How My CookWell Business Works Well

Written by Courtney Coleman | 01 September 2009

Consulting with people in their own kitchens on whole foods nutrition and meal preparation for the past three years in SLO County has been deeply fulfilling for me. I feel so blessed to be doing what I love while making lots of new friends along the way. 

When someone contacts me to begin the transition to a whole foods diet, I ask, "What are your specific goals?" I’ve found that people want to feel better and have more energy, learn to make whole foods snacks and meals for their families, get completely off refined foods, balance blood sugar, pH, and hormones, and may even want to cleanse various organs. Next I try to determine the person’s individual constitution, metabolism and blood type so I can design their session around the types of foods which will help to balance their particular system. About a week ahead of our in-home session, I send the client the list of ingredients we’ll need. They shop or I can shop for them.

When I arrive for the session we discuss the informational handouts I bring and several other important topics. Then, we prep and cook the food together; all the while I spot them on techniques so it turns out really tasty. Last, we have the option of eating some of the wonderful food together. It’s always fun, and very enlightening!

Private Sessions help people who know they need to get off fast and processed foods but feel overwhelmed because they don’t know much about cooking or they’ve heard conflicting information about soy, cooking oils, oxalic acid vegetables, etc. They just don’t know where to begin. I enjoy taking my clients gently by the hand and clarifying everything and helping them make the transition to whole foods at their own pace. Group sessions are lots of fun too. The chopping and cooking happens quickly with so many hands helping out. With all the questions and ideas floating around, the learning is rich and varied. After we dine together, we usually end up lingering around the good food and wine, laughing and talking. It’s a sweet social siesta for participants to look forward to.

Keeping in touch after our sessions together is great, as I get to witness my client’s increased vitality. And, because our county is so small, I always end up seeing the people I’ve consulted with again somewhere, and we catch up over smiles and hugs.

Courtney loves to give free talks about whole foods as preventative medicine. For a comprehensive look at what you’ll learn in the entire CookWell course, the healing philosophies behind the foods, Courtney’s background, rates, and testimonials, visit: www.cookwell.org.