SWIHA Blog

Before SWIHA, Carrie Guthrie-Gray was doing a job that would frighten most people to death: drawing blood. As a phlebotomist working for the same company for 15 years, she had great pay, great bonuses, and paid time off. Yet, despite the nobility of performing a service that is critical to the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions, Carrie found herself bored by performing the same task day-in and day-out with little variation.

“When working in the medical field, you are only allowed to spend a certain amount of time with each patient,” Carrie reflects. “It was like moving cattle. I was unable to connect with people, or if I did connect with someone, I had to usher them out of the room shortly after. When I worked in the oncology department, there were many occasions when I was the first person that the patient saw after being diagnosed with cancer, and they would literally start bawling in my chair. I wanted to spend more time with them. I wanted to listen and hold space for them, yet I wasn’t able to do it in that setting. It broke my heart. It was draining the life out of me to be so pulled to hold space, yet not allowed to do so.”

Let’s face it: when it comes to eating well, a discussion of the “right” diet and “best” lifestyle is always on the table. Every day, we are bombarded with information (and misinformation!) about what to eat, how to eat, and when to eat. So, when we get confused, who do we turn to? The experts, of course!

Yet, what exactly does it mean to be an “expert” in the field of nutrition? Do you need two different degrees and a decade of schooling to be able to talk to others about eating healthier? When you’re facing down your next meal, who can you ask for solid advice? 

Below we’ll look at the differences between the three most popular nutrition careers: a dietician, a nutritionist, and a holistic nutrition coach. Whether you’re looking for assistance from one of the above or looking to become one of the above, it’s important to know the educational requirements, job duties, and strengths of each!

Like so many graduates, Leah Baguet’s path to holistic wellness began with a journey. She was surrounded by stress at her job, working through a series of medical challenges, and coping with the premature death of a close family member.

So, what makes Leah’s journey so different? Well, it was a literal one!

“I realized that life is just too short,” Leah shares. “I decided to quit my full-time job and travel the world with my husband. Upon returning, I didn’t want to go back to the regular hustle and bustle of a 9 to 5 job. That’s when SWIHA came into my life.”

Odds are that unless you have been eating a plant-based diet for an extended period of time, you have probably never heard of Jackfruit. Don’t worry—you are not alone! The good news is that this multifaceted member of the breadfruit family is becoming increasingly well-loved in American households and can serve as a great alternative to meat if you’re looking to try out vegetarian and vegan-friendly options in your S.O.U.L. foods or holistic nutrition diet!

For Jason Taylor, life before SWIHA felts like a numbers game. On the surface, he appeared to be a successful executive chef and restaurant manager. He had a “never say die” attitude—one which guided his spirit as he overcame addiction, abuse, and homelessness. Yet, despite the difficult hurdles he had surpassed and the assistance of many kind people along the way, Jason had still not dealt with the root of his pain.

Gluten-free veterans and newbies alike: welcome! Chances are that you have already seen dozens of articles from all across the web telling you what’s what in gluten-free living...

For the uninitiated, gluten is a plant protein commonly found in wheat, barley, rye, and sometimes oats. Medical science has thankfully progressed to the point that we are now able to use some simple tests to identify those lucky few who are unable to properly digest gluten; those individuals are generally diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Others might find that they have a sensitivity or allergy to this protein and opt for a gluten-free diet in order to lead a more comfortable life. Still others may choose a gluten-less lifestyle as a way of improving their overall health, clearing up skin troubles, and releasing extra weight.

For Tory Dube, life before SWIHA was a matter of constant performance. As a struggling professional dancer, actor, and comedian, Tory found herself trapped in the cutthroat entertainment industry, constantly facing the judgment of strangers. “I was an anxiety-ridden people pleaser who was hiding a nasty eating disorder,” she recalls. “My self-worth was defined by the people who decided whether or not I booked a job.”

Desperate for a change, Tory booked a space on a yoga retreat in the Bahamas, where she was introduced to meditation. While she found the demand of being totally present painful, it was exactly the spark she needed to start pursuing a new way of life. It was time to conquer her anxiety and food obsession once and for all.

Though its origins are in ancient Ayurvedic medicine, golden milk has become an increasingly popular holistic nutrition beverage in the Western wellness community. Golden milk is traditionally known as haldi doodh, with the only ingredients being turmeric and heated milk. Using this foundation, we can expand the recipe to make a delightful adaptogenic elixir to be taken right before bed!

Most of the ingredients needed for this soothing elixir are mostly available at any grocery store, although the ashwaganda and lucuma may need to be purchased at a specialty store or on Amazon. While they aren’t necessary for the basic version of the recipe, they add additional flavor and health benefits to this rest-promoting drink.

Heather Clore had always had a passion for herbalism and holistic nutrition, yet it was not until she became a mother that she realized she wanted to turn her approach to holistic living—and the approaches of her family and, eventually, her community—totally around.

“I knew when my son was born that I wanted to take an all-natural approach to raising him,” she explains. “I knew I wanted him to have a great, joyous, happy life and that herbalism and nutrition are both so important to that. I knew it would be best to raise him on nature and what the Divine gave us naturally.”

For many people, the first day of school can be filled with unexpected surprises. That certainly was the case for Tamara Lucero, who found herself in quite a messy situation when she stopped at her local gas station on the way to campus.

“As the fuel pumped and filled my tank, I began to daydream what my first day of class would be like,” she remembers. “As I stared off into the clouds, I suddenly heard what sounded like water running. I looked down and realized that the gas pump had malfunctioned and soaked me in gasoline—from my shirt to my socks!”