current city: Memphis, TN

living situation: My household is comprised of myself and my six-year-old daughter.

occupation: Granola Goddess

photo by justin shaw; first printed in the commercial appeal

how do you structure your time and space: We operate with no divisions. Everything is integrated, as the business is in our home. My daughter comes first, so business-related activities have to be molded around her needs. I am an attached parent, so there is no childcare, although she does attend school and summer camp(s). I visualized a home-based business years before I became a mother, as I knew it was imperative to me to have my child(ren) with me, and raised by me. Togetherness is the operative.

using the metaphor of seasons to describe the phases of women’s lives,

-what are the particular challenges and highlights of your current season? Right now we are in winter. There are no farmers markets, but this season holds a whole lot of baking for retail outlets. Previous winters allowed for lots of self reflection, but I am just too busy this winter to reflect. However, winter baking is much more enjoyable than summer baking!

groovy foods granola

-what season(s) preceded this one? Before winter it was summer. It was hot inside and out. I focused on maintaining my cool under the enormous pressures to meet all of the demands on me during my busiest part of the year.

-what season(s) might your future hold? More summer and winter are in my future. It’s the alternately hot and cold, yin and yang balancing act. I am ready.

favorite family activities: My daughter and I like to read and cook together.

favorite solo activities: resting

source(s) of inspiration: nature

groovy foods herbans

best MakeShift moment: I had a very important report to present for a college course, and my daughter caught a rather nasty stomach virus. She could not even keep down breast milk, and I was doing everything I could to keep her hydrated, all while frantically working down to the wire on my presentation. When she showed no signs of recovering, I contacted my instructor to see if I could present for her privately on another day. When my request was denied, I had no choice but to take myself, my kid, and my presentation to to class. With my kiddo strapped on my back in the ERGO (i.e., best sling ever), I presented my speech, on the commoditization of water, to my classmates and instructor. My child did not puke or poop even once while on my back!

find uele on the web: http://groovyfoods.org/home.html

[if you know someone who would make a good “mothers of invention” feature, check out the nomination process and questionnaire located on the sidebar to your right.]