Here at Integrative Nutrition, we think it’s important to go green all year long. Keep yesterday’s Earth Day celebration going by finding ways to nourish your body in an eco-friendly way. This vegan, gluten-free recipe for Kale Pesto from IIN student Abby Hughes is so simple, yet delicious and healthy! It’s a perfect accompaniment to a grain salad or mixed vegetables. Now hit the farmer’s market for a fresh bunch of kale, and in case you missed it, be sure to check out our list of 60 ways to go green for some extra inspiration!

2011 graduate Elisa Haggarty realized two things upon her arrival in Hong Kong, where she relocated from Morristown, New Jersey. One: her new job as an English teacher was not all she had hoped it would be; and two: her students suffered from a poor level of health and nutrition.

After contemplating where she saw her future self, and how she could make a difference in the health of her students, she enrolled in Integrative Nutrition’s Health Coach Training Program and sensed a new path emerging in her career. Elisa continues to teach English, but is now sharing her knowledge of health and wellness in her school and introducing new practices that her coworkers and students otherwise may never have learned. She hopes to eventually transition to educating others about whole foods and eating well full-time, since she has found in her travels that the strong need for health coaches is universal. Read more about this graduate’s journey below!

What were you doing before Integrative Nutrition?

Before enrolling in IIN, I was teaching English at an International School in Hong Kong. I came here from New Jersey in the pursuit of an adventure, change of pace and a new challenge. As soon as I arrived, I knew this job was not the right fit for me. I had no support system here and felt frustrated by teaching English when I KNEW there was more important information and more issues for me to tackle. At one point, only four years into teaching English, I even contemplated quitting teaching and finding another profession. I felt an overwhelming sense of apathy because I saw so many of my students were overweight and headed straight towards bad health and disease.

2010 Integrative Nutrition graduate Jessica Idleman had an existing background and knowledge in health that supported her work as a nutritionist. What she was missing, however, was the ability to turn this expertise into a thriving business. Through new connections and a gained sense of confidence acquired in the Health Coach Training Program, Jessica found the direction she needed for her practice, Glow Nutrition, and catapulted into success. Now she’s sharing her knowledge and expertise in healthy cooking with members of her community in Springfield, MO, a place where health coaches are hard to come by and many people rely solely on counting calories to stay slim. Read more about what this grad is up to below!

What were you doing before Integrative Nutrition?

I was working as a nutritionist doing essentially the same thing I am still doing. Integrative Nutrition helped me take my practice to the next level and solidify a business model.

What led you to explore Integrative Nutrition's program?

You probably already looked at the calendar and realized it’s 11/11/11. Here at Integrative Nutrition, we’re calling it a Day of Oneness. One Health Coach can inspire thousands to get healthier and happier and together, we can create a ripple effect of health and happiness that changes the world.

We’ve come up with a way that will allow you to make a difference in your own life as well as the lives of others. If you call an Admissions Advisor at (877) 730-5444 to enroll in the Health Coach Training Program today only from 9am-5pm EST, we’ll donate $111 to your choice of these charities:

Hundreds of students and graduates rocked it out this past weekend at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City for Rock the Ripple Effect! During this fantastic one-day conference, we heard from several inspiring speakers and discussed how the Integrative Nutrition community is helping others transform their lives. Many conference attendees connected and made new friends, while others picked up great tips for their business and felt a new sense of empowerment!

Andrew Weil, MD, the Founder and Director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, gave the keynote address. Dr. Weil is a best-selling author and a world-renowned expert on mind-body interactions and healing systems. He spoke about the dangers of fructose, his anti-inflammatory pyramid, and demonstrated a breathing exercise to help manage stress.