ABOUT ME

Hi!  

My name is Tanya!    I set up this blog a long time ago but then I didn't seem to be able to find the time or motivation to get going on it.  I recently  reconnected with a high school friend and he has inspired me!  

I'm a life learner and can't get enough of all the things there are to see and do and learn in life!  When I find something I'm interested in, I delve into it full on!  I'm writing this blog to share my ideas, thoughts, experiences, recipes…

I love to travel.  My favourite trip was travelling around the world for two years with my husband.  During that trip, we trekked to the base camp in Everest, rock climbed in Southern Thailand, volunteered in the orphanages run by Mother Theresa in Calcutta, had an audience with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala and tandem cycle toured around New Zealand.  I'm fascinated with the people, art, and food of our world. 

I am passionate about food and health! My journey goes back over 30 years.  When I was a teenager my mom got terminal lung cancer.  She was a heavy smoker and drinker and had a hard life.  She has been the most influential person in my life though.  She taught me perseverance.  She also gave me a gift that no amount of money could buy.  Through all her pains, illness and death she enabled me to really live my life to the fullest.  From her life, I learned that life is short and that I'd better do what I want and learn what I want NOW rather than dream about doing things one day…When my mom got cancer, I started what has turned into a lifelong pursuit that I will share with you in this blog.  

I love to grow things!  I started growing my own food as soon as I had a place to call my own.  I started small but now our family produces enough food to feed our family for 9 months a year.  I freeze, can, dehydrate and cold store seasonal food for use during the rest of the year.  It allows me to be in control of the foods my family and I eat.  I KNOW it is produced organically and locally and that there are no pesticides, preservatives, additives!  Gardening is therapeutic and food is my medicine.  

I am a wellness coach.  Over the years I have had people inquire about my lifestyle.  They've asked about what I eat, how I manage to stay lean and healthy, if I could run cooking courses, and when I'm going to write a cookbook.

I love having an active lifestyle.  I enjoy running, walking, cycling, paddle boarding, skiing, hiking and just being outside!

I am a musician.  Before I was 17 I played 5 instruments but then I stopped playing.  I loved music but let is all go until I was 39!  One evening I attending an Okanagan Symphony concert and heard a solo performance of Meditation from Thai.  I had goosebumps and decided that I wanted to be able to play the violin and one day play that piece. So at 39 I started to play the violin! Now I play in a local orchestra and a quartet.  I feel awesome when I am playing music.  

I am a mom to two busy unschooled boys.  

We learn by following our passions.  

I'm passionate about science, the natural world, the environment and humanity.  

I'm fascinated with anything to do with the human brain including brain development throughout life, the effects of nurturing, music, language learning and love on the brain, and the power we have to rewire our brains and transform them.  

I'm grateful that I've been able to come to this magical place in my life where I am able to see beauty, find positive in what could be negative, feel awesome about how I feel and look, and have friends and family that love me.