What makes the Holistic Moms Network different from other moms clubs, social groups, or organizations? In part, it’s our authenticity, our passion, and our commitment. It’s how we bring together local parents for support and join our voices as a national community. And the difference shows on many levels:

• Diversity. At the Holistic Moms Network there is no litmus test for how “green” or “healthy” you are. We are not about a single issue or one path to living healthier. We welcome everyone wherever they are on their journey and support each other on our quest to make positive changes.
• National Community. HMN offers local support and a national community. We help connect people in their own neighborhoods, but reach further through our online communities and programs to help build a greener, healthier future for all.
• Integrity. Holistic Moms was started by moms and these moms still run our growing National community and local Chapters. HMN was not created to solicit to anyone, but to support all parents.
• Sustainability. Our National organization provides ongoing support and resources to all our members, our Chapters, and our Leaders. We strive to build long-lasting connections and communities, to build relationships, and to help parents on every stage of their journey.
• Credibility. The Holistic Moms Network was established almost 10 years ago and has grown to include the support and guidance of an established Advisory Board, dedicated green and natural parenting experts, and a Sponsorship community of companies and organizations who share our passion for natural health and holistic living. Each is personally reviewed and chosen from a very select number of professionals, companies, and organizations who share our values and mission. Members know, with confidence, that their personal information will never be shared or sold, and that they will not be added to any marketing lists for products or sales pitches.
• Resources. Our Network is filled with amazing resources for all of our members. From our Online Member Community and Savings Book to The Wise Mom digital magazine, we offer parents ways to learn and save. Members have access to online discussion forums, our Wellness Savings Club, and many benefits, in addition to activities offered by their local Chapters. And, most of all, we learn from the wisdom of one another, sharing our experiences, knowledge, and passion across the country.
• Accountability. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, HMN serves our community with accountability. Our commitment to our mission and purpose shows through everything that we do.

What does Holistic Moms mean to you?

Support?  Community?  Friendship?

We know that being a member of the Holistic Moms Network can be a powerful, life-changing experience.  Listen to HMN Member Dawn’s HMN story:

Be real, be authentic, be you!  We’re not looking for glamor, we’re looking for real mamas telling their real HMN stories!

Stay tuned for more HMN stories!

Daddy Adam with his holistic baby!

The Holistic Moms Network has a very diverse membership of people who are passionate about holistic health and green living. Among our membership are dads, expectant parents, future parents, grandparents, and wellness practitioners.

We welcome individuals who share an interest in holistic living and parenting into all of our communities, no matter where you are on your holistic journey. You may just be getting started or have been on a holistic path for many years.

No matter where you are, you are welcome at HMN.

So why Holistic Moms Network?

We were started by and continue to be run by moms. We believe that moms have a unique role in wellness decision-making for their families, and honor their journey into motherhood.

That journey, however, is one filled with family and friends who have their own paths and who also need the support and resources that HMN has to offer.

Join us!

Holistic Dad Jeff B. taking a break with his son	Holistic Dad Jimmy F. gardening with his children
Holistic Dad Mike M. with his son	HMN Grandmother and Chapter Leader, Mary Bloomer
	Dr. Mike – Holistic Dad!

We also have downloadable pdf fliers (8.5×11 size) available for you to print and post or hand out to clients, friends and others interested in holistic living!

If you’d like more information, fliers or membership brochures sent to you, please email info@holisticmoms.org!

To place a Holistic Moms badge on your site, simply copy the code below each image and paste it into the desired location of your HTML ~ so easy to share HMN with others!

Embed Code: <a href="http://www.holisticmoms.org/" title="I'm a Member"><img src="http://www.holisticmoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Im-a-member.jpg" alt="I'm a Member" title="I'm a Member" style="border:none;" /></a>

Embed Code: <a href="http://www.holisticmoms.org/" title="I'm a Holistic Moms"><img src="http://www.holisticmoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Im-a-holistic-mom.jpg" alt="I'm a Holistic Moms" title="I'm a Holistic Moms" style="border:none;" /></a>

Embed Code: <a href="http://www.holisticmoms.org/" title="Holistic Moms Member"><img src="http://www.holisticmoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/holistic-moms-member.jpg" alt="Holistic Moms Member" title="Holistic Moms Member" style="border:none;" /></a>

