holistic nutritionist | Hawkins Holistic

Last weekend, I was blessed with an opportunity to stay on an amazing property in Pemberton, BC. Upon arrival I was given a tour, throughout which I was constantly catching my breath. The elevated forest-dense lot covered 8.5 acres containing a wood framed house, a large shed, a barn, a massive camper/trailer, and a private trail to hike and ride. It felt like I was in a dream, a living dream!

The property was off the beaten path in the best way. A <10 min drive gets you to Pemberton Village for a coffee at Mount Currie Coffee Co, a pint at The Pony, or a delicious meal at farm-to-table restaurant Solfeggio (#best). A 30 min drive would get you to the hustle and bustle of Whistler. But Pemberton and Whistler cannot be compared… Pemberton is a small community with large farmlands, an easy pace, and friendly, laid-back locals. Everyone that we talked to loved living there and seemed so content with their chosen lifestyle. As my friend and I wandered the town and sat by the lake, anxiety took a back seat, and it felt great. Pemberton, with its blanket of mountains and rich agriculture, has a good vibe.

Solfeggio, Pemberton

From a holistic nutrition point-of-view, I noticed that Pemberton could use some help! I am a cafe-aholic and I know an unhealthy gluten-free/vegan muffin when I see one (sugar is vegan and gluten-free, just sayin). I could also envision myself working on a farm or helping a local B&B with their breakfast menu. There are artisanal niches to be filled!

I’ll wrap my Pemberton post by saying this. Briefly immersing in the lifestyle and talking to the locals showed me that it is possible to live by your own standards. Eschewing what doesn’t work for you and embracing what does, as non-traditional as it may seem, is a gift to yourself. Transition takes courage, yes, but the doors are open. Far out.

Naturally yours.

September 13, 2014

Culture watching

I wanted to share this great read about watching life vs. participating in life. I appreciate that the author, Barry Chudakov, looks at the topic factually, rather than shaming us for acting as spectator. He talks about how it is and how we got here.

What I take from this read is a call to be more mindful of how much time we spend watching life vs. actively engaging in it. No judgement, no critique, just be curious. 🙂

http://www.dailygood.org/story/854/9-ways-the-culture-of-watching-is-changing-us-barry-chudakov/

Naturally yours.

September 12, 2014

Puzzled by the holistic approach?

I love this visual to help one understand holistic nutrition and how it differs from traditional dietetics. As I mentioned in a previous post, the holistic nutritionist looks not only at diet, but also lifestyle and the psycho-spiritual. When one piece of the puzzle is missing, our overall health is compromised and perhaps we feel a sense of being “incomplete”…like something’s missing. It can be really challenging to find that piece, especially if you’re looking in the dark.

A holistic nutritionist helps you identify that “missing piece” via a multipronged approach. We address your health concerns and potentially unearth some other areas that need attention. I guide you through recommendations re what you can do to improve your physical/emotional/spiritual health. We open doors, not close them!

As a side note, I do want to address ‘relapse prevention,’ as it’s seen in the diagram. To me, relapse doesn’t only relate to substance abuse – it also lends itself to emotional trauma (e.g. PTSD, severe depression), bad coping habits (e.g. excessive dieting, nail-biting, fast food) and lifestyle (e.g. work/play balance, lack of creative engagement). When each piece of that puzzle is addressed and given some love, the chances of a “relapse” happening are minimized. If someone is nurturing love & respect in themselves, they are less likely to engage in self-harming behavior.

I hope this helps you understand the holistic approach a bit better! The diagram certainly got my wheels turning!

Naturally yours.

Hawkins Holistic

Tag: holistic nutritionist

September 16, 2014

Pemberton Livin’ & Lovin’

September 13, 2014

Culture watching

September 12, 2014

Puzzled by the holistic approach?