In November 2019, I was done with dieting. I felt like I had tried every diet out there and was just tired and exhausted at trying to change my body. Intuitive eating came up in a conversation I was having with a friend of mine. I had never heard of it before but was curious to learn more as she experienced a lot of the same obstacles I had with my body/self-esteem and eating. Curious for a new approach that would exclude dieting and change my view about myself, I did some research on Yelp. If you are looking for the same thing I did, I'm hoping this review can help you in the way that the others helped me. I know this sounds cheesy, but finding Renee changed my life. I started sessions with Renee feeling extremely unconfident in myself and I was convinced that my value was in the way that I looked and the shape of my body. But with every thoughtful session, detailed journaling, and individualized stepping stones, Renee helped me realize that the value in myself is more than just a number on a scale or the size of what I wear. I've been able to focus on so many things now that I am not constantly worrying about how I look. Which, let me tell you, is the best feeling. She helped me look at food in a different way which I will forever be grateful for. I am now able to see food as fuel for my body versus constant carb alarms. I don't feel guilt or sadness for eating pizza or ice cream, which I'm excited about because c'mon, that stuff is so good, right?! I've become more experimental in the foods that I eat while adding more vegetables into my food as I don't see them as the constant enemy anymore. The biggest thing I learned is that intuitive eating is not a "one and done" fix all system. It's not a diet. It's supposed to ebb and flow with your lifestyle and you are constantly going to learn about yourself. But that's the best part, right?! You're gonna still have lows, but you're gonna have a lot more highs. I learned to give myself a break and just take my frustrations as learning experiences for the next time. I'm so happy I learned about intuitive eating when I did so I can now enjoy all of the best memories I can consume versus worrying about all of the carbs I consume. read more

I worked with Renee for about a year and had a really good experience! She is such a warm and caring person! I learned so much about myself, but the biggest gift of all was that I learned to love myself more! I'm very grateful to her for the gift she gave me. I also am more intuitive and use that everyday! I trust myself more and the choices I make especially around food. I highly recommend Renee! read more

TL;DR: Working with Renee has been the best thing to happen to me in a very, very long time. I am not exaggerating when I say that she changed my life! I'm also pretty sure she saved me from a very bad burn out. I don't remember that last time I felt like myself. I cannot thank Renee enough and will be forever grateful! Longer version: When I started working with Renee I had never even heard of Intuitive Eating before. I actually came across Renee on Yelp because I was looking for a nutritionist/dietician to help me get a handle on my "emotional eating" that overwhelmed me every summer, the busiest time of the year at work for me. Renee's reviews were excellent but what really sold me was her website and the promise of learning a more sustainable way to eat. I had been dieting for about 10 years but it reached a next level after we moved to SF in 2014. I always knew I could not and would not want to live the rest of my life watching everything I eat but I did not know how to stop. That being said, I was not convinced that Intuitive Eating would fix that. I'm a scientist by training and I was very suspicious of the Intuitive Eating approach actually working. I'm so, so glad that I gave it a try despite my hesitation because it totally works! The way the Intuitive Eating program is set up is that you have a session every 2 weeks and during each session you will discuss one of the chapters of the Intuitive Eating book by Elyse Resch & Evelyn Tribole. You read each chapter ahead of the session, complete a homework sheet that helps you actively work through/engage with the chapter and then you talk with Renee about what you read. I'm usually a person who tends to read ahead but I'm glad I did not while working through the book. I wanted to give myself enough time to really let what I read sink in before filling my head with the next idea/concept, especially since there really is a logical order to the content of the chapters. Of course, you could just read the book on your own. But I truly think that having someone guide you through it is the best money you can ever spent. Most ideas in the book (while intuitive when you really think about it) represent a very strong paradigm shift of how we are taught and told to see the world. Going into Intuitive Eating I was buying into the whole idea of your worth depends on your weight/your appearance; you "owe" the world a skinny body; you cannot trust yourself to know how much/what/when to eat; it's your fault if you "fail" at your diet; exercise = punishment etc. Since these ideas are all around us and have been for most our lives, I find it extremely hard to see them for the bs they are without the help of a voice of reason outside yourself. And that voice of reason is Renee. She is a truly wonderful person and guide. She is patient, genuine, calm and understanding. She tailors her approach to your needs and always picks up the next session where the last one left off. I cannot say enough good things about her. She is just a great human being! Working with Renee, it became clear very fast that my eating was not the problem at all. It was just a symptom of a much bigger problem. Relearning how to trust my body when to eat and how much to eat and also working towards finding peace with my as-is body were the prerequisites to find the emotional and mental capacity to work through the actual problem. I just did not have it in me before and as I learned through Intuitive Eating, that's OK. Patience and compassion with myself are probably some of the most important lessons I've learned with Renee's help. After our initial set of sessions during which we discussed the book, I renewed twice because I was worried that when work got overwhelming I would fall back on my old behaviors. I still did not trust myself. I found it tremendously helpful to have Renee by my side while I was relearning how to trust myself again, not just around food but in general. That included learning the importance of self-care, setting and maintaining boundaries in and outside work, recognizing my emotions as well as my needs in any given situation. Now, after 18 months I feel like I'm finally at a point where I believe in myself again so that I am no longer worried that something at work will set me off as it used to. I am also finally at a point where I am aware and have the mental and emotional capacity to work through what is actually going on. Without Renee, I would have never come to this point. Not only do I feel like a totally different person, I have also noticed how all of my relationships are changing for the better (work, friendships, family). Intuitive Eating is all about progress and the journey and I'm excited to see what will come next. The past 18 months have truly been one of the most eye-opening and liberating experiences I have ever had. It was definitely not always easy, emotionally speaking, but absolutely worth it. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have found Renee. read more

