In CARE, you will explore the role of social and spiritual connection to health and quality of life. CARE provides introductory-level guides and connections to practice groups for how to begin exploring various types of meditation, contemplative spiritual practices, and community-based activities. There are no participation requirements; just the invitation and structured guidance to look closer at things that might interest – and nurture – you, when you feel nudged to do so.

You will learn what it means to use food as ‘culinary medicine’ using convenient and budget-friendly foods you already have in your kitchen. Your confidence will soar around shopping, meal planning, and food prep. Importantly, you will pick the rate you transition your kitchen; you will not be asked to throw away or eliminate any food. Consistent, incremental changes are best for long-term results. No supplements or meal replacements are used or sold.

The focus of a therapeutic lifestyle is finding ways to move more during the day rather than forcing a demanding gym routine into your already too demanding schedule. In CARE, you will explore new ways of defining a fitness routine that really fits your lifestyle. Your first goal will be to reduce sedentary hours during the day, then you will create your personalized Holistic Fitness Plan. The best activity for you is simply the one that you will do consistently.

The approach you will practice in CARE is to understand how to prioritize recovery from stress rather than unrealistically trying to eliminate stress, which will never happen. Prolonged elevation of stress hormones directly contributes to your inability to lose weight, improve sleep quality, or stick to health changes you want to make. It’s time to stop letting stress “get the best of you”.  CARE also focuses on moderating caffeine and alcohol, two external chemicals that strongly influence the nervous system and stress response.

You will learn simple prep and organization techniques that will make weekly meal planning realistic, allowing you to prepare more meals at home and be prepared to make better choices when away from home. This includes using favorite foods and recipes. Together we will balance what you are currently doing, rather than making you feel like you have to start all over. You will also have immediate access to a professional meal planning tool filled with CARE balanced recipes.

CARE emphasizes the need for consistent, daily practice of new desired changes in order to make them new healthy habits. You will be led through a three-part “Train Your Brain” series that explains how your personal values significantly impact the choices you do – or don’t – make. It’s through understanding what you value that will allow you to find the internal motivation needed to want to practice your new changes each day, breaking the need to rely on willpower and white-knuckle restriction.