I was first introduced to teaching nutrition in 2011 when I volunteered at The Camphill School Transition Program Beaver Farm, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Camphill education is based on the principles of anthroposophy, the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner that seeks to integrate spirit, body, and soul, which includes the arts as healing and educational forces. We educated youth with developmental disabilities about foods that nourish sensitive digestion such as fermented, gluten free and casein free, by being in the kitchen. We began with giving a lesson, and followed with prepping, cooking, and presenting a meal for the Camphill students and staff.
I began to study food as medicine in 2013 through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and instantly felt like I found home. I had many periods of reflection and innovation while studying philosophies and was eager to share my knowledge with the community. The integration of emotional and physical wellness through the notion of bioindividuality (no one diet works for everyone) is a strong approach to health. Though medicine and science are constantly aiming to find one perfect method that will solve all of humanity’s diet and weight related issues, there is a tremendous variability in people’s response to foods and diets.
In 2015 I began working in an outpatient Cardiology clinic with a goal of aiding in the implementation of nutritional counseling. It quickly became clear that the broken system of Western Medicine does not have room for philosophies of any kind. American drug companies are keeping people sick and medication reliant, making billions of dollars, while patients feel powerless and are suffering. Corporations are also paying physicians in such way that forces this cycle to stay alive. This means that less time is spent with patients, yet they are being brought in for follow up more frequently. Physicians are getting wined and dined for continuously ordering medication, and therefore big pharma keeps its involvement in every aspect of healthcare. This means we are not treating the body’s functions but placing a temporary solution on isolated symptoms.
I am excited to share that from this moment on, you can forget about counting calories, fat grams, and carbs, and instead receive personal eating approaches, tailored to you. As a community we have to try to change the system and breakdown the stigma around alternative practice and mental health care.