Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 John 1:2 NLT
If you're struggling to figure out:
1) What’s going on with the unrest in your body
2) How to have the personal attention you deserve
3) How to live and maintain a healthy mindset and lifestyle
4) How to eat nutrient-dense food and exercise for maximum results
5) How to be thankful
6) How to love YOU
7) How to identify limiting beliefs about your health
8) How to stand in your authority over your body
9) How to trust God in ALL things...God wants "you" well in every area of your life
Good News, my friend. You’ve come to the right place!
Hello, I am Carolyn Akens, and I am so glad you stopped by!
It is my objective that you are in phenomenal health! Having the faith to believe the word of God makes it all happen.
Since you’ve landed on this page, I know that you’re ready for relief from the pain you’re dealing with constantly. Pain, that truly is the operative word whether it physical or heart pain. Did you know that heart pain is often the door that leads to physical pain? How do I know this…heart pain, inflammation, physical pain, and extra weight were part of my life until I found the key to make it all go away? The greatest pain reliever for heart and physical pain is Jesus!
I was feeling on top of the world and them BAM…I had the biggest pain I had ever felt!
I was bringing in groceries and noticed a sharp pain in my right wrist and it got worse. I thought it was due to stress because...
- I suffered the loss of a very dear friend to breast cancer
- My daughter had been diagnosed with breast cancer (my daughter is now cancer-free)
- My nephew passed
“Nothing is Wrong With You!” Doctors, x-rays, and money flying out the door, doctors were telling me nothing was wrong with my wrist that it was the beginning stages of arthritis. That wasn't acceptable!
Sometime we have to look within to know the real cause and that’s exactly what I did. I sat down and took the time to really access what was going on with me:
- The food I had been eating
- Lack of exercise
- Caring for family members
- Caring for friends
- Tending to my clients
- Heart issues that had never been healed (brokenness) that were still lingering from the past
I did not put myself first and ignored the most significant culprit; my actions were leading to inflammation. I ate foods that I usually wouldn't eat; especially processed foods and then I gained weight.
I am not perfect. I made some bad food choices during a time of deep emotional stress. This lead to:
- Negative gut health
- Not maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- Sleep deprivation
- Low energy levels
- Mood swings
- Constipation
- Unforgiveness
All of which are triggers of inflammation. I reversed the symptoms from profound emotional stress by getting back on track and eating more nutrient-rich foods. Reading God's Word and casting all of my cares on Him, and the heart pain begin to subside, not because of anything I did, but what Jesus had already done on the cross. Alone we can't, with Jesus, we can do all things! As I began to make those changes, it put out the flames of inflammation. Now I am healthy and whole in every area of my life.
Did you know that years ago I weighed 185 pounds, which put me in the obese category? When I was overweight, I had very low self-esteem, and I kept asking myself, "How did I get to this point." I was addicted to food, emotional eater, stressed, heart issues and didn’t know what to do.
What I realized was that I had to know “my why” for the weight gain and it was very painful, but I pushed through and dealt with the childhood pain (sexual abuse, abandonment by parents, ex-husband's physical and mental abuse) all those things held me hostage for years. I knew changes had to be implemented to execute successful natural weight loss and keep it off.
I had to remember...Brokenness Is Not My Heritage! And most of all, Jesus loves me!!
I am no different than you and if I can do it, so can you. I will be with you every step of the way!
My younger brother succumbed to complications of morbid obesity when he was only 45, leaving a wife, three children and siblings behind. My brother had many health problems attributed to morbid obesity. I knew that obesity wasn’t hereditary; it is what we put in our mouths that makes the difference.
Clean eating allows you to eat food that your body will love and will fight inflammation, which causes so much unrest in your body. If you feel bound in the throngs of poor health and unhealthy lifestyle choices, I will educate you so you will be able to change and be free just like me!
I will coach you on how to eat whole foods for your healthy transformation while supporting you with your goals. I will teach you how to shift your mindset about food to coincide with your spirit, soul and body. My desire is to: Bring You Back to Health, One Bite at a Time!™
Are your exercising? I loved walking, but never did any strength training. Now, I am doing lots of strength training and loving it!! Plus, I am physically fit with lots of energy! All that transformation took place many years ago and I've kept it off. Would you like to know exactly what I'm doing? Send me an email, I am excited to share the details with you!
Whatever challenges you're facing, together we will be a FORCEFUL TEAM because I want you healthy in every area of your life!
I have had the great fortune of knowing Carolyn Akens for over a decade. Carolyn is a dear and trusted friend to our family. She is not only an exceptional chef, but a health and lifestyle coach. For the quarter century I have been blessed with an exceptional career as a brain and spine surgeon. I have spent countless hours both teaching and being taught the science of neurological surgery. An important part of this education has focused on how to properly nourish the patient after surgery to make the most of my repairs. Carolyn’s approach is simple and if you trust her you will quickly realize a revelation in your approach to your diet. Everything she recommends has a well thought out reason that makes perfect medical and nutritional sense.
- Charles O. Wood, M.D.