Embed Code: <a href="http://www.holisticmoms.org/" title="Join Us! Holistic Moms Network"><img src="http://www.holisticmoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/join-us-125x125.jpg" alt="Join Us! Holistic Moms Network" title="Join Us! Holistic Moms Network" style="border:none;" /></a>

Embed Code: <a href="http://www.holisticmoms.org/" title="Holistic Moms Network - Living Healthy, Living Green"><img src="http://www.holisticmoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/09-web-banner.jpg" alt="Holistic Moms Network - Living Healthy, Living Green" title="Holistic Moms Network - Living Healthy, Living Green" style="border:none;" /></a>

Embed Code: <a href="http://www.holisticmoms.org/" title="Holistic Moms Network - Living Healthy, Living Green"><img src="http://www.holisticmoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/healthy-green_234_x602.jpg" alt="Holistic Moms Network - Living Healthy, Living Green" title="Holistic Moms Network - Living Healthy, Living Green" style="border:none;" /></a>

Embed Code: <a href="http://www.holisticmoms.org/" title="Holistic Moms Network - Living Healthy, Living Green"><img src="http://www.holisticmoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/468x60_health_a.jpg" alt="Holistic Moms Network - Living Healthy, Living Green" title="Holistic Moms Network - Living Healthy, Living Green" style="border:none;" /></a>

These items are downloadable fliers (letter sized, 8.5″x11″) for you to print and have available for you to share with your clients, customers, friends, and groups. When you click on an image, a pdf will open for you to save to your computer to print whenever you need them!

]]> http://www.holisticmoms.org/2010/03/14/tell-others-about-hmn/feed/ 0 http://www.holisticmoms.org/2009/04/16/advisory-board/ http://www.holisticmoms.org/2009/04/16/advisory-board/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:51:26 +0000 Holistic Moms http://www.holisticmoms.net/hmn/?p=689 Meet our Advisors!  The Holistic Moms Network’s Advisory Board is an exciting group of professionals sharing their passion for holistic living and parenting and partnering with HMN to make a difference. We are honored to have them on our Advisory Board and encourage you to share in their wisdom, knowledge, and experience!

Chef Ann Cooper

Chef Ann Cooper is a renegade lunch lady. She works to transform cafeterias into culinary classrooms for students – one school lunch at a time. Chef Ann was the director of nutrition services for the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD), improving meals at 16 public schools with a population of over 9,000 students. In her work with public schools, Chef Ann is at the forefront of the movement to transform the National School Lunch Program into one that places greater emphasis on the health of students than the financial health of a select few agribusiness corporations. Chef Ann’s lunch menus emphasize regional, organic, fresh foods, and nutritional education, helping students build a connection between their personal health and where their food comes from.

Chef Ann’s newest book, “Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children“ (Harper Collins, Sept. 2006), is overflowing with strategies for parents and school administrators to become engaged with issues around school food – from public policy to corporate interest. It includes successful case studies of school food reform, resources that can help make a difference and healthy, kid-friendly recipes that can be made at home, or by the thousands for a public school cafeteria.

For more information visit Chef Ann’s website at www.chefann.com.

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Dr. Lauren Feder

Lauren Feder, M.D. is a nationally recognized physician who specializes in primary care medicine, pediatrics and homeopathy. Known for her holistically minded approach and combining the “best of both worlds,” Dr. Feder is a frequent lecturer for parents and professionals and has been seen nationally on various health-oriented television and radio programs including most recently Oprah and Friends interviewed by Dr. Mehmet Oz. She is the author of Natural Baby and Childcare and The Parents? Concise Guide to Childhood Vaccinations, and is in private practice in Los Angeles. She is the mother of two boys.

Visit her website at www.drfeder.com for more natural parenting information.

