When I first contacted Dionne, I was at my wit’s end. I had tried just about every eating regimen over the past 30 years (vegetarian, vegan, raw, low-fat/high carb, high-fat/low carb, pescatarian, auto-immune) and ended up developing a skin rash after being on an autoimmune diet for two months and diving back into “regular food” (gluten, sugar, and other inflammatory foods) without any care. I thought at first it was an allergic reaction to cashews, but food allergy testing showed I wasn’t allergic to anything. Long story short, after four months of this mysterious rash, my revered acupuncturist recommended I consult with Dionne.
I was already well versed in a variety of nutritional theory and practice, and though I had worked with a few other nutritionists in the past, I was dismayed by their mainstream approach to food. They invariably recommended following the USDA Food Pyramid and had nothing more ground-breaking to offer. I felt like I knew more than they did, which did not give me confidence in their advice. Not only that, but when I saw a “heart healthy menu” in a hospital offered waffles and sugar-free maple syrup for breakfast I realized that a lot of the nutritionists “in charge” are out to lunch! My acupuncturist assured me that Dionne was different and she was right.
From our first conversation, Dionne was vibrantly engaged with my story and was realistic about a path moving forward. She validated my viewpoints and supported my individuality. She was not taking a one-size-fit-all approach and she was insightful and adept. If I told her I wasn’t ready to do XYZ, she respected that and offered me solutions I was willing to try. Dionne’s goal was to help me find a way I could say “yes” to experimenting with some of my eating habits so that I could feel better. Additionally, soon after we started talking, it became clear there were many deeply ingrained voices in my head about what and how I should eat. It unexpectedly became emotional for me to unpack all that food clutter in my psyche! However, like a skilled therapist, Dionne was right there, helping me feel better about something I wasn’t even aware was weighing me down and keeping me from relishing natural foods like a gorgeously ripe peach. (“Too much sugar! Too many carbs!” I cried out.)
After following Dionne’s pragmatic suggestions for one month, I noticed myself having more energy. My skin started getting better and I felt more at peace within myself as well since I was able to quiet a lot of those old, nagging, fear-based voices. I definitely recommend Dionne to anyone who is ready to be inspired and supported by her down-to-earth approach to wellness through eating real food that nourishes the body and soul.
