About

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Hi I’m Anne,  I was born in Denmark and I now live in Canada, beautiful British Columbia with my husband and our 2 beautiful teenagers.

 My first education was in Hotel and Catering management which I took in Torquay, England. Returning to Denmark,  I continued with a four year gourmet chef degree. I am passionate about food and cooking – I love gathering people around a large table to share life, love, wine and delicious food.

I enjoyed my career as a chef and some highlights were cooking for celebrities such as Whitney Huston, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Jeromy Irons and bands such as Metallica as well as touring with Leonard Cohen.

Unfortunately, I got asthma from the kitchen fumes and that demanded a change of careers. So cooking gave way to another passion of mine, psychology. I took a Bachelor’s degree in Psychomotoric Therapy followed by 5 years training in Integrated Psychodynamic Therapy. For many years I worked with children of alcoholics, teaching and instructing other group leaders and founded a society for these children.

However, once again, a sickness (Meniere’s disease) brought on a new challenge and on the journey to restore my health I discovered how the combined healing powers of proper food, exercise, emotions and meditation could restore ones body and health. Not only did the attacks of Meniere’s disease fall away, my hereditary high cholesterol was reduced so that for the first time in many years I no longer needed to use medicine.

Continuing to develop on the idea of being healthier through good food, exercise, emotional and mental stability has brought all of my background into play and the concept of “Balanced Living” was formed.

Today I use my professional background and my personal experiences to help others heal and find balance in their lives. 

Let your body be your guide and teacher.
Listen mindfully, and find the path to healing.

This blog is about balanced living – all the things that add up to a balance in our lives. I write about the three important aspects of balanced living:

  1. Emotions:One of the most important and probably most overlooked factors in our overall health is Emotional Well-being. Stress and imbalances wreck havoc on our physical and mental health and overall well-being, often causing us to make unhealthy choices.In this world only the so-called “happy” emotions are welcome. We need to learn to embrace all of what we are, both physically and emotionally, “good” and “bad” emotions. We know that suppressing our emotions creates stress and unhappiness and thereby weakening our body’s immune system. Learning to recognize and embrace all emotions is part of finding your life balance.
  2. Good food & good eating: Eating good well prepared authentic food – slow food – organic food – home cooked food. Taking time to enjoy food.
  3. A healthy body: Caring for the body is giving it good food it is also giving it enough rest, relaxation, meditation, exercise, and fun.

Imbalance happens when we suppress ourselves, when we stop listening to ourselves. Imbalance is the body’s healthy way to get our attention

Professional Background

Trained as a gourmet chef in Denmark.

I am an Integrated Dynamic Psychotherapist, educated in Denmark. I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychomotoric therapy.

As a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist, my background is The Object Relations Theory and Modern Psychoanalysis.

I use Intensive Dynamic Short-term Psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy, Client Centered Psychotherapy and Imago Therapy.
Habib Davanloo , Carl Rogers , Harville Hendrix, Karna Bøllingtoft, Inger Engelund Poulsen, Otto Kernberg , Melanie Klein, Sverker Belin , Michael Balint, Clarence Craford, Pearls, A.H. Almas – have taught and inspired me through the years.

Projects:
In 2007 I finished a 2-year project “Back to Life” which helped children of alcoholics. The project was financed by the Danish Ministry of Social Affairs.

I am the founder of the non-profit organization “Forglemmigej/Forget-me-not.” I have for many years facilitated groups for children of alcoholics and led educational groups for professionals working with children.

I have contributed to the book “Flirt med Livet” by Louise Scheele Elling and Lars Ylander and “Rewrite your life” by Junie Swadron

At the moment I am in the process of publishing my book Julia’s Secret a book for children of alcoholics.

