Misie, HR Manager, 28 years old

A Testimonial

The world around us is in constant motion. Conversation overlapping conversation; phones ringing on our desks and in our pockets; email notifications; calendar appointments; children crying while dinner is burning on the stove – our culture rarely stops to breath, to think, to smell their surroundings, or enjoy 30 seconds of quiet. I am a product of this culture – my generation is developing this into the norm. Where can we go from here?

I find myself in a state of technology overload. We have so much at our fingertips that we take on more than we can handle thus creating a state of chaos in our lives. If only we could just flip the “off” switch, even for 30 minutes a day; shut it all down ‐ take a deep breath in, a slow breath out and rest. It can be so difficult.

After visiting Cheryl I realized the importance of rest. I realized the importance of sleep. I realized it is OK to say, “No,” that taking 30 seconds to process a situation before entering in, will not make or break the outcome. If I show up peacefully, of sound mind and a positive spirit, I can make it through the day without losing a sense of myself or my emotional safety. The first time I realized this was the first time I took my bare hands and eased them into a slimy, cool mixture of pumpkin, raw eggs and agave. It was like the noise around me stopped, my brain came to a standstill and my heart entered a slow peaceful rhythm. I forgot that my inbox was waiting for me back at the office or that we had company coming over and my house was a wreck. I was IN the moment, resting in a recipe that is meant to heal my body. For the next two hours I was in a state of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time. It was a JOY to bring those recipes home and re‐enter that state in the confines of my home. My home was used to chaos, obsessive behaviors and anxiousness, I think even my dog noticed a difference. Now, each time I begin the process of preparing a meal it’s as if a hush envelopes the house. Everyone and everything inside takes a deep breath in, and a slow breath out.

Food has such healing powers. Those powers are not limited to the nutrients that energize our being, but in the flavor and the process it takes to reach a most nutritious state. If we take the time to enjoy the process; let it teach us, heal us and refuel us, I believe the outcome will enrich every aspect of our lives. I look forward to raising children in a home where food isn’t an escape or a means to an end but an experience, an education and a joy we share as a family.

I am so blessed to have my experience with Cheryl and the wisdom she passed down. It’s a constant learning process and I am fascinated by its challenge. I feel growth and change every day, I’ve rediscovered peace. It is a wonderful feeling..

Misie