My New Roots - How to make healthy choices every day

Welcome to My New Roots. Since October 2007, this blog has been a place where I share the food inspiration I get from entertaining in the kitchen and my love for whole foods. The recipes and ideas you find here are all centered around my plant-based approach to eating, and I hope that through the simple, delicious dishes I create, you too will discover a whole new world of flavor and nutrition.

Below are answers to the questions most frequently asked by our readers. If you are looking for the answer, you will most likely find it here.

Why did you start “MY NEW ROOTS”?

I started this blog because I wanted to share the incredible knowledge I was learning about my education in holistic nutrition. I discovered a lot of information that I felt needed to be made public, not just for those who could go to school to learn about this field. I wanted to create a non-judgmental space for people to learn how to take better care of themselves through diet and lifestyle because I am making positive changes every day and I have seen huge changes in myself.

I am tired of being bombarded by self-serving media and half-truths about how to take care of yourself and I know I am not alone. Since my education is almost like a guide for my body, mind, and spirit, I thought it was time to spread the word! When I discover something new, I get too excited not to share it! We are all in this together – let us help each other be the best we can be! (Yes, I may have been a cheerleader in a past life).

What is your education?

I am a Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Nutritionist (CNP). To get this certification, I attended the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto, Canada. IHN is a private university that offers intensive 1-year full-time or 2-year part-time programs based on university-level courses with locations in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada.
Students graduate with a diploma in Applied Holistic Nutrition and receive the Certified Nutritionist (CNP) designation, fully eligible for the Registered Nutrition Consultant Practitioner (RNCP) and Registered Orthodontic Health Practitioner (ROHP) designations.

I really like this school because its curriculum is very diverse and the education I received has been a great springboard for me to continue on my own path. You need to get certified to legally become a Certified Nutritionist (not a dietitian, as you probably know). One thing to note: the medical community will not recognize you for this designation, so if you are looking for private practice, go for it. Even if you are just looking to get information for yourself, this is the best year of education you will ever receive about your body, mind, and how to take care of yourself in a holistic, natural way.

Since I lived in Canada when I received my education, I dont know anything about schools in other countries. If you live somewhere else, you will have to look up CNP certification programs.

To further my studies in subjects like gut health and hormone health, I am currently attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Their Health Coaching program, while not a certified CNP program, is a great place to start your holistic health and wellness journey no matter where you live. Take a trial class to see if this is right for you!