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Barbara Loe Fisher

Barbara Loe Fisher is co-founder and president of the National Vaccine Information Center (www.NVIC.org), the largest and oldest parent-led vaccine education organization in North America. She is co-author of the landmark 1985 book DPT: A Shot in the Dark and author of the 2008 book Vaccines, Autism & Chronic Inflammation: The New Epidemic. She is editor of the NVIC Vaccine E-Newsletter and a blogger at www.VaccineAwakening.blogspot.com The mother of three children, her oldest son was left with multiple learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder after a severe reaction to his fourth DPT shot in 1980 when he was two and a half years old.
During the early 1980′s, Barbara helped launch a grassroots movement to bring the issue of vaccine safety to public attention, including leading demonstrations at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and the White House in 1986. She has served on the National Vaccine Advisory Committee; Institute of Medicine Vaccine Safety Forum; FDA Vaccines & Related Biological Products Advisory Committee; the Vaccine Policy Analysis Collaborative and is a consumer member of the Cochrane Collaboration (U.S). A featured speaker at health education conferences, she has defined vaccine risks and defended the human right to informed consent to vaccination in hundreds of print and broadcast reports nationally and internationally for more than a quarter century.

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Jan Hunt

Jan Hunt, B.A. Psychology, M.Sc. Counseling Psychology, is an attachment parenting/unschooling counselor, the Director of the Natural Child Project at naturalchild.org, and a member of the Board of Directors of the CSPCC (Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). She is also a member of the advisory boards of Holistic Moms Network, Attachment Parenting International and Child-Friendly Initiative.

Jan is the author of The Natural Child: Parenting From the Heart and the bilingual children’s picture book A Gift for Baby, and co-edited The Unschooling Unmanual with her always-unschooled son, Jason. Many of her articles are available online at her website and in the Mothering.com “Ask the Experts” section.

Jan envisions “a world in which all children are treated with dignity, respect, understanding, and compassion.” She lives in central Oregon, and is available for telephone counseling worldwide.

For more information visit Jan’s website at www.naturalchild.org.

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Peggy O’Mara

Peggy O’Mara, Publisher and Editor of Mothering Magazine, is the mother of four grown children. She has gained international celebrity as publisher, editor and owner of Mothering Magazine. She is also the author of two books: Having a Baby Naturally: The Mothering Magazine Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth and Natural Family Living: The Mothering Magazine Guide to Parenting. A dynamic speaker, she has lectured and conducted workshops in conjunction with organizations such as the Omega Institute, Esalen, La Leche International, and Bioneers. She has appeared on numerous television and radio programs and has been featured in national publications including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Mother Earth News, and Utne Reader.

For more information visit Peggy’s website at www.mothering.com.

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Dr. Linda Folden Palmer

Linda Folden Palmer is a doctor of chiropractic, a consultant and speaker on pediatric nutrition and natural parenting challenges, a science writer, and a mother. She’s the author of Baby Matters, and the updated and embellished version, The Baby Bond, The New Science Behind What’s Really Important When Caring for Your Baby. She left her chiropractic practice shortly after the birth of her son, when she was confronted with his serious health challenges. For her son’s sake, she delved deeply into the scientific and medical literature to find answers – which led to further questions and some astonishing realizations and finally to her book. With 1,200 science journal references, The Baby Bond brings the solid evidence that supports natural parenting practices.

Learn more at her website at www.thebabybond.com for more natural parenting information.

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Elizabeth Pantley

Parenting educator Elizabeth Pantley is president of Better Beginnings, Inc., a family resource and education company. Elizabeth frequently speaks to parents at schools, hospitals, and parent groups around the world. Her presentations are received with enthusiasm, and praised as realistic, warm and helpful. She is a regular radio show guest and frequently quoted as a parenting expert in newspapers and magazines such as Parents, Parenting, American Baby, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and Redbook and on hundreds of parent-directed Web sites. She publishes a newsletter, Parent Tips, which is distributed in schools nationwide.

Elizabeth is the author of eight popular parenting books, available in 18 languages, and she was a contributing author to The Successful Child with Dr. William and Martha Sears.

For more information visit Elizabeth’s website at www.pantley.com/elizabeth.

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Dr. Lawrence Rosen

Dr. Lawrence D. Rosen is a board-certified general pediatrician committed to family-centered, holistic child health care. He practices primary care at the Whole Child Center in Oradell, NJ and consults at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center, serving as Medical Advisor to the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology.  Dr. Rosen is a nationally recognized expert in Pediatric Integrative Medicine, a founding member and vice-chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Dr. Rosen is appointed as Clinical Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at New Jersey Medical School. He is a graduate of New York Medical College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and he completed his residency and chief residency in pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.   Dr. Rosen serves on many integrative health advisory boards, including the Teleosis Institute, IntegrativePractitioner.com and Integrative Healthcare Symposium, Integrative Touch for Kids, PedCAM, and MarbleJam Kids.  He is a contributing columnist for Kiwi Magazine and author/editor for several books, including “Integrative Pediatrics” (Oxford University Press 2009), “Green Baby” (DK 2008), and “Pediatric Clinics of North America: Complementary and Alternative Medicine” (Elsevier 2007).

