I am Joanna, single mom of 2 high energy boys who are 4 and 8 years old. I work with moms who are unconventional enough to want to go against the status quo of parenting. Moms who don't want full time nannies, don't expect their kids to sleep through the night at 5 months, and don't want to occupy their kids with a bag of chips and a handful of fish-shaped crackers. Moms who, despite all this, believe it is their birthright to be happy, both for their sake and their family's.

I am just as overwhelmed, sleep deprived, short on time, and obsessed with health and peaceful parenting as you are. My alone time is nearly non existent, and when I do get time off, I miss my kids like crazy. I constantly have to navigate my kids' new picky eating habits, developmental growth that brings in new challenges when I thought I had it all figured out, and figuring out how to eat well while I do it, 'cause if I'm not eating well, I don't function well!

I started blogging in 2004, looking for the ultimate way to be healthy and happy, and the best mama I could be to my future kids. I work with other moms (in a relaxed, non-preachy way) who don't want to spend 18+ years unhappy raising kids who drive them crazy, while shoving unhealthy food in their mouths because that's all they have time for. There's a method to this motherhood roller coaster!

I started publishing ebooks before Kindle was a thing, am an Amazon best-selling author, and was featured in many publications and websites. I was the recipe girl for the Raw Food World newsletter, got GirlieGirl Army Chloe Jo Davis obsessed with my breastfeeding guide for raw foodists, got Elephant Journal a few viral articles with thousands and thousands of shares, was featured in Australia's Yum.Gluten Free Magazine as well as the UK's leading raw food magazine Get Fresh!, ran Raw Mom for Tera Warner, got interviewed by Kate Magic of Raw Living, Bridgit Danner of The Joyful Tiger, Glow with Grace with Angela Stokes, Raw Food Magazine, and much more.

I am opinionated woman, a lover of butter and high quality chocolate, and a sometimes reluctant vegetarian who knows she's in this plant based thing for life.

I believe...

... That children are magical, and the greatest teachers we'll ever have in our lifetime.

... That the first step to being happy is believing deep in your soul that happiness is your birthright.

.... That motherhood is so much easier when families get together to play, instead of going through the motions alone.

... That a big cup of hot cocoa with extra whipped cream is just what I need when my baby wakes me up at 5 AM on a Sunday morning.

... That raising children peacefully is the most important job in the world.

... And that when we mess up, apologizing to them is a beautiful thing.

I have used the massive research I've done on the art of being healthy and happy to...

... Spend over 6 years without sleeping through the night once, and be OK with that,

... Embrace co-sleeping and breastfeeding full term with joy,

... Raise a very high needs first child (who turned out to be a very smart Aspie) without losing my freakin' mind,

... Spend most of my time with my children and still eat a healthy, nutrient dense diet...

... Without having a giant pile of dishes to clean like a martyr after the kids are in bed,

And so much more!

Today, while I am still learning and likely will never stop, I have discovered enough secrets of bliss-seeking mothers that I want to share them with you!