With strawberry season in full swing, I wanted to put together a thoughtful, seasonal gift to say thank you to the incredible teachers who’ve poured into my kids all year long. There’s something extra special about a homemade gift, and I loved the idea of celebrating the sweetness of spring with a “berry sweet” theme!
This little bundle includes a few of my favorite things—simple, homemade touches and a few seasonal finds that pair beautifully together. Whether you’re making something similar for teachers, neighbors, or friends, this combo is sweet, personal, and easy to pull together!
What’s Inside:
Homemade Strawberry Jam – I’m sharing my go-to recipe below. It’s quick, delicious, and the perfect way to make the most of fresh strawberries.
Mini Sourdough Loaf – Made with love. There’s nothing better than fresh jam on warm bread, so I included a small loaf of my homemade sourdough. You can support a local bakery and buy scones or fresh baked bread.
Strawberry Soda – This adds a little fun and sparkle to the gift. I picked up mine from Target – Mini Olipop Cans
Mini Berry Colander – I tucked everything inside this adorable berry strainer that they can reuse all season long. It adds charm and makes the whole gift feel like a curated farmers market basket. I found these at TJ Maxx but have sourced similar options for you here.
The Presentation:
I used some pink kraft paper shreds in the bottom of the colander to nestle everything inside, then wrapped it up in a clear cellophane bag and tied it with pretty ribbon and a card. I’ve included a printable of the tags I designed which you can customize and add your name.
Print these on cardstock, punch a hole and tie the ribbon.
Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe:
This is a small batch jam with no pectin—just a few ingredients and lots of flavor. Perfect for gifting!
You can double or triple the batch if you’re making these gifts for multiple teachers. I used 4 oz. jars, which are the perfect size for gifting.
For a smaller themed gift idea, you can pair a small jam jar with a mini Olipop Soda, tie it in a small clear bag and include a plant or giftcard.
Linked Favorites:
If you’d like to recreate this gift, I’ve rounded up a few similar or exact items for easy shopping:
Whether you’re wrapping up the school year or just want to share a little springtime joy, this is a sweet, simple way to show someone they’re appreciated and loved.
Have you ever made a seasonal-themed gift? I’d love to hear your ideas—and if you try this one, tag me so I can see your berry sweet creations!
We’re three weeks into January, and chances are, you’ve set a few personal or professional goals for yourself. I’ve noticed a lot of people diving into post-holiday organization, clearing out the clutter, and sharing their progress online. While I totally get the motivation, I also feel the overwhelming pressure to “do all the things.”
In full transparency, I’ve had to tune out the noise that constantly floods our social media feeds. Messages like: Do more. Buy this. Try that. Here’s the latest and greatest thing you absolutely need can quickly become too much.
It’s a lot.
Here’s where I’m at: I want practical solutions that work for our family. I approach organizing by first assessing what we already have at home. Then, I figure out how to make it work without overspending on trendy organizational products.
Two Pain Points in Our Home:
Too many water cups sitting out around the house.
Constantly digging through the pantry or fridge to find things—only to realize I have to move five items to get to the one I need.
If you’re tired of washing cups nonstop or filling the dishwasher’s top rack every day, let me introduce you to the simplest solution that’s been a game-changer in our home, magnetic cups! The best part? It’s affordable!
Want to know what happened when these small changes were made in our home? It gave our three boys responsibility they could control with their water cups. There was no longer a question about, “who’s cup is this?” Our 4-year-old listened to directions about how to use the cup one time and took ownership in getting his own water, dumping out what he didn’t drink, and putting the cup back on the fridge where he can reach it.
Kids want responsibility.
Now, let’s talk about the fridge and pantry. Do you have family members who open the fridge, take one look, and immediately ask you where something is? Let’s be honest—most of the time, they haven’t even tried to find it.
I came across these acrylic lazy Susans at our local TJ Maxx, and I instantly knew they could help. They’re perfect for organizing condiments, cooking essentials, and all those pantry staples we reach for regularly.
