Hi, I’m Annika, Functional Nutritionist, food and health blogger. I am writing this blog because I need to cook, eat and live anti-inflammatory to feel good. So do my daughters and most of the women I work with. Since you’re here I have a feeling you’ll benefit too. Welcome, I’m so happy you’re here! 🙂
Inflammatory triggers are everywhere. They are mainly a side-effect from modern life. We can’t travel back in time, nor would I want to, but what we can do is learn how to create a filter to protect ourselves and our families.
We can also work to influence change in society when it comes to how we grow, buy, cook and eat food. As humans, we have always spent a large part of our time and energy on gathering and preparing food. Modern inventions from the freezer to prepared meals to uber eats have allowed us to spend less time and effort in the kitchen. I believe we need to get back into the kitchens and learn how to cook healthy meals that are good for people and the planet.
My Approach
An anti-inflammatory diet, or way of eating, is a forever diet that helps us steer clear of damaging fad diets. My approach to anti-inflammatory cooking, eating and living is about making it easy and doable. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way. My goal is to teach in a way that inspires and avoids overwhelm so new habits stick and spread.
An anti-inflammatory diet, or way of eating, is a forever diet that helps us steer clear of damaging fad diets.
Since we’re living in a globally connected world, let’s use it to our advantage. The time has come for us to search for solutions from far-away cultures, combined with modern technology and a pinch of common sense. That’s my recipe for an anti-inflammatory lifestyle that will support good health today and for years to come.
As women, we have bodies that are amazing and complex. Our bodies are also more sensitive to inflammatory triggers from food, environment and a lifestyle that may result in chronic, and possibly hidden inflammation.
Inflammation is linked to basically all chronic disease from type 2 diabetes to heart disease to depression. Inflammation is also linked to quality-of-life robbing symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and mood swings, along with autoimmunity, infertility and premature aging. Need I say more, you’ve got a lot to gain by eating and living in a way that cools inflammation.
My red poodle Miro and me. He is always by my side when I cook and love to eat the kale stems, a.k.a. kale sticks.
My Story
Let me share a bit more about who I am and how I ended up as a functional nutritionist and food & health blogger.
I come from a family where inflammatory conditions have touched at least four generations, including myself. When I became ill after the birth of my daughters many years ago I realized I had to take charge of my own health. I started learning and studying holistic health and I was hooked. I made a career change from IT to holistic health professional.
Over the years I have faced several health issues, all with inflammation or autoimmunity at its core. My own health challenges, along with supporting family members and clients made me dig deep and brought me to the functional way of practicing.
I have earned several diplomas including Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N.) from Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, Chartered Herbalist (CH) from Dominion Herbal College and Homeopathy and Medical Heilkunst (DMH) from Hahnemann College for Heilkunst. In recent years my studies have included nutrigenomics and environmental medicine, and I keep learning from the leaders within the functional medicine community.
I am also a lifelong student of mindfulness practices and the role that soul/spiritual growth plays in healing. To me, a daily creative expression is also essential to good health, and I believe it can be woven into our lives with greater awareness, one anti-inflammatory choice at a time.
My motto is “Chop Vegetables, Drink Water.”
I moved to Canada 20+ years ago from Sweden where I still live with my Canadian husband, daughters and red poodle Miro. Aside from cooking and photography, I also enjoy walking our dog, painting, reading, knitting, gardening, and camping. I like dark chocolate so much I consider it a food group. My motto is “Chop Vegetables, Drink Water.”
