I am starting a new weekly blog where every Friday (MOST!) I will be featuring another small business and having a little Q&A with them. There are SO many great local businesses out there with tremendous services that not all of us know about....first up is Annaliisa from Annaliisa's Organic Kitchen, based out of White Rock, BC. Get to know her a bit more and what her business is all about... (if you would like to have your business featured please feel free to contact me via email)
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your business:
What made you decide to follow the path as a holistic nutritionist? I have been the family “health nut” for as long as I can remember and I love teaching people about what whole foods and herbs can do for their health. Throughout my teen years I was a conscious eater mainly because I wanted to look a certain way. During that time I also started to fall victim to calorie counting and avoiding fat at all cost, being heavily influenced by the media. Throughout university I studied a combination of nutrition and psychology, which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how the body and mind work. In my twenties I also became a certified yoga teacher, which opened my eyes to a more traditional and holistic way of looking at the connection between health and eating habits. From my own transformation of creating a mindful and healthy relationship with food, clearing up my acne and balancing my moods, I am able to empower others to do the same. Graduating from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition has given me the tools and knowledge to help guide my clients to a state of health and vibrancy through healing foods, natural herbs and supplements, and lifestyle choices. I’m passionate about teaching my clients to create healthy habits and fall in love with nourishing delicious foods through community wellness workshops, 1on1 consulting and my online group programs.
What is your all time favorite recipe to share with others?
Hmm, there are so many it’s hard to choose! I would have to say smoothies, salads and pancakes! You can find many of my favorite recipes on my blog and a collection of my salads in my ebook 30 Day Salad Challenge. The one recipe that totally rock is my grain free Coconut Blueberry Pancakes!
What is one thing you do every day to implement your healthy lifestyle?
I have 3 that I implement every single day:
I meditate at night, even if it’s just five minutes, to cultivate clarity, gratitude and focus.
I drink lemon water every morning to alkalize, energize, and detoxify my body.
I eat something green every day. Whether it’s a green smoothie, a big salad or steamed or sautéed greens in my soup or dinner bowl.
How do you convince your children to try new foods?
I give them a choice. Children like to feel empowered and giving them plenty of options allows them to feel in control, even at a very young age (My girls are 2 and 4). So for example, I will put 3-4 different vegetables on their plate and ask them to choose which 2-3 they would like to eat today. Children are very in tune with their instincts and we as parents need to make sure we give them plenty of variety. Just because they hate carrots today, doesn't mean they will hate them tomorrow. If all else fails, hide vegetables in everything! Smoothies, pasta sauces, omelets! The more they eat healthy foods, the more they start to like the textures and tastes. I also like to create connections to healthy foods like, sweet potatoes will help you see in the dark (because of its high vitamin A content). Works like a charm.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Does my mom’s kitchen count? She is a brilliant cook and her love of cooking really shines through in all her amazing dishes! When I do go out, I always check out the chef profile online and gravitate toward restaurants that emphasize more local, organic and whole foods. I also really appreciate the creativity and clean flavours of raw food restaurants like Tao Café in North Van.
What is your favorite food and why?
Again, so many to choose from! If I had to pick one it would be avocado. It’s amazingly nutrient dense and versatile. Avocados are packed with B vitamins to help combat stress, fibre to balance blood sugar, and essential fatty acids and protein to build healthy happy hormones. You can use it EVERYWHERE! Put it on gluten free toast, add to smoothies to make it more creamy, use it as a substitute for mayo, or have it as a simple and delicious snack with a sprinkle of sea salt and lemon juice. YUM
What other types of workshops/events do you offer clients other than one-on-one mentoring?
I love putting together workshops that incorporate teaching clients how to cook and why to eat certain foods. I love showing people how easy and delicious whole foods can be and how to use them creatively. I have a really fun Health and Wellness Social coming up in White Rock on January 30 and a Meal Prep demo style workshop in the near future. I also teach online nutrition and wellness courses on how to boost your mood, detoxify and transform your body with nutrition. Next one coming up is NonDiet Weight Loss 6 Week Life Transformation!
What is your typical process when meeting with clients? How many times do you meet? Via Skype, phone or in person?
Prior to meeting with my clients for a consultation I send them an online nutrition evaluation that I use to determine deficiencies and excesses, as well as a wellness and history intake. During our first meeting we go through the intake and figure out what the root cause or imbalance is that is causing my client to have health issues. Depending on the client, I will refer them to appropriate specialists or additional testing if needed. During the first meeting I will give the client tools and information on how to improve their health immediately and schedule a follow up meeting to go through my suggested protocol within a week. The customized protocol includes therapeutic foods, supplements, herbs, lifestyle recommendations, recipes and a blueprint to health. Depending on the client, I usually work with them anywhere from 3 month to a year. It depends on what is going on with them, where they are on their health journey, and how much guidance they need. In the beginning, I offer coaching on a weekly and bi weekly basis to ensure success. As they build on their healthy habits, I continue to keep them accountable and revise their protocols monthly. The most important thing is helping my clients create healthy habits to ensure sustainable health results and help them fall in love with delicious whole foods!