These two small, affordable purchases have made a huge difference. The counters are clearer, and it’s so much easier to find what we need in both the fridge and pantry. This two pack would be perfect, Lazy Susans
Cheap. Practical. Problem solved.
I’m reminded of a verse from Ecclesiastes 4:6: “Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” It’s such a grounding reminder that more isn’t always better. Sometimes, less is exactly what we need—less stuff, less striving, and less pressure to keep up.
Let’s lean into finding solutions that work for your family—starting with what you already have at home. You might be surprised by how simple changes can make a big impact.
I’m embracing the sweetness of the season, where nature’s simple beauty meets festive cheer. This year’s Christmas decor was all about organic elegance—dried oranges turned into garlands, ornaments, and little gifts for teachers.
On this Solstice day, December 21st, as we welcome the return of light, let’s celebrate the warmth, love, and hope this season brings. Wishing you all a season filled with light, joy, and moments of stillness.
If you’d like to fill your home with scents of the holidays, give a holiday party host a small gift, or freshen your home after the holiday cleanup, here are the steps to dry out oranges and apple slices:
Preheat oven to 200°.
Slice oranges 1/4 of an inch thick
Lay on paper towels and blot excess citrus juice
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange citrus and apple slices (not overlapping)
Bake to dehydrate for 2-3 hours flipping fruit every 45 minutes.
Citrus is done when the center is no longer sticky to the touch.
These dried citruses will keep for months if stored properly. They would also make for a great garnish on cocktails/mocktails.
For the simmer pot:
Include 3 orange slices, 2-3 dried apple slices, 1 tbsp of cloves, 3 cinnamon sticks, and 1/2 cup of cranberries. Rosemary or sage is optional.
Add to a pot with 2 cups of water and simmer on low adding water as needed.
If you’re gifting this simmer pot, add ingredients to a cute jar and attach the tag with instructions.
For a downloadable printable of the tags I made, click here.
As the air turns crisp and the world shifts to shades of amber and gold, there’s something undeniably special about autumn. It’s a season where our senses seem to heighten — the smell of spiced lattes, the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot, and, of course, the warm, comforting flavors that bring us together. This time of year, there’s nothing better than a dash of pumpkin in our favorite treats.
Today, I’m sharing some of my go-to pumpkin recipes that are perfect for savoring the best of fall. From a creamy pumpkin cold foam to sip on, to sweet pumpkin muffins and doughnuts, and even a hearty pumpkin chili to cozy up with, these recipes are a little bit of autumn bliss for every tastebud. Whether you’re a seasoned pumpkin lover or just diving into these flavors, I hope these recipes make it into your home and become a repeat tradition.
Click on the recipe doc to download and print.
These recipes are easy to make at the same time as they all require some of the canned pumpkin puree.
Keep it simple. Think protein, veggies, fresh fruits and raw nuts.
Are you considering trying out Whole 30 for the first time? If so, I am here to put you to ease as it’s really not that difficult. Chances are you can make simple modifications to recipes you already know and love but make them Whole 30 Compliant.
I highly encourage you to do Whole 30 at least once. It’s eye opening to how much is in our food that is “approved by the FDA” as safe. I can promise you when you’re forced to read labels to avoid certain things in your diet, whether by choice or allergy related, you’ll quickly see that things you thought were already healthy choices, are not in fact, healthy.
Don’t stress about what you’re going to eat and meals you’re going to cook. You don’t have to do a complete overhaul but read the labels. You’ll be shocked to see how many products, including meats, have added sugars, nitrates, carrageenan, just to name a few (all things you need to avoid while on Whole 30), but there is always a substitution.
So what does Whole 30 compliant mean. Essentially, you are eliminating foods that are free from added sugars, grains, dairy, legumes, soy and you also avoid alcohol and processed foods. By doing so, you are choosing compliant options. All of the things you’re asked to avoid during Whole 30 are know inflammatories which can affect how you feel, your quality of sleep, joint and muscle pain, acid reflux, gut issues, and more.