I will forever be grateful to Renee for guiding me through my incredible Journey of Intuitive Eating. I truly believe she was instrumental in "opening my eyes and heart" to the gift of a more peaceful and loving relationship with myself, my body and food. She was knowledgeable, compassionate, insightful and caring through my entire process. She held my "virtual" hand the entire way and now after years of perpetual dieting, body shame and struggle, I am more centered, grounded and at peace. I highly, highly recommend Renee. She is a gift. read more

I just finished a 10 week intuitive eating group with Renee and wanted to leave a review incase others are considering joining the group. First and foremost, if you are thinking about joining....DO IT. You won't regret it. The intuitive eating model as a whole was new to me but it was empowering to have research, a book, and my group mates to talk about our thoughts/feelings about diet culture/the diet world/the world we live in and feel validated in my thoughts/feelings and realize I'm not alone. Every week we would read and then discuss a chapter from the book (one of the principles). Renee prepares questions for each chapter for you to think about. Meeting weekly as a group helped keep me accountable and made me prioritize this work and myself. This is not a weight loss program, it is not a quick fix. Renee guides you through a process that helps you heal your relationship with your body, helps you listen to your body, and respect your body. It's definitely a process and some days are better than others. On good days I feel empowered to be battling diet culture and owning the body I live in. On not so good days I find myself having thoughts of diet culture; however, this experience has helped validate me and keep me from falling into the diet trap. Even on tough days I now know that falling back into the diet trap is NOT the answer. If I ever question that, I can use the book/my experiences from this group to remind me of that. In 3 words, I would describe this workshop as empowering, vulnerable, and validating. Renee is warm and gentle in her approach. She is not there to try and fix you, but rather give you a space to process your thoughts and feelings. She is wonderful at asking probing questions to help you get to the bottom of where your thoughts or feelings are coming from. This experience has been truly transformational for me. read more

Every session with Renee led me to a deeper understanding about myself. Through her variety of tools, she provided sound guidance that supported me on a path of self awareness and love. I had reached out to Renee seeking help on how to create healthier eating habits and was not sure if the career path I was choosing was the best path for me. As a result of her coaching, I have an authentic connection with food, relationships, and myself. Also, I am now on the path of choosing a career that is more aligned with my true passions. It's interesting, although she is not a career coach, I happened to come out of her sessions with more clarity to lead me on my way. If you are unclear about your path, don't hesitate to reach out to Renee for a consultation. She is a caring compassionate soul who provides an exceptional space that inspires and motivates you to live in each moment. I am thankful to know her. read more

