The Living Alchemy Book of Fermentation

Irene Pauline Humpelstetter
Certified Nutritional Practitioner and Chartered Herbalist
Irene Pauline is a trusted nutritional expert, international lecturer and advocate for holistic living. Her professional journey started following her personal triumph, beating cancer, which inspired her to support others in realizing their highest potential in health and wellness. Irene holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, as well as a Chartered Herbalist. Currently, she fulfills her passion as the Director of Education at Living Alchemy, where she actively engages in her craft. She is a proud participant of the Sandor Katz Fermentation Residency 2024, where she further deepened her fermentation practice. Rooted in a tradition of family farming and enriched by an Eastern European heritage, Irene cultivated an early affinity for engaging with natural elements. She consistently immersed herself in the world of microbes, ranging from the soil in the garden to the crocks in the kitchen, and continues to do so to this day.

Whitney Douglas
Whitney has spent over two decades immersed in the natural health space—but truthfully, the path began long before that. Raised by a matriarchal line of healers and practitioners, she grew up steeped in the language of wellness, ritual and intuition. In 2013, Whitney co-founded one of Canada's first cold-pressed juiceries, [RE]Fresh Juice Co.—an award-winning venture that helped ignite the country's appetite for plant-based, functional nourishment. Since then, she's shaped the growth of some of the most respected wellness brands in North America, and now serves as Director of Sales at Living Alchemy, where her work blends strategy with soul.