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Sherri Tenpenny, D.O.

Dr. Sherri Tenpenny is respected as one of America’s most knowledgeable and outspoken physicians, warning against the negative impact of vaccines on health. A graduate of the University of Toledo in Ohio, she received her medical training in Kirksville, Missouri. She was board certified in emergency medicine through 2005, and is currently board certified in osteopathic manipulative medicine. She is founder Osteomed II, an integrative medicine clinic located in Cleveland, Ohio which focuses on women’s health, eliminating acute and chronic pain, and a proprietary method for asthma and allergy relief. Patients from 38 states and 9 countries have regained health through methods applied by her team at Osteomed.

Known for her ability to present scientifically researched, complex information in a simplified version for audiences of backgrounds, Dr. Tenpenny has authored several books including, Fowl; Bird Flu Is Not What You Think (2006), and Saying No to Vaccines: A Resource Guide for All Ages (2008). In addition, she has produced many educational CDs and DVDs. She has been featured speaker at seminars across the globe and a guest on hundreds of radio and TV shows, including the nationally syndicated, Dr. Oz Show. Her speaking career has evolved into opportunities as an international consultant for companies in Mexico, India, Columbia and Trinidad. She is an active member on many advisory boards, including the International Medical Tourism Association.

Dr. Tenpenny is a tireless crusader on behalf of freedom-of-choice in health care, including the right to refuse vaccination. Her web sites are www.DrTenpenny.com and www.Osteomed2.com She may be reached at drtenpenny@gmail.com and through social media Facebook (DrTenpenny on Vaccines), Twitter (BusyDrT) and MySpace.

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Dana Ullman, MPH

Dana Ullman, MPH, is one of America’s leading advocates for homeopathy. He has authored 10 books, including The Homeopathic Revolution: Why Famous People and Cultural Heroes Choose Homeopathy, Homeopathy A-Z, Homeopathic Medicines for Children and Infants, Discovering Homeopathy, and (the best-selling) Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines (with Stephen Cummings, MD). Dana also authored an ebook that is a continually growing resource to 200+ clinical studies published in peer-review medical journals testing homeopathic medicines. This ebook combines the descriptions of these studies with practical clinical information on how to use homeopathic medicines for 100+ common ailments. This ebook is entitled Homeopathic Family Medicine: Evidence Based Nano-pharmacology, and it is an invaluable resource. He is the founder of Homeopathic Educational Services, America’s leading resource center for homeopathic books, tapes, medicines, software, and correspondence courses. Homeopathic Educational Services has co-published over 35 books on homeopathy with North Atlantic Books.   Dana writes a regular column for the wildly popular Huffington Post.

Holistic parenting begins with an understanding and respect for how all living things are connected and how we impact one another. As such, holistic parenting embraces green and non-toxic living, non-violent communication, and natural health.

The Holistic Moms Network believes there are 7 fundamental ideals for holistic parenting:

1. Making informed and educated parenting decisions around pivotal issues such as childbirth, breastfeeding, wellness, vaccination, circumcision, nutrition, interpersonal communication, discipline, and education, among others.  Parents need to be aware of alternative and holistic options that may differ from conventional choices in order to make an informed choice that best suits their family and their personal values.

2. Seeking respectful and nurturing relationships with others, imparting the values of empathy, love, and compassion to our children, and embracing attachment parenting techniques (including babywearing, extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and positive discipline).

3. Actively participating in our own healing process when we’re out of balance; using minimally invasive healthcare modalities to help the body and spirit heal while respecting the many paths to healing, both holistic and conventional.

4. Balancing and integrating the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of being into everyday life; using the principles of wholeness – healthy eating, regular exercise, natural healing, stress reduction, non-violent communication – to create a balanced life for the entire family.

5. Teaching our children to respect and care about the natural world by actively providing opportunities for them to be in nature, and teaching them about how they can protect our environment.

6. Limiting our children’s exposure to advertising, marketing, and a consumer-driven culture that is creating rampant materialism, disconnecting them from nature and healthy social interactions.

