You may have noticed that most of my programs and services (and blog posts) are about eating and preparing amazing food and that I rarely talk about how you might actually ‘improve’ your diet.
No, that’s not an accident. Honestly? Until I get to know you intimately I wouldn’t dream of telling you what to eat or not eat.
I just returned from a month-long sojourn in France. In one month I ate more gluten (and dairy) than I’ve consumed in probably the past six years combined. ‘Chocolate for breakfast’ took on a whole new meaning. My little square of single origin, hand crafted Madagascar chocolate became a chocolate beignet or croissant. Sometimes both.
“Gasp!!!!!!!!!”
You won’t find green juice in Paris. Or at least I didn’t. Though admittedly, I didn’t look. I’m kind of over that, too. Yep, that’s why I failed nutrition coaching 101. I eat whole grains and yogurt and I no longer drink gallons of green juice for breakfast.
And, most Parisians will look at you rather quizzically if you ask for the gluten-free, dairy-free, raw food, vegan options. Those terms simply are not part of their culture. Thank God I’m not a gluten-free, dairy-free, raw food vegan. I would have starved.
Disclaimer #1: I completely respect the decision to follow any or all of the above when medical or ethical conditions call for such measures.
Disclaimer #2: I have been all of the above at one or more times in my life. I’m simply choosing a more spacious approach now.
Okay, now that we have that squared away, here’s your chuckle for today:
P.S. The Luscious Legacy Project begins on Tuesday, November 11th. Be sure to register now so you don’t miss the fun. Here’s where you get to honor those food roots and hang out with some food loving, legacy making friends. And moi!
12 thoughts on “Because I Love to Make You Laugh and Why I Failed Nutrition Coaching 101”
Love this post Sue Ann…I laughed at “Thank God I’m not a gluten-free, dairy-free, raw food vegan. I would have starved.” I laughed, reminds me of a wry joking reference David Whyte made during the talk I went to saying in our striving to become “fully realized raw–vegan, blissed out–Californianized, hot tub human beings” we miss the beautiful parts of us.
First, I love David Whyte.
And, yes, life is too short to not enjoy it FULLY.
My favorite food quote comes from the writer, Isabel Allende. It’s from her book Aphrodite:
“I repent of my diets, the delicious dishes rejected out of vanity, as much as I lament the opportunities for making love that I let go of because of pressing tasks or puritanical virtue.”
Oh, how I love this quote 🙂
So many health coaches or nutritionists put on the illusion that they are all green juice and raw – and it is the ONLY way to eat. They have grand before and after stories (miserable and fat then awake, alive, energetic and the pounds fell off effortlessly!). Is this all smoke and mirrors? As a nutritionist and chef I know that food, first and foremost, is to be enjoyed and it is my mission to teach people that. I also know that we can’t lock ourselves into strict food rules. We can eat healthy and well and have it taste great. Sometimes that means traveling and eating like the locals do and ignoring some of the silly food restrictions that have no place in science. I am so glad you enjoyed yourself on your trip and that you can admit to that!
Yes, Heather, I too have a hard time “digesting” those before/after stories and the dogma that accompanies them. I have a great deal of respect for the many nutrition coaches and counselors out there who are doing wonderful work in the world. I also appreciate the transparency of those who are willing to look at the reality that ‘all or nothing’ diets are not sustainable (or enjoyable) and they certainly don’t honor the many foods that nourish us deeply even though they are not on the “good list.”
Oh My ! I am positively drooling…and how I miss pain au chocolate and the buttery croissants and all the rest of the different patisseries in Paris 🙂
We are really blessed to have you as an advocate for spaciousness around food. Intolerance can come in many forms and a too fanatic approach regarding food is as bad as in any other areas.
I tried raw food at some point but stopped short because of an allergy attack after eating some kind of soup with nuts (silly me forgot to ask!). I have far too many allergies to be able to live on a strict vegan, vegetarian and or a raw food diet. And on top of that, I think we who live in the Northern hemisphere need warm food! It is dark and rainy and cold at the moment and the body is craving warm stews and soups.
I so want to be part of you program Sue Ann! Just as usual have to figure out a way to create the means for it. Eating my way through the patisseries in Paris Autumn 1984 would be a worthwhile story to write down 🙂
Love,
Carina
Oh how I would love to see your name on the roster, Carina! This course has your name all over it. Here’s to story keeping and visiting some of those recipes that take us back to our roots.
“Intolerance comes in many forms…” amen.
I love your honesty in this post and your humour!! The pastries look yummy!
I got a good chuckle out of the video and your description of breakfast in Paris. I sometime wish eliminating wheat/dairy would turn me into a new person. But alas, I have tried that and felt zero difference. Thank you for the post.
Ah eating is so hard, espeically in France, I struggled there as a vegetarian who doesn’t eat cheese!
I am no longer vegetarian (I just couldn’t stay healthy and veggie), but I do feel like I OUGHT to be, even though I often have cravings for meat.
I KNOW that going wheat and sugar free makes me so much healthier, but I am so strugging to do it!
I love that you promote the love and enjoyment of the best foods we can eat over the deprivation/gluttony cycle that is so prevalent in our society today. Because of you, I’m much more aware of the quality of what I eat and being sure I savor every bite…while sitting down, of course.