I am a breast cancer survivor. After my experience, I know now more than ever that health is not something you take for granted. We are all that we eat. If I learned one thing from my experience, it is that western medicine is not straightforward; it is more complex, but there are known treatments that everyone is being exposed to regardless of who you are, where you come from; but ultimately, you are just a patient. As a result, your only advocate is you.
Or I thought so until after I met Chen. I always followed a Mediterranean diet and mainly cooked at home. I thought I was doing great, and I was healthy. Yet what I was doing wasn't helping my energy level or weight.
Chen is a true partner in your health. She first does blood tests to understand where you are. Then you have a great conversation telling her about you and your lifestyle. She has vast knowledge about nutrition. She always explains why we do what, which was super helpful. Some other things she told me were also profound. She said:
· "This is not torture, don't go hungry; if you do, you will make poor choices. That is why sometimes carrots and hummus is a lunch."
· "Eat more of the right things, drink the right things, so that you can get rid of what your body doesn't need." I have never met any nutritionist who told me to eat more.
· "I do not expect you to be a chef." We discussed at least one recipe and product in every session.
Yes, the start was challenging, but today after eight months of our partnership, I feel better than ever. I never felt alone in this journey; Chen was always kind, never judgmental, always supportive, and showed up for me.
I don't see this journey as a diet that will end at some point. I am changing all my habits, and what I do is for a lifetime. People around me also started utilizing these new habits and food. I don't feel I am missing anything if I cannot eat something I used to eat or what others eat. This is for me, and it is my choice. I am super aware of all the ingredients and nutrition, and most importantly, I have learned to listen to my body. I can do this all because of Chen's partnership. She is terrificin every way. Thank you!!! read more