Health and vitality have always been at the heart of what I wanted to create for my home and family. I was blessed to grow up in a time when homesteading was simply a way of life—where gardens thrived in backyards, meals were made from scratch (no matter how few the ingredients), and hunting, foraging, and food preservation were second nature. I learned so much just by watching the hands of my parents and grandparents at work—in the kitchen, in the garden, and around the table. But life has a way of shifting perspectives. Over time, I witnessed both of my parents and my in-laws face serious health challenges, and eventually, we lost them. That season of life stirred something in me—a deeper passion for natural living and holistic health, especially through the use of botanicals. I began experimenting with what I could find in my own backyard, and the more I learned, the more I wanted to understand. Eventually, that curiosity led me to formal studies at the Institute for Wellness, where I dove into late-night classes, hands-on practice, and hours of research that would ultimately become my life’s work. Today, I hold a degree in Wellness and have created a space where healing and nature meet: a botanical kitchen, massage room, and yoga studio—nestled together under one roof, lovingly called Wellness in the Woods. Every step of this journey has been worth it. Sharing what I’ve learned with others—and seeing how it supports their own health and wholeness—is the most meaningful part of it all