I raised two beautiful daughters, mostly on my own. I've lived from coast to coast (OH, CA, NH, TX, LA, GA, and now VT), and LOVE to travel. In my previous business (Pampered Chef), I earned trips all over the world to include Paris, Rome, Munich, Alaska, Hawaii, London, Barcelona, Prague... and I'd like to continue my travel habit (only now, I'm paying for it all!).

About 6 years ago, I transitioned to a vegan/plant-based lifestyle to reverse some health conditions. I was so overjoyed at my own personal health improvement that I became Certified in Plant-Based nutrition and joined the Food For Life instructor team, which is a part of The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (pcrm.org or my site is PositivelyPlants.com). It is so rewarding helping people lose weight, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reverse Type II diabetes... and survive cancer. I love what I do!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My family and friends are spread out across the country, too, so I must travel to see them. Vitamix sends me all across the NE, and I am responsible for covering my own lodging. CouchSurfing would save me a boatload of money, and I'd be happy to reciprocate when you're in Vermont.

Interests

I love to: travel, ballroom dance, moderate hikes, kayaking & other boating, leaf peeping, vegan cooking and instructing, movies, pottery. I kept a diary for over 30 years when I was younger, and I've just started journaling again.

• books
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• vegan
• running
• instructor
• boating
• movies
• traveling
• pottery
• hiking
• kayaking
• business
• teaching
• medicine

Music, Movies, and Books

Classic instrumental, easy listening music.
Movies are mostly documentaries (Forks Over Knives, Cowspiracy, Food Matters) or comedies, or romance comedies. At the end of the day, I don't want to watch war/violence.

Books... my library is constantly growing, and mostly educational/environmental related: The Food Revolution, Comfortably Unaware, Ten Billion, Food Choices & Sustainability, Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease... the list goes on.
OR... Nicholas Sparks books (author of The Notebook).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When I lived in central GA, I ran for office. Our State Representative was retiring, and I was asked to run to fill his seat. I didn't win, as I was in a VERY conservative district (and I ran as a moderate Democrat)... but 1 out of 3 voted for me! I went on to be a Hillary Clinton delegate during the 2008 election season. I got to be there in Invesco Field in Denver when Barack Obama accepted the nomination.. .one of the most amazing times of my life!

Teach, Learn, Share

I am an educator by nature and by profession, so I have a lot to offer. Allow me to stay with you, and I can treat you to a delicious plant-based meal that's inexpensive, quick and most of all... delicious.

I'd love to learn from others regarding tastes, seasonings, books, films, travel favorites.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My never-ending curiosity about health, nutrition and FOOD, healthy, life-giving, planet-saving food.

I can share stories of my world travels across Europe mostly, Alaska, and Hawaii.

I can share my LOVE of Vermont, the Green Mountain state... places to go and things to do in my area (or in my home state of central Ohio). I live in White River Junction, VT, which is part of the "Upper Valley," the region that includes Hanover, NH where Dartmouth College is located; Lebanon, NH; Norwich, VT (where the one and only King Arthur's Bakers' Catalog Store is located!), and a few other small towns.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States