7. Living more simply and consuming less in an effort to reduce our impact on the environment and to emphasize non-material values.

The Holistic Moms Network’s mission and purpose is to support parents on their holistic journey, wherever that may take them.  We emphasize community building and raising awareness, and welcome parents wherever they are and whatever choices they have made.  We are not a single-issue group, but a community that honors diversity and tolerance as we strive to do the best that we can each and every day.

HMN represents the growing community of holistic-minded parents who strive to give their children the love, support, and information they need to become healthy, compassionate, and informed individuals who can live in balance with our world.

We represent and advocate on behalf of parents nationwide who are working to build a healthier and more sustainable future. By joining our voices, we create a powerful force for change.

We also assist parents in building local chapters to develop a community network where they can find support for natural health and parenting choices. Our communities bring parents together in a respectful and supportive environment; honor and cultivate diverse lifestyles and parenting choices; enable parents to freely share their knowledge and experiences; and encourage awareness about a wide range of holistic parenting and green living options.

We strive to educate parents about natural options and to inform people from all walks of life about holistic parenting and green living.

To fulfill our mission and our vision for the future, the Holistic Moms Network depends upon the generosity of our members, donors, Sponsors, and others to help us build our growing community. Membership donations, contributions, and Sponsorship are vital components to building the HMN network.

2011 HMN 990
2010 HMN 990
2009 HMN 990
2008 Form 990
2007 Form 990
2006 Form 990
2005 Form 990

How Membership Funds are Allocated: A Worksheet for Members

Living healthy and living green is not an endpoint, but an ongoing journey. No matter where you are on your parenting or holistic living journey, you are welcome at HMN! We are a diverse and open-minded community – a place where your choices are respected and where you can learn and become informed! Many of us are new to this journey, others more experienced. Wherever you are, you can benefit from the wisdom, support, and resources that Holistic Moms have to offer!

Learn more about us and Our Purpose and Our Mission as an organization to understand our passion for holistic health and green living. Read about our shared ideals for Holistic Parenting or find out What Moms are Saying About HMN!

Questions? Check out our FAQs page. Or feel free to contact us!

All information provided on the website and in meetings of the Holistic Moms Network and its chapters is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. If you have or suspect that you have a serious health problem, you should consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Read our recent blog about the mamas who run our organization here.

To learn more about our team, read our brief bios:

HMN National Team & Regional Chapter Mentors

Karen Armas Landau, Trustee

Residence: NJ

Children: Two sons – 8 yrs (10/00) and 9 mos (6/08)

Life Experience: I’ve done a lot of wandering in my life, education, profession, interests and, though I find myself in New Jersey for more than a decade now, I feel I am still wandering in many areas of my life. Luckily I’ve been wandering by choice! My education comes from the different parts of the world where I have lived, from Kenya to Kyoto to Polynesia to Vermont; as well as my traditional education: Masters of Intercultural and International Management and BS of Psychology. I’ve taught English, Science, Cross-Cultural Communication and – believe it or not! – time management. My longest job was working in a non-profit that provided legal and management assistance for charitable non-profits, where I started as a Program Associate and ended up the Assistant Director, having played many roles in between.

Top 3 Holistic Passions: Natural and least intrusive therapies; NON genetically modified organisms; educational choices.

Wished for World Change: For people to be more caring of the earth and its people, plants and animals. I don’t just mean in a strictly environmental, conservation sort of way, but also in terms of the corruption of governments, or banks, or pharmaceutical (or other) companies.

What inspires Karen About HMN: So many things inspire me about HMN: the people! The ideas! The support!

Favorite Quote: “Todo se puede en la vida” my husband used to say that all the time  “anything is possible”

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Sojourner Auguste, Social Media Coordinator  

Residence: NY

Children: Two boys

Life Experience: B.ARCH from Cornell University.  Was an in-house architect for several big brands such as COACH, The Children’s Place & Starbucks, designing retail stores for almost 9yrs.  Then shifted gears and entered the world of event design.  Founded Erganic Design in 2008, as a lifestyle design concierge firm, providing event planning, interior styling and baby planning services to our clients.

Top 3 Holistic Passions: Vaccination education, breastfeeding, birthing choices

Wished for World Change: Women would not be afraid, but would be empowered to allow their bodies to do what they were created to do.  To fully embrace what it is to be a woman, and know that there are no limits on how we can live dynamically – except for those put on ourselves. (i.e working mother, who is a hands-on-holistic mama).

