About Lisa

In 1999, I began studying energy modalities and buddhism, shortly after moving to Boston and meeting my wonderful husband, I studied massage therapy, until carpal tunnel and tendonitis made me question my career choice. While I could have continued along that path, I decided, given the stress I felt just to get through a day with those issues, that it was best to move on. I continued my studies in energy modalities through to the Reiki Master level and found that this area of focus really spoke to me and to my clients. Throughout this time, carrying all this knowledge with me, I held a continued interest in alternative therapies and natural wellness, and over the years studied, learned by trial and error and through numerous practitioners and teachers what works, what doesn't, and how to listen to your body and give it what it calls for.

When I gave birth to my son in 2007, we decided it best for me to stay home, at which point I focused on custom illustrating, design, and children's art, which is still a passion of mine, in addition. It seems though, that wherever I go, whomever I talk with, a growing interest lies in the area of mindful simplification, in many ways. So came the blog. 

We all have our personal story relating to health, and how we view our treatments. I think it's important to feel good about what you are putting into your body. I thoroughly appreciate doctors and modern medicine. I will say it ten thousand times. I am not "against the establishment." Given that, I would like to balance my body BEFORE it gets sick, and if it does, I use herbs. And if I need more help, I know my doctors will take care of me.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
Amist all this energy therapy, artwork, child-rearing, something wasn't right, but I wasn't sure what. I wanted to focus on health, but I felt I ate too many Oreos to consider myself a health model. I felt I was an artist, but never got a showing in a gallery. I love Yoga. And camping! Tea, but also really creamy coffee drinks, and wine. Veggie burgers, AND hamburgers. TV and meditation...So who was I? And where was the balance??! What did I represent? One or the other? I felt I contradicted myself in so many ways, and always felt changeable. So amidst all this, I loved so many things but felt uncomfortable because I felt I didn't know who I was or what I represented...I have a tendency to try LOTS of things. I had lots of interests, but found it hard to fit myself into one category. So I searched. Asked around. Sought advice. Asked what others thought I should be, and do. But in this intense listening to others, I still wasn't happy. But why? And after more searching, and much general discomfort with life, I found that living the way everyone wanted me to was nice, but it didn't fit ME. And I found that the only person who could decide how I was going to live my life WAS me.  I was trying to fit my unique-shaped self into a square hole.

So slowly, I started doing EXACTLY what I wanted to do. I forgot about the labels, and just lived. If I wanted an Oreo, I ate one. Not 12. Just one. And if I wanted to do yoga, I did it. Herbalism is huge in my life. Why not study it? I love painting...Painted a picture. Painted a wall. Orange to be exact (and got tons of  compliments by the way!!) And you know what?  I started to really feel happy. Really, REALLY happy. So here I am. Happy. And I want you to be that too....

It's my goal, for myself, and for everyone around me, to get to a place where we are confident with everything we fill our lives with, what we put into our bodies, what we do with our time, what we think in our thoughts, and what we feel in our souls.  I want your life and my life to be meaningful. Full of only the things we love, and only the things we most choose to have in our lives, whether it's the act of living a very DIY life, or paying for all your services, so you have time to spend with family. Whatever it is, I hope it is simple, and chosen. Oreos and all.