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I first learned of the power of food from my grandmother. Miss Berta was one gardening, home-cooking, restaurant owning, community leading, hymn-loving, clairvoyant, prayerful woman! Much of my formative years were spent in the garden and kitchen with her (and my grandpa), hands-on with planting, growing, harvesting, preparing, and presenting living foods from their heritage. I still enjoy butter beans, yuca and turnip greens. From those experiences, I came to understand that thriving is in our DNA and the daily interaction and consumption of real foods is the key to unlocking the potential of our mind, body and spirit.
As an expression of my intention to live in authentic alignment, heal bodies as well as minds, and create a ripple of positive energy in my community, I created Qi To Wellness to offer intuitive and holistic approaches to healthy living. I am certified by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Reiki Blessings Academy, the Oregon Islamic Chaplains Organization, and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners as an Integrative Health Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, and Chaplain. I’ve been a birth doula since 1989 and an end-of-life doula since 2007. I’m currently enrolled in a dual degree program (studying Unani Tibb and Traditional Naturopathy) at The Avicenna Institute, and am an ongoing student of intuition and ancestral healing. 
 
Professionally, I’ve helped hundreds of men, women, and children discover their own unique mind-body-spirit balance and advocate for everyday people seeking to improve their quality of life by tapping their inner vitality for ultimate healing and higher consciousness. My greatest personal joy is helping my 80-year-old mother reverse decades-long dependence of diabetes medication by returning to a diet of healthy whole ancestral foods.
 
My first experience as A Taste of African Heritage instructor was fire! Six ladies enrolled with their teenaged daughters and we were all so excited to learn and share and eat! And now, St. Mary’s Woods Assisted Living Community (Richmond, VA) has graciously committed to support our classes through 2016! By connecting the dots between preparing traditional ancestral foods, cooking and improved health, partnering with the Oldways Heritage & Health Ambassador Program  becomes an extension of my grandmother’s legacy! I’m honored to be at this juncture.
 
Thanks to Oldways for valuing food and heritage, and creating this engaging opportunity to learn, educate and grow together with others in our communities!
 

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