I am a certified nutritionist in Washington State, owner of The Nourished Body, In-House Nutritionist to the International Ballet Theatre, and the Nutrition Advisor to the Nationally Syndicated Talk Show, The Dr. Pat Show. I work privately with children and adults out of my Carillon Point office in Kirkland and the Lake Union Wellness Center in Seattle.  I specialize in the development of customized nutrition programs, offering the continued support and guidance to help each of my clients meet their lifestyle goals. I have worked extensively with young and adult athletes, weight loss, emotional eating, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, food sensitivities and countering the effects of menopause. 

I also consults with major corporations on how they can implement corporate wellness into their employee’s lives and recently developed the “Get Nourished, Get Fit” program for Emerald City Smoothie. 

I am passionate about promoting a positive relationship with food because nutrition is a crucial component in a healthy lifestyle.  I help each client develop a personal definition of 'good nutrition'.  Our culture of dieting has drawn us away from listening to our bodies and its needs.  I teach my clients how to begin to listen to theses cues, how to strategize their daily and weekly food intake and how to break the dieting cycle.  I encourage my clients to set realistic goals and to implement change gradually.  By doing so these gradual changes become routines and habits that can take hold over a lifetime.

I worked for over 15 years as a volunteer at the Woodland Park Zoo. I am the youngest volunteer allowed entry into the Docent program. As a public educator, I led tours and provided talks to visitors, with topics ranging from Endangered Species to the Ecological and Societal Impact of Poaching. I also worked behind the scenes with many of the keepers on research projects. 

While attending the University of Washington I combined my passion for animals with my love of psychology, while I worked for the behavioral research scientists for a year observing the lowland gorilla troop at the zoo. I have kissed a giraffe, held lion and tiger cubs, stood face to face with an African elephant, fed a full grown Kodiak bear by hand, held hands with an orangutan, scratched a tapirs chin, and held an indigo snake (my favorite). 

For the past two years I have worked as a volunteer for the MEOW Cat Rescue Shelter in Kirkland, Washington. I was thrilled to be asked to MC the 2006 and 2007 Fine Wines & Felines Auction, held on Mercer Island. The 2007 auction goal was met! $30,000 was raised! When I retire I will open a cat shelter of my own.

I believe that health care professionals should live by the principles they teach.  I stay in shape and maintain a youthful appearance by eating a diet low in processed foods and incorporating activity into my daily schedule.  When choosing a certified nutritionist, I believe clients need to find someone they feel comfortable with and someone who inspires them.  I lead weekly hikes and walks with my clients, emphasizing that activity can be fun and inspirational. By following the principles I teach, I have been successful at maintaining my BMI, weight for height and percent body fat within ideal ranges for over two decades.