What inspires Sojourner About HMN: The wealth of information and strength in community.  It is the women of HMN who provided a shield of love, that helped encourage me to have a successful vbac in 2009 with my 2^nd son.  The community becomes your family – and it is awesome!

Favorite Quote: “The way we talk to our children, becomes their inner voice.” Peggy O’Mara

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Emma Catarino, Graphic Designer

Residence: NC

Children: Two children

Life Experience: BA in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design. Minor in Communications Media Technology. 12 years of experience in Graphic Design.

Top 3 Holistic Passions: 1) Eating (organic, whole foods, local sources,etc.). 2) Green living: green cleaners, green products, reusing items, reducing waste. 3) Natural parenting: homebirth, breastfeeding, babywearing.

Wished for World Change: Stop all the hate. The wars, the power plays, the anger-they cause so many of our worlds problems.

What inspires Emma About HMN: Holistic Moms is such an encouraging group. People reach out to help complete strangers in any way they can. My local chapter has started a fund to help members in need with holistic purchases that they wouldn’t normally be able to buy.

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Nina DeSanto, Director of Mentoring and Chapter Development

Residence: PA

Children: One – Nicholas

Life Experience: My mission in life is to learn as much of anything that I can, and be able to leave this physical existence knowing I have experienced everything that I ever wanted too and acquire all the knowledge that I seek. My educational background consists of many avenues but my major studies are in business management, public speaking, psychology, and many avenues of healing modalities. My professional background consists of : Business owner, Education Director (which I loved doing. I traveled all over the world and met some wonderful people), Corporate Party Planner, Intuitive Business Consultant, Acting, Platform artist/public speaker.

Top 3 Holistic Passions: Green Living, Healing in many avenues, Organic living: especially cooking and gardening.

Wished for World Change: I would give every homeless child a loving home

What Inspires Nina About HMN: Wow, I can go on forever with this one! There are so many things that inspire me about HMN. The amazing People I have met who go beyond the call of duty to step forward and help someone out. Respecting and honoring someone regardless of his/her different holistic views. The Team work among my fellow National Team Members, who no matter what you ask, are always there for you. The strength you are given knowing there are others who understand you, hence the feeling of belonging and being “home”.

Favorite Quote: “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS having a human experience”

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Parvathi Kumar, Online Coordinator  

Residence: NJ

Children: Two sons, Rohith (08/2003) and Abhijith (06/2005)

Life Experience: I was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and raised in Montreal, Quebec.  I completed undergraduate studies in Electrical Engineering in Canada and along the way spent many years training in classical guitar and Bharata Natyam (south indian classical dance).  I then worked as an IT software developer in Denmark, CT and NJ, completing a Masters in Computer Science at NJIT.  In 2007 I resigned from the IT world to devote myself to family and in 2010, I formally started my own photography business, since photography has also been a lifelong passion!

Top 3 Holistic Passions: Environment, Healthy Food, Yoga

Wished for World Change: Know yoga, know peace.  No yoga, no peace.

What inspires You About HMN: When I joined in 2004, I immediately knew that this was a group where I would truly feel at home.  It is always a comfort to know there is a place nearby of like-minded souls with whom I can share information, gather wisdom and where we can all benefit from each other’s experiences.  I am grateful for all that I have learned, been made aware of and for all the people I have met because of HMN.  I hope I can offer as much as I’ve gained!

Favorite Quote:  ”Follow your bliss.” – Joseph Campbell

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Nancy Massotto, Founder and Executive Director

Residence: NJ

Children: Two Fabulous Boys

Life Experience: I have spent my life in education and service and truly believe in the power of making a difference. I have a BA, two MAs and a PhD in Political Science and Government and Politics, with an emphasis on international relations, gender studies and feminist theory. I have worked as a professor, a waitress, an executive secretary, a non-profit research associate, a government caseworker (among others) and, most importantly, as a parent. Every experience is and has been a learning opportunity!

Top 3 Holistic Passions: Holistic healing, creating mother-to-mother support and building community, and sustainability

Wished for World Change: Connection. If we begin to understand that we are all connected – to each other and to the planet in physical, emotional, and spiritual ways, we will begin to respect and honor one another.

