A few years ago Gary synchronistically met Charles Shipp at a farmers market in Tucson. Charles is a bee keeper of 18 years and a marketer of honey and bee products. At the time, Gary hadn't eaten honey in years and was quickly re-acquainted with the nutrient dense, tasty treat. They clicked instantly and began sharing their knowledge of health and nutrition and realized that if they combined superfoods and bee products that we would have all of the most nutritious and delicious foods at the farmers market! One dip of a raw organic cacao bean into some fresh, raw Arizona honey confirmed the power of this idea.

Indigenous Nutrition was officially created in 2008 by Gary, in a purification and renewal ceremony at Eden Hot Springs during a raw food retreat hosted by David Wolfe and Kerri Dancing Butterfly. I had been marketing bee products and superfoods at local farmers markets in Tucson for over a year and wanted to create something to connect with friends and customers outside of the markets. During that ceremony I realized what my calling was and how to present it to the world…and so Indigenous Nutrition was born.

Gary Greenleaf
Back in 2001 in "downeast" Maine I was introduced to a very special medical intuitive and health coach, Anthony William by my sister Holly. I learned that eating a Turkey and Cheese "hoagie" from local mini-mart for lunch every day was not the healthy choice I thought it was. In fact, the gluten, processed, factory-farmed animal meats, and conventionally farmed produce was actually contributing to my chronic depression, weight gain, and moodiness. I also learned that consuming half a pizza and chicken wings during football games was not the most nutritious or consciousness enhancing meal either. Anthony is a very special healer and intuitive; I got the sense at the time that he saw a future for me in the health and nutrition arena.

I started to eat mostly raw and organic foods and went on a smoothie feast of fruit to cleanse my body. I quickly noticed that I could run further with ease, my depression diminished, and I stopped getting ill. My energy levels increased and I became capable of getting more things accomplished in one day. At the time I was going to grad school full time for my MBA, was running an art business, www.greenleafcolors.com, and was also a consultant at the small business development center.

It wasn't until I moved to Arizona in 2006 that I really started to get into nutrition; I have been heavily into superfood nutrition and endurance athletics for quite a while now. My main introduction to superfood nutrition, like so many other nutritional superheros came at the hands of David Wolfe at a raw foods retreat at Eden Hot Springs, AZ. I went from never having a goji berry, cacao bean, or royal jelly to consuming all of them, every day.

My daily diet generally consists of fresh organic vegetable juice, super smoothies with at least (7) super foods, and some sort of organic greens for dinner. I do eat cooked food and believe that each individual is blessed with inner wisdom to choose what food works for them. I do believe adding superfoods, natural food from nature rich in minerals and nutrients are what are bodies have been craving for a long time.

I have noticed that since I switched to an organic, fresh superfood diet that my athletic performance gets better all the time without pain or injury. I can often be found mountain biking, hiking, trail running, swimming, or doing some ashtanga yoga. I have completed several off-road triathlons in the past few years and am looking forward to really competing at a higher level next year when the season begins. I also noticed that my intuition is clearer, synchronicities happen and are recognized more easily, and that I am meeting the most amazing people who are surprisingly on the same path!!

Health and nutrition has grown to be my love-based passion which I thoroughly enjoy living and sharing with others. I take superfoods to farmers markets and often spend a lot of time educating our customers on the products and the benefits; nothing could be more rewarding than to see someone try a goji berry or cacao bean for the first time, see them add it into their diet, and then to hear about the great results!