"I grew up like most people of my generation, eating sugary cereal for breakfast, drinking Koolaid, eating cookies and snacks from a box. (Although, I was lucky that my mom was a great cook who did cook from scratch using fresh vegetables and made a homemade dinner every night.)
At 19, I started to experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), however I didn’t get a diagnosis for years—there wasn’t even a name for IBS in those days! I also developed “seasonal” allergies in my early twenties which were a problem during all seasons and continued to be an issue for years. At that time, I had no idea that my allergies and digestive problems were related.
In those days, I didn’t understand the complex relationship the body has with the foods it consumes. I loved food, I had earned my culinary degree and embarked on a 13-year career in food service management but I didn’t understand the healing power of food.
Eventually, I discovered the world of natural health at 29, when I sought treatment for a neck injury. I was lucky enough to see a chiropractor who was also a naturopath. In addition to treating my neck issues, he also recommended that I started taking supplements for my digestive problems and I began to feel better than I had in years.
As I met other natural health practitioners, several of them commented that the field needed more people with a food background. I continued to see the benefits of natural medicine, it not only treated my chronic digestive disorder, but also reversed my husband’s kidney disease. I realized that I wanted to give other people the knowledge that others had given me. I wanted to help people understand the power they have over their own health.
Becoming a Certified Health Counselor was a natural progression for me. It allowed me to combine knowledge of food, my culinary background and my natural health experience. My career allows me to support, educate and inspire people, which I love!"
Connect: http://www.theresaedmunds.com/