My own journey to health isn’t overly dramatic. I simply came to the point of realizing that no matter how much I read or researched about holistic living, health does not happen through osmosis. My years of thriving on junk food while working overtime in highly stressful environments with little sleep were taking a toll and it was time to turn things around and start putting real action towards the life I wanted. The problem was that I did not implement action for any length of time because it was too hard, I was too busy, I was doing it alone, it was too expensive, it wasn’t a good time, maybe I was already as good as I could get, I needed to do this other thing first, I needed to care for other people first…

Do any of those excuses sound familiar? Or maybe you could even insert your own unique excuse in that list. If you have put your health on cruise control (or on hold altogether), it is time, right? Why? Because you matter. You matter A LOT and you are worthy of living a life that is healthy, significant and full of hope.

Here’s a quick snapshot of my approach:

• I believe that we nourish our bodies best by honouring our individual nutritional needs and food responses, and by consuming real, whole foods.
• It is a scientific fact that our bodies pay attention and respond to how we think, feel and act. Nurturing our souls is integral to our overall physical, mental and spiritual wellness.
• A favourite quote of mine comes from an old movie, Auntie Mame: Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!” I passionately advocate that our lives should be lived fully, with great intention and enthusiasm.

Professionally, I am a 20+ year social worker (specializing in trauma, grief, and loss), a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Life Coach. Personally, I am an academic nerd, globetrotter and love all things adventurous. I try to intentionally learn one new thing every year; I have tried everything from cake decorating to rock climbing, calligraphy to salsa dancing. Ask me about my adult ballet class. Let’s just say my grandiose vision of being a prima ballerina was grossly overestimated. And, I stink at gardening despite many valiant attempts. I reside in the Toronto area with my husband of 20+ years (because after 20 I stopped counting) and our rescue cat, Miss Lucy.

If you would like to hang out with me on social media, you can find me most places here: @HolisticJudith

Nourish your body. Nurture your soul. Live life fully from the inside out!

(CHN, MSW, RSW)