HUMANS ARE AMAZING

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The human body, mind and spirit have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. It's amazing that within each of us is the ability to grow, heal and thrive. Our cells and organs and systems are incredibly complex, dynamic, inter-related, and both strong and delicate. Our connections to others and to our environment could be described this way also. I delight in appreciating the uniqueness of individuals and the commonality that we all share with one another.

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CULTIVATING A PASSION FOR WELLNESS

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I am very fortunate to have lived this long in what I consider to be good health. I grew up on a diet of midwestern food, eating whatever was served around the family table, and plenty of Grandma’s home baked treats.  I've always had a stocky/athletic build that I maintained with household chores, school sports and Taekwondo. I was active and did not diet. Not really understanding this at the time, I was balancing my calories in and calories out (though the quality of my calories were not a focus), I had healthy outlets for stress and supportive family and friends.

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15-20 years ago when facing some significant life stressors, I suffered significant bouts of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and experienced frustration with the limited treatment, direction and understanding that I got from physicians. I began to research and learn how stress, food, sleep and exercise affected my gut and have worked hard to restore and maintain my own healthy balance. Self-care was suddenly very important for me. This began my introduction to the study of functional and lifestyle medicine. I started paying more attention to my habits, including how and what I ate. I begin to be intentional in living—in cultivating inner awareness, practicing mindfulness and gratitude. I started learning how to use essential oils for relaxation. I learned how to use herbs and spices in cooking and teas for flavor and for enhancing health. I was coming to understand that food, movement and rest mattered in restoring health.

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My experience in nursing was in long term care of the elderly, home health care and the spiritual care of people as a parish nurse. Through interactions with patients, I learned how important purpose, connections, and faith are to health and longevity.

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 When I became a health coach more than 10 years ago, I decided I truly wanted to help people understand how their lifestyle choices matter in determining health and well-being.  I was no longer content to be a care-giver and teacher, but I wanted to be someone who equips and empowers others to choose self-care, positive self-talk and to enjoy living a happy, healthy life.

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“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”  -Thich Nhat Hahn

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Recent training as a certified Functional Medicine Health Coach helped tie together my life’s experiences and learnings with a richer and deeper understanding of the continuum of health and dis-ease, as it relates to the whole person and lifestyle habits that we can control.

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HOW I THRIVE

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One of my favorite places inside the house is the kitchen. Preparing delicious meals, entertaining, and sharing good food and conversation is a great pleasure. Food is powerful medicine. I enjoy showing people that healthy food can taste great! We celebrate with food and we connect around the kitchen table!

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Time in nature energizes and restores me. I would gladly spend a day in the forest, on the beach, in the mountains or in my own backyard! I love to garden, walk and run in the woods, and ride my bike. The creative part of me emerges even more when I am quilting, crafting and decorating. 

 

Family is a central value that I hold dear. I have been married for 34 years to my loving husband, have 3 grown children and 1 precious granddaughter. I am fortunate to have strong ties to large extended family on both sides. Faith is at the core of who I am and how I live in this world.

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