Olde Ways for our Health, Wellness and acknowledging Ancestral Knowledge.
“My journey began over 15 years ago when my son’s asthma was triggered daily. As a nurse I could understand the science of how his asthma was triggered. The medicines that were prescribed to him could only do so much. I also knew that a pharmaceutical drug is derived from nature mixed with something synthetic. If we could go straight to the remedy without the synthetic additives we could eliminate side effects and dependence. The path to wellness did not end with prescriptive drugs so I started looking at food additives, preservatives to what we apply on our bodies and homes such as sulfates and forever chemicals. It changed the way I looked at what we consume, wear, and surround ourselves with.
Natural dyes, natural fibers, and deadstock materials are part of my path to live in a more eco-friendly and thoughtful way. I prefer using materials that are gentle on the skin and better for the environment while avoiding unnecessary chemicals and waste. I am especially interested in reusing food waste in creative and practical ways. For example, I use food scraps and natural ingredients for dyeing fabrics, make body scrubs from leftover materials like green tea, coffee grounds, rose petals, and create natural home disinfectants using citrus peels mixed with vinegar. I work with upcycled deadstock fabrics and unused prints to reduce textile waste and give existing materials new life through intentional design rooted in reuse and care for the environment.
Our ancestors lived with regenerative, self-sustaining practices. Not only the First Peoples of what is now North, Central and South Americas but all peoples. I encourage others to do their own research and slowly incorporate more natural techniques into their everyday lives, little by little. What may seem expensive or tedious is worth reconsidering when we think about wellness and health. How did people once clean, eat, heal, and thrive using what was available around them? These questions continue to shape my lifestyle and creative practice.
