I count myself amongst the lucky ones. In contrast, to most medical school educations, I had the privilege of spending hundreds of hours in nutrition during my doctorate at Sonoran University (previously Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine) and it was there that I first became exposed to the likes of Ornish, Esselstyn, Campbell, Goldhamer and others, to name a few. The underlying tenants that I practice, embrace a philosophy of health and wellness rooted in prevention. To this end, nutrition is central to all health and a Whole Food Plant Based orientation is quite simply, the best way to accomplish this task.    I remember an instance several years ago when my son, Silas, came home from school, recounting a story of one of his 6-year old classmates, who brought not one, but two cans of Mountain Dew in his packed lunch. As I sighed and braced myself for the inevitable, why-can’t-I-have-soda-in-my-lunch question, I pondered how best to answer his concerns. But, he never asked that question. Instead he stated with some level of resignation in his voice, “Well, mom, I guess that’s what we should expect from some kids, after all, his mom isn’t a Naturopathic doctor.”   In my mind, that moment crystallizes a couple of principles that seem to characterize the WFPB lifestyle and my own core values. (1) Practice what you preach and be the change you wish to see in the world. (2) Change is often caught rather than taught, often when we least expect it, even though it can seem difficult or even insurmountable.  

I delight in empowering my patients to manage their acute and chronic disease through application of lifestyle interventions such as whole food plant-based diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, avoiding risky behaviors, and connection; I am certified in lifestyle medicine with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and I am actively involved in my community by giving presentations on plants as medicine, the Blue Zones, and the role that animal production plays in climate change and the environment. I am particularly interested in outreach to the Hispanic community, as many members have chronic diseases but no access to health insurance and limited resources. I am also a Food for Life instructor with PCRM.org, offering health and cooking classes in my community.