My Story

I was living a pretty happy life, busy with kids, family, friends and  work. One year after the other went by . Over the years something happened to me it sneaked in on me and I found myself on auto pilot, I was numbed out.  I guess, I like so many others, had left “home” in the process and I was feeling more and more detached from myself. I had become overweight, unfit and tired. I was missing that young bubbly, courageous, spunky girl I once was. I just didn’t know how to get her back, so I ignored it, ate some more good food and worked harder to deafen the noise.  It took sickness, depression, high cholesterol, 20 kg overweight and a scary dose of Meniere’s disease to finally get my attention, wake me up and see that there was imbalance in my life. I had to do something, but I did not have a clue what to do.  I was caught in a trap. There was NO WAY I would go on a diet, there was NO WAY I wanted to be paralyzed with Meniere’s disease. I did not want to up my Lipitor, the cholesterol medication, as the doctor prescribed,  just to be able to eat more bacon, it didn’t really make sense to me. I knew things had to change.

A loving friend came to me with two bottles of green smoothies and a book that have changed my life – Green for life by Victoria Boutenko. First I looked at the two bottles with green stuff and thought it looked disgusting, almost like a magic drink from Harry Potter and I was expecting a frog to jump out of it any minute. I hesitated, but took a little sip and to my surprise I LOVED it. I downed one bottle then the next, while I read the entire book in one go. The next morning I went out to buy a blender and that was the beginning of a very green love affair.

By drinking smoothies I started to crave more greens, started to flirt with vegan food and raw food dishes – plant – based food, made from leafy greens, seeds, grains, nuts and fruit. I had that for breakfast, then also for lunch – I felt better. I lost weight, I got more energy and started to run, lost more weight, the depression liftet, Menieres disease went  (you can read more about my journey with Meniere’s disease,here)  no more scary attacks!  I lost 17 kg and my generic cholesterol is normal, without medication!

This does not mean that I am a vegan, a raw foodist, or a vegetarian – I changed my diet from being 80% based on meat, dairy etc /20% fruit and vegetable – to being 80% plant-based /20%  meat, dairy etc. I had the balance wrong and my body was suffering because of it.  I eat everything, but I make sure to satisfy my  nutritional needs with delicious plant-based foods first.

I have been very inspired by New York Times food journalist Mark Bittman – who defined VB6, Vegan before 6 – eating plant-based food all day and having a “normal” meal at night, but still with most focus on greens, vegetables and fruits. We even do – VUF – Vegan until Friday, from time to time.

Things I love
I love nature, spending time in nature is the best way for me to relax, recharge and reconnect with what is true to me. Spending time with my family and friends preferably around a table sharing food, love and laughter. I am into everything that is honest – authentic and from the heart. It goes for everything in life, authentic relationships, authentic and honest conversations is the best I know, the space between us can be sacred. The food we eat, let it be honest and pure. I love books and can never get enough I read 3-4 books at the time 🙂 I love music all kinds of music depending on my mood. I love being in the kitchen creating new recipes or old favorites, I love my morning run, kayaking, cross-country skiing, dancing, swimming, oh yes and horse riding – Icelandic horses, nothing like a good toelt in nature. I love ……….

97 thoughts on “About”

  1. Wow Anne! I feel the connection and the love coming through, all the way to Puerto Vallarta… Gracias amiga! Marie

    Reply

  2. Hi Anne
    You are such an inspiration to us all. Your honesty and your ability to share personal experiences should encourage everyone to love life and make the most of what we have been given.
    Lisbet

    Reply

  4. What a beautiful site Anne! You are truly an ispiration, thank you for sharing your
    story and wisdom! I love your authencity!!!
    Namaste,
    Cindy.

    Reply

  7. Such a beautiful introduction! “lmost like a magic drink from Harry Potter and I was expecting a frog to jump out of it any minute” – I love it!!! Your healing journey is SO motivating!

    Such a wonderful career path you are on as well. Is there anywhere I can read about your back to life project? I would be super interested in learning more about it as it is partly related to my study and work background and interests within that.