Renee is perhaps one of the most amazing and caring people I have ever met. Another reviewer described her as somewhere between a life coach, nutritionist, and mindfulnesss trainer and think that is the perfect description! I contacted Renee about a year ago after gaining 40 pounds in the span of a year. I hated my body and felt so uncomfortable in my own skin. I was depressed and had a toxic relationship with food. After working with Renee for a year, I have become so much healthier and happier. The change is so stark that my family and friends have noticed and commented on how much more positive and whole I have become. The best part about working with Renee is how informative she is. She explained concepts to help me understand the bigger picture and gave me tools that will continue to help me moving forward. The changes Renee helped me make were NOT superficial or unattainable. Instead, she helped me seek out the root of my problems with food and eating and helped me set attainable goals. Meaning that the changes I made with Renee are truly meaningful and lasting. After working with Renee, it feels like a giant weight has been lifted and I can breathe again. I have a much better relationship with food and with my body because of the work we did together. read more

It has been over 4 months since my first session with Renee and I've so far lost 20 pounds by making changes that are easy for me to commit to and are sustainable. Thankfully, none of these changes included me going on a diet or depriving myself. Renee is way more gifted than that. She believes that hunger is not limited to what your stomach feels, so she worked with me to identify key areas in my life that needed nourishment. This was very valuable to me then and now and I believe it will continue to be so moving forward. My sessions and exercises with Renee were always very introspective, challenging and intense yet I looked forward to each one. I walked away from each interaction with a little bit more hope, confidence, and clarity. Renee broke down my big challenges into little actionable items and in a timeline that worked for me. The most valuable take-away I can share from my experience with Renee is knowing I didn't need to go very far in my journey to succeed and that I have everything I need to be healthier: I simply I need to pause, look inward, and listen. The opportunity to work with Renee is definitely the best gift I've given myself in quite a long time. read more

I so appreciated Renee's support as I made some shifts towards healthier habits. I was working a high-energy job that was sapping my energy while I struggled with a chronic illness, and desperately needed help building a stronger nutritional foundation and a renewed exercise habit. When we started to work together, I was feeling sick, low on bandwidth and short-tempered, and I'm embarrassed to admit that likely came across in our interactions, no matter how hard I tried to act otherwise. However, it's just impossible to fake it with Renee. She's too genuine and astute, and that's a good thing, because when you reach out for support, you need someone to see your real struggle, not your "game face." Her commitment to staying with me every step of the way was unwavering, and she meticulously remembered and referred back to previous conversations as we worked together. The biggest gift she gave me was a restructuring of perspective around the changes I wanted to make. What I wanted felt like an overwhelming goal. To her, it was a list of small victories that got me there - and it worked. By the time we completed our program together, I was exercising regularly, eating for my body type to maintain energy, and feeling more grounded and ready to make larger life choices in the name of good health. I highly recommend reaching out to Renee to see if she can do the same for you! read more

Renee was my Sacagawea on the 12 week journey to control my eating and drinking habits and bring more power back to my everyday life. She was able to make wise connections on the fly between things that were going on in my life and the ideas that I had about them. A lot of these connections represented revelations that had the effect of diffusing chronic bad habits almost immediately- habits that I'd tried to break a thousand other ways before. As a result I am absolutely more effective in my personal and professional life and I feel better in my body, too. I reached most of my (many) goals and feel more balanced in my life. I also know myself better now, which makes all the difference when trying to make major changes. One major breakthrough that Renee helped me through was to realize how sleep, or rather the lack of sleep, was having such a universal effect on me and my ability to both control unhealthy urges and identify unhealthy patterns of behavior. As we progressed, I made it a point to get more sleep and realized that a lot of the bad behavior went away. I also was better at noticing what was going on with me. As a testament to the term "holistic" to describe her approach, we identified unhealthy communication patterns and internal storytelling that were leading to unsuccessful and often contentious work relationships. She armed me with some really useful tools to help me parse that stuff. One thing I really liked about Renee's approach was that she actually does the work around your particular issues. She'll research things and dig into it, often giving very good tools and ideas to work with as a result. I would unreservedly recommend her to anyone who feels they could use a wise guide to get to that place that they want to be. What ever your path, she knows the terrain. read more

I signed up for Yelp so that I could leave Renee a review. That's how much I treasure the impact she's had on my life! If you're considering working with her (it is a true collaboration), feel free to message me. I'm happy to go into more detail, but as a primer: I will never forget Renee. Unfortunately, I only had 8 sessions with her, mainly because I'm moving to another country and couldn't commit to more than that during my transition. If I can, I'd love to work with her again (she does do Skype sessions). Renee brought an immense amount of calm into my life as a result of our 8 sessions together. She taught me how to listen to my breath. She taught me that beauty is so much more multi-dimensional than the physical. She helped me focus on what nourishes me most in life (i.e. creativity, relationships, career, etc) so as to not obsess over food and exercise. She taught me how to listen to my body - it's hunger, it's pain, it's anxiety, it's gifts and hints. I've worked with personal trainers. I've attempted short-lived juice cleanses. I've tried high intensity home workouts. Nothing has come close to matching the long-term impact Renee has had on my health and well-being. Renee has helped me shift my mindset, as well as my relationship with food and my body, and I am eternally grateful to her for that. read more

Renee's program has taken me from a place where I was sad to be me, desperate to attain externally acquired goals, and pressing the mute button on my true self. Through her program, I have discovered that ultimately, the best person to listen to about my health, nutrition and physical state is me! The truth lies within. Knowing that, I no longer feel desperate to attain a goal that I sourced from the outside (lose 10 lbs., eat paleo, etc). I'm definitely more attune to the needs of my body when it comes to nutrition and food. Not only have I started listening to myself when making nutritional choices, I've also started listening to myself when making choices elsewhere in my life--social life, finances, sleep, activity, work--and trusting my decisions. I've given up being a critic of my body and instead am grateful for what it gives me and allows me to do. I used to strive for an external perception of "perfection," which is why I saw so many flaws. Now that I'm in tune with my body's needs, I see that perfection was there all along. I'm not only excited by life, but I'm enjoying being present in my body. Part of this new zest for being alive is that I'm awakened inside. Since I'm giving my body what it asks for, I hardly feel depleted anymore. I feel satisfied, well rested, strong and grounded. I couldn't feel more accomplished coming out of this program. It has truly changed the way I look at life and the way I listen to myself. Life has been so much more rich, flavorful, truthful, and eye-opening since I learned to listen to my body and my soul. Renee is a huge part of that, and I thank her so much for her guidance and loving kindness as she continues to be a coach, mentor and new friend. read more

I feel COMPLETELY AWESOME in my body now! I don't think my weight has changed much, but the way I'm carrying it and enjoying it is the major change. I look forward to getting up, exercising, and getting dressed! I love the way my clothes feel and shopping for new styles. I no longer fear putting on a bikini, and love seeing photos of myself with so much physical liberation! I feel more energetic and CONFIDENT! I feel more balanced and have the ability to strategize my time more efficiently. I've learned to not bite off more than I can chew (literally and figuratively). My stress level has diminished considerably. I'm in a realistically more positive mood. It's not a surface happiness, it's radiating from within. I have noticed a distinct drop in cravings. When I do have one, I take the sacred pause and ask myself why I want that particular "thing". If I do give in, I don't carry guilt. This is another HUGE take-away from our work together. The things I've been struggling with all my life no longer feel shameful or embarrassing. Realizing my challenges are not things that are wrong with me or parts of me that are broken, that they are gifts, things to learn from--this is one of the most comforting things Renee revealed to me. Amy Woloszyn, Graphic Designer, San Francisco read more

