Mugwort & Meadow

Mugwort & Meadow Brenda is a Herbalist, Holistic Health Coach, and author of the upcoming book The Mediterranean Herbalist.

If there ever was a time to learn to meditate, the time is now. There are far too many things competing for our attentio...
14/08/2026

If there ever was a time to learn to meditate, the time is now. There are far too many things competing for our attention these days, along with the constant bad news all over the world. It's like everything is conspiring to steal our peace. How do you get it back? By learning to stop and be still. By learning to breathe. And it's not nearly as difficult as you might think. I wrote about how meditation has changed my life and how to begin with as little as 5-10 minutes a day. Take back your peace.

https://mugwortandmeadow.com/how-to-start-meditating

06/08/2026

Proud mom moment: my son Dan was just a guest on The Aging Games Podcast with Lynn Hardy, talking about stress and the modern mind.

Dan's a meditation and breathwork coach (Origin Coaching), and in this clip he shares the simplest stress test there is — sit on your bed or couch for five minutes, phone away, and do nothing. How uncomfortable that feels tells you a lot about where your nervous system actually is.

The full conversation covers overstimulation, multitasking, nasal breathing, ancestral trauma, and how just 15 minutes of meditation a day can change your brain. Worth a watch, and not just because I'm biased.

https://youtu.be/ppVmOMwXU4Y?si=Kh7hwB8B_fBqzvfO

I was told meditation was evil growing up. Then I tried it. Most people think they're bad at it because they've been tau...
22/07/2026

I was told meditation was evil growing up. Then I tried it. Most people think they're bad at it because they've been taught the wrong goal, it was never about stopping every thought, just observing without judgment. Start small: five minutes, three slow breaths, a quiet chair. That's enough.

https://mugwortandmeadow.com/how-to-start-meditating

Four months without coffee and I'm finally sleeping through the night again. I quit about four months ago and it has giv...
20/07/2026

Four months without coffee and I'm finally sleeping through the night again. I quit about four months ago and it has given me some suprising results. I'll be clear up front that I still drink black tea, but it doesn't affect me the same as coffee did. I have been more clear, no afternoon crashes, and I don't miss it at all. This is from a die-hard coffee drinker.

Many years ago, my son, Dan, who was only about ten at the time, after moving to a new city said, "Mom, if Terrace didn't have a Tim Horton's, would you still move here?" If you're Canadian, you totally get this. But it showed me just how strong my addiction was and my son, who is a truth teller, let me see my own behavior.

It took me many years to decide to quit, but I'm so glad I did. And now I still like the smell of coffee, but the taste turns me off. Funny. I would love to hear if you've quit coffee or considered it. What have your experiences been? Drop a comment below.

This is the work I do—helping people find what actually works for their bodies, not what the industry tells them they need. mugwortandmeadow.com

03/07/2026

The Mediterranean Herbalist is coming in October, and I'm taking pre-orders for signed, full-color copies right now. These are limited because the publisher is making the full-color copies available only to me to order, sign, and ship directly. On Amazon, you'll find black and white versions. But the photos in this book are stunning—Pauline's work is so beautiful that you'll want to see every detail in color. These signed copies let you have that.

Each copy arrives signed by me directly. If it's a gift, I'll include a special message written just for whoever's receiving it. Shipping goes worldwide, though costs vary depending on where you are (I'll give you the exact price closer to publication). Everything ships in October, which gives you plenty of time if you're thinking Christmas gifts or just want to have it before the season gets away from you.

If you're interested, follow the link below to reserve a copy. I can't wait to have this book in your hands. Thank you to those who have been following me from the beginning.

https://mugwortandmeadow.com/books/the-mediterranean-herbalist

02/07/2026

So last night my husband Chad did something that will live in infamy in our kitchen. I'd made a batch of orange soda—fresh squeezed orange juice combined with ginger bug—and it had been sitting in the fridge for a couple of days building up carbonation. Chad opened it without releasing the pressure first. In the dark. Without warning.

What happened next was chaos. Orange soda shot everywhere. All over the kitchen. All over Chad. I looked over and he was just standing there, completely frozen in shock, not knowing what to do.

I couldn't stop laughing. Even while we were cleaning it up.

Anyway, I showed him the right way to open a fermented bottle (slowly, releasing pressure gradually). And I strongly suggested that next time, he does it outside.

If you're fermenting at home, this is your sign to teach everyone in your house the proper way to open a bottle. Trust me on this one.

Have you had a fermentation disaster? Comment below. I need to know I'm not alone in this.

The Mediterranean Herbalist photoshoot is officially in the books, and I have to tell you it was nothing like I expected...
01/07/2026

The Mediterranean Herbalist photoshoot is officially in the books, and I have to tell you it was nothing like I expected. In the best way. I met Pauline Goeminne last summer on a Workaway farm, and when the publishing deal came through, I knew exactly who I wanted behind the camera. She arrived with preparation, mood boards, and ideas, and within hours we were climbing over stone walls and sitting at the edge of cliffs for the perfect shot.

The light didn't always cooperate on Saturday, but Sunday was spectacular. What amazed me was how dedicated Pauline was to each shot, and how physical the whole thing actually was. But here's the thing that made it unforgettable: Puccini.

Our six-week-old rescue kitten arrived just days before the shoot. He ended up stealing the spotlight (and probably had just as many photos taken as everything else combined). Diego is still deciding if that's acceptable, but they booped noses, so I think we're getting there.

Head to the blog to see the full story, meet Pauline, and get a glimpse of what it took to bring these images to life. The book has gone to the publisher, and I cannot wait to share the final version with you.

https://mugwortandmeadow.com/the-mediterranean-herbalist-photoshoot

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