Search Articles

clear search terms

A Potent Perspective Shift: Gratitude for (Surprising?) Functional Medicine Tools

Hi!

In celebration of Thanksgiving this month here in the US, I am sharing some powerful and perhaps unexpected things I am grateful for through the functional medicine lens.

Although you may already be a savvy practitioner, I am certain you will learn something new in this video. Join us for this entertaining but also practical pearl-packed exploration of tools that You can use in your practice right away.

Learn the surprising reasons why I am grateful for…

  • Noodles!
  • The Village People’s Greatest Hits
  • Paper and pens…. colored pens
  • Immunosuppressant drugs
  • Microwave ovens
  • Sick days
  • Bathtubs
  • Restless dogs
  • What’s written on the sides of the menu at Chili’s
  • My friend Miyoko
  • Natural thyroid extracts
  • And so many more!

Thank you very much for joining in the fun and learning!

With warmth and gratitude to you for sharing your gifts with so many,

 

P.S.  If you are passionate about transforming healthcare through the power of functional medicine, we encourage you to learn more about our training program here.

To receive clinical tips like this one right to your inbox, click here to receive our weekly newsletter.

Like us on Facebook to stay connected to our rich (free!) content and be notified of our popular, monthly Facebook Lives.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
76 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Lucy Coppes
Lucy Coppes

There were some many things in this FB live that really made me think:

First I loved when Tracy said we need to make wellness fun and all of the creative ideas that she had to get clients into a gaming mode. What a great way to make exercise be a competition with family members.

The microwave idea was fantastic, as I never thought about how big of a transition it must be from someone being used to fast food to transition to slow food cooking. You definitely have to meet people where they are.

I will have to rewatch this video as there were so many good tips!

Ines
Ines

I am so grateful for you Tracy and your energy.. everytime time I listen to you, things looks very easy lol… or should I say simple….. I am amazed on how much holistic you are embracing everything, even drugs lol…. I think they are too much black or white approachs out there and I love how you surf on the beautiful greys….
You got me with the commercials thing and get people moving during that time and even compete witheach other with fun…. I have found sooo interresting the point on be respectful of the rituals…. SAFM in on my list for a while now and one day I will get there❤️

Kathleen Ronzio

Thank you for the Miyokos suggestion. I have not heard of that and look forward to trying and recommending to clients.
I was happy to hear you discuss going for the sides at restaurants. I did that very thing last week. Took myself out for a long overdue martini and ordered broccoli and asparagus – I was a happy girl.
I do implement many of these pearls already, so happy to hear you talk about them. From taking pics of kelp sprinkles, yes, to magnesium baths and a beverage in a beautiful glass to gratitude journaling.
Always so grateful for you, Tracy.

Paola
Paola

Dear Tracy,
thanks for the inspiring and down to earth pearls you shared in the FB live today! I loved the idea of giving your clients a beautiful journal and some pens to invite them to spend a couple of minutes each day writing down a few things they are grateful for. Great way to introduce them to an accessible mindful practice! Thanks!

Jodi
Jodi

You had me right at the beginning with the reminder that it doesn’t matter how much you know as a practitioner, if you can’t make lifestyle changes fun and engaging, your clients won’t make sustainable gains. We must remember that!

Jill Connelly
Jill Connelly

I loved the tip about building a meal from the sides menu! How practical, easy, and fun!

Maryam T
Maryam T

I loved how you shared all these little ideas in a very spontaneous and fun manner. Yes…show them! Show and share the stuff you love to show people they are accessible!

Patrice Orton
Patrice Orton

I was very entertained and inspired by the building a meal from the side menu at Chilis and similar restaurants and also by the idea of take what they like or do and make it healthier. Thank you for this very timely reminder of our most important function as health coaches. Baby steps and just getting people started! Happy Thanksgiving to you all:)

Diane
Diane

I am thoroughly energized by Tracy’s encouragement to “gamify” the experience of creating sustainable lifestyle changes. We each find meaning in unique ways and what fun for both the practitioner and the client to honor and celebrate those differences in such a positive, proactive way!

Michelle
Michelle

Thank you for sharing these Pearls of wisdom! I found it very helpful to consider daily rituals of clients and utilizing those daily moments as areas to create healthier versions of the ritual itself. People hang on tightly to that time they have so it was great advice to help guide clients on how they can improve that time but still enjoy it!

Daniela Lazzari
Daniela Lazzari

It inspired me the way Tracy explains how to help clients to healthier food. I knew it but often I am focused on symptoms being serious…. we as coaches have to make the journey easier and more fun which will certanly help the client to make the change.

Alejandra Rodriguez
Alejandra Rodriguez

I am very grateful because SAFM exists and what I take as pearl today is that the fact of just sharing can make a difference in many people.

Sue Johnson
Sue Johnson

Loved the Miyokos suggestion–had never heard of this before and know so many people that can’t/don’t do dairy. I also loved your suggestion of exercising during the commercials when watching TV. I actually do this myself sometimes, especially if I was not able to make it to the gym or go for my run that day. As always, I really appreciate and thank you for the spirit in which you share your knowledge. You are so kind and compassionate and this always really comes through in every teaching video you do. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family! 🙂

Mariya
Mariya

I loved Tracy’s message to “honor the rituals” of our clients. I was blown away by the many examples she was able to give where the patient can still enjoy their ritual with just one small change that transforms it into a healthy one!!

Brandy Grantham
Brandy Grantham

I love that you stress the importance of meeting out patients where they are at, introducing small, easily achievable changes that give “a lot of bang for their buck”!

Pamela Schubloom
Pamela Schubloom

I loved the discussion on how we need to take a step back and ensure that our people see us as real people and make sure that they do not give up on us if there is too much of a gap. I am going to take a real hard look at this as for me, I have to be so careful on what I take in as I am celiac, dairy sensitive and all grains cause me a lot of issue (neurologically with vertigo, vomiting, etc.) I try not to let others see this but my family and friends have do, and they see me and judge me as so limited on what I can and can’t eat (which of course I am). So it gets to be a difficult topic to manage as a health coach. I love the simplicity of how Tracy says start where people are. Show them what they can use to make their lives simpler. For example the vitamin towers as it makes it super easy for me to be reminded to use my supplements. Gratitude – I wake up every morning thanking God for the “Brand New Day.” I share this with clients,… Read more »

Anna Rider
Anna Rider

I was inspired by the comments about using immunosuppressant drugs when you have to, in order to buy time for someone who is extremely symptomatic and suffering. Thank you for reminding me of that!

Barbara Iachini
Barbara Iachini

I appreciate the tip about accessing clients’ desire to be there for others when they aren’t willing to be there for themselves. I think this is going to help so many of my clients!!!

Gail Altschuler, MD

So many pearls. I love this. The one that I loved the most was using 2 shopping baskets instead of carts. Put them down, pick them up. Quite a workout.

Also, the whole idea that you must start with what they value, their rituals, reassure them that they don’t need to stop them, help them see how to make them fun.

Diana Widmark
Diana Widmark

I was inspired about the tip to take use of a clients rituals ex Drinking rituals and fill it with new ideas like for example replace the winecontent with komusha or minaralwater with some fruitslidekontent to make i fresh and
I find it a very kind an nice ide´to just dont renew a hole habit or situation Instead you use part of your clients rituals and togeteher with the client you find new healthier content to replace and for example an alkohol habit with.