After bringing my daughter (referred to as “Tiny”) earthside in early 2009, I left a decade long career as an executive recruiter behind to focus my energies on mothering. What was born of that journey (and my crazy adventures with my own health crisis) is what propelled me forward to create this site.
In January 2019 I completed extensive coursework and am a certified Mold and Moisture Intrusion specialist. I have completed coursework in the naturopathic series offered by the Avicenna Institute and accredited through the Board of Natural Medicine Certification Council. I am also a member of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors and the International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness. My earlier years afforded me the opportunity to graduate with honors with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnic Studies. I am a lifetime member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Golden Key Honor Society.
I have always had a passion for researching everything to death. I have also always had a passion for writing. I am not afraid to tackle tough topics. I don’t get embarrassed by much. I am self deprecating. Apparently my audience loves that about me. 😉
My Story
Complex. Possibly riveting. Filled with some truly challenging moments that have changed the course of my life.
But really, no one wants to be bogged down with the minutia of another person’s life story. As humans, we like to focus our energies (as well we should) on things that uplift us; that bring a smile to our face.
Today, I would like to share 8 things that are an important part of my life story. And then, to really lighten the mood, I will share 5 things you might not ever know about me, unless you specifically asked. You know – the quirky things that make me, well, me.
8 Things That Make Up My Life Story
- I currently live in a rather crazy household with my ever-so-patient boyfriend Jason, my uber-creative daughter “Tiny”, our pooch Ruby, our mystical cat Polly, my bossy bunny Olive, and our piranha-trapped-in-a-goldfish-body Mr. Fish.
- My family lost every single thing we owned in December 2014 due to a highly contaminated home. You can learn more about my story here.
- As angry as I was at the time, I have come to a very peaceful place about starting life completely over with nothing. Sometimes our egos need a good humbling down.
- I veer away from Western medicine when and if there is a more natural way to prevent or treat illness, injury or disease. I rely on herbal support, mineral support, and energy work.
- Thanks to toxic mold exposure, my daughter and I have a lot of food allergies and intolerances. Despite being gluten free, egg free, dairy free, nut free, soy free, mostly grain free, and many other things free, I am still able to create nourishing and delicious meals and treats.
- I make as many cleaning products and personal care products as I can from scratch. I believe in limiting our chemical exposure.
- We spend as much time in nature, celebrating nature, and honoring nature as possible. Mother Earth generously provides for us and in turn we do what we can to honor her.
- I am a “fur” mama to a super old pooch, a quirky and mystical cat, a bossy as all get out house rabbit, and a goldfish who thinks he is a piranha. Yes, all my pets get along with each other and love each other.
5 Quirky Things About Me
- I used to breed Australian Bearded Dragons.
- While I love, love, love baking, I really am not as big of a fan of cooking. At all. But I do it three times a day, everyday.
- Messes and disorganization in my own home will drive me bonkers. But if your home is messy – I honestly don’t mind at all.
- I used to rescue feral cats, have them all spayed/neutered and when possible, domesticate them and find wonderful homes for them. Since most people don’t want a “converted feral” cat, I ended up with a rather large feline family. Thanks to mold, my feline family has since passed on. I now have one insane house cat that keeps us all on our toes.
- I can sing an entire song in “cluck.” Cluck being the sound a chicken makes. Hearing me cluck a song really should be on your bucket list.
The Story Behind The Name Hybrid Rasta Mama
I get asked about my blog name a ton. Next to emails about toxic mold and coconut oil, my blog name is definitely a topic of interest. No one really knows what to make of it! Well, this is basically how it came to be!
I live a hybrid lifestyle, adapting daily to our current needs. I do not subscribe to a one-size-fits all approach to life. I do what needs to be done in the manner I see fit. I live outside the box, without a label.
As for the Rasta part of my moniker. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE reggae music and the Rastafarian culture and way of life. Reggae music touches my soul more than any other music out there. The Rastafarian lifestyle is based on clean living and a devotion to expanding oneself in all areas of life. It’s something that I can embrace with ease and that makes sense to me.
What about the mama part? Well, I’m a mama. But I am also a hybrid parent. I take a little of this, throw in a little of that and blend it all together to create a parenting style that is centered on what my daughter needs from me in order to flourish as a human being. I am committed to mindful, conscious, consensual parenting. Always.
Photo Credits: Spiral Elixir and Ras Terms.