Renee is one of the things that made 2014 such an impactful year for me. I have to believe that she crossed my path for a reason and I feel so blessed that I was able to work with her. I met her at one of her Sugar Craving talks. I really liked what her talk was about and even though I knew quite a bit about fitness and nutrition, I thought it might be a good idea to meet with her. I scheduled the preliminary consultation and knew from that very first call that she was someone who would help me 'see the light' about so many things. To say that Renee is like having your own support system / champion/ greatest cheerleader is putting it lightly... :) It's hard to summarize all that I learned from Renee but I would say that I could lump it into these categories: -Nutrition: Learning about healthier eating -- incorporating greens into my diet on a regular basis - and slowing down to enjoy my food. Non-distracted eating was the most helpful. I never realized how 'bad' I was with reading/texting while I was eating my meals. -Growth: The biggest area for change is seeing how much one can grow. My personal growth in the time since I met Renee has gone leaps and bounds. I never realized how much I had to work on until we began speaking. It's really been eye opening and the talks have helped so much. -Acceptance: Learning to accept reality as it is. Learning that one can love themselves even if their shape is not ideal. No more 'should have's'.... I live in "I should have.." and wasn't even aware until she pointed it out. I really never could come to a place of acceptance had I not realized what had been holding me back. Thanks to Renee and this year of growth, I seem to be happier and more at peace. Maybe I'm still not at my ideal weight but at least I'm starting to be in a place of acceptance. I've gained so much more that it would be fine to stay the same weight with the knowledge and understanding I have now. You are so much more empowered knowing about acceptance, self-compassion, and incorporating gratitude into your daily life that I wouldn't trade that for a few pounds. read more

I asked the universe for a compassionate "nutritionist" and Renee was the answer. Renee has a healing and warm energy. I felt cared for the minute I met her. About a year after having my son, I continued to eat comfort food and in large quantities. I first sought the help of a different nutritionist here in the city, and she spoke to me in a shaming way. Yikes. I knew at that moment that I needed someone who would honor MY decision to change and encourage me versus punish me. And that is when I asked the universe to help me find a "compassionate nutritionist". I found Renee on Yelp and felt she was the one. I was right. Renee helped me to get rid of labeling any of my actions around food as "bad" and she encouraged me to be curious about my patterns instead of judgmental. When I confessed to her some of my habits, she responded with "it sounds like you had a need and were doing your best to take care of yourself". This sentiment would go on to lay the foundation of my work with Renee. She helped me to see that true change can never come from a place of negative self-talk or feeling guilty for my behaviors. Instead, we focused on love of myself and love of my body. From there, self care and nutrition can flow. It makes so much sense, but it is so antithetical to our culture and the way we discipline ourselves into short-term gains. My last session with Renee was about a month ago. But, I have continued to take away her encouragement to investigate instead of blame and to be gentle and kind to myself. I feel with this foundation, I will never look at food or exercise in the same black/white and good/bad way again. And, my experience with this change shows me it is a truth that lasts and continues to provide positive results. Thank you, Renee! read more

Renee is amazing to work with. I really benefited from her program. She has a great talent to break down large goals into small tasks that are easy to attain. Every week we would set goals that would help me work up to the larger goal. She would check in with me and really hold me accountable for my tasks. The best part of working with Renee is her energy and patience. I've gained some amazing habits that allowed me to continue my wellness journey. New habits - no longer eating frozen meals (adios lean cuisine) - started cooking with fresh herbs and legumes - started bringing home one new vegetable from the farmer's market every week - eating longer meals that results in eating less ... (mindful eating) - practicing breaking down large goals into small tasks - celebrate accomplishments - practice the idea of adding in more "healthy habits" to push out the "not so healthy habits" - Discovered Friday nights are the best nights to shop at Rainbow Foods. My journey still continues but I'm definitely on a better path thanks to all the work i did with Renee. ;) read more

I really enjoyed working with Renee; she has great energy and enthusiasm. She really cares about her clients and is passionate about her work. Thanks to Renee I have become more aware of how and what I eat. I have returned to cooking and eating more at home. I now cook with a lot more veggies and spices, eat less processed foods and have a more environmentally friendly diet. Trying different and new foods has expanded my choices and given me healthier alternatives. When I eat well, especially home-cooked food, I feel more satisfied and am in a better mood. I used to crave foods constantly, but now my cravings aren't as strong. I have discovered I'm not as interested in baked goods or sweetened coffee drinks. I actually crave sautéed greens sometimes! Renee motivated me to try new recipes and to start going to our local farmers' markets regularly to get really fresh produce. She also encouraged me to explore various volunteering options, find exercise that I like to do, spend more time outdoors, take walks to de-stress, and record my daily intentions. I've dusted off my bike, returned to yoga and alleviated some of my back pain. The program I did with Renee was more than just an adjustment to my diet, it was a review of many aspects of my life that affected my overall health. Then we tried to integrate changes based on this wider set of data for a more fulfilling result. I would highly recommend working with Renee for anyone really interested in learning how to improve their life through food, exercise and health. read more