    Reply

    • Thank you Dudette! You are so kind 🙂
      I really appreciate your feedback and comments!
      I wish I had something in English about “Back to Life” unfortunately it is all in Danish. But I am working on a book for children of alcoholics and also a text book to go with it.
      It was so amazing to work with these beautiful children! I would be glad to share my experience!
      Thank you for the follow!
      Love
      Anne

      Reply

  11. Very inspiring! Enjoyed “meeting” you, so to speak. I grew up in a home with an alcholic parent, that being my dad. Thankfully he, now is a new man, has an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and my daughters have a great relationship with their grandpa. My parents divorced when I was around 11. My mom re-married twice to men that were much worse than my dad. Thankfully, she made it safely out of those relationships. Thank you for sharing. May you continue to be extremely blessed in all that you do.Sheri Haskins : )

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  13. Such an inspirational story. It’s great to hear when people take charge of their health, rather than leave it to doctors and chance. You sound like such an amazing person! 🙂

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  14. Very inspiring story. We are kindred spirits. Thanks for sharing. Love your outlook, ability to take control and your positive attitude!

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  16. You’ve got the whole picture Anne! Plant based food and exercise! I don’t miss all that meat, how can you when those veggies/grains cooked, raw taste so good? I think some people really don’t give it a good try. They don’t cook at home or know how easy it is to prepare healty meals and stay addicted to the other food. I know it’s an addiction, as with most things, with habitual use. Without “greens” it took me 6 months without eating ice-cream to stop craving it.

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    • Welcome – I am so glad you are here!
      Exciting that you also work in psychoanalysis and that you are going to the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute. I am sure that will be an amazing experience.
      Looking forward to visiting your blog!

      Reply

  18. WOW. Pleased to meet you! Can’t wait to read more. I would love to know if you still suffer from meniere’s or are all of your symptoms gone? My father was recently diagnosed with this… Thanks

    Reply

    • Thrilled to meet you too 🙂
      I was just thinking this morning that I would do a blog post about Meniere’s!
      I have not had a single attack (knock on wood) for about 2 years!! I can still experience pressure on the ear, but that I can live with! A full blown scary Meniere attack I have not had since I started changing my diet. It is quite amazing – I was told to learn to live with it 🙂 I am very happy!!!

      Reply

  23. Anne,

    Your plant-wild-week just caught my eye (on FB), and I checked your site. Loving the site, the recipes, you. Will do a week of plant based foods myself per inspiration from you.

    Trine

    Reply

  24. Dear Anne,
    I appreciate for stopping by NutriSpire and giving me a like on my latest post.
    You have a beautiful and inspirational blog. Thank you for being here and serving others with love and compassion. I am looking forward to your read your book…

    Wishing you health and happiness!

    Reply

    • Ahh thank you so much 🙂 You are so kind, I really appreciate it!
      Wishing you all the best and I am looking forward to news from Nutrispire too – great blog, I love the name!!

      Reply

  29. What a change in your life! Since I have cronic pain, 6 years ago, I do more sports, a lot of walking & cycling.I also do Aqua Gym & yoga 1x/ week & eat like you: 80% plant based, 20% meat & nearly no cow’s milk products & I feel great & better too!! So much more energy too! 🙂 Good for you & nice to meet you too! Many greets from a foodie from Belgium!! xxx

    Reply

    • Thank you Sophie – I am so happy to meet you too 🙂
      Wow you sound like you are living a very active and healthy life! Did you get rid of the pain?
      Brussels is one of my favorite cities in the world. I have enjoyed some of the best food ever, in Brussels 🙂
      XXX

      Reply

  32. Anne, for over two months I drink green (fruit/veggies/water) smoothies for breakfast, and I absolutely LOVE it. My weight has gone down a little and I feel good.
    But how can I maintain this while on holiday, do you have tips? In summer we will go to the USA for four weeks – staying in hotels – and I’m so afraid that those four weeks will ‘spoil’ it all.
    If you could help me out, I would be delighted.
    ~Marion

