My Story ...
My name is Margaret Wooldridge.
I started my journey in Health and Wellness three decades ago with a budding interest
in Nutrition, food, and our amazing body wisdom.
It sparked a path completing a Nutrition degree & internship as
a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and later studies in Vibrational & Integrative Medicine. But, really, the fuel for that spark started years before among a long line of storytellers
in my circle. Well, that, and a big difference between their relationship with vegetables, and mine.
As a kid, I did not have a healthy diet. At all. It was… pretty bad. Despite my mom being an exceptional cook with lots of fresh vegetables and variety, I had my own ideas about what I would eat, which meant lots of meaty-poultry-bacony foods and maybe four vegetables (not all at once). Oh, and sugar – lots of that. I helped my mom in the kitchen periodically (thankfully) learning
some classics and important basics, but I’d much rather be outside running, climbing a tree or chasing any kind of ball with one of the boys who, in spite of my rather runtly stature, I could stealthily romp and compete with. At meals, I was often the last one at the table because I refused to eat my vegetables and my parents had rules… that invariably involved consuming vegetables.
Oh, The Irony …
It is not lost on any one of my family or friends from those years for the irony of my chosen profession,
but perhaps that’s how it was supposed to be. I really get it when people have intolerances or habits or dislikes regarding their food, their choices around it and some of the subtle – or not so subtle – things that influence us.
My big turning point came in my Freshman year of college. It involved a guy, who was a vegetarian. Something in me was already shifting in my food interests and its connections. I was becoming more conscious of food source(s) and quality, and an increasing curiosity about vegetables! (Yeah, plot twist…) I can’t give a linear explanation to this. But I was profoundly aware of how much lighter I felt for it. I gave up all meat and poultry, began cooking up a storm (primarily vegetables and grains), searching recipes, eating fresh and organic (however possible on a college budget!), and changed my major from English and Creative Writing to Nutrition.
My Work Since Then ...
… has spanned many arenas in Nutrition – Clinical & Critical Care, Community Programs, Wellness, Sustainability, Magazine/Newspaper/Content Writing, Education, Counseling & Medical Nutrition Therapy for young and old(er).
Over the decades I developed more Comprehensive Programs integrating Nutrition, Energy & Vibrational Medicine,
and further means of Lifestyle Coaching and Support.
These more Integrative Care Programs are evolving as we seek sustaining remedies and balance in our lives.
In my own walk, experiencing them was a personal game changer several years after my Peace-With-Vegetables stage, and some stubborn ailments and challenges I couldn’t seem to shake (some being digestive). My diet was relatively clean and nutrient-rich. I exercised regularly, journaled consistently, played with a lot of creative arts, and began a daily practice of meditation. I had good tools, and applied them, but was still missing something(s). And, much more to learn. When I cast the net wider and incorporated broader, more integrated avenues of healing – and balance – things shifted, meaningfully. More keen food awareness; food sources; the elements and essence of food, mood, attitude, emotions; the physics of our mindset, history, and environment impacting all of these things as our essential fuel. It left an indelible mark on my memory and perspective, ever-proving its value in obstacle management and living life more fully, which I believe we can and must stay in tune with.
(For some fascinating stuff about Integrative physical & multi-level processes, check out our Food For Thought page.)
And, as for the Storytellers?
It was their art of story, its character – weaving and exposing the raw materials of experience that spoke volumes to me. The entertainment was plentiful, but in time I realized more happening in those threads.
In their stories was a piece of the person telling it, but invariably, a larger part beyond them. A symphony of sorts, speaking to me of feeling, and humor, rhythm, courage, of place and connection.
It hooked me. A foundation laid for the deeper fibers of sustenance and relationship, how we each unfold, engage, and contribute with our world and well being.
It’s a rich bounty to apply these learnings to the soup – healing in more fulfilling, enduring means.
And, for those of us as the helpers, can be so much more effective with our support.
What (and how) we feed our physical bodies deserves clear and wise attention
along with our thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and habits.
The relationship with our food, loved ones, communities (locally and globally),
and especially ourselves . . . decides much of what the essence of well being truly becomes.
And so, then, becomes our story.
The experience of discovery, awareness, connection, and humor inspire me . . . and making a difference for betterment.
Dandelion Wellcare is this path, supporting the science and the experience.
(I provide Services in Comprehensive Wholebody Care Plans or Specific Focus on Core Functional Nutrition & Diet needs.)
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I have many hobbies and joys – pretty much all animals & their company (well, okay.. not scorpions or mosquitos..) – exploring the great outdoors.. reading, writing, storytelling.. gardening.. culinary adventures.. music.. art.. red wine.. observing people and spending quality time
with my favorite ones.
I am owned by two cats who regularly assure me of who leads the household hierarchy. (Here’s a clue: it’s not me.)
They figure often in my own moments of levity which I share in Levity Lifts (blog) for all the world’s obliging adoration.
Integrative Nutrition for Conscious Living
Margaret Wooldridge, RDN, LD
dandelionwellcare@gmail.com
575.613.5157
Houston, Texas
dandelionwellcare.com
