Doesn't everyone want to eat like me?

Before I decided to sign up for the Health Coach Training Program through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I strongly considered a different program entirely focused on plant-based nutrition. Since I've been mostly vegan for four years now, I was really interested in learning more so I could help people wanting to switch to a plant-based diet.

During the process of looking at several program options, I heard a statistic that only about 4% of the American population identifies as vegetarian, with vegans (of course) being even less of the population. This got me thinking about how infrequently people ask me (after they find out I'm vegan) how to help them eliminate animal products from their diets. Hmmmm......

One thing that I really like about the IIN program is that one of its core concepts is bioindividuality - the idea that each person has unique needs and these needs can change over the course of a person's lifetime. As a special education teacher, I certainly recognize that each individual student has different needs and learns differently. So it makes total sense that this concept would carry over into what types of nourishment people need, both on and off the plate.

I am thankful that I chose the IIN program - every module is helping me understand how important it is to help people discover what works for them and their body. Integrative health coaches do not follow a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to health and wellness.

I am excited about the idea of helping clients discern what works for them - and I promise not to push a vegan diet on anyone!! I don't do that anyway, and I certainly wouldn't do it in the context of coaching.

Just for fun, though, I've shared photos of two of my favorite go-to meals: my daily oatmeal and fruit breakfast with vegan yogurt and cinnamon and my favorite easy dinner of air-fried potatoes, steamed veggies and an aoili sauce made with plant milk and vegan mayo. I could eat this every day. :-)

I'm curious --- have you figured out a way to eat that nourishes you and that truly makes you feel good every day? Would you share in the comments section?