I have always been a lover of the outdoors and nature.  When I was a child, the woods behind our home were a magical place for me to act out who I wanted to be when I grew up.  I built forts with my big brother, taught my baby sister how to plant a garden in the open spaces substituting rocks for potatoes and wide grasses for corn stalks.  I earned a quarter for every back rub I gave my two big sisters, and had a lot of positive reinforcement from my Mom for being her little helper cleaning house and helping her in the garden.  Whenever my mom and I worked together she would tell me stories of my Grandma and I knew I wanted to be just like her, to grow my own food, to build my own house, to recognize my skills and use them, and to have a sensitive spirit.
After High School I studied Business Management knowing whatever I did to make a living, I was likely going to be my own boss.  I also knew I wanted to make a difference in peoples’ lives, so I furthered my education with a degree in Social Work.  I have an eclectic taste for the work I do and if the effort I make has some benefit to others, then I feel like it has been well worth it. 
This may sound quirky, but I have always been fascinated with feet.  It seems that I clued in at an early age that massaging feet was a very quick way to give ease to the entire body.  So, when I first heard of Reflexology I studied the feet in a whole new way and have been a Reflexologist now for 21 years.  Somewhere in the course of time, I have sampled with using different lotions and essential oils in my sessions, and have found that essential oils seem to augment and even extend the benefits of reflexology.  Understanding proper use of oils is so important.
Though I believe strongly that Western Medicine plays an important role, I also believe in the wisdom of traditional plant medicine.  Throughout my adulthood, I have utilized herbal teas, essential oils, and herbal salves whenever I have had a cold, a headache, sleeplessness, muscle soreness, cuts and bruises.  For me, they have been very effective. 
Having a clean house is important to me and I actually enjoy doing housework.  Finding cleaning products that are not toxic has been a bit of a challenge.  I have a sensitivity to toxic products on many levels.  I dislike inhaling aerosol sprays and I know they are not good for our environment.  I have researched alternatives and really enjoy using the essential oils that are appropriate to use around our pets and love knowing they are antimicrobial and are not harmful to the environment and as an added bonus, aromatherapy while I work.
I have never cared for synthetic perfumes as they usually give me a headache and I dislike applying synthetic products to my skin.  I discovered essential oils as perfumes and have been wearing patchouli oil for almost 30 years now.  I was enchanted when I discovered after meeting Sarah for the first time that she wears Patchouli oil too.  I really love blending Cathy’s essential oil perfumes and the prospect of blending recipes of my own.   
I am delighted and honored to continue my journey of hand-on healing, in tune with the medicinal wonder of nature, with Iris Herbal Products.