Mindful Family Wellness

My Story

I found myself here, as a Functional Nutritionist and Doula, after many years of self exploration and evolution. I have always been interested in nutrition and using food as medicine. I suppose this interest started when I was around 14 or 15 years old, I became a vegetarian, but I didn't want to be an unhealthy processed food vegetarian. I wanted to be healthy, eat a lot of veggies and make sure I got enough protein. Meanwhile, I moved all along the East Coast, from the age of 18 though now, including New York, Vermont, Florida, and North Carolina. While in Florida, I met my husband and started my family. I realized during my time pregnant with my first daughter in 2003 and then my twins in 2007-8, that it was pretty difficult not only getting information on how to sustain a healthy pregnancy while being vegetarian but also finding providers that would support me in this and not make me feel like I was doing something wrong or unhealthy for my baby. I knew deep in my heart that I could be that resource for people. (Don't worry, I don't force vegetarianism on ANYONE!). I first became a Certified Health Coach (IIN) but realized pretty quickly that it was too superficial for what I wanted to do with my nutrition clients. So I returned to school for my second Master's degree at MUIH and started a long path to become a CNS,  Functional Nutritionist and NC Licensed Nutritionist.

Simultaneously, through my birth experiences, I fell in love with the idea of supporting birthing people through doula work. I had the most wonderful birth experiences at home and at a birth center with my wonderful midwives and doula. Sadly, I noticed there are so many more scary and negative birth stories being shared than positive. I craved to be a positive birth story and to help pregnant people prepare for their positive and empowering birth, no matter what birth experience they envision for themself (unmedicated, medicated birth, belly birth; homebirth, birth center birth, hospital birth). No one should ever be made to feel helpless, weak, or out of control during their labor and birth.

Through this journey, I have created the most wonderful and fulfilling career for myself. I am able to work with individuals through nutrition guidance and support, OR I can help support my wonderful doula clients, OR I can provide both doula support and nutritional guidance for those interested! Please take a look around my website and reach out to me with any questions you might have or to set up a session or consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!
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Rebecca has a Master's of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health, from the Maryland University of Integrative Health (MS).  She is a North Carolina Licensed Nutritionist (LN) through the North Carolina Board of Dietetics and Nutrition and a Board Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS).  She is also a CAPPA certified labor doula (CLD), APPA certified Placenta Arts Specialist (APPA-C) and HypnoBirthing® Certified Childbirth Educator (HBCBE). Along with her birth and nutrition credentials, Rebecca also has an MA in Art Education from Florida International University, and was an art teacher for many years in the Miami/Dade School System in South Florida.