The standard American diet has failed us. Unfortunately, this food is convenient, which makes it appealing. For those of us that are constantly on the go, it can be easy to quickly stop somewhere to grab something to eat. But the problem is that this diet can cause an array of health issues.
Pattie Delevan helps people re-learn how to eat and uses a “food as medicine” approach to tackle these health issues. You can learn more about Pattie and her work here:
Tell me about your professional background and what made you want to get into this field?
I was a licensed property and casualty insurance agent for 25 years when life threw me a curveball in 2010, a debilitating mysterious illness. Like so many others, I only knew one path to seek help: the traditional healthcare system. After many months of medical tests, specialists, and dead ends, I knew I needed to turn off the path of conventional medicine. I decided to make my own alternate path to get well naturally.
I focused on my own healing and decided to do everything in my power to understand what was going on in my body. I dove into many hours of research and tried countless forms of remedies and therapies. I am grateful for so many teachings that have influenced my healing journey and life. I learned about using food as medicine to support and mend the body. Throughout my journey, I learned about mind/body healing, meditation, cleansing/detox, energy medicine, self-hypnosis, spiritual guidance, cognitive behavioural therapy, emotional freedom tapping, Qigong, forest bathing, medicinal herbs, and how our thoughts, emotions and beliefs affect our health. While researching these topics, I began to read more and more about all the toxic byproducts and ingredients in our food supply, water, body, and cleaning products. All the research I have done over the years has helped me to see how the array of chemicals, preservatives, and antibiotics we ingest so casually can contribute to illness over time. All the knowledge I obtained changed everything.
Also, through my journey, I completed Usui Reiki level 1, became certified as an Angel Card Reader through Doreen Virtue, studied herbalism with Chanchal Cabrera, Medical Herbalist, and digestive wellness with Andrea Nakayama, a Functional Nutritionist and Educator.
In 2014, I became a board-certified holistic health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. At this school, I gained much nutritional knowledge, learned over 100 dietary theories, alternative practices for health, and coaching information. Some of the teachers I studied with were Dr Neal Barnard, Nutrition researcher and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine; Dr Joel Fuhrman, Author and Expert in nutrition-based Disease Prevention and Reversal; Dr Walter Willett, Chair of Nutrition at Harvard University; Dr Deepak Chopra, Author and world leader in mind/body medicine; Dr Bernie Siegel, Author and Internal Medicine Specialist; David Wolfe, Authority on superfoods, raw foods and author; Joan Borysenko, PhD, Psychologist and expert on stress, spirituality and the mind/body connection; and Dr Frank Lipman, a leader in functional and integrative medicine and author.
For two years, I also personally consulted with Anthony William (Medical Medium), who is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of six books including, “Life-Changing Foods.” With the switch to a plant-based diet and supplementation, I was able to finally be free and reverse my chronic health issues. I have participated in the Medical Medium Practitioner Support Service. Since the publishing of his first book in 2015, I have immersed myself heavily in his work to help myself, my family, and clients. I am passionate about helping others regain their health and overcome chronic symptoms and illnesses.
What has been your favorite aspect of this work?
My favorite aspect of this work is connecting with my clients, helping them feel heard, and empowering them to take their health into their own hands. I love teaching clients how to create wellness within their bodies and to understand the health issues they are dealing with.
Can you explain what holistic health is and what a typical session with you is like from start to finish?
In my early health journey, I went to over 10 different medical specialists and each of them concentrated on the symptoms that dealt with their specialty. Of course, what each specialist did was understandable since they are trained to follow particular protocols. While each of them was very good at what they do, no one was looking at me as a whole person; I was just a collection of symptoms.
To me, holistic health is about working with the whole person to bring about wellbeing on many levels, including the physical, mental, and emotional. The body is intelligent and has the ability to heal but often it needs some extra support.
Before the session, the client will complete health history, meal, and lifestyle forms. I will take much time to review these forms before the session with the client.
During the session, the client will have time to convey their concerns and needs. We will discuss lifestyle factors and/or any contributing stressors that might be affecting their well-being and review their meals.
We will use a food-as-medicine approach by starting with nutrient-dense whole foods. An individualized treatment plan will be developed to meet each client’s needs. Things that may be included are: cleansing through whole foods, incorporating supplementation, medicinal herbs, lifestyle change recommendations, and ways to reduce stress levels.
Most clients have multiple sessions to accomplish their goals.
What sort of health challenges can this be effective for and why?
Using food-as-medicine, cleansing, medicinal herbs, and stress reduction can help any health challenge and assist the body to heal from within. High-stress levels and the Standard American Diet can harm the body and weaken the immune system which would make someone more susceptible to disease.
Is there a technique in your practice that you have found to be the most beneficial to the people you work with?
All my clients are unique with different health challenges. One thing is the same for everyone: the body can heal from within with the proper support. Other techniques that are important include helping them change their thought patterns to bring in more wellness.
What is a session with you like from the patient’s point of view?
Here are some testimonials describing what some of my clients have experienced:
“Thank you for all your guidance and support. You are a perfect example of a patient healing thyself and now you are helping so many others. May God bless you!”
