Hi! I'm Serene. I'm an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach with a background in Psychology & Social Behavior. I have a passion for helping people reach optimal health by using easy to learn action steps for creating a life they love living.
THE TRUTH I WANT TO SPREAD
"I believe that when you give the body what it needs to heal, it can heal itself"
My Story
After growing up in a middle eastern family household I started out eating meals with clean, whole foods rich in vegetables, grains, quality meats, olive oil, and lots of fruit. I got to experience the taste of what clean food is. At the time, I did not know how healthy it was when my mom cooked, and took it for granted.
Fast forward a few years to my teen years, all I ate was fast food and foods that began the path to damaging my cardiovascular health. These were foods like uncrustables, cup of noodles, mac-n-cheese from a box, frozen meals, and more fast food! I would beg my mom to get these foods but she refused. So any chance I got, I would eat them like there was a shortage on these foods. Eating until I was stuffed!
Fast forward a few years to my teen years, all I ate was fast food and foods that began the path to damaging my cardiovascular health. These were foods like uncrustables, cup of noodles, mac-n-cheese from a box, frozen meals, and more fast food! I would beg my mom to get these foods but she refused. So any chance I got, I would eat them like there was a shortage on these foods. Eating until I was stuffed!
College years were similar , with eating out all the time and stocking up on frozen meals and packaged processed foods for convenience. I was so happy to be eating the foods I was kept away from, but as time passed I started really missing home cooked meals. I was also athletic and always exercised so I always saw myself as healthy.
Once I hit my 30's I started hearing, "you should watch your blood pressure closely, it's on the high end" from my doctor. A few years later I was put on blood pressure medication. For 15 years I was on and off medications. I was confused as I was at a healthy weight and I worked out all the time. I didn’t take it as seriously as I should have. I guess I was in denial. Then 2 major things happened. My dad had congenial heart failure and when I started checking my blood pressure again it was averaging between 158-180/98-105 with spikes from there. I was taking blood pressure medication (Losartan 50mg) for 4 years and high dose of propranolol for 6 years, for a while they overlapped.
Once I hit my 30's I started hearing, "you should watch your blood pressure closely, it's on the high end" from my doctor. A few years later I was put on blood pressure medication. For 15 years I was on and off medications. I was confused as I was at a healthy weight and I worked out all the time. I didn’t take it as seriously as I should have. I guess I was in denial. Then 2 major things happened. My dad had congenial heart failure and when I started checking my blood pressure again it was averaging between 158-180/98-105 with spikes from there. I was taking blood pressure medication (Losartan 50mg) for 4 years and high dose of propranolol for 6 years, for a while they overlapped.
My Turning Point
I began to have recurring thoughts of the future, and what it would look like if I continued living with high blood pressure. I wanted to be a part of my children's future and share all their milestones. I knew that high blood pressure was known as the "silent killer" and that very few people experienced symptoms. I definitely did not.
I made it my mission to find a way to reverse this condition. I had no clue how to. I started to do my own research, and discovered a doctor who had a protocol of eating to reverse heart disease. This doctor’s name is Caldwell Esselstyn of the Cleveland Clinic. I binge watched all his interview videos, listened to all the podcasts he was a guest on, and read all his books. On my healing journey I also discovered numerous M.D. doctors who have taken their practices to a natural healing route after discovering all the evidence on how one can heal themself if they eat the right foods and adopt new lifestyle habits that help the body to thrive.
After my self-healing journey, I became a certified health coach and have helped many naturally lower bp in my programs incorporating the protocols of Dr Esselstyn, Dr Michael Gregor and Dr. Michael Klaper who are all pioneers in the shift towards healing disease through nutrition.
Now I get to do what I love, making a difference in people's lives by showing them how they can reach their optimal potential!
I made it my mission to find a way to reverse this condition. I had no clue how to. I started to do my own research, and discovered a doctor who had a protocol of eating to reverse heart disease. This doctor’s name is Caldwell Esselstyn of the Cleveland Clinic. I binge watched all his interview videos, listened to all the podcasts he was a guest on, and read all his books. On my healing journey I also discovered numerous M.D. doctors who have taken their practices to a natural healing route after discovering all the evidence on how one can heal themself if they eat the right foods and adopt new lifestyle habits that help the body to thrive.
After my self-healing journey, I became a certified health coach and have helped many naturally lower bp in my programs incorporating the protocols of Dr Esselstyn, Dr Michael Gregor and Dr. Michael Klaper who are all pioneers in the shift towards healing disease through nutrition.
Now I get to do what I love, making a difference in people's lives by showing them how they can reach their optimal potential!