For as long as I can remember, food and nature have been a central part of my life.  As a child, my mother would bring me out to her garden where she grew the majority of our food on my family's 160 acres of land in northern Ontario. Everything looked and tasted so fresh and delicious. 
 
When I look back on this early experience of living and eating farm-to-table, I see the enormous positive impact it had on forming my passion for feeding people and sharing my knowledge of nutrition. but I also see the important healthful beginnings it provided me. All of that clean air, healthy soil, and fresh-out-of-the-garden produce was directly nourishing my gut microbiome.

As I got older I moved further away from the holistic offerings of my childhood and became immersed in the fast-paced, fast-food, and stress-filled years working life created. 16 years ago, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and I began to consider the concept that food and nature are medicine, and that I needed to make some nutritional and lifestyle changes away from the American Diet, if I wanted to live a life of vitality. 

In 2012, following a highly stressful year I decided to sell my house, my car, close my business and downsize my belongings. From there I set out on a food and wellness journey for a year, working and traveling in Italy and Scotland.
 
I lived on farms, studied with the Italian grandmothers, worked with farmers, focused on local seasonal ingredients, and challenged myself to intuitive, heart-centered cooking. This enhanced my ability to creatively and lovingly cook for an array of nutritional needs. It allowed me to set my hands in the dirt again, reconnecting with the nature of my childhood.
 
Upon my return, I followed up with my Neurologist, and after a year of high dose vitamin D from sunlight, fresh air, exercise, deep sleep, fresh organic food, low stress, and loads of nature, my body had responded with remission (and still is). 
 
This experience validated for me the important role that lifestyle and nutrition play in our daily health journey, and helped me discover Orthomolecular Nutrition and the gut-brain health connection.  Fast forward twelve years, and I have become a Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner and Holistic Chef and Nutritionist, ready to work with you.