In Focus | Tori Wesszer of Fraîche Nutrition

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Tori Wesszer.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was born in Peace River, Alberta and have lived in Kelowna since 1985. I had moved away for 10 years in between.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My two boys, they stole my heart!

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Somewhere warm, I’m ALWAYS cold! Perhaps Tahiti?

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I love Nature’s Fare for groceries, they have done all the hard work for me in curating fresh, local and organic foods that I feel good about. Also, how could I not mention Lake House? Love that store!

What is your favourite activity?
Shopping and hiking up Knox Mountain, but mostly shopping.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Tacos! Except they have to be homemade. We make the best tacos, I’m totally addicted, if I may say so myself!

What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
Sanctuary gardens, SO dreamy!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Oh gosh, do I have to pick one?! I remember going up to get an award at my workplace a couple of years ago in front of a HUGE crowd, only to realize once I was on stage that they didn’t call my name, Tony sounds a lot like Tori, right?

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Giving birth, it’s such a miracle. It's also the most painful thing, in case that question was coming up.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Christmas morning every year. We have a big family sleepover, we call it the hillbilly sleepover, it’s the best!

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I try to do small things right now as it’s challenging to dedicate chunks of time with a new baby and a 4-year-old. I always carry food with me to give to homeless people, I belong to a ‘random acts of kindness’ group of women where we secretly help someone who could use the support, I support and promote charities on my social media channels and always donate to the Food Bank.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
World peace, of course!

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
I LOVE visiting the wineries.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Kalamoir Park: I grew up walking through those trails and making forts in the park as a kid. There’s a little spot by a tiny beach where I love to sit and reflect, which doesn’t happen these days with two little kid. Who sits when they have children?

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I think that every community has an opportunity to go greener, and we aren’t an exception. Our planet simply needs it!

If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
That my family gets to have a long, healthy and happy life together!

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I hate getting my hair cut. I love my hairdresser, but beg her to take as little as possible off of my hair when I get it cut… which is ONCE a year!

What is the name of your business/organization?
Fraîche Nutrition.

What does your business do?
Inspires people to live healthier lives by making better life choices, and focussing on food, through my blog.

How do people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest

Where can people find your business online?
fraichenutrition.com

When did you get into/start this business?
In 2014.

What is the goal of your business?
To inspire people to live healthier lives by making it easier to eat better without the gimmicks that usually come with nutrition.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Taking things too seriously.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I am a bit of a perfectionist, and when I started my blog it was anything but perfect; but one of my favourite quotes is ‘imperfect action is better than perfect inaction’. I’m proud that I just started SOMEWHERE even though it was far from perfect, and I’m learning every day. So no, I’m happy with how I started and where I am today!

Why do you think it is important to shop local?
We have such dedicated, hard-working, local people and businesses producing incredible things and supporting them is so important. Buying local means keeping the resources in our backyard, building our communities and embracing the ‘stronger together’ mentality. It also benefits the environment by reducing the need to transport things long distances when not needed. And the best part is that when it comes to food, you get the BEST quality. There is nothing like picking up a local basket of apples or cherries from a farmer that has just picked the fruit off of the tree.

Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My friend Miriam Desjardins is the kindest soul and has started up a business called Miriam Desjardins: Mindfulness and Meditation. She is INCREDIBLE and is spreading so much good, she deserves some love and most important, people need to know about her. I’m working on meditation and mindfulness and adore what she is putting out to the world.

My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Miriam Desjardins!

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna.