Blogging time again, and I have to say that my head keeps filling up with thoughts on future blogs, and I am getting a little more excited about continuing to write and share! When my web designer, Liz Skorski of Skorski Web Design suggested I start writing, my immediate response was to tell her I just didn’t know what to say. And Liz suggested that I think about all of the things that people ask me about Iridology and what kinds of responses I give – that’s a blog! So, I now find myself in conversations with people about my work, and suddenly say to myself “Hey, this is a blog”!
When people learn that I am in holistic health, they often make assumptions about me that are just not true. I am not a Vegetarian, I am not honest to goodness pure and clean from the inside out, I don’t care for tofu, I like being outside in the sun, I am not adverse to using a microwave or a barbeque, and I am not a huge fan of herbal teas. Exercise is not my most favorite thing to do, but I understand why it’s necessary and feel much better when it’s done, especially after dragging myself out of bed at 5:30 am to get to fitness class. I have a passion for the sport of tennis, but I’m no super star. My tennis game would be considered adequate. I have a weakness for potato chips and dark chocolate, and I try, really hard to enjoy these in moderation. In other words, I am human, just like everyone else! And it is in my human-ness that I approach holistic health with my clients. 
Many years ago, when I graduated and was brand new at seeing clients in my clinic, I tried very hard to use the protocols that were taught to me in my studies of nutrition and Iridology. I suggested cleanses and detoxes that would be challenging for most people. I removed radical amounts of foods that my clients enjoyed eating, and I created programs that were super squeaky clean. And here’s what happened: some of my clients cancelled their follow up appointments, probably running as quickly from ever seeing me again as possible. While those who returned walked through my clinic doors feeling ashamed and disappointed in themselves and assumed that I would feel the same way about them, because they just couldn’t complete their first attempt at one of my programs. I did this for months, and instead of feeling disappointed with my clients, I became disappointed in myself for setting them up for failure. I didn’t want clients returning with discouraging stories of defeat, I wanted my clients to return with stories of success! So, I threw out the very strict protocols that I was taught, and decided that the best approach would be to meet my clients where they’re at.
If my client is a mother, with four active children, who works and commutes to the city every day, does she need me to throw a complicated meal plan at her? Absolutely not. If my client hates to cook does he/she need me to suggest a detailed meal plan that requires hours of preparation? Absolutely not. Do we need to stop enjoying all foods to be healthier? Definitely not. Now, there are times when a client has extreme health issues and drastic measure may be needed, but for the most part I should be able to work within my client’s needs, teach moderation, educate what foods are best, and come up with a plan that at least starts them on the right track. And when lives are busy and food prep isn’t always easy, there are herbal remedies and vitamin supplements that can help to also support a person’s system. When we are ready to make small changes, that’s what we’ll have the most success with, and when we’re ready for much bigger changes, we’ll jump in, full throttle.
If one has been eating unhealthy and not exercising for many years, the process of returning the body to health is not one that can be rushed. And any move to getting healthier and fit, big or small is a move in the right direction.