Hi! My name is Michele. I live with my husband and my cats in San Diego.
I am a Nationally Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (emphasis in Functional Medicine). My husband is Dean of Students at a seminary in southern California. Life is busy but we make time to eat dinner together (almost) every night. We also entertain quite a bit. I love to introduce our guests to foods they wouldn’t make for themselves. To see the surprise on their faces when they find out the meal is gluten-free, or what they thought were mashed potatoes is actually cauliflower and potato puree is delightful to me.
I am a foodie on a quest to eat for good health, nutrition, as well as enjoyment. We shouldn’t have to pit health and nutrition against comfort and enjoyment. I’ve been interested in health and nutrition since high school when I bought my very first cookbook Great Recipes For Good Health from Reader’s Digest. I bought many books over the years, The Blood Type Diet, The South Beach Diet, The Fast Metabolism Diet, and The New Atkins. A recent milestone, I am now a Holistic Chef graduate of Bauman College.
I should mention that I grew up watching my mom struggle with weight her whole life and turn to popular programs for a solution. During this time, the diet culture was labeling foods “good” or “bad” which lead to “cheating.” That mindset contributed to me having my own weight struggles and I yo-yo dieted for 20+ years. I was either on a program or off a program and gave a big fat eye-roll to anyone who said “it’s about a ‘lifestyle’ not a ‘diet.'”
In 2010 I saw a copy of Nourishing Traditions at a friend’s house and it rocked my world. Wait. What? Fat can be good for you? That was a revelation since I grew up in the 80s and 90s low-fat craze.
I am now pursuing a healthy lifestyle probably for the first time in my life and I would love to shorten that journey for others. I have enjoyed relative health up to this point in life—no major symptoms for anything, but I know there are hidden things lurking due to being overweight and sedentary for years.
I am becoming a nutrivore.
A what you say? I was reading a special edition of Paleo Magazine called “The Autoimmune Protocol Guide” by Dr. Sarah Ballantine and on page 29 she talks about becoming a “nutrivore.” I had one of those “aha” moments and thought to myself, “that’s exactly what I’ve been slowly doing over the last 10 years.” I didn’t know there was a name for it. I hope my website brings awareness to the importance of eating real nutritious foods and eliminating processed foods. Perhaps I may be able to help others embrace healthier food choices faster than I did.
What is a nutrivore?
A nutrivore (my definition) is someone who eats for the maximum amount of nutrients per calorie in the framework of the calories one needs. I try not to fill my body with empty calories. Rather, I want to nourish my body. That means cutting back on processed foods like bread, pasta, and sugar. Of course, I may indulge in these once in a while. I think of these times as a treat to enjoy on a special occasion or because I’m enjoying a night out with friends. When we fill our plates with a variety of nutrient-dense foods, we eat a better mix of vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols—not to mention creating and maintaining a healthy gut environment. However, it’s also important to enjoy our food—real food, whole food, nutrient-dense food—properly prepared.
I used to eye-roll when I would hear the words “it’s about lifestyle, not a diet.” Then I read something from Chris Kresser in his book The Paleo Cure called the 80-20 rule. This concept was a game-changer for me. I have finally recovered from years of yo-yo dieting. I was either on a diet or off a diet. Now I spend 80 percent of the time eating from a real food, whole food template and reserve 20 percent for indulgences. I found food freedom with this rule.
I am learning how important a balanced life is for good health. Eating well is only a part of the puzzle. We need to learn how to deal with and reduce stress, get good sleep, and move our bodies. So, basically when our mothers encouraged us to eat healthy, play outside, and go to bed early, they were right. As adults we still need these things!
I believe life is a pilgrimage or journey, a fit metaphor of how we live, what we value, and the food we eat.
This pilgrimage is not an individual quest, but one in which we can travel together. Are you confused about what you should eat? Do you want to feel strong and healthy but are stuck in old habits? Work with me and discover real health and real food. Together we can find what’s best for you and get you on the right path for lasting healthy change.
Meals and food are communal. They celebrate and create community. You don’t have to travel the road to health alone either. Join me. You are a welcome guest at the banquet!
Kind regards,
Michele Tedrick, NBC-HWC, A-CFHC
Contact me to set up a FREE Discovery Call. I offer group coaching and one-on-one coaching.
