“I knew exactly what I had to do. If I followed any one of a number of commercial diets, I could eat visually appealing prepackaged meals with three bites of protein in a pumped-up whey gravy. I could substitute a real brownie with a boxed less caloric brownie baked to a premeasured specific size. And lastly, if I had a sweet craving, I could add any artificial sweetener to my drink or my homemade dessert. So, when I saw the notice of the nutritional lecture in a community email, I thought, “Ugh. Not again.” I caught my breath, closed my eyes, went to the Fitness Center breakfast area and made my way to the back of the room. Immediately, I could sense that something was different. Upon my arrival, I was offered a blueberry drink and a cup filled with hummus and vegetables. I almost didn’t take it, then I thought “Why not?” To my surprise, this time the food tasted “clean.” 

Rebecca Kastin introduced herself, and her presentation began. I listened and was completely impressed with her breadth of knowledge and her ability to communicate. For the first time in my life, I felt like a nutritionist was giving me facts that were illuminating. I called the next day to ask if she took private clients. We made a phone appointment, and I signed up for the program. Rebecca suggested that I get myself set up over the weekend and start on Monday, May 15th.

On Saturday, I spent an hour and a half in the produce section of Fresh Market like I had never been to a grocery store before. I bought foods that I have never eaten like sunflower butter, coconut oil, chia seeds, tahini, flax seed, almond flour etc. 

The first week was considered a detox period to eliminate inflammation. I followed every one of Rebecca’s suggestions because I was not willing to leave room for doubt or give myself the opportunity for excuses. I wanted to see if the program really worked. At her prodding, I gave up sugar, artificial sweeteners, gluten, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol, substituting her suggested week’s menu along with its recipes. It took me one day to see a difference in my body. At the end of the week, I was amazed: I felt satisfied after every meal; I was never hungry; I wasn’t craving any food; I wasn’t stiff in the mornings; and I bounced out of bed at 6:00 A.M. I was thrilled! Within just those few days, the program’s purpose for me morphed into the importance of feeling balanced and striving for good health rather than weight loss.

Since those first seven days, I have learned to cook efficiently and enjoy my time in the kitchen. Even more importantly, I’ve learned to appreciate fresh foods and the difference between healthy and inappropriate choices. I laugh when I find myself looking forward to going to the produce section of the grocery store. Those unfamiliar foods of yesterday have become the staples in my present diet.

I’ve had a crazy summer. I’ve traveled every few weeks. Uncertain whether my changes were permanent or just another short-term diet, I became a student of my own choices. I have felt fabulous over these past almost eight months. So fabulous that the last time I visited my two-year-old grandson, I tried to do a somersault. Now, maybe that wasn’t a wise decision, but I can tell you, reaching out to Rebecca was! I am now an educated eater and enjoying my meals more than I ever have before.”

- Karen  L