photo: Steve Peterson
After finding that the correct diet helped her own health problems, Debbie Sarfati started Whole Nourishment to teach clients how to eat healthier foods. A certified holistic health counselor, she says her business has seen a steady increase, and she also hopes to publish a cookbook. |
Jan. 20 - Feb. 2, 2006
EATING RIGHT
Counselor gives clients natural foods advice for health, diet
By
Elizabeth Gold
BOULDER — It’s January again – prime time to
resolve to make changes in the year ahead. For many that
means another attempt to get in shape, lose a few extra
pounds.
But how to do it? Debbie Sarfati, owner of Whole
Nourishment in Boulder, is in business to help clients not
just lose weight, but get healthier.
“About 40 percent of the people who come to me
come for weight loss, but that’s not usually the only
issue,” she said. Since 2001 Sarfati has helped clients
learn how to eat right. Some clients need to lose weight,
and some are dealing with health problems.
“My specialty is digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease,
irritable bowel syndrome and colitis,” Sarfati said, of the
physical maladies she helps people deal with through diet.
“I also see a lot of people with blood sugar problems like
diabetes or hypoglycemia.
“I work with people on performance issues, too. That generally
means moms who want more energy for their kids.”
Sarfati, a certified holistic health counselor who’s accredited
by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners,
got into her profession after spending years struggling with
her own health problems. In 1996 she was diagnosed with
Crohn’s disease — a chronic illness that causes intestinal
ulcerations and inflammation.
When her own treatment reached the point of 28
pills a day, and she still suffered from the illness, Sarfati
took things into her own hands and started studying
diet and nutrition.
Now for the past seven years she’s managed her health
without medication –following a diet of natural,
unprocessed foods.
When clients come to Whole Nourishment, they have a
private consultation with Sarfati in which they discuss
health concerns and diet.
“One client I had was in her mid-50s, was overweight, had
high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and was going
through menopause,” she said. “She lost 30 pounds, and her
blood work eventually came back normal. Her hot flashes and
mood swings even dissipated once her body became balanced.”
The standard Whole Nourishment program includes six sessions,
three hands-on cooking classes and one guided tour of a
health-food store.
Initial consultation runs $45 after which clients pay $200 each
month for the three-month program. A couples program, which can
include a spouse, family member or friend, costs $300 a month for
two people.
In 2006 she will institute a program for larger groups at a lower
monthly rate.
“I’m trying to make it more affordable,” Sarfati said. “I know
$200 a month is a lot for some people even if it is an investment
in their health.”
To date, she’s worked with hundreds of people and generally has 50
active clients. She has built her client base strictly through referrals.
“In 2003 I started expanding because clients would say things
like, ‘I wish you could work with my mom in Arizona,’” Sarfati
explained.“Now I have a full long-distance program where we have
telephone sessions, and I mail or e-mail recipes and articles.”
When she initially started out, the challenge was to start a business
without digging deeper into debt. “When I graduated I had
$25,000 to $30,000 in student loans and decided I didn’t want to
incur any more debts,” she said.
Her tactic was to work three days a week in a chiropractor’s office
and build her own practice two days a week. She moved into her current
office at 27th and Pearl three years ago.
Leads groups, Chamber of Commerce events and networking
with other practitioners got the business where it is today.“My business
does extremely well,” Sarfati said. “From 2003 to 2004 my business
tripled. Since then it’s been a steady increase.
“The biggest challenge as a sole proprietor has been that I
can only add so many hours into each week — I was capped.
I’m only 28 and would rather not be capped already.”
Creating group and shared sessions are tactics she’s taking to get
around the problem. She’s also planning to publish a cookbook by
the 2006 holiday season.
Sarfati recently incorporated Whole Nourishment.
For more information, Sarfati can be reached at (303) 938-1468,
or through her Web site www.wholenourishment.com.
|