Working with Carolyn Akens has been a joy on so many levels. One of my main goals in working with Carolyn was that I wanted to lose weight. I had previously been diagnosed as pre-diabetic and told that I needed to lose weight. My other goal was I just wanted to eat healthier because I always felt better when I did so. I had often tried various diets and eating plans, but was never successful on them for more than a few days.
After working with Carolyn, I have both lost weight (13 lbs) and transformed my eating habits to much healthier fare, and I feel better! Carolyn masterfully guided me in transitioning my diet to a “clean” one – to nutritious and unprocessed foods. She did this with her materials, recipes, her knowledge and wisdom, and her constant and loving encouragement. I feel so blessed to have learned from Carolyn and I highly recommend her to anyone looking to lose weight and eat healthier.
- Suzanne Thomas, Dallas, TX
Since I have been following your tips to a healthy and better lifestyle, I have lost 14 pounds and dropped down two sizes!! Keep those tips coming! Thank you Carolyn!
Lance E. West, Wellesley, MA
- Charles O. Wood, M.D.
Working with Carolyn Akens has been a joy on so many levels. One of my main goals in working with Carolyn was that I wanted to lose weight. I had previously been diagnosed as pre-diabetic and told that I needed to lose weight. My other goal was I just wanted to eat healthier because I always felt better when I did so. I had often tried various diets and eating plans, but was never successful on them for more than a few days.
After working with Carolyn, I have both lost weight (13 lbs) and transformed my eating habits to much healthier fare, and I feel better! Carolyn masterfully guided me in transitioning my diet to a “clean” one – to nutritious and unprocessed foods. She did this with her materials, recipes, her knowledge and wisdom, and her constant and loving encouragement. I feel so blessed to have learned from Carolyn and I highly recommend her to anyone looking to lose weight and eat healthier.
- Suzanne Thomas, Dallas, TX
Since I have been following your tips to a healthy and better lifestyle, I have lost 14 pounds and dropped down two sizes!! Keep those tips coming! Thank you Carolyn!
Lance E. West, Wellesley, MA
Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner-AADP, Certified Integrative Nutrition Holistic Health Coach-IIN, and Holistic Chef
I received my health coach training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, NY, NY, and studied over 100 dietary theories, practical lifestyle management techniques, and innovative coaching methods with some of the world’s top health and wellness experts. Which include: Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine; Dr. Deepak Chopra, leader in the field of mind-body medicine; Dr. David Katz, Director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center; Dr. Walter Willett, Chair of Nutrition at Harvard University; Geneen Roth, bestselling author and expert on emotional eating; Joel Fuhrman, MD; Arthur Agatston, MD; Barry Sears, PhD, Mark Hyman, MD; Neal Barnard, MD; Bernie Siegel, MD; Sally Fallon Morell, Annemarie Colbin, and many other leading researchers and nutrition authorities. My education has equipped me with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, and preventive health.
Additional Professional Training:
California State University, Sacramento - Business Administration
I have been featured in local and national magazines and Radio show:
I received my health coach training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, NY, NY, and studied over 100 dietary theories, practical lifestyle management techniques, and innovative coaching methods with some of the world’s top health and wellness experts. Which include: Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine; Dr. Deepak Chopra, leader in the field of mind-body medicine; Dr. David Katz, Director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center; Dr. Walter Willett, Chair of Nutrition at Harvard University; Geneen Roth, bestselling author and expert on emotional eating; Joel Fuhrman, MD; Arthur Agatston, MD; Barry Sears, PhD, Mark Hyman, MD; Neal Barnard, MD; Bernie Siegel, MD; Sally Fallon Morell, Annemarie Colbin, and many other leading researchers and nutrition authorities. My education has equipped me with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, and preventive health.
Additional Professional Training:
- Super Immunity - six-week course from Dr. Joel Fuhrman
- Digestive Intensive - four-week certification course, with Functional Medicine Nutritionist Andrea Nakayama
- Gut Advisor - 3-day intensive certification course with Nutritionist, Karen Langston
California State University, Sacramento - Business Administration
I have been featured in local and national magazines and Radio show:
- Atlanta Life Magazine
- Purely Delicious Magazine
- Points North Magazine,
- Fast Company magazine
- Chow Magazine
- Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle Magazine
- Alpharetta/Roswell Neighbor Newspaper
- HoL.Network
- The Raw Mocha Angel
- Raw Wisdom
- Rhio’s Hooked on Raw Radio Show
Professional Memberships:
- American Association of Drugless Practitioners
- American Holistic Health Association
- International Association for Health Coaches
- Weston A. Price Foundation
Health Disclaimer:
I am not a medical doctor, dietician, or nutritionist. I do not hold a degree in medicine, dietetics, or nutrition. None of the suggestions given here on this website, www.chefcarolyn.com, or offline by Carolyn Akens/Chef Carolyn, makes claims to any specialized medical training, nor do I dispense medical advice or prescriptions, nor has the information been evaluated by any government agency. This content is not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease and/or condition. It is intended to be provided for informational, educational, and self-empowerment purposes ONLY. Please consult with your medical physician before starting any new health and/or eating lifestyle program.
