Mission & Passion

I care about people being well, having purpose and daily joy.

For me the root of this lifelong passion comes from growing up on my family’s farm in Minnesota, where I was the second oldest of 11 kids. We had lots of freedom and good seasonal eats right out of our garden and came to see how caring for it was also caring for ourselves and each other. My father called me a rabbit from the time I could pull my own carrots out of the ground and run off to eat them as is. To no surprise, I gradually became a vegetarian after college.  

From my early years on however, due to our family's struggle with poverty, I experienced insecurity with food, shelter, clothing and trust. These adverse childhood experiences led to a number of issues for me and my siblings — with digestion, dental health, arthritis, and disordered eating. My mother also had chronic postpartum depression. This compromised her general well-being and weight, and it put her at risk for diabetes and high blood pressure. It also affected our larger family’s health and growth.

Fortunately, over the years, I found security in school and the habit of devouring books. I became an education specialist after college and enjoyed a 38-year career. I reflect now on inspirations of the 60’s culture, which first opened my eyes to plant-based eating, going back to my farm roots, and pondering environmental/social issues. And I think back to the roller coaster of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’ eras — with all the fads around food, diet, exercise, spirituality, relationships, etc. Some new ideas I tried; other times I opted out.

Now, in retirement at 70+, I continue to eat plant-based while getting over some of my restrictive behavior with more flexibility and curiosity. Being physically active has and continues to be a priority. Also with aging, my body whispers or screams at me. I try to be a better listener and come to each day with a beginner’s mind so I’m open to changes, new information and joy.  

My hope now is to share some of what I’ve learned with others. Everywhere I go, I see people of all ages looking tired, rushing about, gobbling food on the run. Obese children and people many years younger than me with limited energy, underlying health conditions, and mobility issues. I see it across socioeconomic and cultural lines.  

That’s why during the 2020 pandemic I enrolled online with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and became a certified health coach. I have lived the path of healing from adverse childhood experiences, and I’ve learned how to sort through healthy lifestyle choices for over six decades. My hope now is to guide individuals with the IIN coaching techniques to take small steps so they too can have daily joy and live their right to better health.