What’s next for me? I’m becoming a FDN Practitioner!

Why is it that the HIGH of completing a goal is so often paired with a LOW of figuring out what’s next? In 2013 I set a personal/professional goal to write a published cookbook before I turned 40 (I was 36 at the time).

But I didn’t want to peddle out a cookbook to publishers or self-publish my own work, I wanted to be sought-out by a publisher. I wanted a publisher to want to publish my work and for them to approach me.

I immediately streamlined my blog, giving it a much needed facelift and focusing on improving my food-photography.  (FYI publishers love cookbook authors that can also photography their own recipes) And before I knew it, in the spring of 2014 I was approached by a publisher!

My hard work paid off and in August of 2014 I signed the publishing contract for my first cookbook. And just a couple weeks after my Without Grain manuscript was submitted, I signed the contract for my second cookbook.

Things happened so fast. In less than a year I had written & photographed 2 cookbooks. Without Grain was released in September of 2015 and Fermented Foods at Every Meal will be released in July of 2016. (click the links to get copies of my books!!)

I didn’t just accomplish my goal, I CRUSHED it x2!

As the voice of an established & popular blog and author of 2 cookbooks, I’ve been in a place of “What’s Next?” recently.

For me the proud sense of accomplishment that I have has nothing to do with WHAT I’ve done – but instead that I actually did SOMETHING. I found my niche. I found my passion and it’s all right here with all of you.

I’ve always been someone who sucked at “sticking-to” anything. I was awful at follow-through. And it’s an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and accomplishment to see what I’ve actually done.

The things I’ve done had nothing to do with getting a pay check or a boss hovering over me. It’s all been 100% me and my drive to finish.

But quickly the HIGH of meeting these goals left me feeling LOW as I realized I didn’t know what’s next for me. I was feeling lost and my drive was gone.

Many of you may already know that I’m a certified Health Coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (2008), but I’m not an actively working with clients. While I enjoyed my education at IIN and it was definitely a catalyst to me launching this blog (and writing 2 published cookbooks) – I never felt that I had enough in-depth functional education to help people.

And with much soul-searching I realized that ultimately my desire is still to HELP PEOPLE find better health in their lives. I started this blog to show people that even though we care about our health, we still eat delicious food.

I’ve looked into different educational and training programs over the past few years. But it wasn’t the timing wasn’t right for me. My heart wasn’t into it. I admittedly have stated many times that I’m never going back to school, but here I am with a new pack of highlighters, 3 ring binder and fresh notebook – ready to immerse myself in a new endeavor through education.

While I passionately want to help YOU gain better health, my own body is still a work in progress and I, first hand, understand the frustration of not getting the answers/guidance you need.

Since following my gut-instinct and suddenly setting my “cookbook by 40” goal, lead me to path of such accomplishment and satisfaction… I decided that I would let life take me where I need to go next. I would not TRY to find the path, I would let the path come to me.

I’ve been muddling around. Just “doing me” and not putting any pressure to do anything specific.

But then it happened.

It’s all because of an Instagram Post by Ginger Nutrition. She shared about the FDN program and it became undeniably clear that THIS is what I needed to do next.

When I looked at educational programs previously, FDN was offering $500 off tuition and I was really bummed about because saving $500 is awesome but the timing just wasn’t right for me. I knew that I wasn’t ready to starting anything new, it didn’t feel right in my heart. But afterward, I felt like I missed out.

So when I saw that Megan (aka Ginger Nutrition), who attended and loved her experience with the FDN program, shared the $500 off code (you can use it too SAVE500 through 4/20/16) CLICK HERE – I didn’t hesitate.

I didn’t even take a minute to think. I signed up immediately.

It was a decision I THOUGHT I would need to think through very thoroughly and take my time to make sure my next step was really & honestly the right thing to do…  but just like proclaiming my “cookbook by 40” goal happened randomly in my kitchen to my husband, this decision to become a FDN Practitioner happened suddenly.

Previously, I would have had anxiety that I was wasting money on something that I would never complete. A program I ‘wanted’ to do but didn’t have the stick-to-it-ness to actually complete.

But I know now that I can do ANYTHING.

I’m going to become a FDN Practitioner by my 39th Birthday! – there it is, I’ve set my new goal! 

What's next for me? I'm becoming a FDN Practitioner!

What is a FDN Practitioner? 

Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® (FDN) is an emerging field and body of work which bridges the gap between clinical nutrition and functional medicine.

A FDN Practitioner is health-detective who seeks to identify and correct the underlying causes and conditions which lead to health complaints. While allopathic medical doctors diagnose and treat specific diseases and symptoms, FDN addresses the health of the whole body in a non-specific manner – which gets to the root cause, naturally eliminates symptoms and helps to return the body to health.

How does Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® work?

By using functional laboratory testing to identify malfunctions at the subclinical level within the following biological systems: Hormone, Immune, Digestion, Detoxification and Intestinal Barrier. It includes a process of support, analysis and continuous course correction until the body heals and normal function returns to the body system.

Drugless protocols and lifestyle modifications are used to support the body’s innate healing ability while eliminating overt or covert stressors, including environmental, lifestyle, antigenic, inflammatory and pathogenic stressors.

Who needs a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner?

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to have a full night’s sleep, go through a day without a headache, full of energy in the morning, afternoon and evening?  Do you suffer from allergies, acne and blood sugar problems?  Do you find yourself feeling depressed, emotionally fragile or anxious?   Do you have inflammation, pain, indigestion and bloating?  Have you ever experienced low sex drive, menstrual (not you gentlemen) problems or have difficulty loosing weight??

I ask these questions because many people experience symptoms related to systemic dysfunctions but can’t receive the proper help to alleviate them.  They are frustrated with traditional care and have nowhere else to turn.

If you feel like you are chasing symptoms and haven’t found the answers you’ve been looking for, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner can help guide you back to health!

What’s going to change here on HSITK?

Don’t panic! Not much will change here at HSITK! I’ll still be posting all the normal stuff you’ve come to love…. The only difference will be that I’ll become more educated on helping YOU achieve whole body health and will be also offering Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® services.

When will I be offering Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® services?

The FDN program is self-paced, most people typically take 3 to 6 months to complete the program. I will be starting to work with clients in the summer of 2016, initially I will be offering both group and 1 on 1 programs. We can work together virtually (phone/skype/etc.) or in person, locally.

Sign up HERE if you are invested in learning more about my Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® services as they become available.

Want to learn more about becoming a FDN Practitioner?

If you are also interested in becoming a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, you can save $500 off tuition by clicking HERE to learn more and entering the promo code SAVE500 at check out until 4/20/16.

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3 Comments

      1. Hi Hayley,

        I’m Tovonia. I’m interested in learning more about your experience with the FDN program.

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