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How did you come up with the name Zeste Healthy Life?
What is health counseling?
What’s the difference between a health counselor and dietitian?
What are your certifications/qualifications?
Can a health counselor help me?
What are your specialties?
What is the best way to get started with a health counselor?

How did you come up with the name Zeste Healthy Life?

“Zeste” (pronounced zest) is the French word for zest, as in citrus zest.  It also translates to passion, which accurately describes my love of all things food, cooking, nutrition, and helping others on their journey to live their best possible life. It also ties in with my tagline, “Zeste Healthy Life, a passion for healthy food and life!”

What is health counseling?

Health Counseling is a unique, exciting innovation in health and nutrition. As a Certified Holistic Health Counselor, I have studied all the major dietary theories, and will help you discover what approach works best for you at this point in your life.

No one diet works for everyone.  I will guide you to find the food and lifestyle choices that best support you.  I will also help you to make gradual, lifelong changes that enable you to reach your current and future health goals.

What’s the difference between a health counselor and dietitian?

While most dietitians dwell on calories, carbs, fats, proteins, restrictions and lists of good and bad foods, I work with my clients to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun, and free of denial and discipline.  Dietitians primarily base their counseling on the USDA Food Pyramid, whereas I concentrate on nutritious foods, and other areas of health and well being like relationships, career, spirituality, exercise, stress reduction and creating more life balance.

What are your certifications/qualifications?

I received my training to practice Health Counseling at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, which is the only nutrition school integrating all the different dietary theories—combining the knowledge of traditional philosophies with modern concepts like the USDA Food Pyramid, the glycemic index, the Zone and raw foods.  I am a Certified Holistic Health Counselor (C.H.H.C) and will also receive certification this fall from the American Association for Drugless Practitioners (AADP). I also have a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.

Can a health counselor help me?

Yes!  I can help you:

• Find balance in your daily life
• Alleviate stress and anxiety
• Get you eating more nutritious foods
• Teach you how to cook smarter
• Overcome addictions to caffeine and sugar
• Find more time and motivation to exercise

What are your specialties?

• Healthy food preparation, consulting, menu development and cooking: Combining my culinary background, and passion for food, I strive to teach others simple ways to incorporate tasty then healthy, easy-to-prepare, and timesaving recipes into their lives.
• Increasing energy and overcoming caffeine and sugar addictions: Many people struggle with these, and I have overcome both.  I used to be one of those people who couldn’t start my day without a cup of extra-caffeinated coffee.  Although I still love the taste of coffee, I have found healthier alternatives and no longer depend on it for energy.  I also use to consume lots of sugary treats out of stress or boredom, but have since found simple ways to successfully deal with sugar cravings, and balance overall blood sugar levels.
• Allergies, sensitivities and other digestive disturbances:I also have had lifelong food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances in addition to environmental and chemical allergies.  I have been able to lessen my outdoor allergies and modified my diet to lessen food sensitivities and digestive disturbances.

What is the best way to get started with a health counselor?

For long-term support and lasting lifestyle change, I offer a “6 months to a healthier you” program where I will guide you to find the food and lifestyle choices that best support you. I will also help you to make gradual, lifelong changes that enable you to reach your current and future health goals.

In addition, I offer many other services to fit your needs ranging from healthy recipes, shopping tours and cooking classes; a free monthly newsletter and upcoming workshops and phone teleclasses on various health and wellness topics.

To see a full list of my services, click the services tab above.