Having been in the fitness industry for over ten years I have always thought that I new enough about nutrition, then came babies. I realized I new science and wanted to be more conscious. Since working with Renee I now think a lot differently about food. I used to think about how what I put into my mouth affected my weight. Now I am more interested in HOW it affects my health. I am drinking more water, eating a more nutritious breakfast, taking healthy snacks to work, and saving money by eating leftovers for lunch. I no longer crave coffee midday or ice cream after dinner. I can feel the difference when my diet is good and when it is bad. I never noticed this difference before because I was never really eating clean consistently. I feel more confident about my family's nutrition, which is a huge concern of mine, especially with another little one on the way. We're eating less processed and more organic foods and lots of different veggies. I now often plan our meals around veggies instead of meat. I prepare about 80% of our meals at home and am using a lot more flavorful sauces and spices. I feel better physically and mentally when my family doesn't eat out as much. I no longer call my best friend and ask her what I should make for dinner; I am building my own repertoire. Yay! Lastly, my work-life balance is much better. I stopped working after dinner, which has given me more time to spend with my husband and daughter. I never thought that working with Renee would cover so many different aspects of my life. Thank you Renee for always being so motivating and always aware of what I really needed!! read more

Just do it! There's so much to gain from working with Renee. When I started to work with Renee, I was working non stop, completely stressed, out-of-balance and depleted. I knew I needed support and she was the perfect wellness coach to help pull me out of it. Her approach is personal, authentic and I learned healthy life practices that have shaped my relationship with food and my body. Over the course of working together, she helped me achieve the goals I set which included reduced stress/anxiety, better sleep, food self-awareness and intuitive eating, more physical (and enjoyable) movement, improved digestion and a healthier relationship with my body. I learned to ignore all the diet fads since they don't work and take a more profound approach to my health - which, for me, started with tackling stress to prioritize self-care. I'm so glad I found Renee! read more

Seeking Renee's help was the best decision I've made for my physical (and mental) health in the past decade. Me before Renee: - Trying and failing at following rigid food rules (like low-carb, whole30, gluten-free, no snacking, counting calories). When I'd inevitably trip up, I'd binge and then feel guilty at losing control and shame at my lack of will-power. - Anxious about and trying to avoid social situations where I'd have to eat "off-plan" - Low self-esteem -- I hated to look at myself in the mirror - Energy constantly being sapped by obsession with appearance and weight loss Me after Renee: - A much more relaxed attitude toward food. In fact, I give myself unconditional permission to eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and I enjoy it! Plus, I have lost weight. I know this sounds impossible, and I wouldn't believe it either had I not experienced it myself. - Trust in my own body's wisdom and understanding how to take care of myself (we teach a lot of things in school, but nobody teaches adults about self-care!) - Regained confidence in my appearance and attractiveness - A brighter, joyful outlook on life, as well as a calmer mind and kinder approach to others - More energy to focus on my career and other creative pursuits This could not have happened without Renee's wisdom and compassion. She is the most gifted listener I have ever met, and she's probably come to know me better than I know myself in many ways. Initially I thought I was just looking for a nutritionist to help me shed a few pounds, but Renee is so much more than that. She helped me to become more self-aware, self-trusting, and self-accepting, and that has dramatically improved all aspects of my life. Week by week and little by little, she helped me to create sustainable habits and ways of thinking that ultimately added up to a healthy, liberating attitude toward food and body. I am a better person because of Renee. If you are struggling, reach out to Renee. It's the best gift you can give yourself -- you won't regret it. read more

