How’d I get here

For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived with mental health disorders - generalized anxiety and major depression - migraine disease (a neurological disability) and of course some sort of gastrointestinal malady. And,

I love coffee.

So I wanted to find a way to better support myself - and others in the field, loved ones, and certainly, the environment - while enjoying one of the things I love most. To note: All of my maladies preceded my consumption of coffee.

My love was born perhaps even before my very young fascination with the aroma of, what felt to me were, sacred magic beans. Not being allowed to participate in the beverage at the time could have been part of the allure, but I don’t think it made a difference. I would climb up on my “Guelita’s” (maternal grandmother) countertops to unhide the bags of beans my mom would stash, hold them to my nose and take a deep inhale. In utero, I think I loved coffee.

-Guelita’s kitchen

I finally got too big for standing on countertops. And soon followed college coffee. The quick casual chains (there were far fewer back then) kept us awake in class and fueled while cramming for exams. As long as it resembled coffee and you could sweeten or cream it to death, it worked.

Then came all the coffees around the globe. (See “Travel by coffee”)

Around and among the travel, work coffee was necessary to get out of bed and make it through the day. I am forever grateful for the corner bodegas and craft roasters in NYC and the community cafes & quick counters in LA. I even tried my hand as a barista at some of my favorite East Coast spots, which further cemented my love. Because then, it really became about the people, too. The connections. And the ability to be part of a brighter moment in another’s day.

Somewhere in there, I had the unforgettable experience of a yearlong herbalism apprenticeship. Thanks to Julie James and the Green Wisdom school and community in Long Beach, CA - my mind and heart opened toward the many many other plants on this wondrous planet and their own magical properties.

Coffee itself has much benefit to the body when consumed in the right amount. It not only perks us up, but also helps boost our immune systems and ward off diabetes, colon cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It’s high in antioxidants, protects the liver, reduces breakage in DNA strands, lowers LDL - the bad cholesterol, keeps blood vessels healthy, and helps fight depression. It can even stave off a migraine and provide support with postdrome fog. And if coffee can help with all of that, and be an enjoyable ritual, imagine what the other plants in our environments can share in relationship with us. Our plant and fungi kingdoms are chock full of diverse soothing, nourishing, and healing properties. Engaging with them not only helps to build or rebuild our connection to the natural world, but also improves our connection to our selves and with one another.

So it is with all of the above in tow that Stitchworks Coffee was born.

Finally, I don’t intend to put on that I’m a coffee purist or know even remotely all there is to know about it, it is just one of the great loves of my life. And I’ve finally found my way to share it with others, with you.

~Jax