Health coach launches practice

Anne French is on a mission to help folks in Sisters find a healthier way of life.

The health coach has launched Rasa Wellness at Sisters Art Works in Sisters. She'll be sharing the basics of her practice with the public (along with healthy snacks, of course) at an open house on Saturday, January 12, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Rasa Wellness carries the message of French's work in its name. Rasa "means to taste the divine nectar - so, to taste life," she explained. Her coaching centers around diet - but not in the simple going-on-a-diet-to-lose-weight manner.

"I teach people how to eat, essentially," she said. "To find out how best for them to eat."

Individuals have varying needs. Some do better with a low-carb diet; some require more carbs. Same for protein, etc. French uses blood-tying and the Ayurvedic method (a holistic approach to healthy living developed in India) to help determine the best course for each person she works with. And the work is highly confidential.

In general, French advocates "eating more whole foods instead of packaged processed foods." She is also an advocate of eating seasonally - that is, eating foods that are currently in season, varying the diet in rhythm that is very natural to humans and only changed in recent decades.

Anyone can benefit from a healthier way of eating, but French sees some populations with a particular need: People with food sensitivities, and single people and empty-nesters who have fallen into the habit of eating lots of processed foods. And then there's "moms like me," she said. Busy working mothers often feel too busy to take care of themselves, but with good coaching they can learn to fit healthy eating into a hectic lifestyle.

While women are often more diet-conscious than men, those men can benefit, too. Healthy (and savory) changes can literally be life-saving.

"It's going to save a lot down the road in terms of cancer, diabetes, a whole bunch of things," French notes.

Whole families can work together to improve their way of approaching food. Kids benefit tremendously from developing good eating habits early. French notes that she will be making presentations in Sisters Middle School health classes about simple choices that can have big benefits - for example, eating an apple instead of apple sauce, or the benefits of drinking water versus soda or sugary juices.

"Try to stick with whole food," is her message.

French has always been interested in food and where it comes from. She got her degree in agriculture from Oregon State University, though her career path took her in a different direction.

A Sisters resident off-and-on for 16 years - full time for the past six-and-a-half years - she started working with her own family to improve their diet about five years ago. Whole foods, organic foods, seasonal foods became the norm, and she saw the benefits.

Looking to transition out of retail management, she immersed herself in a year-long course through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

Sisters Art Works is located at 204 W. Adams Ave. Rasa Wellness accepts clients by appointment. For more information call 541-954-9565.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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