Well, reality was my husband this time.

Every year my sweet husband buys me hydrangeas and lavender because they’re my two favorite plants. And every year… they simply do not survive and thrive under my care.

I end up sending them off to my mother-in-law’s house so she can nurse them back to health. (She truly has a magical touch. Especially with the state some of those poor plants arrived in.)

If you saw her house, you would literally laugh. She has beautiful hydrangeas lining the entire front of her home and down her walkway, with little spots of lavender throughout her yard. And I don’t think this woman has ever actually bought a single hydrangea in her life.

Meanwhile… I can’t keep one alive.

The Reality Check (aka My Husband Keeping it Real)

So this year, when I told my husband all of my goals and dreams of having a big garden.. he slightly laughed.

Then he kindly reminded me of my track record.

After we both acknowledged that it would be slightly inconvenient to haul an entire planter box to my mother-in-law’s house for rehab.. we came to a compromise.

We decided I would start with four indoor herbs and see how it goes.

If I can prove I’ll actually be able to take care of those… then we can slowly add more fruits and veggies.

Fair enough.

Why Herbs Felt Like the Move

I chose herbs for a couple of reasons:

1. They’ll sit on my counter and stare me in the face every day.. so there’s no “oops I forgot about you”
2. I already buy organic dried herbs and those things are pricey
3. Spending half the price on a live plant that (hopefully) keeps on giving? Say less

Also.. it just feels so cozy. Like little cottage-core vibes happening right on my kitchen counter.

And wait until you see the pots I found at Walmart.. I love.

Choosing My Starter Herbs (No Drama Allowed)

When it came to picking herbs, I made a very serious, very official plan:

-> What do I actually use?
-> Which ones are least likely to be dramatic?

Because we are not starting this journey with high-maintenance plants. I know myself.

I narrowed it down to:

• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Parsley
• Oregano

I use a lot of Italian seasoning, so this felt like the move. And rosemary goes on basically all of our meat, so she had to make the cut.

My Favorite Part… POTS

Now THIS is where I thrive.

I learned that:

• Rosemart & thyme prefer terracotta
• Parsley & oregano prefer ceramic

(Yes I did research. I will not be proving my husband right this time around.)

I had my eye on some dream pots from Amazon. So cute. So unique. So unnecessary for where I’m currently at in life.

Because right now?

We are ballin’ on a budget.

But listen… Walmart has stepped it UP. Between My Texas House, Mainstays and Better Homes & Gardens, there were actually so many cute affordable options.

Like.. cute cute.

Wait until you see the ones I found at Walmart.. I put everything I grabbed for my herb setup right here if you want to see.

I also added a few things I didn’t end up buying (yet) but have my eye on.. so it’s a mix of what I’m actually using + my little herb garden wishlist 🤍

The Goal (Not Pinterest Perfection)

Here’s the vibe:

We are not aiming for Pinterest perfection.

We are aiming for:

• Alive plants
• A few cute pots
• Learning as we go

That’s it.

We can romanticize it later. Right now we’re just trying to keep something green alive in this house.

My Secret Weapon (This is Actually Genius)

Okay this might be my best idea yet.

If you don’t know already, I have three young girls. So I’m assigning each of them a plant.

It’s now their job to:

• Check the soil
• Help water it

And honestly.. this is a win for everyone!

1. They learn something I was never taught
2. They get a little responsibility
3. They see how taking care of something helps it grow
4. And most importantly.. they help me keep these plants alive when I forget lol

Starting Small, But Starting

So this time, I’m trying to be a little smarter.

I am:

• Starting small (indoor herb garden vs full blown fruit & veggie garden that realistically wouldn’t survive)
• Not overbuying (I’m really good at this so this is huge for me)
• Actually researching and making a plan (not just watering willy nilly)

Maybe this is how my dream garden begins.

Not with a full backyard transformation.. but with a few little herbs sitting on my counter.

And honestly? I’m so excited.

Want to Start an Herb Garden too?

If an herb garden is something that sounds fun for you too, I put together a simple list of everything I’m getting + the steps I’m following to get started.

If you want it, I can send it straight to your email so you don’t have to come back and find this post later.

👉🏻 Grab it here if you want it 🤍

I’ll Keep you Posted…

We’ll see how this goes.

Pray for the herbs.
And for me.

The post My Herb Garden Era Begins… Once I Actually Start appeared first on Milk & Honey.

It was overwhelming, anxiety-inducing, and honestly–it made me feel like I was failing as a mom, a wife, and a human.

And that? That is not what a healthier home should feel like.

At the time, we were on a budget. Throwing everything out and replacing it with “clean” alternatives just wasn’t an option. I had to take a deep breath (and then like 17 more), give myself a whole lot of grace, and remember: Doing better doesn’t mean doing it all at once.

The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything

The pressure to be perfect can sneak into even the healthiest intentions. I’ve had my fair share of tears and breakdowns on this journey–especially in the beginning. But over time, I’ve found peace in this one truth:

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being progressive.

I don’t panic if I need to finish off a bottle of something less-than-clean before replacing it. I don’t try to do everything at once. I don’t live on social media watching people’s curated toxin-free lives anymore.

Instead, I pray. I ask God to lead me gently. I do my best with what we have, and I trust that it’s enough for today.

The First 5 Swaps That Actually Stuck

Here are the simple, sustainable changes that made a big difference in our home–and didn’t stress me out in the process:

1. All-Purpose Cleaner
   We swapped store-bought sprays for Thieves Cleaner. I use it on everything–counters, floors, windows, even in the carpet cleaner. One bottle lasts forever, and it smells so cozy.
2. Food Storage
   I began replacing our plastic Tupperware with glass containers. I didn’t do it all at once–just one piece at a time when it made sense for our budget.
3. Candles
   I said goodbye to Bath & Body Works candles (sad, I know) and started using soy or beeswax candles instead. I also use a candle warmer to avoid burning altogether–it’s cleaner and safer, especially with little kids.
4. Fabric Softener
   We swapped traditional fabric softener for plain white vinegar. There’s no lingering smell, and it works just as well without the extra chemicals.
5. Nonstick Cookware
   We replaced our scratched-up nonstick pans with a Carote set. It’s non-toxic, affordable, and works great for our family.

Bonus Swap: Air Fresheners
I ditched Febreze and instead invested in an air purifier. It actually cleans the air instead of masking odors.

Final Thoughts: It’s Okay to Go Slow

If you’re just starting your non-toxic journey, here’s what I want you to hear:

You don’t have to do it all today.

Start small. Be kind to yourself. Don’t let guilt or Instagram get in your head. And when it feels like too much? Give that weight to God. He’s not asking for perfection–just obedience, peace, and progress.

Want a Simple Reminder of These Swaps?

I made a free printable version of my first 5 non-toxic swaps to save to your phone or stick on your fridge.
Grab it here.

And if this post helped you feel a little more calm and a little less crazy–will you pin it or share it with a friend?

You’re not alone in this.

Love,
S

The post How I Started Ditching Toxins (And the first 5 swaps that actually stuck) appeared first on Milk & Honey.