
I was a young mom with three kids, learning as I went. After moving into our first home, I noticed part of our backyard grass turning brown. We had a well, and the water from our washing machine drained into the yard. The detergents we were using were killing the grass. I could not stop thinking, if it could do that to grass, what was it doing to our skin?
At the same time, my husband was allergic to bleach, and every alternative felt like a compromise. Then a simple conversation with another parent introduced me to a different approach. The dishes came clean, my hands were soft, and over time, the brown grass disappeared and the lawn came back healthy.

I am a mother and a proud grandmother who loves a good book and a quiet moment to read. I find joy in the simple things, especially making hearty crockpot soups that bring people together and remind me that nourishment is about more than just what is on the plate.