Food is complicated. Media discussions about right and wrong food choices make it even more so. Add our body conscious society to the mix, and you have a mouthful of guilt, remorse, confusion, and maybe even too few or too many calories. I was raised in a family that eats for all reasons, hunger being only one of them. As joyous as it can be, these ingrained ways are hard to modify. After trying all the popular ways to 'lose' weight, I decided to work on my eating from a more holistic point of view. Enter Renee Pletka. The time I spent with her was invaluable and REALLY changed my view of eating. If you are looking for a way to get into the "why" of your eating behavior, Renee can really help you. I highly recommend her. Progress not perfection. read more

Renee has been incredibly instrumental in my life. She is a patient, supportive and inspirational guide. I initially wanted to see her to help with nutrition but my sessions with Renee became so much more than that. She helped me focus on my true need and intention - to be much more grounded and present. With that focus, everything else followed...I have revamped my eating habits, and lost weight but more importantly I am happier and more balanced. I will be forever grateful. Thank you Renee! read more

Renee is wonderful! I would put her somewhere between a life coach, a nutritionist, and a mindfulness trainer. Renee comes from a place of compassion and empathy, and aims to guide you journey of self-reflection in a productive and meaningful way so that you can achieve goals that are important to you. Renee is thoughtful, dedicating her time to you and going beyond the session time to make you feel supported by sending emails and cards. She is patient and asks probing questions to help you realize what may be blocking you from your goals and what paths forward will be most successful. I will always be grateful for the perspective that Renee has shown me. I have made meaningful changes in my life that have enabled me to be more mindful and intentioned in my actions. While I am not perfect, I have learned to approach the challenges and stresses in my life in a new way, by pausing, breathing, and being present. New habits are not easily formed, and Renee understands this. She is creative in responding to your progress (or lack thereof) and works with you in a way that challenges you to take steps towards your goals without making you feel overwhelmed or pressured. I know I will continue implementing and practicing the strategies that Renee opened my mind to throughout my life. Thank you, Renee!!! read more

Prior to working with Renee, I had very little appreciation of what my body did for me on a daily basis. I often underestimated its strength and definitely didn't listen to the messages it was sending me. Over the past few months, I've come to recognize what my body is capable of and have worked to treat it with more respect. I make much more conscious food choices today as I've become wise to what really makes me feel good, and what does not. My digestion changes have been the most transformational aspects of working together. My digestion used to be erratic and unpredictable and it is now stable. I am more comfortable in my body and feel my mind and body are better aligned. I have surprisingly lost over 5 pounds while working with Renee. I find this surprising because it's been a very natural process, without thinking about being on "a diet." read more

Warning: Renee is not your average "nutritionist". In fact, she's more of a holistic food and lifestyle guru who looks at the whole picture of you. Then she works on a plan to help you reach your goals with food, weight, cooking, self-image, lifestyle and more. I don't recall any other food coach, or other type of coach for that matter, who asked me about what creative endeavors I wanted to accomplish. What really helped when working with Renee was her stepped approach. Each week was a session devoted to one area such as adding greens to my diet or investigating vitamins and food supplements. Rather than overwhelm you with everything required to reach your goals all at once, she slowly introduced new ideas and had you do some manageable homework. To date (she coached me several years ago), I think about how slow (or not) I'm chewing my food, how many dark greens veggies are in my diet, and whether or not I'm taking my treasured fish oil supplements. She continues to make a difference in my life and I'm grateful for her patience and guidance. read more

I am very grateful I found Renee. I was looking for a nutritionist that would help me become healthier and change for good. I did not want a nutritionist that would just put me on a diet for a few weeks, I wanted to become a healthy person inside and outside. Renee was the answer and she helped me turn my life around. With her continuous support and her personalized therapy, I managed to be in peace with food and have a balanced diet. Her warmth and her genuine care created a safe and comfortable environment where I could share openly. To be honest, she did not only help me have a healthier diet but also a healthier mind. Thanks Renee! read more

