From Garden to Soul: Why Digging in the Dirt Might Be the Healthiest Thing You Do All Week đŸŒ»

with Mindfulness and Gratitude

Author

Peggy Gleason
May 17, 2025

 Have you ever stepped into someone’s garden and instantly felt... peace?

That’s exactly what happened to me this week when I visited my dear friend’s garden.

Let me tell you—it’s not just a garden. It’s a living, breathing sanctuary.

Rows of vibrant greens, blooming flowers, and the sweet scent of basil and lavender carried by a gentle breeze.

It was one of those moments that made me slow down and smile without even realizing it.

My friend has turned her little patch of earth into something truly special. It’s bursting with life: kale, spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, and even purple cabbage that looks too pretty to eat!

There are also fresh herbs everywhere—parsley, cilantro, mint, oregano—you name it. It’s like her garden knows how to feed not just your body, but your soul too.

And the flowers!

Sunflowers standing tall like little sunbeams.

Marigolds dancing in the wind. It’s not just about food—it’s about beauty, joy, and connection.

Even the bees seem to linger longer, as if they know they’ve landed somewhere special.

Spending time there reminded me how healing it is to connect with nature in a real, tangible way.

There’s something deeply grounding about getting your hands in the dirt, watching a tiny seed sprout into something nourishing, something beautiful. It’s a kind of therapy you can’t buy in a bottle.

If you’ve never tried planting your own herbs or vegetables—even just one or two in a pot on your porch or windowsill—

I encourage you to give it a try. Not for perfection, but for the joy of watching something grow.

For the satisfaction of harvesting your own salad. For the pride in saying, “I grew this.”

And who knows? Maybe you’ll find, like I did this week, that the garden doesn’t just feed your body—it feeds your peace.

🌿 To living fully, one seed at a time.

Warmly, Dr. Peggy
 Dr. Peggy Gleason
Certified Psychology of Eating Coach RN. NHP


Helping professional women transform their relationship with food and body

P.S. Join Dr. Peggy’s Stop Emotional Eating Skool Community, where we dive deeper into mindful eating, emotional balance, and how to break free from the cycle of stress-driven eating.

💬 Inside the group, you’ll get:
✔ Expert guidance from Dr. Peggy on emotional eating and energy balance
✔ A supportive community of like-minded women on the same journey
✔ Practical tips, challenges, and strategies to create a healthier relationship with food

🔗 Join Now

Let’s eat with purpose and fuel our body, mind, and soul together! 💛

This exclusive community is designed for professional women who are ready to break free from emotional eating, boost their confidence, and develop a healthier relationship with food—without restrictive diets.

Join now to be the first to access expert-led courses, live Q&As, and a supportive network of like-minded women! 💃✹ 

Stay tuned for updates and just click the link if you want to be one of the first to join!


🔍 Inside This Episode:

What if cooking didn’t have to feel like a chore


What if it could actually feel like coming home to yourself?

In this heartwarming episode of the Professional Women’s Wellness Podcast, Dr. Peggy sits down with Mary Collette Rogers, a chef, cooking coach, food gardener, and author of Kitchen Chaos to Culinary Bliss.

Mary’s not just about recipes — she’s about reclaiming your relationship with food and making cooking doable again, even for busy women who say they “don’t have time.”

From growing 7 kinds of radishes (yes, really!) to helping a college professor who thought she “couldn’t cook” make a gourmet holiday dessert that stunned her family.

Mary proves that everyone is capable of creating nourishing meals with confidence, fun, and creativity.

  • Why cooking is about mindset, not just meal prep

  • The surprising emotional blocks many women carry into the kitchen — and how to rewrite them

  • How Mary raised her ADHD son to cook independently — and why chopping veggies became their bonding time

  • Practical strategies like slow cookers, batch meals, and "heat and serve" dishes that work with your schedule

  • Why cooking can be physical, mental, emotional, even spiritual nourishment

“Cooking is like going to the gym. You may feel too busy — but your future self will thank you.”

“You don’t need more time
 you need a system that fits your life.”

“Even professional women can feel ‘not good enough’ in the kitchen — and it’s time to change that.”

“There’s no one ‘right’ way to cook. There’s just your way — and I’m here to help you find it.”

Chef Mary invites you on a transformative journey to rediscover the joy of cooking. With warmth and expertise, she navigates you through the maze of kitchen essentials and cooking routines, empowering you to savor the art of home cooking.

In this book, you will:

  • Master the basics of kitchen organization and equipment selection.

  • Unlock Chef Mary's secrets for effortlessly preparing delicious meals.

  • Explore practical, yet delectable recipes for everyday cooking.

  • Discover Chef Mary's innovative "heat and serve" meal strategies.

  • Embrace creativity, save money, and strengthen relationships through the culinary arts.

Kitchen Chaos to Culinary Bliss doesn't just offer recipes; it's a roadmap to a healthier, happier lifestyle. Chef Mary's expertise and passion infuse every page, inspiring you to reclaim your kitchen and reignite your love for cooking.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in the kitchen, judged for not “doing it right,” or just stuck on what to feed your family this week


Connect With Mary:

Let this episode be your reminder: You don’t have to figure it out alone.

🎧 Tune in now and take one joyful step toward kitchen confidence.