In the field of counseling, I believe a critical, yet overlooked element toward healing emotionally is a person's nutritional status. As with any other ailment, looking at symptoms alone never finds the root cause of the problem. Physical well being, lifestyle habits and nutrition play key roles toward rebuilding a better personal foundation, healing from past emotional trauma, growing spiritually and changing detrimental relationship patterns. 

I have adopted this whole body approach because its critical foundational component for lasting true changes. In marriage, I find couples who adopt a healthier lifestyle and make nutrition and exercise daily habits, stay more connected and age together healthier and more content. One of my goals for my clients is not to have the ailments of a sedentary lifestyle impair what they want to accomplish together and hinder their enjoyment as a couple.

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Several years ago when my Mom retired from her career at 85 years old,  she started to decline at an alarming rate. She had Type 2 diabetes and was on several medications. Additionally, she started having many eyesight problems. I found an ophthalmologist who looked at the whole picture of her health. When asked what else my Mom wanted to improve, she said she wanted to have more energy. The doctor handed me a piece of paper, saying his patients gained many health benefits from this particular plan. Turned out it was a keto-like diet, referencing two websites for more information. One of the websites introduced me to the carnivore diet and Dr. Shawn Baker's work.  He is a former orthopedic surgeon and author of The Carnivore Diet . I was on-board after reading the vast testimonies from his clients who ate strictly animal foods and healed their bodies from metabolic ailments such as Type 2 diabetes. That was the beginning of the journey into connecting emotional health with nutrition.

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Over the past few years, my Mom has had great success, not only in weight loss, but physical improvements.  She lost 70 lbs., works out three days a week, takes no prescription medications, and is not diabetic. I know my Mom's health decline journey is not unique and countless individuals suffer needlessly because of poor nutritional advice.  My Mom did everything her doctor told her to do such as quarterly check-ups and having her  "managed" diabetes. That approach only led to more decline, not health.

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My Mom's health decline and subsequent reversal, motivated me to extensive research. I have learned a wealth of fascinating information from a variety of functional medicine and allopathic physicians who, through their personal stories of healing, changed their medical approaches to chronic diseases. 

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Recently, I listened to several interviews with Dr. Christopher Palmer, a board-certified psychiatrist and a Harvard Medical School professor who made the nutrition and brain health connection in his practice. His approach is inspiring as countless patients have healed from depression, mental disorders and very debilitating illnesses with the help of a nutrient rich diet.  I highly recommend his book, Brain Energy, A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health.

 

 

Once I started researching nutrition, I learned how household, personal care, laundry products and other everyday things we generally do not give a second thought to, contain toxins that play detrimental roles in physical health and brain function.

 

After much experimentation, I have a good list of affordable items from food, supplements, skin care and household cleaning items. Below are some favorite items I use daily. I do not have affiliations with any of these companies; I just made the swaps in our household.

 

One of my goals is to help you have a head start to nutritional wellness, which will serve as an important building block of your new personal foundation to emotional healing and a stronger relationship and marriage. Because the lack of physical wellness is so overconsuming, it can be difficult to focus on repairing a relationship and keeping that momentum.  Everything that comes in contact with our body has an impact. I want to empower you with the tools necessary to achieve all your life goals: relationally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

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I would be honored to work with you to achieve not only the relationship goals you desire, but also the health/diet and lifestyle goals you may have thought could not happen. To schedule your appointment to start this journey, please click on the link below. I am looking forward to working with you!