The Guiding Principles of The Earth and Water Wellness Institute:
Wellness is all-encompassing; it is more than just the food we eat and the exercise we get. It's also about the lives we live, the air we breathe and the passions we pursue.
Wellness includes WHERE our food comes from, HOW that food was grown, raised and prepared, and WHY (or if) that food was ENJOYED.
Wellness is not just about nourishing our bellies with food, but how we are nourishing our body and mind. . . discovering what brings us true joy and peace.
Wellness is about connecting what we eat to how we feel; connecting how we treat the land we live on to how we treat the body we live in and how our day to day connections and actions have a true impact on the health of our personal AND planetary health...
Wellness is personal, wellness is a process and during the process of finding your way to wellness, you will have the opportunity to experience nourishing transformations through the support of professionals and the camaraderie of others; but, each person is ultimately responsible for their health and happiness
Wellness will guide you closer to fulfillment of your life’s potential through optimal health and vitality
Wellness requires a community; while wellness is personal, the Institute provides an opportunity to receive support through community
Wellness must be based on sustainability. It does no good to achieve "wellness" in a method that is unsustainable. Therefore, the Institute is committed to supporting sustainability through local organic farming, fair trade, social and environmental justice as well as teaching life skills and healthy living techniques that guide individuals closer to sustainable wellness and not false weight loss. The Institute will never promote or teach "quick-fixes" (unless it's a last-minute dinners - we are experts at 30-minute meals!).
Wellness does NOT include disrespect and intolerance; respect and consideration for diversity, including all people, places, animals and natural resources. The Institute will NOT tolerate disrespect or bullying in any manner during any of our programs.
Empowerment through Educational Experiences... The Institute is based on the ideology that we are our best teachers and through education and learning what is best for our personal health and happiness, we will be guided to make the right choices. Through the courses, classes and retreats, you will learn what works for your body, mind and life...your situation, your condition, your likes and dislikes. Through group support and community events, participants receive the guidance and support to help them discover their own unique recipe for personal and planetary wellness.
I discovered the joys and freedom of becoming friends with my health and body after many years of struggling with my own food and fitness explorations and challenges. After going through my own adventures and transformations, I knew that helping others achieve their own level of health and wellness was my mission...but, I was also on a mission to save the environment. I very quickly put two and two together and realized that a healthy body and mind required nutritious whole foods that had been properly produced and prepared, time spent outdoors doing activities that you love in places of peace, joy and tranquility....AHA! The environment depends on us understanding its role in our personal health and happiness...the more we understand the connections between our personal health and that of the planet's and vise versa, the more balanced we all will be. Thus, Earth and Water Wellness was born!
I want to change the way society currently exists, - which is in a state of non-nourishment and self (and planetary) destruction. Through the courses, community gatherings and retreats, our goal is to demonstrate the connections between human and planetary health and happiness, how to thrive and how to nourish your body, brain and being naturally and in doing so, support our planet's health, too. Because, as David Orr wrote: "when we heal the earth, we heal ourselves" (and vise versa).
I learned a lot about myself and how to best nourish myself on my journey to becoming a Master Nutrition Therapist. I realized that my vegetarian lifestyle was not supporting my body and brain sufficiently. So now, I am a conscious eater - a sustainable meat-eating, animal-loving omnivore who loves to cook and create greener meals by supporting local, sustainable farmers and advocating for the humane treatment of animals. I invite everyone to empower themselves by learning what's right for their type and to get dirty on a daily basis; wander the wilderness, get outside, play with your dogs, support your local farmer, grow your own food and cook nourishing meals.
The Institute's ultimate mission is to build and help G.R.O.W. an empowered and educated community interested in pursuing a life of sustainable health, happiness and simplicity for the betterment of themselves and the world around them!