What Inspires Nancy About HMN: The power of moms (and dads) to make a difference, to empower themselves through education and support, and the great love we all have for our children. Together, we can truly move mountains!

Favorite Quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”  Margaret Mead

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Jennifer Oh, Director of Membership Benefits, Volunteer Coordinator,  and Regional Chapter Mentor, CA 

Residence:  CA

Children: 2 (a 5 1/2 yr boy and a 2 1/2 yr girl)

Life Experience: I started out as a fashion designer in NYC (graduating from Parsons School of Design with a BFA) and worked as a woman’s knit designer. During that time, I started a small non-profit group, MESSY (Movement to Educate and Support our Youth). We went into schools and to organizations and assisted with art programs. This was right when schools were dropping art programs due to funding. I went to a 6^th grade class in a not so great school in Brooklyn (most substitute teachers refused to teach there) and taught them art once a week. I also ran a program at the Brooklyn Library’s main branch in Grand Army Plaza – combining a reading program with an art program. In total, we had about 5 different programs we offered and ran. Doing this taught me invaluable lessons on paying attention to the needs of our community.

After a decade, I made a huge switch and became the Managing Director of Tiger Claw’s Eastern Division. Tiger Claw is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of martial arts equipment. If you use it in a martial arts school – we carry it. Recently, I returned to California and became Tiger Claw’s VP of Marketing and Public Relations. Working at Tiger Claw has given me an opportunity to meet so many amazing people, many of whom live holistically. Discussions on meditation, health, and bettering our body, minds, and soul are not uncommon. Seeing people do tai chi or qigong in the office is not unusual.

All of this has culminated in me becoming passionate about being as holistic as possible and to be able to guide my kids in this journey.  They have taught me to be conscience of what we put in our bodies, on our bodies, and what we surround ourselves with. I hope you find this information useful and become as passionate as I am.

Top 3 Holistic Passions: Whole/Traditional Food, Gentle Parenting, and Healthy and Holistic Home – these are vital to my peace of mind.

Wished for World Change: For people to learn – learn about themselves, their bodies, and what’s around them. And Compassion – with compassion comes empathy, with empathy comes understanding, and with understanding comes learning.

What inspires Jen About HMN: I have often said that HMN has made me a better mother. I became a member when my son was born and I received so much knowledge, caring, and support that I was able to confidently raise my children the way I felt comfortable. I have met wonderful, like minded moms who laugh, entertain, and educate me. HMN has provided me with great friends and the support I need during the good AND the bad times. To this day, I am learning from other HMN moms and discovering new ideas, techniques, and options that may help my family. It is so comforting to know that HMN has always been here when I needed them the most.

Favorite Quote: “Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”  – Shel Silverstein

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Staceyann Smith, Membership Coordinator

Residence: New Jersey

Children: Two energetic kids

Life Experience: BS in Imaging & Photographic Technology, MS in Instructional Design, PMI certified Project Manager.  Have worked as a Corporate Trainer, an Adjunct College Professor, IT Project Manager.  Following passion for herbal & homeopathic medicine by taking several year-long apprenticeships and courses.

Top 3 Holistic Passions: Holistic/Non-Toxic Living, Breastfeeding, Holistic Healthcare

Wished for World Change: Acceptance

What inspires Staceyann About HMN: The support and education that HMN provides for parents, instilling the confidence in them to follow their instincts and make choices that are not always the norm in raising their children.

Favorite Quote: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Albert Einstein

Aimee K. Wood, Editor of the Wise Mom, Regional Chapter Mentor, DC, MD, NJ, NY, VA, WV

Residence: NY

Children: I have a daughter, Anna and a son, Evan.

Life Experience: BA in Psychology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, MS in Holistic Nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health, Editor of Living Simply site on BellaOnline.com, Montessori assistant directress at the Arlington Montessori House, Arlington, VA.

Top 3 Holistic Passions: Alternative Schooling, Nutrition, Spirituality

Wished for World Change: Intolerance

What inspires Aimee About HMN: Everyone’s passion to live their best life naturally and true to their heart. I have met the most wonderful women and have found the most inspiration from HMN mamas. It is their desire to never give up that touches me so.

Favorite Quote: “In the end what matters most is – How well did you live, How well did you love, How well did you learn to let go.”  Unknown

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