Heather volunteers by creating and sampling out produce in various forms, from slicing fresh fruit and veggies to making things like lettuce wraps, guacamole, quinoa, and tabouli dishes. The only limit to her creative license is that samples must feature items from the produce section.  Heather says, “It's really fun because I can do whatever I want.”  She tries to highlight local produce that's in season and was happy to see the bright and delicious homegrown tomatoes appear. She finds it “great fun to work with the people in the produce department.”  They are good to her and are grateful for her coming up with creative ways to showcase the produce.

Heather believes most people want to work more vegetables into their diet, but they sometimes don't know what to do with them.  She likes having the chance to educate people and finds they often request a recipe so they can duplicate her creations at home. As she says, “ I enjoy turning people on to organic produce.”

She is well trained for this volunteer position, having worked with produce in California and Oregon, in  Co-ops and  natural foods stores during her 20's and 30's.  Heather also loves to cook, so it's “a no-brainer” for her to get creative with food.

After earning her bachelors degree in Biology, Heather took massage classes in California at the Heartwood Institute, then began graduate school in Portland in naturopathic medicine. Eventually, she realized naturopathy was not the path she wanted to take.  The experience did, however, lead to her current profession as a massage therapist.  She moved to Moscow to finish her massage therapy training at the Moscow School of Massage.  

Heather has now been in Moscow for six years, and has been a practicing massage therapist for five of those years.  Three years ago she opened her own business,  “Balance...A Wellness Spa” on 4th  Street withher collegue Laura Gessner, also a licensed massage therapist.  She enjoys learning about anatomy and physiology, and doing physical work with her hands.  Being a massage therapist gives her the opportunity to support people in living a balanced lifestyle, and help them find stress relief and live healthier lives.  

Her husband, Paul Weingartner, is a long time member of the Co-op.  A dozen years ago he and his son Dylan picked up milk at Stratton's Dairy and delivered it to the Co-op to fulfill their volunteer hours. 

In addition to volunteering, working as a massage therapist, and cooking – Heather also enjoys reading. But her biggest hobby is gardening.   She practices what she preaches – finding balance.  She realizes no one has a perfect life, so “it's important to take care of yourself through times of stress and stay grounded through all of life's ups and downs.”

Terri is reluctant to say goodbye to summer but is enjoying the energizing presence of students returning to the Palouse.