My interest in and education of nutrition,
vitamins and herbs, began twenty-eight years ago when a friend gave me a copy
of Dr. Feingold’s Diet for Hyperactive Children. My son, then five, was
hyperactive and allergic to many foods and air borne irritants including house
dust. His doctor prescribed anti-histamines and allergy shots given twice a
week. Both of these treatments left my son lethargic and experiencing
tremendous pain and swelling at the injection sites. My daughter was seven
months old and suffered with ear infections to the point the ear, nose and
throat specialist said she may lose her hearing in her left ear, due to scar tissue.
As any young mother would, I prayed for a better way. I remain grateful to this
day, to my friend Jeri for bringing me Dr. Feingold’s book.
The book suggested removing refined foods and
dairy products from my children’s diet, replacing them with whole grains, fresh
fruits, vegetables, rice, almond and soy milk. In other words, using the bounty
nature provides. I gained an education on the ill effects of chemical additives
and artificial food colorings, as well as how prepared foods are virtually void
of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids, so necessary for
healthy brain and body function. Dr. Feingold recommended shopping in a health
food store, where one could find foods that are additive free and less or not
refined. Needless to say, I felt my prayer had been answered.
My good fortune continued when I located a health
food store, owned by an incredibly knowledgeable woman who helped make the
transition even more exciting. On that day, I spent $200.00 on food, $100.00 on supplements, $80.00 on
books to further my education on vitamins, herbs and nutrition, and gained
knowledge about homeopathic remedies, replacing the drugs my son and daughter had been
prescribed. I learned how milk from grains and nuts were equal to the nutrients
found in cow’s milk, only void of mucus causing agents, which was the cause of daughter’s
ear infections. I went home, cleaned out my refrigerator and pantry, told my
husband we were changing our eating habits and within a week had read every
book I purchased, leaving me hungry for more.
My son responded within that first week of
changing his diet. I was amazed as I watched his allergies disappear and his
behavior change over the following weeks. My daughter’s ear infection healed
completely and she did not lose her hearing. I knew there was no turning back.
That one trip to a health food store opened an entire new world to me and I
accepted it with more excitement and enthusiasm than anything other than
motherhood.
At the time, I was a stay at home mom,
affording the opportunity to continue my studies and be in total control of my
children’s nutrition and health. Most of
my friends and family thought it was too expensive to shop in health food
stores instead of a grocery store, and too hard to prepare meals from scratch, yet
while their children were suffering from colds, allergies, stomach viruses,
etc., mine were healthy, happy and developing habits they would use throughout
their adult lives and share with their own children.
Ten years after that first trip to the health
food store, I answered a newspaper ad and landed a job working as a representative
for a major vitamin and herb manufacturer. My knowledge soared to even higher
levels as I devoured the education offered through the Health Food Industry. I
found my niche after leaving the position of representative and moved on to working
in health food stores. Over the next seventeen years I earned an Herbalist
Certificate, Basic Iridology Certificate, and a Certified Hypnotherapy
Certificate, while helping thousands of people make the same transition that I
had successfully embarked on so many years ago. I was lovingly entitled
Information Specialist by one of my customers because I had a reputation for
giving factual and easy to understand information. The title stuck and is more
fitting than any of the above mentioned certificates.
Moving back to the small town where I grew
up, I fulfilled a lifetime dream and now write a column entitled The Herb Page,
for the local newspaper. In that column I offer information on how to live a
healthier lifestyle with the use of natural products, remedies and foods. I
host Motivation and Nutrition Seminars to groups, organizations and club
members, as well as employees of businesses and corporations, continuing to
share all the wonderful information that has so inspired, uplifted, educated, and
motivated me throughout the past two plus decades. I am a Nutritional Guidance
Coach providing individuals with a program designed specifically for their
personal needs.
Paying it forward for all the help I received on this journey called
life is incredibly important to me; therefore, I created and instruct The Green
Sisterhood, a free rebounding exercise class for women 50 and older. The class
focus is that of movement and motivation, encouraging women to always seek to
fulfill their dreams, no matter what their age, while taking care of the
physical body. I plan to travel to other areas and enlist volunteers to begin a
“mature” movement in their own community. If you would like information on
bringing The Green Sisterhood to your area, please contact me via email.
In April 2008 I attended the Byron Katie Institute, my first step
to becoming a practitioner for a healing technique called The Work. It is a simple yet powerful process of inquiry that teaches one to
question the stressful thoughts that
cause pain and suffering. With the use of four questions, one can identify and
turnaround attachments to thoughts that keep us hurt, angry, fearful, and
depressed. People, who do The
Work faithfully, report life-changing
results. Using The Work has certainly had a profound effect on me.
I lovingly share this method with the world.
In late summer, 2008 WishUponAFaerie Tea & Herb House opens in my home town.
The store features delicious Fruity Jasmine Tea, Flowering Tea, and the amazing Power Tea is a combination
of five herbs that have an ability to clean and support not only the colon, but
all the other organs, the entire digestive and intestinal tracts, as well as
the soft tissues of the body. Power Tea is a wonderful aid to weight loss through detoxification; the consumption of Power Tea can assist in burning excess body fat, reducing water weight (the bloat), improving absorption of nutrients, thus encouraging better eating habits by making healthier choices of natural whole foods, and IT TASTES GREAT! Truth in selling is my specialty at both store and internet level.
An organic herb and flower garden, private outdoor
massage and therapeutic bathing area, and a pavilion for educational classes
and exercise accompany the store, providing a beautiful, peaceful, and
inspiring setting for day treats,
meetings and luncheons.
Twenty-eight years ago when I walked into
that first health food store, I remember wondering if I would ever know as much
as the wonderful woman who provided so much help and information to me. It all
seemed so new and strange then. On one of my many visits I remember her saying,
“You will blink your eyes Dona, and there will be logged into your mind thousands
of testimonies and memories from the people you were able to help, just by
dedicating yourself to gaining the education and making the necessary changes
that are providing a healthier, happier life for you and your family.” I am
truly grateful to all my teachers, mentors, customers and friends and I so look
forward to the next two plus decades.
This information is for educational purposes only. Statements regarding the effects of these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Warning: These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Power Tea contains cathartic herbs; pregnant and nursing mothers, the elderly , children, and individuals suffering from any illness or health condition should consult with a physician prior to using this or any herbal supplement.