How I can help you

My Story

I have lived with digestive issues and unexplained bouts of diarrhea as well as mystery rashes all my life. When food allergy tests (IgE) all came back negative at the allergist office and nothing seemed to help, at the encouragement of my daughter I visited her Naturopath and got IgG testing done. After years of self diagnosing what might be causing my issues and thinking that I was sensitive to canola oil, yeast, and nuts, even though I was feeling OK, I still had unexplained bouts of diarrhea at unexpected and inconvenient times.

My Naturopath was originally afraid to show me the results as she knew it would mean a huge change in the way I eat. The results of the IgG testing were stunning, but gave me a place to start. Now I know that not everyone is a believer in these tests, but having a place to start gave me hope. It turned out that I might be sensitive to gluten, eggs, dairy, peanuts, lima beans, bananas, as well as a few other things, not canola oil, yeast and nuts as I had self-identified almost 30 years ago.

The problem with self identifying my sensitivities was that with the possibility of being sensitive to gluten, eggs and dairy, I invariably would eat at least one of those with canola oil, yeast and/or nuts, crazy right! It was my perfect storm. Well, let me say that with the help of my daughter, I embraced it and have not looked back.

​Two years later we did retesting to see what was happening in my body. The results indicated that I could start reintroducing some of the foods I had been avoiding, but that gluten, eggs and dairy, even though I had not been exposed to them for the past 2 years, were still so high that I probably needed to continue avoiding them. Challenging the results by eating small amounts proved it to be true. I am indeed still sensitive to gluten, eggs and dairy. I have to say, we are now a few years further down the line and I have never felt healthier. No more unexplained bouts of diarrhea, no more mystery rashes. Life is good!

Aside from our family's food sensitivities, the other special diet that we needed to follow temporarily was the FODMAP diet, when one family member was suffering from specific gut issues. For many people the word FODMAP is enough to make you want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers up over your head, but let me tell you it does not have to be that bad. Certainly there are adjustments that need to be made, but if you focus on what you can eat and not what you can’t, it can be easier than you think. We have had 2 family vacations, that is all 10 of us, including those who have special diets and those who do not, where one person needed to be on the FODMAP diet. We chose to eat our dinners FODMAP friendly so we all ate the same food. It was a lot easier than one might imagine. Our dinners were focused on the positive of what we could eat and share, which was good, tasty and nutritious food and no one had to feel left out or different. 

Then a friend who has experienced digestive issues for many years learned that she needed to start avoiding gluten, dairy as well as a few other things. She reached out on Facebook to see if anyone had any ideas for her. Of course I responded. We began working together and the idea of being a Food Sensitivity Coach was born.

​When I saw the Academy of Culinary Nutrition advertise their Certified Culinary Nutrition Expert program, I knew it was for me. Since becoming a Certified Culinary Nutrition Expert, my conversations with clients are much richer as I am able to discuss not just the foods they need to be eliminating. I am now able to focus on the foods they can and should be eating to move toward more optimal health. As well, being able to offer workshops to anyone who wants to keep learning about foods to enhance health is an amazing feeling. 

If you have had IgG testing done; or need Food Sensitivity Testing done, if it has been recommended that you try something like the FODMAP diet, to allow your body to heal; if your doctor has diagnosed you with IBS and recommended that you stop eating certain foods; if you have no idea where to start, then you need someone who has been there to show you the way, and to share what they have learned along their journey to good health. That is what I will do for you in the capacity as your personal Food Sensitivity Coach. 

A small investment in your health today can have huge payoffs in your future self.
​​Live your best life with good health and energy and come Explore the World of Food with me.