My Approach

Bio-Individual: Anatomy, metabolism, age, genetics, ancestry and environment all influence a person’s overall health. Every person is unique, in body and lifestyle – what works well for one person may cause problems for another. Similarly, a dietary approach or healing modality may not work all the time; our bodies and our needs are always changing - with age, the seasons, and the demands of day-to-day life.

Holistic: True health and well-being considers the whole person - body, mind, and spirit – and the whole of life.  All parts are related. Changing a part changes the whole.

Integrative: We are nourished by more than the food we eat; our relationships, work, physical activity, creativity and spiritual connection all contribute to well-being, and can be mined for causes and solutions. Traditional wisdom and modern science both offer us valuable tools, techniques and insights.

My Philosophy

I believe everyone has the capacity to listen to their body, understand its messages, and meet its needs. To discover what truly nourishes us, we must cultivate our curiosity and attention, experiment, and get creative. We are all creative beings, and our creativity is key to making positive change in our lives.

I believe in honoring the body’s intelligence, using food as medicine, and living in harmony with natural cycles. Not only do these practices promote well-being, they increase inspiration, joy, and gratitude.

Special Interests

Healing and Optimizing Digestion: Impacts every system of the body.

Food Energetics: An aspect of Oriental Medicine theory; understanding and choosing foods based on inherent energetic qualities and whether a particular condition, constitution, or season of life will be balanced or imbalanced by their use.

Hormonal Balance: Aligning with the body’s cycles, nourishing the organs, optimizing fertility.

Mindful Eating: When, Where, and Why we eat are as important as What we eat.

Traditional Foods Wisdom: Pre-industrial methods of food cultivation, preparation and preservation used historically in many traditional cultures to enhance nutrition and promote health.

My Story

THEN & NOW: A few facts and highlights

Growing up, there was always a garden, and I was often in it. There were home-cooked-real-food meals with my family. We played games, spent time in nature, and honored the sacred. The medicine chest contained homeopathic remedies, vitamins, and herbal preparations. We saw an acupuncturist in addition to our GP. The bookcase held guides on organic gardening, wildlife identification, cooking, crafting healing, philosophical and spiritual teachings, mythology, plays, poetry, fiction, history, and fairy tales. I delighted in reading, eating, making, and imagining – and still do.

As a young person, I was drawn to the performing arts and eventually pursued a career in theater, working as an actor and teaching artist for over twenty-five years. I have called Maryland, New York and Washington, D.C., home, but currently reside with my husband in Philadelphia, PA. Friends and clients have described me as a generous listener, insightful, and compassionate. My inner worlds and my outer life are both enriched by a spiritual path and practice. I am a lifelong learner, and reading is my greatest pleasure. Other hobbies include films, live performances, all kinds of play, hiking, biking, dancing, and people-watching in the park. I feel happiest and most myself in a studio, garden, or kitchen - or around a table sharing delicious food with people I love.

FROM THERE TO HERE: My wellness journey

Through the years, my studies have encompassed mind-body movement, expressive arts, bodywork, plant medicine, dietary therapies, Ayurveda, and classical Chinese medicine; I completed a certification in Zen shiatsu, worked as a standardized patient, trained as a birth doula, and have learned from acupuncturists and herbalists while employed in two Chinese Medicine practices.

Early years taught me to value the gifts of our natural world, of creative expression, and spiritual connection. Personal health challenges, and those of loved ones, introduced me to a variety of healing modalities and holistic practitioners, and sparked my deep interest in natural medicine and the mind-body connection. The demands of my profession taught me to listen to my body, prioritize my health, and the importance of community. My desire to understand, strengthen, and refine my creative instrument led to learning a range of physical disciplines and self-care practices.

In 2015, I enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and earned my certification in holistic health coaching. My new work is deeply gratifying, and I feel so fortunate to have found a path which brings to bear all my experience, interests, and knowledge in support of others on their own journeys to greater well-being.