WELCOME

Bella Veda, meaning “beautiful wisdom,” combines the wisdom of Ayurveda with the beautiful traditions of my Italian roots.  There are many similarities between the Ayurvedic and Italian ways of life.  As with Ayurveda, Italians prioritize eating fresh, local and seasonal foods for optimal health, digestion and enjoyment.  Meal timing, walking after meals, and proper rest are also emphasized in both cultures.

In Italy, eating with the seasons, or “stagioni,” is a way of life.  Mother Earth provides what we need when we need it, and seasonal eating honors that.  Meals in Italy are opportunities to sit at a table and socialize with family and friends, honoring a cooked meal and celebrating community.  Italians are naturally attuned to the medicinal value of foods and herbs.  Food is pleasure, but food is also medicine.  My family is from Sicily, and many of Ayurveda’s food staples are stars of traditional Sicilian dishes. At its essence, Italian culture is where wellness meets pleasure.

my journey

A lifelong seeker, I have been a student of holistic wellness for more than three decades.  In my 20s, I studied psychology, nutrition and acupuncture. In my 30s, my focus divinely shifted to motherhood, but my passion for feeding and caring for my family only intensified my commitment to holistic health.

As my children grew, I began searching for ways to be of greater service to the world outside my home.  In my 40s, I became certified in plant-based nutrition, worked at my local farmers market, and became more deeply connected to the workings of the local food system.  Out of this, I started Kind Kitchen, a platform that gave me the opportunity to cook for private clients and teach cooking classes within my community.  It was a wonderful step forward, but it still felt like something was missing.

As I approached my 5th decade, I began formal studies in Ayurveda and everything I had been seeking began to fall into place.  Self-care, home care, nutrition, stress management, mental health, spiritual health - it felt like coming home.

I am now an Ayurvedic Wellness Educator and Treatment Specialist as well as a 500-hour Kripalu certified Ayurvedic yoga teacher. I continue to study the many beautiful Vedic sciences, including Vedic Astrology, philosophy and mantra, and have completed a year long Ayurvedic Women’s Health Apprenticeship.

My mission, my dharma, my purpose through Bella Veda is to lead people towards healthier, more easeful and connected lives using timeless methods that adapt beautifully to modern life.  I look forward to joining you on your journey.