Renee is such a rock star! I worked with her for about a year on nutrition plan that would support my health changes, she supported me as I had to move to gluten-free diet and beyond that she guided me to address a lot of holistic health and well-being issues. She is one of the most approachable, caring professionals I have ever met. she loves what she does and you can see that in her commitment, knowledge and ability to receive the client every time in a deep way. She balances the science, and has a very holistic approach to her practice beyond pure nutrition. She made it feel simple while complex and was there for me every time I needed support and guidance. What I got out of the experience: *healthy food choices to support overall health and special dietary needs. Cooking tips and targeted weekly grocery shopping list have supported my overall health in a way I though was not possible (I wish I would have taken a before and after picture of my fridge and could post it here.) * I have completely changed my cooking and eating out/travel meal habits to support my optimal health * All this has had very positive affect on my energy, mood and even relationships (now people around me are excited to try new things and support me on this journey while getting benefits from it through my cooking) * Renee supported me in looking at all aspects of my life beyond pure nutrition. Her holistic approach has affected positively in my career, relationships, spirituality, work-life balance and home environment) I am so grateful that I found Renee and it has been such a blessing to work with her. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for support in this area but who is willing to work with her to make it happen. She can't do it for you :). With deep gratitude - thank you Renee! read more

I attended one of Renee's 'Sugar Talks' thinking that I basically knew all the evils of sugar and that I would walk away still struggling with my real problem: will power. Renee had so many insights about how sugar sneaks into your diet and keeps you craving that without much effort at all I was able to cut my intake waaayyyy down, which seems to have diminished my cravings completely! I have friends telling me that I look more vibrant and my skin looks better and honestly, I have to attribute it to this one hour talk and the changes it inspired in me. Seriously Renee, thank you sooo much! You are a life changer! read more

One of the best things about Renee is her endless positive attitude. It comes through especially in her awesomely cute, funny, breezy newsletter which always involves good tips about healthy living. I've attended one of her kick sugar workshops, which was super practical and I left feeling armed against cravings. That's not to say I kicked it altogether, but even Renee doesn't go in for that sort of extreme -- she's all about doing what works best for you, health-wise. She's a great resource and a sympathetic ear. read more

I started working with Renee to lose weight, eat better, and to get my exercise going again; all the usual things. What I did not expect was the impact she would have on my entire life and my family's lives. Yes I have lost weight (20 lbs so far), discovered a love for kale, and running again after a 20 year hiatus (so far I have run 4-5K's, 1-10K and I am training for a half marathon). With her approach of looking at your entire "circle of life", and her incredible patient guidance I have discovered where in my life that I needed to focus my energies. With her support, I finally realized how some chronic pain that I had just accepted was affecting me and that I needed to deal with it. Today, after surgery, I am pain free for the first time in over 10 years. I now know that my health deserves my attention. Another thing I was not expecting was the affect on my family relationships. Because I am taking better care of myself through regular exercise, eating a wide variety of whole, unprocessed foods, and cutting the sugar way down, I have so much more positive energy. Since I am the main grocery shopper and cook, my family's eating habits have of course improved, but I think what has affected them even more is my more postive outlook on life. My husband and I are getting along better than we have in years. My kids are happier and their moods are so much more stable. We work together better, we enjoy life more and we all look and feel healthier! I feel so fortunate to have discovered Renee. All that I have accomplished is even more amazing considering that I live half way across the country from her. My regular sessions have all been on the phone or Skype. Her passion and enthusiasm for her work shines through the "phone lines". Renee has helped me discover direction, not only in regular exercise and healthier eating and cooking, but by looking at the whole picture of my life I realized what things needed my attention. I feel empowered and more in tune with myself emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally. I am present in my life and I love it. read more

Working with Renee was an excellent investment in my future health and well-being. I met Renee at a talk she gave about reducing sugar in your diet. I had just tried the latest fad around the office, cold turkey eliminating all processed carbs, and was unhappy that I couldn't stay with it. She was able to provide a series of small steps that accomplished larger goals that weren't so extreme and fit much better into my lifestyle. I learned to elevate the ingredients in my food, rely on the local farmers market, avoid healthy looking snacks that were dense in calories, and tailor healthy habits into my life. I also realized how much stress negatively affected my weight, so we created strategies for more white space at work so I could have time to focus on my healthier diet. It helped me to understand that more than just food nourishes you. Not only did my eating and health improve, but that of my partner and co-workers around me. I was really lucky to have Renee as a guiding force in helping me to be healthier and happier. read more