Up from the Ground meets LightenUp

What do Up from the Ground and LightenUp Simply have in common?  They both exist to nourish kids!  That’s right.

Up from the Ground is a garden-based workbook that draws kids into the garden through the seasons to engage their senses and experience the many ways a garden nourishes children.  Through connection with the earth, learning where whole food comes from, mingling with beneficial microbes and enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables, Up from the Ground nourishes children.

LightenUp Simply is my way of helping families remove anti-nutrients from their homes. In a one-time consultation, I customize a plan that is easily executed to remove cleaning and personal care products from your home that put kids at risk.  Most of these products, even the “natural” labeled products are made of toxic substances that undermine healthy diets and lifestyles. They interfere with hormones, the immune system, detoxification and a healthy microbiome.  If these products are being used in your home, you’ll want to replace them ASAP with things that nourish.  I simplify this process.  This consultation is likely to even save you money.  I’ve done the research and know how to help you make it happen at home without overwhelm. I love this!

Nourishment comes from all the things we experience and put into our bodies.  Playing in a garden adds to our nourishment equation, but chemicals used in products at home take away from this equation.

It’s true that chronic disease affects more of our kids today than ever before.  Rich nourishment can bring a generation back to a place of vitality.

Nourishment leads to vitality.  That’s what I want for my kids and for yours.

“Nourishment comes from all the things we experience and put into our bodies.  Playing in a garden adds to our nourishment equation, but chemicals used in products at home take away from this equation.”

Vision Beyond Home & Garden

I was 12 years old in 1990 when I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. The things I’ve faced since then are hard for the adult who has never faced chronic disease to understand. The suffering and difficulties I have faced have not just been limited to me. My husband and children have suffered along with me…because of me. Emotional, physical and financial fatigue and suffering – we’ve been there. And what we’ve learned from that tough place is that the human body has an amazing capacity for health and to thrive when given the right support.

That means a life that is free from toxins and stress, right?

Well, no. Not really. Some stress is avoidable and so are many toxins. What we do at home (and in the garden) matters a lot. But life also happens outside the home. So how do we navigate life and give our kids the best chance to thrive?

Thinking again of that nourishment equation, some things add nourishment and other things take away from it. The journey I’ve taken has given me a clear view of what things detract from nourishment. But I’ve also come away with a clear understanding of what contributes to nourishment.

It’s this vision and actionable information that I plan to share as I am able.

I plan to become a health coach and write more. I’d love to create an online, national and hyper-local community that makes nourishing a family much, much easier.

My heart is to help families who are struggling because of a child with a chronic disease or challenging behavior.

Because “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” I feel compelled to try to push back the tide of rising childhood illnesses and challenging behavior. Up from the Ground and LightenUp are the first two tools born out of my journey that empower children and families to thrive in a stressful and toxic world.

In fact, the world is still a wonderful place to live. It’s more beautiful every day because of the great people in it and the love and creativity they share.

However, as parents, educators, aunts, uncles, grandparents and community members, we each need to decide with intention if we are going to contribute to or take away from that nutrition equation for each child in our life. For whether at home, in the garden or out in the community children receive nourishment from us. Together we have the power to nourish them everywhere they go. This will do much to heal kids who are already suffering as well as prevent many, many lifetimes of suffering.

Today, I am healthy and thriving. And so are my children. We’ve just added a beautiful (and thriving) baby boy! By God’s grace my marriage is intact and healthy as well. We’ve weathered a rough storm, but we’ve come out the other side ready to guide those who are in it out of it. And to guide others completely around it.

Please join me.

(I do not share your information and will not spam you.)