My Story…

Like a lot of people, my path to health has had no simple straightforward trajectory, but instead numerous false starts, lots of anxiety and plenty of life altering surprises. For most of my life, I didn’t think about my health, I just accepted chronic fatigue, regular migraines and mild athlete’s asthma as my normal state of being. Even through my 20s as a vegetarian and dedicated yogi I thought it was just my personal normal to feel exhausted all of the time and to never feel “in shape” no matter how much I exercised – just like I thought it was normal to eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s for dinner now and then.

Honestly, I limped along through life fine until I turned 30, when I hit a wall. My energy fell off even more, my belly was having trouble and my pants didn’t fit right. On a whim I went to see a nutritionist who taught me about macronutrients (e.g. protein and carbohydrates) and different eating strategies (e.g. five meals vs. three meals a day). For the first time I started to understand my body’s relationship to food—to view food as fuel and to recognize the difference between physical hunger and emotional hunger.  As I learned to connect what I ate to how I felt, everything changed. I began to see more clearly what my body needed to feel energized and for my mind to be focused. My eating habits improved and I learned to cook more whole foods; my yoga practice deepened and I started to cultivate mindfulness and attention more easily off the mat; and I found the real meaning of health: being connected to myself and nourishing my mind as well as my body. Now I know that lethargy and chronic fatigue aren’t my natural states of being. Now I run, ride and climb, I say “yes” to physical challenges and, for the first time, feel like an athlete. Now I cook with whole foods, read labels, check in with myself to understand the nature of my cravings and I finally feel like I know what it is for me to be healthy. Perhaps most importantly, my experience of learning to take control of my health drives me to help others do the same.

My Approach…

I practice an integrated approach to health and wellness, looking at how all the areas of your life are connected. Does stress at your job or in your relationship cause you to overeat? Does lack of sleep or low energy prevent you from exercising? As we work together, we look at how every part of your life affects your health as a whole.

As a nutrition educator and health coach (or health counselor), I act as a wellness guide and supportive mentor. I work with clients to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun and free of denial and discipline.  We address the whole picture of a client’s health, including balance in and between nutrition, physical fitness, relationships, career and spiritual practice—all of the elements of our lives that literally and figuratively feed us.  No one diet works for everyone.  I will guide you to find the nutritional choices that best support you and I will also help you make gradual, lifelong changes that enable you to reach your current and future health goals.

Health counseling is a unique, exciting innovation in health and nutrition. I received my certificates in Holistic Health Counseling and Nutrition Education from the Institution of Integrative Nutrition and Bauman College, respectively. I am board certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Although most dietitians dwell on calories, carbs, fats, proteins, restrictions and lists of good and bad foods, I have studied all the major dietary theories and will help you discover what approach works best for you and your life—now.