~Jane from Pennsylvania
“It’s nice to know that there are still people out there that are willing to truly help someone and makes you feel like a real person instead of just another number.”
~ Mike from Pennsylvania
“You are a very well-informed inspirational person! You certainly are a walking encyclopedia when it comes to health and nutrition. I will be learning, studying, and making definite changes to my lifestyle. Thank you!”
~ Pam from Pennsylvania
“I learned a lot about the cleanse process, about my body and feeling good all over. My eczema has cleared up and I lost 3 pounds. Many things I learned have become part of my daily routine. Thank you so much for this experience. I’m looking forward to the next cleanse!”
~ Margaret from Pennsylvania
“I very much appreciate your knowledge and guidance. You identify with a person because of your own struggle to get healthy. You speak from much experience and vast study.”
~Carol from Pennsylvania
“Thank you for your wisdom and support. You have shined a light during this dark time.”
~Wendy from New Jersey
“It was a joy to speak with you! I’m excited about being even more informed. You are a wealth of knowledge. I’m sorry you had to go through everything that you did to acquire so much information, but there was certainly a reason for it. It seems like you were made to heal yourself and help others.”
~ Amy from Virginia
“You helped me to realize that I needed to find a less stressful job to help my health
situation. Thank you for your help!”
~ Bonnie from Pennsylvania
“I am halfway through the cleanse program and so far my skin has cleared up, I lost 5 pounds and my acid reflux is gone. Thank you!”
~ Ann from New York
“My sinus pressure is gone, and I have suffered from that for years. I would recommend cleansing to anyone. Thank you!”
~ Chris from Pennsylvania
Besides holistic healing do you have any universal health and well-being tips that you’d like to share?
- Make time for yourself no matter what. You are important. I realized on my own health journey that I wasn’t prioritizing myself and I was constantly running on empty. My illness was a gift to me in strange wrapping paper. It helped me to learn, grow, heal, and change myself.
- Fill your cup until it is overflowing so you can serve others from the overflow. You have nothing to give when your cup is empty.
- Deep breathing: Many people are stressed and go through their days breathing in a very shallow way. This type of breathing will keep your body tight and will not allow it to relax. Instead, try breathing deeply and slowly while concentrating and focusing on relaxing your body and mind, letting go of stress in your body, and letting go of any stressful thoughts you may be carrying. Deep breathing will renew your energy, calm the body and mind, bring more oxygen into the body, and help to repair your body by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
- Get out in nature, walk, hike, or just stand among the trees. Take in all the sights, sounds, and smells. We, as humans, are always so busy running to the next moment that we forget to slow down to enjoy all that is around us. Going into nature will help to relax the mind, rejuvenate the body, and lift your vibration.
- Do things you love & be creative: This will help your body to relax, let go of stress, and give you the opportunity to discover your talents. Being creative and doing what brings you joy allows for self-expression (a truly healthy form of self-love). Find out what you love and do more of that. This can be gardening, a sport, swimming, fishing, art, hiking, photography, geocaching, playing an instrument, cooking, baking, dancing, writing, kayaking, fixing old cars, teaching, or any creative or challenging hobby.
If there was one piece of advice you could give to someone who is struggling with their health, what would it be?
When I was struggling with my health, I was told by a person in the allopathic medical community that my symptoms were “all in my head”. These statements were not true and are very disempowering! This person was not supportive of me or the health of my body, so I found practitioners that did support me.
If you are struggling with your health, please know that you did not create your illness and your illness is not “all in your head.” Find practitioners and others that will support you on your health journey. Your symptoms are real, your body did not fail you and you can become healthy once more.
What resources would you recommend? (books, podcasts, websites, that you’ve found helpful)
Books:
- You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
- You Are Enough by Panache Desai – This book provides a path to our true self and shows how to cultivate self-awareness, acceptance, and compassion.
- The Enlightened Mom by Terri Amos-Britt – This book offers a great approach on how to heal your life helping you become more joyful through loving and healing the child within.
- You Are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter by Joe Dispenza – This book talks about how our beliefs and perceptions can hold us back and how to change them.
Any Book by Anthony William includes:
- Life Changing Foods – Save yourself and the ones you love with the hidden healing powers of fruit and vegetables.
- Cleanse To Heal – This book has healing cleanses, guides, and spiritual and soul-healing support.
- Medical Medium: Secrets Behind Chronic and Mystery Illness and How to Finally Heal
Documentaries
- Food Matters – This film examines how the food we eat can either help or hurt the health of our bodies.
- Forks Over Knives – Researchers explore the possibility that people changing their diets from animal-based to plant-based can help eliminate or control diseases.
- Gamechangers – A UFC fighter gets a physical injury and learns everything he had been taught about protein was a lie.
The key to reversing and preventing disease associated with the standard American diet is focusing on nutritious, whole foods that fuel your body. Food can be used as medicine this way in order to heal from within.
If you’re interested in learning more about this approach, connect with Pattie here:
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