    Reply

    • That is wonderful! I am so happy you are drinking green smoothies, enjoying them and feeling the benefits.
      4 weeks in USA, so exciting 🙂
      I love green smoothies so much and I can so relate to your worry about traveling and not being able to get them. Anyway, I think with a bit of planning you will be fine. If you know where you are staying, I would ask the hotel ahead of time if they would prepare green smoothies for you, and tell them how you like them. If not, lots of hotel restaurants have smoothies on the menu, I usually ask them if they will add a handful of spinach and leave out the the yoghurt. In USA service is amazing, so I am sure they will be happy to help.
      I suggest you google ahead of time to check out the places you are going, to find juice bars, vegan restaurants or raw food places where you can go in and have your daily dose of green smoothies.
      USA has it all – it is true that there are lots of fast food, burgers and fries, but if you search there are also the best of the best places for healthy food, restaurants, cafes, health food markets ect
      Order extra and bring it with you when you travel to the next place.
      You are in for a treat 🙂

      Reply

      • In go the veggies, out the lactose. I couldn’t agree more, Anne. Looking forward to experiencing that famous American service. Thanks so much for your advice, I will Google, for the route is almost planned.
        We will stay in motels, so can provide for our own breakfast. And that will be healthy. If needed, I’ll simply eat whole fruits and carrots or something. 😀

  34. What a fabulous and interesting background Anne! I look forward to browsing and reading your blog. My personal chef work includes quite a bit of nutritional therapy for clients with health and nutrition challenges. I find it fascinating how we can heal our bodies through food. So excited to find your blog. Delicious Wishes! Karista

    Reply

    • Thank you Karista! Yes it really is amazing how we can heal our bodies through food and lifestyle changes – it fascinates me too!
      I love how you are including nutritional therapy into your chef work to help people heal. I will come and visit your blog to learn more 🙂
      So happy you found me!
      Delicious wishes right back to you!
      XXX

      Reply

  36. Hi Anne,
    I just stumbled on your site and love it! I’m an avid juicer and smoothie lover and feel the whole world should be too! 🙂 Thanks for your beautiful recipes and lovely photos. You ‘ve inspired me to find the fun, youthful, bubbly girl in me – we all need to reinvent from time to time.
    Healthy regards!
    Deborah

    Reply

    • Dear Paula – I lost the weight over a long time and have kept it of. It was a life style change that took place for me – my body was screaming for attention! Honestly getting rid of those miserable 3 kg on your beautiful body is easy 🙂 I recommend exercise and that the majority of what you eat is plant-based. You will be surprised how quickly you will loose the weight and feel great!

      Reply

      • Thank you dear 🙂 I love my veggies … the stress however made me rediscover my love of bacon and cheese ;). I do need to start moving despite hay fever and all, I know I will feel much better. Today I re-read many of your posts cause they feel me with good vibes. *hugs*

    • Thank you so much! You are so sweet Carol!
      I stopped accepting the rewards because it took too much time, but please know that I really appreciate the thought 🙂
      Hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend!

      Reply

      • I agree about the time it takes. I spent 3 evenings putting this together. Any new awards have to be different from ones I’ve already accepted. Thanks for responding.

  41. Wow Anne, love your story and it resonates with me so much!! Although I was born in Canada, my parents both immigrated from Denmark before I was born here and all my extended family is in DK so my hearts and roots are definitely with Denmark. Now living in Ottawa, I’m loving Canada. I loved to read about your adventures with food and love to connect with like minded souls… So very nice to meet you!! Catherine xox (also known as Trine to family and friends ;-))

    Reply

    • Hi Trine – So happy to meet you!
      Thank you for taking the time to read my story!
      You have roots in Denmark, that’s exciting 🙂
      Do you go back and visit family?
      Great to connect with you!

      Reply

  44. You are an inspiration. After all this, you are now a person I identify thorough your blog which is vivid and full of life and energy AND POSITIVE ENERGY! ‘Following’ you.

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  45. Hello dear Anne, there hasn’t been activity on your blog for a long time now, and I stop by every now and then and read your old posts that are always inspiring. I hope that you are well, and if busy then not stressed with too much to do. Sending you my best regards and wishes always. Paula

    Reply

    • Wow sounds great with your veggie garden in Phoenix Arizona, where the climate must be absolutely beautiful for growing veggies. Thank you for your kind comment – looking forward to visiting your blog 🙂

      Reply

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