Photo By: Rob Davidovitz
My journey towards holistic nutrition began at the age of sixteen, after I read the book ‘Fit For Life’ and it literally changed my life. I decided to become a vegetarian and stopped eating meat. My diet consisted of white pasta, white bread, potatoes and veggies – not exactly a well-rounded diet! This, however, motivated me to begin my own informal education into diet and nutrition. After realizing the impact that good nutrition had on my energy levels and my over all well-being, I knew this was something I seriously wanted to pursue.
Upon receiving my BASc from Ryerson University’s Food & Nutrition program, I started working at a long-term care centre. This was my first glimpse into the westernized medical system, and just how little emphasis is placed upon proper nutrition and preventative care. These people were recovering from surgery, but were given white bread and brownies, and the only fresh vegetable they received was from their tiny iceberg lettuce-filled salads. After that I got an amazing opportunity to work at a very prestigious hospital, which again only made me realize just how seriously flawed our medical system really is when it comes to proper nutrition and preventative care.
This is what prompted me to go back to school and to take the natural route to health. I wanted to go beyond our seriously flawed Canada’s Food Guide and the 4 Food Groups and to start looking at people as individuals, rather than a list of symptoms. Upon graduating from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, where I gained the designation of Registered Holistic Nutritionist, I finally felt equipped enough with the knowledge to truly help my self and others with proper nutrition.
I currently practice in the Toronto area, and I can be reached at vivacious.veggie@gmail.com
Great Blog! It’s nice to see others spread the word about ‘the natural path to health’
And the recipes look fantastic.
really like the website Shirley – you go girl!!!!
xoxo
Shirley this blog is fantastic! I’m so proud of you!
Hey great website. I love the sandwich box…by the way.
Oh and you look fantastic in the picture (as you do in real-life).
Great work Shirley!
Hi hi!
What’s your take on hot peppers? I’d love to see a post on ‘em
Hey Mel! Hot peppers are great – good for circulation, digestion…sure, I can write a post on ‘em!
Hi! I like your blog, it’s interesting and I especially like the article about gluten and what products it can be found in.
I have a blog that focuses on eating healthy: http://nocrapdiet.wordpress.com – Tips on healthy eating and traveling and eating cheap, pictures and vegetarian/ vegan/ raw recipes. I’d like to know if you’d be interested in taking a peek and maybe adding it to your blogroll. Can I add yours to my blogroll?
Keep up the great work!
Hi! love your blog, and Fit for Life changed by interpretation of the traditional dinner table as well, at the age of 19.
Looking forward to more from you and will send you an email!
Thanks for the kind words