My Story
As early as high school I was interested in “alternative” health; I use quotes because alternative medicine usually refers to practices that people have been using for hundreds of years. In my view, drugs and surgeries are the alternative, or a last resort if good health cannot be managed naturally. My path in my 20’s led me through a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and to many teaching opportunities in such areas as tai chi, art, photography, and English as a Foreign Language in China.
About 15 years ago my interest in nutrition began when doctors could not figure out what was wrong with my son (it was leaky gut; food related). It was a horrible 2 years of suffering through tests, adverse reactions, and experiences I wouldn’t wish on anyone. They showed no interest in finding out the “why”; they just piled on pills to cover up the symptoms, which only kept increasing. In addition, through decades of migraines, I tried lots of dietary changes and noticed that food was definitely playing a part. While learning more about ingredients and the food industry (chemicals, processing, etc.) I grew appalled at the poor quality of food we are all expected to accept as normal. I decided to “be the change I want to see”, and I went back to school in my 40’s for my bachelor's and master's degrees in nutrition so that I could be in a better position to help others with their health issues. For me, this means getting to the root of our problems, and living as cleanly and healthfully as possible.
Why are food sensitivities my specialty?
Compared to some people I have always felt very lucky; I have no major health issues and I’m not on any long term medications. I’ve always been healthier than the average American, though unfortunately, that is not a very high bar these days. My health history included migraines since age 14, lifelong congestion & constipation, and other minor quirks. Still, I counted my blessings and considered myself healthy. But as I approached 50 I became stiffer, got tired more easily, had some tingling in my extremities, and my cholesterol and the scale numbers were rising even though I was eating less than recommended, and not much ‘junk’. I saw internet memes about getting older. Jokes about being “over the hill”.
Old??
Oh, heck no. This is not happening!
It can’t be. I won’t let it!
I’m not done yet!
In 2021 I took the MRT test and followed the LEAP protocol, and… well, I’ll be writing a blog article with details… ok, I can’t wait! One detail here: A few weeks into it I was babysitting my 3yr old granddaughter and I realized I was kneeling & crawling around on the hardwood floor in all different positions, like I was 30 again, for over an HOUR without any stiffness or pain. A month prior I would’ve lasted 10 minutes before needing to stand up, move my knees, etc. There’s way more to my story than that, but you can imagine how priceless it is to play freely with a child however they want to play. LEAP helped me so much that I decided I need to help others with it as well. It’s not for everyone, and if it’s not for you I can help you make smaller changes toward better health in whatever ways fit into your life.
Feeling like you’re going downhill stinks! We can turn it around and start going up new hills! Trust me, it feels miraculous!!
Non-nutrition stuff about me:
I like to go kayaking, walk through woods, and I’m currently following a path into medicinal herbs. I love flowers in the spring & summer, and crunching through leaves in the fall. Since I live where it gets wintery, I will take the opportunity to make a snow angel or snowman. I am not embarrassed to be seen enjoying life like a child, and I am thankful for every moment we have on this beautiful, amazing planet.
