In Focus | Katrina Forgues

Meet Katrina! Katrina is originally from Red Deer but has called Kelowna home for about 3 years. She enjoys spending time with her son and my partner Chris!


Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Red Deer Alberta. Lived in Kelowna for almost 3 years now.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
It would have to be a tie between my son and my partner Chris! My son makes my heart sing with joy and my partner/his dad is my very best friend in the whole world, he's like my other half.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Nature's Fare

Describe yourself in one word.
Plants.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
To visit my grandparents in Alberta, I haven't seen them in a while and I miss them dearly.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Enjoying the beautiful parks and outdoor spaces we are so fortunate to have all around us.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
When I first started middle school my period leaked on my pants and I was mortified. Now I teach women to be empowered and not ashamed of their reproductive health - it has come full circle!

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
It's a tie between my first weeks of studying herbal medicine and how that opened my mind up to *so* much and essentially helped me to learn about who I am & my gifts for the world & meeting my partner and the journey we have walked together - both of these events happened within a few weeks of each other.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
One that comes to mind right now...Picking buckets upon buckets of fresh raspberries while on summer holiday at the Shuswap, getting soft served ice cream & enjoying many bowls of sweet summer bliss on the warm sandy beach.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I host a free event once a month where I open my apothecary and have folks come in to create custom wellness blends under my guidance as a Medical Herbalist. I know not everyone can pay for a consult and are interested in getting some form of expertise & directed support in the realm of herbal medicine. Plus its lots of fun to get creative!

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
For health & how to care for oneself to be a larger part of our education systems. Mental Health too.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
A park or a beach, I love nature! Or Sprout for coffee & reads/work.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would really appreciate it if the city started collecting kitchen organics (ie compost) - so many cities have implemented this and I am not sure why we haven't here!

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The seasons & the beaches, the mountains, the many medicinal plants that grow here, & of course the friendly the people.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Travel all over and learn from other herbalists
Open a ground-level storefront apothecary & build a community of individuals who love plant medicine as much as I do
Dance in a performance on stage

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I started my interest in herbal medicine by starting a wheatgrass grow op in my parent's basement when I was in high school.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Facebook - Kelowna Wellness & Medical Herbalism, Instagram - @kelownaherbalist


What is the name of your business/organization?
CJR Acupuncture

Why did you get into/start this business?
I love helping others. I love plants.

What is the goal of your business?
To help others live a better quality of life, to help others bring forward their gifts to the world. Accessible healthcare.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Having enough time to "do it all".

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Same!

What do you always find yourself saying?
"We need to get you out of fight or flight mode and into rest and digest!"

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Have faith, have patience, believe in yourself, breathe.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Amanda Radan - she is a herbalist in Arizona who I have connected with through Instagram, we haven't had the chance to meet yet but are always scheming about how we will meet at a herbal conference! She is like a sister to me and we share so much of the same values and passions, I'm sure we would learn a lot from each other and have so much fun!

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Because you are supporting real families & local economic growth.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Graduating from the Phytotherapy Diploma Program at Pacific Rim College - Magna Cum Laude

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Amy Hamilton of Can I Eat at Rivers?

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Megan McMichael of Mandala Mama

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.

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!