My Story

In Feb, 2020 I traveled to Morocco to explore the mystery of the Sahara Desert.  For weeks I lived in a cave of a 1000-year-old Kasbah, directly across from an oasis, Ecolodge-du-Draa, located in a small rural village in the Sahara desert called Ouled Othmane.

Here I unearthed the meaning of minimalism through the lens of the Tuareg desert nomad and the Berber (Imazighens), and the impact of nature on human existence and the truth about life.

Upon returning home to USA, I studied the effects of environmental stress on the the palmeries in Morocco and concluded that these villages don't have enough water to sustainably support their long-term agriculture efforts.  Drought due to climate change  is slowly killing the date palms which is a major source of income. 

In 2020, I received an EPA grant to conduct an international 'innovation water challenge' to remediate insolvency issues and expand water pipelines for the village. But covid had the last word and prevented our team from entering Morocco.  Subsequently, the grant expired and that changed the trajectory of my goal completely. Yes, it happened just like that!  

A new road taken.                          In 2021 I started start my own garden.  Simultaneously, I studied Gen-AG practices and Ethnobotany, how indigenous people use plants for ancient healing practices and fell in love with the ideal about the 'simplicity of life'.

Another road taken.

Post covid, 2022 I flew to Morocco again to implement permaculture practices learned and while on the road discovered how real, authentic Argan Oil was grown and harvested and sourced by women-led local cooperatives.  I learned of their hard work, handpicking, and hand-crushing the argan kernal, cold-pressing and oil that boasts scientifically proven results that combat environmental stress effects on the skin. 

During my journeys I have discovered many of their skincare secrets that combat skin aging and am proud to share my findings and true skincare brand, Native Wild Living, a skincare brand that pays homage to indigenous communities around the world for their hard work, handmade.

Firsthand, I experienced the beauty and value of handmade goods vs. manufactured goods and filmed the difference in quality of a true argan oil for themselves.

For the remainder of 2022 I created a skincare brand label that embraces the concept of indigenous communities the interdependence between peoples and plants and the need for a nutritional products that add nutrition to skin. 

Native Wild Living, a nutri-medicinal skincare line is born.

                                

Today, Native Wild Living sources mainly from indigenous communities and people-led cooperatives whenever possible. We seek to work with groups that are characterized by social norms that hinder women’s empowerment, but with collective action when combined with the creation of exclusive women’s spaces, have become the driver for massive social and cultural changes such as better working conditions and improved access to healthcare and education. As such, we believe that cooperatives are a key institution for inclusivity and sustainable development of women and the environment and as a means for preserving natural resources while guaranteeing decent work for women.

We give a percent back to the cooperatives and to the Moroccan oasis for water which will always be near and dear to my heart.

We offer skincare products in-store and on-line and conduct live workshops to provide in-depth descriptions and medical research of native, rare botanical plants and their medicinal and topical skincare uses and healthcare benefits, engaging narratives, and vivid photography & videography. 

We connect the archaeological and historical records with living cultures and native plant specialists who share their ancient wisdom as empowerment for future generations to live well in our modern world.

 We hope you enjoy the natural beauty of handmade Native Living products.