The natural world has always intrigued me, and I became a vegetarian at the young age of five. Possessing an inexhaustible fascination with the outdoors, I began identifying, experimenting with, and utilizing wild and cultivated flowers, herbs, and plants of all kinds for as long as I can remember.
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Having been raised primarily in the prairie of South Dakota, as a young adult I began traveling to Latin America, looking to deepen my relationship with my ancestral heritage and culture in Panama. In the tropics I discovered an exhilarating world of botanical paradise, and I have traveled and cooked my way around Central and South America, discovering new flavor inspirations in distinct communities, biodiverse microclimates, and colorful markets. I have enjoyed cooking as a plant-based chef in several retreat centers all over the Americas, focused on assisting others to heal their bodies in a way that harmonizes with the well-being of the planet. I believe that true nourishment is the foundation of transformation.
Venturing through dynamic landscapes as a student of permaculture and the life sciences, my passion as a vegetable grower awakened, and I have grown many prolific gardens full of vegetables and medicines ever since. My affinity for plants and natural healing has lead me to learning hands-on about medicinal herbs and practices in many wild settings. Shortly after completing two herbal apprenticeships and training in clinical nutrition in Oregon, along with years of my own inspired exploration, I was called to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Here I launched an even more profound journey, as I began learning ancestral wisdom with various elders deep in the jungle.
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My goal as a chef, grower, and herbalist is to provide quality and nutritious food to the community, and to support local growers and producers as much as possible~ in all environments I find myself visiting or living in. Currently, I am based in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, but I continue to travel as often as possible. The health of the Earth is of utmost importance to me, as I know that our actions all affect each other. All life thrives for the long-term when we support regenerative systems, and my intention is to have a lasting, positive affect on our planet.
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It is an honor to share my gifts and bliss with you.
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