Exciting Updates and Wellness Insights

As many of you know, I achieved National Board Certification as a Health and Wellness Coach in August 2023. This journey involved integrative health coaching certification, a practicum, and passing the national board exam. I’m thrilled that this certification aligns with the principles of lifestyle medicine, as outlined by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

Lifestyle medicine is an innovative medical specialty that treats the whole person through lifestyle interventions. This approach emphasizes a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections. Unlike conventional medicine, lifestyle medicine not only prevents chronic diseases but can also treat and even reverse these conditions when applied intensively.

In my personal wellness journey, I’ve been dedicating just 12 minutes each morning to sun salutations before starting my workday. Even after just a few weeks, this simple practice has led to noticeable changes—hello, biceps and quads! I’ve experienced less belly bloat and increased energy throughout the day. The benefits have been both physical and mental, making this routine a highly rewarding part of my day.

For those interested in incorporating sun salutations into their routine, I recommend the Sun Salutos app. It offers guided sessions at various paces, making it easy to integrate yoga into your day, no matter your level or schedule.

I’m also exploring the possibility of offering a new blended coaching program. This program would combine client-led coaching sessions with some teacher-led guidance, focusing on lifestyle medicine, a plant-based diet, and providing personalized support and encouragement. The goal is to meet you where you are on your wellness journey and help enhance your overall health and well-being.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in coaching, recipes, my current yoga teaching schedule, or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out.

For a cozy wellness treat, here’s my favorite hot cocoa recipe: Blend one cup of soy milk with one tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa and two soaked and blended dates (or a dash of no-sugar-added date syrup). Boil until hot for a delicious and comforting drink. Cocoa powder is rich in theobromine, which helps reduce inflammation and may protect against diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. With its phytonutrient-rich profile and low fat and sugar content, cocoa offers healthy benefits with every sip.

Stay tuned for more updates as this new coaching program concept develops!

Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash