Thankful to be free of IBS ~ “I’m feeling better than I have in years!”
Emily is my guru on nutrition and the close connection between the gut and the brain. By following Emily’s advice and counsel, I feel as though I have been cured from a miserable, 4-months-plus siege of colitis and years of IBS.
Since the early ’90s, I’ve had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which translated into stress, worry and way too many urgent, inconvenient trips to the bathroom. When the IBS became worse this past summer and the usual (and new) meds didn’t stop it, the GI doctor was poised to prescribe a steroid, but I asked whether I might try changes in diet. In my desperation, I’d shared the news of my health with my best longstanding friend who advised me to contact Emily.
By following Emily’s advice on preparing the foods that are good for me, I’m feeling better than I have in years! No more anti-anxiety drugs; no more seeking relaxation from carbs and alcohol; and no more taking out my anxieties on my beloved husband. Amazing, isn’t it?
At age 65, I’m finally making more sensible choices, in part because I can think and feel more clearly and because I am no longer taking the mind- and emotion-numbing prescription drugs and antidepressant I was on.
I wouldn’t have had the willpower to do this without Emily’s support and encouragement. She is so kind, sympathetic, and positive. She tailors each person’s diet to her/his symptoms.
On Thanksgiving morning, my huband, Henry, wanted me to go with him to our church. How could I possibly afford two hours away from the kitchen? And then he gave me his super-serious look and said, “What’s more important?” So, with my blue apron still tied around my 7 lbs. slimmer waist, I said, “You’re right. Let’s go. I’ll turn down the oven way down.”
At the beginning of the service, Sister Julian encouraged all who felt like speaking up to say what we were thankful for.
I said, “I’m thankful for Henry, who makes me laugh and who urges me to come with him to church even when I don’t want to.”
Then it was Henry’s turn. He said, “I’m thankful for Kathy’s nutrition counselor, Emily. She’s given me my wife back.”
I’m thankful for Emily too!
– Kathleen Hamman, Editor and co-owner of Plateau Books (http://plateaubooks.com/)
Sugar Addiction & Inflammation ~ “I had nearly given up hope.”
So often, the “tyranny of the urgent” overwhelms us—my counseling sessions with Emily were scheduled times to focus on my health, with a wise, nurturing guide leading the way. Because of Emily, I made an important step on my journey to overcoming sugar addiction, while adding serious nutrition into my diet and crowding out bad food habits. Emily’s own story of overcoming chronic illness with nutrition and lifestyle changes gave me hope that I too can heal my rheumatoid arthritis. I had nearly given up hope that I had any control over my disease. I was taking some serious drugs for the RA, and saw no benefits. The best gift of working with Emily was the shift she created in my mindset. I will never forget when she said to me, “Kate, you don’t have to have rheumatoid arthritis forever.” That thought was shocking and thrilling. Her encouragement was key in making some serious shifts in my eating and lifestyle habits. I made the decision to stop taking the prescriptions drugs and instead to eat an anti-inflammatory diet. Already, I have markedly less inflammation. I truly believe that I can and will heal by giving my body what it needs. Emily has been a pivotal friend, teacher, cheerleader and coach along my path to balance and healing.
– Kate Flowers, Mother & English Teacher, California
Family Nutrition ~ “Incredibly beneficial.”
Emily has been a key factor in our family’s ability to make better, whole food choices and has educated me more on body health than any book or class I’ve ever taken. Her one-on-one approach has been key to our success and her sincerity in my personal health journey has been incredibly beneficial.
– Lynn Eplawy, Mother & Business Executive, Chicago
Overcoming Crohn’s Disease ~ “I have my life back.”
I have been battling Crohn’s Disease for close to 20 years. Toxic medications and multiple surgeries left me feeling unhealthy and defeated. When I decided to try a new approach to treat my illness, I was overjoyed to meet Emily. Immediately, she put me at ease with her calm, compassionate attitude and positive energy.
I came to Emily after reading Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall. I knew the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) was the nutrition plan for me, but I was confused regarding how to get started and I lacked the support I knew I needed to succeed. Emily broke the diet down step by step and helped me reach small, attainable goals throughout my journey. Within a month, I felt like a new person with more energy than I could remember having since my youth.
Crohn’s Disease slowly faded away and I literally became a new person; the person I always wanted to be. Now, almost a year later, my husband and two children also have Emily to thank for the healthy, delicious and nutritious meals I make at home.
I often called Emily to help me with food substitutions, a new recipe or an entire meal plan. When I decided to make a SCD meal for my favorite holiday, Emily gave me the menu for a multicourse Thanksgiving meal my whole extended family raved about. They didn’t even know it was gluten, grain, dairy and sugar free!!
I often joke with my family that Emily is not only my nutrition consultant, but also my therapist and spiritual guru, all in one. Our sessions have strengthened my mind, body and spirit and I am so grateful that she gave me my life back. Thank you does not begin to express my gratitude. Some people fit so well in their career choice that you know it must be a calling. Emily was “called” to this field and I hope she remains a Holistic Health Counselor for years to come.
– Karyn Brim, Mother of 3 boys, Maryland
Goodbye Emotional Eating ~ “I have changed. I like the new me.”
This note is meant to tell you my impression of the Counseling I am receiving from Ms. Emily Butler. With just two sessions remaining I am happy to report that significant and positive change has occurred in my life. Over the past 30 years I have failed in many diets, but from the beginning of this program it was clear that this is not another fad diet but a life changing experience. Whereas I once ate food excessively to feel better when upset or to enjoy its delicious flavors, I now enjoy food in moderation for its nutritional value to my overall health and well being. I was also an eight cup a day coffee drinker, with the coffee laden with artificial creamer and sweetener, and I am now essentially caffeine free which has immensely improved my benign heart arrhythmia.
These sessions are not just about food and nutrition but also deal with the whole person. This, I find, is extremely on target, as my personal eating issues were rooted in my general approach to life and my methods of responding to issues that arose along life’s journey. Emily has been skilled and observant in guiding me through the various session exercises that have made me aware of areas where a new approach was more beneficial. At this point I am now often pleasantly surprised as I discover that I am changed in how I react to life’s adversities.
I find that Emily is an exceptionally good listener. She listens to my words, reflects on them, responds with further questioning to make me think at a deeper level and then provides a comment or suggestion that seems to cut to the core of my issue and address it most appropriately. She is always encouraging and has a pleasant, warm, friendly and sometimes humorous nature about her that is not only instructive and nurturing, but also makes the sessions something to look forward to. The hour goes by in what seems to be just minutes, and I always feel that I have learned a new gem, set a new and achievable goal, and have been given a new means for further change and improvement.
Both this program and Emily’s way of presenting it to me have been something I have certainly needed. With her help and guidance I am not succeeding on a new diet from which I can revert to old behaviors once it has ended, but rather I have changed as a person for the better. I really like the new me and see the benefits of the changes invoked in me. I have already, and will continue to, recommend Emily and this program to my friends and acquaintances whom I know have a similar life situation as mine used to be. I am extremely thankful that this synchronicity has occurred in my life.
Sincerely, Paul E. Thomas, age 58 – Terre Haute, IN
From Cold Cereal Dinners to Confident Cooking ~ “…My eating habits are totally different.”
Before I met Emily, I had for years been making excuses for why I did not cook for myself or generally eat as well as I wished I did. And these roadblocks were real: it’s hard to cook for just one person, I didn’t have any cooking skills, I was busy, etc. Most of all, getting started was incredibly stressful and overwhelming. I didn’t enjoy making a meal for myself– given the choice, I would have much rather poured some milk into a bowl of cereal and have dinner be made. Emily helped me finally change all of that. Step by step, she gently helped guide me into making better choices for myself. While challenging at times, I never felt the same sense of stress that I had when I tried to change on my own. I knew I could always talk to Emily and ask her questions. A year later, my eating habits are totally different. I enjoy picking out recipes and shopping for fresh veggies and cooking. The work was my own, but I could not have done it without Emily. I am so grateful!
– Kiva Feldman, Lawyer, Washington DC
Busy Health Professional ~ “She helped me make small changes that support my overall health.”
Emily is an expert at making nutritional recommendations for the busy, person who does not like to cook. She helped me to make small changes in my diet that support my overall health. Her knowledge around gluten-free lifestyle was very much appreciated. Her sessions over the phone were easy, a coach who coaches while you are on the go. Emily has a personable manner that makes you feel at ease discussing your lifestyle and needs.”
-Abigail Thurston, Massage Therapist for “Heart in Hands” – Albany, NY
