friends. The fruits, vegetables, herbs, and berries are wonderful, but the relationships they cultivate are the real harvest.

Need to get some aggression out? Try cracking coconuts. 😂🥥

Hammering away was surprisingly therapeutic… and I was so excited when I finally got this one open… only to discover it was completely empty! 🤦‍♀️😆

Apparently, coconuts are here to teach us about aparigraha, the yogic practice of non-attachment.

Sometimes we put in all the effort expecting a certain outcome, only to discover life has other plans.

The invitation? Laugh, let go, and enjoy what is.

(And maybe grab another coconut. 😂🥥)

FindTheHumor MindfulLiving

From the garden to the jar 🌶️

Instead of making salsa AGAIN with these mighty powerful peppers, these beautiful, yellow habaneros became homemade garlic habanero pickles.

They are fiery, vibrant, and surprisingly nourishing.

A few benefits packed into every crunchy bite:

• Habaneros are rich in vitamin C, supporting immune health and collagen production

• Capsaicin (the compound that gives peppers their heat) may help support metabolism, circulation, and reduce inflammation

• Garlic contains powerful sulfur compounds that support heart health and the immune system

• Fermented or using vinegar to make pickles can help stimulate digestion and satisfy cravings with bold flavor

• Spicy foods may also trigger endorphins…nature’s little mood boost

A reminder that food can be both medicine and joy.

Grown slowly, made by hand, and shared with love.

Sometimes all we need is to pause…..

Thank you for offering this refuge.

Interested in becoming a member so you can lay under a mango tree? Reach out to for more info