December 1996, one last stop before I returned to Australia after 2 years abroad. Thailand! I signed up for a 10-day fast/ detoxification program to help clean my body after 2 years of abuse. And to be honest I had put on some weight and wanted to lose a few quick kilos before seeing friends and family again. I know what you’re thinking, who goes to Thailand to detox? What about the full-moon parties?

Reflecting on this now, this 10-day fast changed the course of my life. It opened my eyes to the world of health. I did not eat food for 10 days. I remember drinking shakes and fresh fruit juices, taking tablets, being able to drink coconut water and having 2 colonics a day. (BTW: this isn’t the time or the place to discuss colonics right now, we’re just getting acquainted, ha ha) It was a time of resting, meditation, yoga and READING! Oh and avoiding the resort where they sold the most delicious, healthy Thai food on the planet!

With a lot of time on my hands I read many books from their library, they were all geared towards nutrition and healing and some of them were written by a guy called Bernard Jenson. Bernard Who? Exactly, I had no idea who he was at the time.

Did you know that?

• Correct nutrition is vital for the daily running of the body
• Correct nutrition can keep you healthy and free from many illnesses
• Correct nutrition can heal many illnesses and lead to wellbeing

Well I certainly didn’t! The only reason why I tried eating healthy was to lose weight.

1-month later I had thrown my return flight to Canada in the bin, called my boss to let him know I wouldn’t be returning to my waitressing job (which I LOVED!) and had signed up for the Bachelor of Naturopathy. I’d like to say that I knew I was heading in the right direction at the time. But… I didn’t even know what Naturopathy was. All my reading had been about nutrition through food mostly. I had never really heard about herbal medicine and when I looked at the curriculum I wondered how I would get through all the herbal medicine subjects.

Its funny looking back now, my passion for food as medicine has continued to grow and without a doubt I believe it to be the most important aspect to maintain optimal health. But all those herbal medicine subjects became my next passion and so to grew my respect for ‘mother nature’ and how she provided us with all the healing tools we need.

My studies continued to inspire me all along with the dream of having my own natural therapy practice so I could help people on their journey to health and happiness.

Somewhere along the way I met my husband and had my two beautiful children. My family has supported me and in treating them and myself along the way I have seen how natural health practices can support people through illness and restore them to health.

To me… happiness is all that matters. My happiness comes from my beautiful family, great friends and great health.