Like many people in midlife, I want to enjoy good health as I get older. Who doesn’t want to stay mentally and physically fit for as long as possible?

When I was a child, I spent summers on my grandparent’s farm. We ate lots of bread & butter, meat & potatoes, and eggs & bacon -- all  the foods that fell out of favor. Together with my siblings, we spent our days playing outside and helping with chores. No one stressed about diet or exercise. 

As a young adult, I followed the rule that one can never be too thin. (I’m guessing that had something to do with my eventual osteoporosis diagnosis!)

As a young mother, I bought into so-called “modern” nutritional thinking that said almost everything my grandparents used to eat was unhealthy. It was also back when the nutrition pyramid was popular. (If you don’t remember: that’s back when people were encouraged to eat a lot of carbs and to be afraid of fat.) As a result, I typically gave my children cheerios with skim milk and a banana for breakfast. Needless to say, they were starving by 10 a.m.

As my kids got older, I found myself drawn to articles about nutrition. The information available was both fascinating and confusing. Were eggs good for us or bad for us?  Was fat really the culprit behind the obesity epidemic?  Weren’t artificial sweeteners a godsend to diabetics?  It seemed impossible to get a straight answer. So I decided to go back to school to get some answers.

As a nutritionist, my job is to guide you on a journey towards improved health.  There are no cookie-cutter solutions. I don’t push any specific eating program. I respect your food preferences and traditions as well as your decisions about medications and lifestyle. Here are some core ideas that underpin my approach:

• The best nutritional plan is whole-food based.

• Most people – regardless of their health goals-- should be eating more veggies & it’s my job to show them how.

• The Standard American Diet is designed to get people addicted to unhealthy food & to make Big Food companies rich – NOT to improve anyone’s health and wellbeing.

• It’s almost impossible to lose weight if you are sleep deprived, stressed out, or feeling down.

• Daily movement & stress management are key to optimal health.

• Exposure to everyday toxins is a serious threat to our health including pollution, pesticides, and mold exposure.

• There are no shortcuts.   

• Small changes over time can make a BIG difference.

• Real and lasting changes only comes from self acceptance and self love — NEVER from shame or negative self talk.

I had a health scare about a year ago and was told that I should drop about 20 pounds.  I had never been successful in losing weight, but Lisa’s “real food/real results” worked for me!  I dropped 23 pounds and have been successful in keeping it off.  Thanks Lisa!!! – Alan

I am a college student on a limited budget and Lisa Jo helped me figure out a plan that was realistic for my schedule and budget using healthy foods and supplements from Trader Joes. She also suggested easy recipes that I could make in the kitchen of my dorm. – Miriam

I was a recent guest on the Make America Healthy Podcast with Beth Shaw where I discussed how to improve immune health by eating more vegetables, taking certain key supplements, and getting adequate sleep. Have a listen by clicking HERE.

Are you curious about how nutritional counseling can help you? Schedule your FREE 15 minute call today by clicking the button below!

Fun Facts About Me: 

• I speak Spanish. 

• I have a Master's degree in Latin American Literature 

• I used to live in Mexico

• Pets I’ve had: fish, hermit crabs (don’t do it!), birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, &  dogs 

• My garden always gets away from me! 

• Things that I worry about: the climate crisis, systemic racism, food insecurity, affordable housing & universal access to health care

Apreciada Lisa:

Mi gratitud por tu excelente trabajo en la recuperación de la salud de mi madre de 84 años, quien tenía una inflamación severa que gracias a tus recomendaciones y cambios en los hábitos alimenticios superó.

Bendiciones -- Esperanza

Experience

Affiliations:

Board member, health educator,  and blogger for The Velma B Cox Foundation for the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes and High Blood Pressure: https://velmacoxfoundation.org/

Former volunteer nutritionist & guest educator for diabetes prevention at the Mansfield Kaseman Clinic in Rockville, Maryland: http://mansfieldhc.org/

Continuing Education: 

American Nutrition Association Conference, 2022, Personalized Nutrition 2022: Mental Health Matters

Nervous System Deep Dive 2024 10-month webinar course taught by Camille Freeman (Bloom & Grow)

GI Deep Dive 2022 10-month webinar course taught by Camille Freeman (Bloom & Grow)

Hormone Deep Dive 2023 10-month webinar series taught by Camille Freeman (Bloom & Grow)

American Nutrition Association Conference in Alexandria, Virginia, 2018, Disrupting Cancer: The Role of Personalized Nutrition

Integrative Healthcare Symposium in NYC, 2019, focus on CBD

Innovative Healing Academy course “The Art of Digestive Wellness” 2020 (taught by Liz Lipski, Ph.D.)

Credentials:

Board Certified Nutrition Specialist

LDN (Licensed Dietician/Nutritionist)

CNS (Certified Nutrition Specialist) 2019, CNS # 17516.