In April of 2015, I was searching for a program in which I could take my years of personal health and wellness research and experience, and plug it into a common sense method of health counselling. My background as a performing musician and teacher had taught me how to engage and connect, but how to get from there to assisting folks in their healing journey was a leap. I was fortunate to find the Food and Spirit Certified Practitioner Program.™

I first heard Dr. Deanna Minich speak in an online health summit. Shortly after, she conducted her own Detox Summit. As I listened to the interviews, I was immediately struck with a couple of Deanna’s out-of-the-box choices featuring experts with refreshing ways to rethink common challenges. My further search then led me to Food and Spirit.

Dr. Minich’s program centers on the Seven Aspects of self as they relate to body systems. BINGO! An educational template for incorporating each individual’s present level of health with a comprehensive guide for action in creating specific healing.

The client path begins with a health history including his or her desire to concentrate on three areas of concern, and a questionnaire that enables the practitioner to funnel this basic information into a very personal and doable action plan. The Food and Spirit forms are color-coded back to each Aspect: Root, Flow, Fire, Love, Truth, Insight and Spirit which better enables the client to connect healing foods and practices to parts of the body. We are not only the food we eat, but also the emotions we have, the thoughts we think whether positive or not so positive, and the steps we choose to take. In other words, each day we create who we are and how we feel by absolutely everything we do.

As I studied, I became more convinced than ever that diet and lifestyle trends and fads cannot be applied to all of us for healing. These only serve to reinforce an unfortunate tendency that some have to focus on a short term vehicle rather than learning the basics of creating a successful life with good health. I’m one of those who has been willing to try anything in my attempt to feel better so that I can live more fully. However, that’s not possible if the root cause of the illness is not known. We can’t out-supplement an attack on our body. We have to attack what’s attacking us! And by treating the real culprits, we can then assist our bodies’ exquisite innate healing abilities with fresh food and water, quality supplements along with nourishing thoughts, sunshine, personal stress reducing meditation and walking barefoot on the earth. In this way we can learn to thrive in ways we are meant to.

Upon completion of the course, I submitted a case study for review by Dr. Minich and received my Practitioner Certification for Food and Spirit. It’s a process with no magic bullets or shortcuts. It took a while to create ill health, so to get well we must prepare for the long term.

I sincerely hope that this philosophy speaks to you, and that I can be a facilitator for common sense, effective healing for those who seek to live a more vibrant life!