FAQs
Here are answers to the questions people often ask me:
Q: Do you work in person or via video-conferencing?
A: Most of my work takes place via Zoom, be it one-on-one consultations, group sessions, or cooking classes. This allows me to work with people all over the world. If you are based in the Boulder/Denver area and want to meet with me in person, you can hire me to teach a cooking class at your home or join one of my in-person group events (see Events).
Q: What is your “nutrition philosophy”?
A: My nutritional philosophy could be described as “Mindful Mediterranean.”
The Mediterranean way of eating and living is not a “diet” but a set of practices that evolved organically over thousands of years along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This dietary pattern is supported by more research evidence than any other. Eating mindfully — without following rigid rules and restrictions — and savoring one’s food is characteristic of Mediterranean attitudes to nutrition. Mindful eating not only supports physical well-being but can also heal your relationship with food and your body, helping you live a more fulfilled and peaceful life.
Q: Does “Mediterranean” mean I have to cook Greek and Italian meals?
A: You certainly can if you want to, but that’s not required. “Mediterranean” typically describes a pattern of eating that incorporates a large proportion of plant foods, such as vegetables and fruits, legumes and whole grains, nuts and seeds, herbs and spices, and olive oil. Fish & seafood are commonly eaten along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, but meat, eggs and dairy foods provide high-quality protein, too. The Mediterranean pattern is highly versatile and culturally adaptable; thus, any cuisine that incorporates the ingredients listed above — including Latin American, South and East Asian, and African cooking — can be considered “Mediterranean.” (Check out my recipes to see what that could look like.)
Q: Will you ask me to make substantial changes to my diet & lifestyle?
A: I tailor dietary recommendations to fit my clients’ lifestyles, budgets, preferences, health goals, and willingness/ability to make changes. If you’re not a cook, I won’t ask you to prepare all your meals from scratch; instead, I’ll work with you to design nutritious, satisfying meals that don’t require you to spend much time in the kitchen. That said, sometimes it’s helpful to shed old habits that no longer serve you. It may take a while before we identify these and find ways to help you make changes; this process works best when you are curious, willing to try new things, and patient.
Q: Will you try to sell me nutritional supplements and medical tests?
A: The only things I bill for are my time and expertise. There are no hidden costs when you work with me. Thus,
- I do not order tests, though I sometimes ask clients to share blood test results with me so I can get a clearer picture of their health. These are common labs most people have obtained through their PCP.
- I do not sell supplements. When someone has a confirmed nutritional deficiency (for instance, iron, vitamin D, or vitamin B12), or needs particular nutrients (like protein and calcium in people with osteoporosis) I will advise them how to get these nutrients from food and, if appropriate, recommend a time-limited course of a dietary supplement they can obtain in any health food store.
- I am not sponsored by any food companies to promote their products; any food recommendations I make are based on my research and experience.
Q: Will my insurance pay for your services?
A: Unfortunately, nutrition professionals are not covered by insurance. To make my services accessible to folks who can’t afford to pay the full cost of one-on-one consultations, I offer sliding scale rates, payment plans, and lower-cost services; please book a free 30-minute discovery call. to discuss this further.
Q: Will you work alongside my doctor?
A: I am happy to work with your medical team. If you would like me to connect with them, please complete and sign this release form and return it to me before our first session.