My Story
My nutrition career began with 2 things: my hands in the dirt, and caring about the people I love. Growing up, my younger sister was sick a great deal of the time. Being just a bit older than her, I had no idea how to help, but it was all I wanted to do. I hated to see her uncomfortable and in pain. That was when I learned how much illness could affect an individual and their loved ones. I also realized how important it is to have health professionals available to support and provide information. This desire to help people feel comfortable in their bodies and nourish themselves has only grown stronger with time.
On the Farm
Upon completing my bachelor’s degree, I realized I needed to be on a farm. I became an apprentice on a small organic farm in Washington state, and my hands got in the dirt. I got to know plants. I spent time with vegetables, flowers, and herbs, and learned how they grew, their preferences, and how wonderful they tasted right off the stalk, out of the dirt, or from the vine. It was these delicious tastes and understanding how healing plants could be that lead me to herbalism, and then nutrition.
Onto Herbalism
Leaving Washington state, I enrolled in the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism, and spent the first year learning a great deal about plants and their medicinal use first-hand. The second year I entered into the clinic portion of the program, and experienced how much herbal medicine could support individuals. What I also saw in this clinic year was the power of nutrition.
Finding the Key to Health in Nutrition
It became clear to me that nutrition was the key to health. Someone could do any kind of medical program or work with a healer, but without a focus on nourishing themselves, their health would not be sustainable. I entered the Nutrition master’s program at the University of Bridgeport, and learned an immense amount about physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and how to decipher truth in the rampant myriad of health fads that exist. Most importantly, I learned what it means to eat nourishing foods, how to provide support in health, and tools to assist individuals in integrating healthy lifestyle changes. Since completing my master’s degree in Nutrition, I have opened a practice in North Boulder, and have provided nutrition support for Moms, families, athletes, and many other individuals seeking to improve their health.
Between my experiences as a sister, a farmer, an herbalist, and a Nutritionist, my drive to provide nourishing nutrition support to individuals has only grown and blossomed. I am thankful for all of these experiences.
