About Me

I was a practicing emergency physician in a busy emergency department (ED) a few years ago, when inflammation began to take over my body. I had joint swelling and pain in multiple fingers, soon chest pains, and then even kidney involvement. I was promptly diagnosed with SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as lupus) and placed on heavy duty immunosuppressive medications. Needless to say, I was terrified, and my life was sent into a whirlwind. Within one week, everything was uprooted and big changes came my way. I continued to work crazy hours in the ED initially, while my symptoms worsened and my doctors wanted to add more medications to suppress this overactive immune system of mine. I didn’t like any of this, so I had to make some major life changes on my own.

I first swapped out my diet and did a significant overhaul. I rapidly transitioned to a whole-food, plant-based diet and eliminated all the processed “foods”. I learned to shop, cook, and prepare healthful, life-saving real foods, which turned out to be both delicious, as well as a fun process. I worked to correct my leaky gut, nourish every cell in my body, and eliminate foods that triggered my symptoms. I quit my job and learned to sleep regular hours (no more night shifts! Ok, that could be a good thing that came out of all of this!!) I became more active in my community, reconnected with friends, and even started my first garden. I continue to exercise daily and enjoy the great outdoors where I am lucky to live. And hardest of all for me, which I’m still working on every day, I’m learning to decrease my stress and live a simple, grateful life.

And what are the results of all of this?

I no longer have a fear of dying every day, but now have a renewed joy of my life. I have increased energy and the fog has lifted. And I am needing less medications, which allows me to slowly wean them down, with the goal of getting off them for good. Food truly has become my medicine now, and I can’t imagine not taking care of my body and mind in any other way.

I have become grateful of this illness, because crazy as it is, it has restored my life in a positive and astounding way, that I may never have encountered otherwise. I now say that I am the lucky one, because I have a chance to live wide awake, experiencing every moment and not taking anything for granted.

And what’s even more, I have the opportunity to share what I have learned with others. In the past couple of years, I have learned so much about nutritional science and the body’s inherent capacity to heal itself, as well as tools for longevity and living a healthful life, that I can’t wait to pass it on. I am passionate about this information, and truly believe we can live lives with minimal disease or illness, happy, energetic, with the vitality we were meant to have. LIfe is too short to be anything but wonderful, and I am thrilled to be able to share this with you.

I leave you with a summary of where I am right now in my life, as stated eloquently by Kris Carr, cancer thriver and author of Crazy, Sexy Diet:

“My wake-up call taught me how to listen to my brilliant inner GPS, brought me back to nature (my church), the garden, and the people and animals who set my heart ablaze. I learned that a nutrient-dense, plant-based diet is superior, the standard American diet kills, juice ROCKS, smoothies, RULE, stress sucks (all life force), exercise is non-negotiable, joy is utterly contagious, and having fun MUST be taken seriously.”

— Kris Carr

My Philosophy

I believe there are many components to eating and living healthfully, none of which are exclusive. I like to start with superior nutrition, as I feel this builds the foundation. I help make it easy, fun, and manageable in our busy lives. And after a few weeks, cravings go away, energy is increased, and it becomes easier (as it did for me, and I loved my sweets!) But I also incorporate other components, such as stress reduction, exercise, quality sleep, family/social support, and community involvement. Everyone is different, and every plan is specifically tailored for the needs of each individual and situation. Together, we address these issues, and with time and effort, great results are achieved. I love these words, “I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, I’m saying it’s going to be worth it.” There are definitely no shortcuts with achieving good health and wellness, but the results always make the journey worthwhile.

My Training

Board-certified Integrative Medicine
Board-certified Emergency Physician
Graduated fellow through Arizona Center In Integrative Medicine
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Member of Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine
Institute for Functional Medicine – Certified Practitioner
Certified Health Coach, Integrative Institute of Nutrition
Plant-based nutrition, certified through eCornell
Nutrition Education Trainer (NET), certified through Dr. Fuhrman
Past-president Colorado ACEP (American College of Emergency Physicians)