In My Orbit with Erin Lovell Verinder
In this month’s In My Orbit, we welcome Erin Lovell Verinder; a herbalist, nutritionist, clinician, teacher, mentor, and author of two plant medicine books, Plants for the People and The Plant Clinic. More simply put in her own words, Erin’s “work is to reconnect the people with the plants!” We’ve had Erin on the podcast before and learned so much — and this month’s column is no different. It was a gift to get an insight into her practices, philosophies, homestead, and work life. No surprises, nature and slow living feature heavily and it was calming just to get a peek into things in her orbit. Enjoy!
Q: This is obviously a moving target — but what’s your current wellness philosophy?
A: I have had so much upheaval in the last six months with moving houses and relocating to a new state, so my normal rhythms have been very upside down! What has been so important to me is a double dose of daily nature, with walks a few times per day, tea in the green garden, and cooking nourishing food with beautiful produce. Plus, keeping it very simple and allowing the idea of what I find necessary to thrive to take its new shape.
Q: Which foods are currently taking prime position in your kitchen pantry?
A: Always fresh seasonal produce, oat sourdough, and fresh pastured eggs on the kitchen countertop. Miso paste, pulses, spices, and herbal teas aplenty in the cupboard. We cook loads living more regionally, there is always a kitchari, dhal, or veggie soup bubbling away on the stove. I am also downright obsessed with Loco Love chocolates made by our dear friends, Emica and Jessie — the caramel one is next level heaven.
Q: What’s your works-every-single-time mood booster?
A: A good laugh and a good dance off with my husband. It’s a regular occurrence in our household as we both work from home and things can get a little compressed with our full schedules — so putting on some 90s jams always helps for sure.
Q: The last thing you Googled?
A: Japanese paper blinds! We just bought a little dream house and a slice of land to call our own, so we are in full decorating mode!
Q: Who — or what — can you count on to make you laugh?
A: Noah, my husband. He is the funniest person I know!
Q: Is there a practice, item, or piece of wisdom you’ve kept from childhood that still holds meaning for you today?
A: Always stop to smell the roses, literally my uncle instilled this in me since I was tiny and I will never cease to pause and take the roses in!
Q: When do you feel most beautiful?
A: When I am truly at home with myself.
Q: Are there any healers or teachers you have on speed dial?
A: Most definitely, I am a fan of cranial osteopathy (super gentle approach). It has helped me so much with my structural issues, neck, and tension headaches. I adore my osteopath and have to say I am devastated I won't be living in the same state as her anymore!I have been seeing the incredible energetic healer Sarah Rickerby for a few years now, I can attest to her ability to hold the space and offer such sincerely helpful insights.Yearly, I get my astrological transits read by the epic Jules Ferrari, she has a way with words that will captivate you to see stars (literally). When I am moving through challenging times, I most definitely am guilty of texting her and asking wtf is up with the planets!?I reach out to my herbal mentors and colleagues aplenty when I have questions or want to run things by them for support or clarity. It is so important to have community, we are always learning and evolving and it is so special to be there for one another when needed.
Q: What’s your preferred movement practice?
A: Walking and hiking outdoors is my most favorite and easiest way to move my body these days. It is a really simple way to combat screen time and indoor time for me to move in nature.
Q: Do you have a dream floating in your orbit that’s not yet realized?
A: Ahhh, well I mentioned we just bought our own home on land. So we are dreaming up an incredible edible, sensory, and medicinal garden full of permaculture principles. Currently, we’re visioning out abundance, sustainability, and some deep homesteading ahead of us.
Q: How does THE FULLEST align with you and fit into your life?
A: I so appreciate the exploration of the pursuit of living well that THE FULLEST highlights. Between THE FULLEST Podcast and the online platform, there are so many golden nuggets, education, conversations, and insights into many inspiring people, thoughtful interactions and more, all of which have kept me captive and eager to see what's next!Erin Lovell Verinder is an Australian trained herbalist, nutritionist and author of two plant medicine titles, Plants for the People and The Plant Clinic. Erin’s work is to reconnect the people with the plants! Walking the plant path, she is a woman in tune with the natural world. She’s on a full hearted mission to educate and inspire others to heal with the rhythms of nature, through the bounty of plant medicine. Erin runs a thriving clinical practice, mentors students and emerging practitioners, teaches the love language of the plants within her community, and writes from the peaceful green embrace of Tasmania.
