I GRADUATED!!!

I’m referring to my nutrition program with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, which is what first began this blog, this website, this journey as a certified health coach. I am so proud to have reached the end, but as our founder Joshua Rosenthal said, it’s really just the beginning.

That couldn’t be truer! Now that I’m officially certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, with a diploma from my school on its way, my time can be more focused on my health coaching business, For the Health of It.

So far, I am coaching three clients in my six-month health coaching program. I meet with each one twice a month for six months. One is done over the phone and two are in person. Each client receives handouts, education and giveaways during the sessions, while we discuss nutrition, lifestyle and individual goals.

I’ve hosted two workshops about beating sugar cravings, and I’m hosting another next week! Soon, I will plan a webinar so that everyone can listen to my workshop from the comfort of their home. (That includes you!) I send out monthly newsletters. (You can subscribe at the bottom of my homepage!) I also plan on offering a group health coaching program and a cleansing program. Stay tuned!

I have to keep reminding myself that this journey has just begun, because so far, it has been incredible. I’m not ready for it to end. Ever. Everyone I’ve met through my school has amazing qualities and personalities. My instructors, including Andrew Weil, Deepak Chopra and Mark Hyman, couldn’t have opened my eyes any wider to what’s happening in our food industry and with the quality of food that we intake.

To celebrate my graduation, my mom made me my own recipe of veggie chili that I adore. I baked us fresh cookies (the recipe I'm about to share), which I enjoyed while sipping home-brewed kombucha from a wine glass during my graduation. After the ceremony, I walked into the kitchen to find a vase of lilies and tulips, cupcakes and a congratulations card from my parents. So sweet!!

This is the beginning to something magical for me, and for you too, if you bake these cookies. They are vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free and flour-free! I originally got the recipe from my friend’s food blog, foodloveswriting.com, who originally got them from here. You can eat the dough as is or bake it into fresh, warm, chewy (and slightly crumbly) cookies. They taste melt-in-your-mouth amazing and they have LOTS of protein to fill you up and leave you satisfied.

Enjoy! While you do, consider signing up for a free health consultation with me. What do you have to lose? No strings attached, I highly recommend it. Email me at Alicia@forthehealthofitcoaching.com!

Nutty Chocolate Coconut Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup almond butter

1/4 cup Sucanat (or brown sugar)

1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)

3 Tablespoons coconut oil

1 cup coconut flakes (unsweetened preferably)

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Dash salt

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1/2 cup almond meal

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all of the ingredients together, adding the chocolate chips and almond meal last.

Form into one-inch dough balls on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes.