Holistic Nutrition vs. Conventional Nutrition

This time of the year, more than any other, the market is flooded with new diet solutions, tips on cutting calories and a huge focus on weight loss. Now that I've been looking at nutrition, my health and my clients' health in a very holistic, natural way, I am often disgusted at how complicated, boring and ineffective these conventional methods often are.

Now, that may seem like a bold and slightly harsh statement to make, so I want to clarify. My feeling of disgust is not toward the people who practice or preach health and nutrition in this way. For a lot of it, like caloric intake, there is a true science behind it, which if a person can follow, is quite effective. What bothers me is the feelings of overwhelm, disappointment, confusion and defeat I see in so many people when approaching their diets and health obstacles in this way. While certain diets, counting points and calories may work quite well for some people, it definitely doesn't work for most and this is what makes us feel disappointed, confused and defeated. I certainly believe that there is a need, a time and a place for conventional nutrition, health and medicine, but we overuse, wrongly use and abuse it. The rising American obesity rate in children and adults shows that something is seriously wrong.

The truth is, counting calories, going on a 30-day diet and measuring your portions stinks! Plus, there is no "one size fits all," but unfortunately everyone seems to get lumped into one category with certain food rules to follow. If you can actually stand to track your calories and points, measure your food every day or stick with a special diet, it probably won't last and it makes eating, cooking and food in general a big, daunting pain in the you-know-what. That is not how life should be. 

Holistic Nutrition looks at our health, food and diet in a different way. The focus is on the individual's unique needs, preferences, lifestyle and body. It's also about learning to listen to what your body needs, which isn't some crazy voodoo, but just figuring out what works for you and what doesn't over time. There are no lists of restricted foods, only suggested foods in moderation, with the idea that sometimes it's more important to savor that cupcake with a smile than it is to track the calories and punish yourself for it. Rather than focusing on what we can't eat, the focus is on what foods nourish and sustain our bodies, and we eat these nutrient-rich foods without paying much attention to calories because, to be honest, it's not necessary. The "rules" are simple, flexible and make food and eating enjoyable and real.

Holistic nutrition also isn't only about the food, but it's also about everything else going on in our lives. Someone who is trying to lose weight or eat better probably won't be very successful if other factors like work or relationships or causing stress. The person, as a whole, is important, not just the pieces.

This may all seem a little vague as to how it all works, so let me give you an idea on how I implement all of these elements with my clients. This varies so much from person to person - it all depends on where you need to focus and then we make it work for you. In a session, after listening to your concerns, goals and gathering information, we talk about a couple types of foods to try adding in or one particular meal you might be struggling with. We talk about how to cook that new food, I offer suggestions and recipes and we figure out a small, manageable goal or two for you to work on until we meet or talk again. We make it practical and fun. Each session is adjusted to meet your needs, schedule or even your mood that week. We go at your speed, always with motivation, support and helpful information from me along the way.

I've had such success working with my clients in this way, and it gives me such joy to see their lives change. This is about a lifestyle change, not a diet. You begin thinking about food differently, and suddenly it all begins to click and become second nature - these are the actual words of many people I work with. Changing the way I eat and think about food has made a big difference in my life, which is why I feel so strongly about supporting others through this process. As someone who used to get headaches and stomach aches on a daily basis, was tired most of the time and really didn't know how to eat, I can tell you my life is very different now and I feel amazing.

Is this your photo? Let  me know,  so I can give credit.

If you have any interest in seeing what it would be like to work with me in a holistic nutrition program, please schedule your FREE phone meet and greet today, by emailing me at info@kendallscottwellness.com. I offer this so that you can get a better feel for what the experience will be like and so that you can share your health goals and concerns. Could one conversation change your life? There's only one way to find out.

How's Your BLOOD?

Another great article from Natural News - on BLOOD! Your blood's health is vital for your overall health - your blood feeds every cell in your body. Fortunately, you have control over the health of your blood, starting with what you eat everyday. How can you create good blood and keep it clean, which in turn, will benefit every part of you? Read on to find out!
http://www.naturalnews.com/028075_blood_health_transformation.html  

Fish Oil Supplements Prevent Mental Illness...

Take a look at this article on the benefits of quality fish oils and the damaging and monopolizing position big pharma takes when it comes to our health.


Personally, I believe that there is a place for conventional and holistic medicine. I went through chemotherapy myself and was pumped full of horrible drugs every two weeks for months. I also made some major changes in my diet and lifestyle, and am now cancer-free. Could I have beaten the cancer without the chemo? Maybe. I would even say, probably. In any case, eastern and western medicine can often work together, and there are benefits to both depending on the circumstances. It might be in our best interest to begin to consider what changes in diet, lifestyle and herbal supplementation can do for us before we begin taking drugs that may be putting a band-aid on symptoms, but in many other ways are just hurting us.

My hope and belief is that my cancer will not come back, BUT if it did, before jumping into chemo and/or surgery again, I would do my best to help my body heal naturally. Our bodies are pretty amazing and when given the right tools, such as a healthy diet, they can heal just about anything.

Rat Poison Drugs...

NaturalNews Tip of the day (from Mike): 
"Have you seen all the recent news reports warning people to avoid 30 different herbs if they're taking certain medications like warfarin, a blood thinner? (Also sold under brand names of Coumadin and others...) It's funny how the media always says "Stop taking the herbs!" when they should really be saying, "Stop taking the rat poison drugs!" Warfarin, as many of you already know, is indeed made out of rat poison. It's not an urban legend, it's a chemical fact. It works to kill rats by thinning their blood until they die from internal bleeding -- the same result experienced by some patients who overdose on the drug. Interestingly, the media never tells people to stop swallowing rat poison... they'd rather scare you into avoiding herbs."

www.naturalnews.com

Heal Yourself in 15 Days - Part 2

This is from the second article in the series entitled Heal Yourself in 15 Days from Natural News.

"Healthy people aren't healthy just because they eat superfoods and drink living juices all day long. They are healthy because they avoid poisoning their bodies with pharmaceuticals, artificial sweeteners, MSG and other processed food ingredients. They avoid the chemicals in cosmetics, personal care products, household cleaning products and lawn care products. They avoid consuming meat from animals who have been pumped full of hormones and antibiotics. They keep their bodies as free from pollution as possible, and as a result, their innate healing powers are always working for them!"

Part Two in this series is all about your body's amazing ability to heal. When we listen to our body, give it the right tools, such as rest, whole foods and exercise and avoid damaging chemicals and stressors, our bodies can heal on their own. Click to read more.