12 Steps to Whole Foods

Foreword
The title of the course grabbed my attention. I initially assumed that “12 Steps” was a spin-off of anonymous
recovery type programs. That spoke to me, because I was and am a food addict.
Really, “12 Steps” refers to making small nutritional changes through the year, introducing a new idea each
month. Green smoothies were just the beginning. I was totally mesmerized as I read through this guide. It was
like having Robyn in the kitchen guiding me, step by step. Remember, I’d never spent time in the kitchen!
The mystery of making tasty, healthy meals out of whole foods was unraveled. I needed all the information she
posts on the Web, but the organized, sequential course was essential. I wish I had it when I first found out I was
food sensitive. In fact, I wish I had this information before I began dealing with my sensitivities. Now, I grow
my own herbs and sprouts. I use my dehydrator. I even make fermented vegetables. And it’s easy!
I finally lost weight without deprivation or hunger (and so did my two pre-teens!). In fact, I rarely feel hungry
eating whole foods now when starting my day with a green smoothie. My skin is clear. Ankle swelling, which
I tolerated because I attributed it to aging (had no idea was food related), has disappeared. Headaches, which I
thought were stress related, are rare. I focus on whole, plant-based foods as the 12 Steps course teaches, and
that naturally pushes the refined sugars and flours and preservatives and chemicals out of my diet. I am not a
slave to my food intolerances.
I have made virtually all the recipes from the videos. I use my Blendtec Total Blender several times a day for
smoothies, puddings, sauces and dressings, and desserts. I can’t imagine being without it, as Robyn predicted
would be the case.
In a broader sense, after years of medical school where nutrition is barely addressed, nutrition finally made
sense to me! I don’t depend on food labels anymore. In fact, packaged foods are a minimal part of my diet now,
and I feel better than ever.
I am excited about Robyn expanding the original 12 Steps course to include a journal, audio support, video
demos, and printed steps and recipes, because this will help me help my patients. I already refer my patients to
GreenSmoothieGirl.com via my blog and handouts I give in my office, but now I can recommend a
comprehensive and practical tool to all my patients.
GreenSmoothieGirl is also the nutrition plan I now suggest to my pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The
program incorporates or supersedes any other previous nutrition recommendations I was making.
I find myself recommending green smoothies to many of my other patients to help control glucose and
cholesterol levels and to improve antioxidant levels, which decreases risk of cardiovascular disease and
cancers. And I immediately teach anyone with digestive problems about nutrition so they see the relationship
between what goes in their mouth and their symptoms of ill health.
Since many of my patients are facing surgery and other procedures, incorporating green smoothies and whole
foods into the pre-op plans optimizes nutrition to give them the highest probability of a smooth and easy
procedure. I am recommending green smoothie plan to most anyone who is motivated and self responsible. My
patients appreciate my offering a nutritional approach first, before considering drugs or surgeries.
Many of my patients have started on the first step, which is to incorporate green smoothies into their diets. I am
impressed by how the GSG nutrition program has influenced my practice. Many times my patients’ office
visits focus on staying well rather than searching for disease. Through nutrition, I can help prevent illness and
often alleviate symptoms.
2 12 Steps to Whole Foods
© Copyright Robyn Openshaw