One cold day in February 2005, my father slipped on ice and fell, hitting his head on an open car door. This seemingly minor fall caused a significant traumatic brain injury and changed both of our lives forever.

As my father lay dying, I began to ask questions that his traditionally trained Western medical physicians could not answer. One of the biggest questions is how patients can heal when their entire diet consists of corn syrup solids, synthetic vitamins, and seed oils. My dad had been placed on a feeding tube due to being in a coma.

After many months of searching the world for a healthier formula, it was clear there were no other options. After months of research, I designed an organic formula for my father, with each ingredient chosen specifically for the healing properties contained therein. In addition to the brain injury and coma, he was also experiencing several secondary complications. In my opinion, most were due to his canola oil, sugar-filled diet, and overmedication.

Ultimately, due to the almost unbelievable rapid recovery, I knew I had to find a way to make this formula available to the world. This took eight years, but I accomplished what I had set out to do: change the face of clinical nutrition worldwide.

My tiny little company grew rapidly, hitting twenty-three million in sales in five short years. By 2018, both my husband and I, who had been by my side and was instrumental in the launch and success of Functional Formularies, had reached complete burnout. We set out to find partners to sell the company to who had the infrastructure and connections to serve the rapidly growing market. We intended to stay involved and continue to nurture “our baby” but as these things sometime go, this was not to be. This was devastating, but at the same time, it only fueled my fire and my passion to continue bringing high-quality food to the world.

Functional Formularies was acquired again in 2024 by Danone, which I am delighted for. I am also incredibly proud to say that I created a product which was acquired by the fifth most valuable food brand in the world (2024).

Sadly, my father never lived long enough to see any of this transpire, but every day, I feel my father’s presence daily and know he continues to guide us on this journey.

I am honored if you have taken the time to read this, and I hope our products from Essential Provisions can fill a need in your life and fuel your fight, just as it has mine.