My approach to Nutrition Coaching
From over thirty years working as a natural healer through my practice and teaching of Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki, and my own journey towards health, I have a deep understanding that we are not simply machines that can be fixed by adding or subtracting something. We are complex beings, made up of body, mind and spirit and each of these is also a complex system. Research into human health is constantly ongoing because there are so many puzzles as yet un-answered, perhaps because each person is unique, so while some ‘rules’ apply for most of us, there are also personal differences that make absolute answers impossible. To achieve balance, the unique whole person needs to be considered as well as the various systems that are included in that whole.
In Eastern philosophy cranes are a symbol of long life, so one of the reasons I chose the name of Cranes Well-being for my business is because better blood glucose balance can improve longevity, but more importantly quality of life. Cranes are also observed to combine vigilance with movement. Vigilance is not passivity, but is about knowing correct timing, when to act, when to wait, moving no faster and no slower than the situation requires. Knowing when to act to make changes in diet and lifestyle, including when to eat and when not to, are also important for blood glucose management. I also know that these changes need to take time, that too much too fast can lead to overwhelm and giving up, as well as resistance from our bodies that is beyond our conscious control. So I beleive in supporting you to take the next simple step, with no more effort than is required, like a tai chi player.
Having experienced the benefits of having more energy through lower blood sugar...
I am passionate about supporting you to improve your health and well-being through food and lifestyle changes, based on this philosophy. I have experienced challenges on this journey. I hope to help you avoid some of the mistakes I made, so it will be easier for you to get back to enjoying life.
I don't believe in telling people what to do
It doesn’t work long term because it doesn’t take into account each person’s unique needs. I also don’t agree with scaring people into doing something, so you won’t hear me talk about all the awful things that could happen to your health if you don’t follow my advice. I believe in empowering those looking for solutions to make wiser choices, based on experience and better understanding so that you know your options. I also encourage self-compassion, forgiving mistakes of the past and not indulging in self-blame, which is only a drain on our energy (which can already be compromised with this condition).
Supporting you to make lasting change
Taking responsibility, making changes and developing different habits can be challenging though, so I firmly believe in the importance of support – from me as a Nutrition Coach and also from your family, friends and community. I encourage you to ask for the support you need. As your health and well-being improves, you may find that you’re then able to offer more support to family and friends too, even if it’s just by showing them by your own vitality how beneficial eating well can be, or cooking them delicious and healthy meals!
We will explore together how you can take your next step towards wellness. I know from my own journey that, when it comes to breaking old habits or making changes that affect daily life, one small step can be quite enough to deal with at times; “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” I will support you on this journey, at whatever pace you want to take it and however far you need me to accompany you. My intention is to empower you to make wise food and lifestyle decisions for yourself, that will also improve the lives of those around you.
I also understand from personal experience that sometimes there will be setbacks – life is never smooth. We are all human and live in a world that does not support good blood sugar balance for a variety of reasons, so there will be temptation. When your blood sugar is off balance many of these cravings and temptations are not mental weakness but messages from your body. Together we can work out whether the message is one that is trying to show you something useful, or one that is better ignored, and decide what to do about it. I also intend to empower you with understanding and experience that will help you to be aware of the various aspects of life that can disrupt your equilibrium in relation to blood sugar, such as lack of sleep.
My intention is to support you to make lasting change, not just diet for a short time and then lapse back into old habits that will cause imbalance again (like I did). Rather than a quick fix that leaves you vulnerable to going back to old habits, I aim to support you in finding a new way of eating that is so enjoyable you won't want to go back to another way of eating. This enjoyment will come from how you feel from eating more healthily and also from enjoying the delicious food you will be preparing.
With my support, I trust you will discover the vitality and energy you need to make the contribution you hope for to your family, community and the wider world.
Contribution to Food Charities
A percentage of all fees will be donated to food charities
I am deeply concerned about the amount of food poverty and poor nutrition in the UK and around the world and the potential harm this is doing to the future health and vitality of children and adults . I have therefore decided that a percentage of all the fees I receive will be donated to food charities that support healthy eating. If you would like to match this when you pay your fee this will enable an even larger donation to be made. If you would like to suggest a local group you would like to see receive a donation please let me know. At the moment it's just a small percentage, but hopefully this will grow.