Sugar is the number one inflammatory and is found as an additive in so many foods that it should not be in. I was SHOCKED when we first read labels. Even a label of “nitrate free” doesn’t mean it is sugar free.
As someone who suffers from carpel tunnel, the first time we followed this elimination diet, I saw instant relief within the first week. Four years later, I know what triggers my carpel tunnel the most from a food perspective and try to avoid it throughout the year. We maintain a 80/20 lifestyle eating this way, with a few exceptions during holidays of course but let me tell you, I pay for it later. Joint pain, check. Inflammation, check. Carpel tunnel affecting my sleep, check.
Recommitting to eliminating the inflammatories after the holidays is a great way to kickstart a new year for my husband and I. It’s something we actually enjoy.
When I meal plan for the week, I try to think about how one protein can be used in other meals later in the week. For example, if I cook a rotisserie chicken in the crockpot one night, I know I can use left over chicken for fajita bowls/salad, chicken salad (using Primal Kitchen mayo), or tossing chicken in our kitchenmaid mixer with the whisk attachment, pouring in either BBQ or Frank’s Hot Sauce to shred/mix it then put it over a baked sweet potato, light drizzle of Primal kitchen ranch (or DIY your ranch). Trust me on this last one. Buffalo Chicken over a sweet potato is the perfect balance of heat and sweet.
Simple Meal Ideas for 2+ weeks:
Snack Ideas: Hardboiled eggs sprinkled with everything but the bagel seasoning & franks hot sauce or wrap the egg with prosciutto.
Chomps sticks
Small sweet peppers sliced in 1/2 and filled with tuna, I like to drizzle Frank’s on mine but you could also pre-make a compliant tuna salad to fill the pepper boats.
Apple slices with almond butter.
Fresh fruit & raw nuts just no peanuts as they are considered a legume and should be avoided during Whole 30.
Breakfast Ideas:
Crustless egg and veggie quiche. Easy to meal prep in advance. I use mostly egg whites, add in spinach, leftover veggies, peppers & onions, mushrooms and bake at 350 degrees until firm, approximately 25 minutes. You can sprinkle on Nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Sweet Potato Hash – Prep in advance on Sunday and portion out to reheat each morning
Egg Muffins filled with veggies and/or cutup sausage links or bacon. These are an easy grab and go option, paired with fresh fruit.
Dinner Ideas: I’m included this before lunch ideas because we often have dinner leftovers that we try to eat for lunches.
Whole Chicken in Crockpot with roasted sheet pan veggies.
– If you follow my Whole Chicken in the crockpot recipe, you can save the stock and use it in this recipe. I make this recipe in the crockpot as well.
-Debone remaining chicken after dinner and portion out for lunches over salad, cauliflower rice bowls with roasted veggies, fresh veggies, avocado slices, ect.
Spaghetti sauce over either zucchini noodles or roasted spaghetti squash (make noodles for kids if needed)
Baked Lemon Pepper chicken thighs with steamed broccoli or sautéed asparagus, and cubbed roasted potatoes
Pork chops with a sautéed veggie hash.
Grilled Salmon with sautéed asparagus and beets.
See this post for our family’s top meals that we keep in rotation.
Lunch Ideas:
Salads with left over proteins and raw or cooked veggies
Continue the theme each day. Breakfast on repeat, lunch can be protein leftover from the night prior over salad, and select a dinner option.
Our top recommended ingredients to buy:
Coconut Aminos, Rice Vinegar, Sesame Oil, Frank’s Hot Sauce, Ghee, Nutritional Yeast, olive oil, Tapioca Starch or Arrowroot flour
These are substitutes for soy sauce, inflammatory oils and butter and flour (when needed for thickening agent. We keep all of the above as staples in the home for cooking at all times.
If you’ve made it this far, I want to thank you. My goal for this post was to be brief and provide a very simple guide to being successful on Whole 30. It turns out, there’s a lot to say about this meal guide as it can really become a lifestyle, if you choose.
My hope is that you’ve found tips and tricks for success that can apply today and every day.
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