My Story
Early life
I grew up with a Lebanese mother and an Irish Father in Brisbane, and moved to Sydney in 1991 aged 22. Life in the kitchen, and garden, either growing or preparing healthy ingredients, was a major part of my life since I can remember. The problem was, I was always struggling with my digestion, weight, Endometriosis and my emotions. Western medicine recommended to remove my gall baldder (pre-teens) to ‘deal with’ my gut issues, (I still have it thank goodness), and to go on the pill to stop my periods, at 13yo. Eventually, 7 laparoscopies were performed on me to ‘treat’ the Endometriosis, and the pill provided me with chronic candida that has taken me decades to conquer. Naturally my health worsened from these treatments, so I knew I had to take control of it by learning as much as I could about traditional medicine.
Sharing Knowledge
Due to these health issues as a girl, I was drawn into the exciting world of organics and natural health in my teens; and professionally since 1994. I became a wholefood chef almost by accident, (or destiny), which led me to studying and qualifying in Naturopathy, Nutritional Medicine and Herbal Medicine (1996), Kinesiology (2009), and Traditional Chinese Medicine (2007), as well as having a continued interest in Nutrigenomics (the study of the interaction between nutrition and genes), and Epi-Genetics (how our genes ‘express’ themselves according to our environment, not due the genetic code itself. Yes your life experiences and beliefs have the ability to modify your DNA, affecting not only you, but your children and grandchildren.
Taking Natural Health Mainstream
My ambition was to take whole foods and natural health to TV, and that’s exactly what happened in a TV career that spanned over a decade. From my start on morning TV in 2001, and as the chef/nutritionist on The Biggest Loser, to 4 seasons of Good Chef Bad Chef, and What’s Good For You, to most recently making short video clips for YouTube and social media. 4 books and many, many articles followed. My fifth book will be published in 2019.
2024: A Digital Cycle Begins
My 5th book – Your 40 Day Transformation – was published in 2019, and I’ve spent the years since then transforming an overgrown 7 acres full of weeds and neglect in the Byron Bay hinterland back into the kind of native paradise that rainforest once was. My plan in doing this bush regeneration was to open a Retreat Centre, organic restaurant and yoga pavilion here for anyone in need of some affordable R + R. Sometimes God laughs at our plans though right, and I’m now looking back on these past 4 years with pride in what I’ve learned, and also in the knowledge that personal growth never seems to happen as fast when things are running to plan.
In November last year I received the aha moment of how best to share my knowledge and to be of service. Finally, I once again had clarity around my direction, and I’m thrilled to announce my new podcast Toxic Silence: Finding Health Through Authenticity, will be launched in June this year, and my new cooking series Inside My Kitchen in Spring.
I look at the first image above – I was 24 here and just starting my 10 years in community radio talking about health and healing on my show The Healing Wave. I’m 55 now and back behind the microphone talking about the same things, with another 30 years of experience and knowledge coming with me. And a whole lot more insight after 25+ years in private practice.
I wonder what the next 5 years will bring, but I do intend on staying in this moment because I’m so glad to be back with you, sharing both cutting edge science and ancient wisdom on how to heal, from our roots. Not just band aiding the symptoms.
Early life
I grew up with a Lebanese mother and an Irish Father in Brisbane, and moved to Sydney in 1991 aged 22. Life in the kitchen, and garden, either growing or preparing healthy ingredients, was a major part of my life since I can remember. The problem was, I was always struggling with my digestion, weight, Endometriosis and my emotions. Western medicine recommended to remove my gall baldder (pre-teens) to ‘deal with’ my gut issues, (I still have it thank goodness), and to go on the pill to stop my periods, at 13yo. Eventually, 7 laparoscopies were performed on me to ‘treat’ the Endometriosis, and the pill provided me with chronic candida that has taken me decades to conquer. Naturally my health worsened from these treatments, so I knew I had to take control of it by learning as much as I could about traditional medicine.
Sharing Knowledge
Due to these health issues as a girl, I was drawn into the exciting world of organics and natural health in my teens; and professionally since 1994. I became a wholefood chef almost by accident, (or destiny), which led me to studying and qualifying in Naturopathy, Nutritional Medicine and Herbal Medicine (1996), Kinesiology (2009), and Traditional Chinese Medicine (2007), as well as having a continued interest in Nutrigenomics (the study of the interaction between nutrition and genes), and Epi-Genetics (how our genes ‘express’ themselves according to our environment, not due the genetic code itself. Yes your life experiences and beliefs have the ability to modify your DNA, affecting not only you, but your children and grandchildren.
Taking Natural Health Mainstream
My ambition was to take whole foods and natural health to TV, and that’s exactly what happened in a TV career that spanned over a decade. From my start on morning TV in 2001, and as the chef/nutritionist on The Biggest Loser, to 4 seasons of Good Chef Bad Chef, and What’s Good For You, to most recently making short video clips for YouTube and social media. 4 books and many, many articles followed. My fifth book will be published in 2019.
2024: A Digital Cycle Begins
My 5th book – Your 40 Day Transformation – was published in 2019, and I’ve spent the years since then transforming an overgrown 7 acres full of weeds and neglect in the Byron Bay hinterland back into the kind of native paradise that rainforest once was. My plan in doing this bush regeneration was to open a Retreat Centre, organic restaurant and yoga pavilion here for anyone in need of some affordable R + R. Sometimes God laughs at our plans though right, and I’m now looking back on these past 4 years with pride in what I’ve learned, and also in the knowledge that personal growth never seems to happen as fast when things are running to plan.
In November last year I received the aha moment of how best to share my knowledge and to be of service. Finally, I once again had clarity around my direction, and I’m thrilled to announce my new podcast Toxic Silence: Finding Health Through Authenticity, will be launched in June this year, and my new cooking series Inside My Kitchen in Spring.
I look at the first image above – I was 24 here and just starting my 10 years in community radio talking about health and healing on my show The Healing Wave. I’m 55 now and back behind the microphone talking about the same things, with another 30 years of experience and knowledge coming with me. And a whole lot more insight after 25+ years in private practice.
I wonder what the next 5 years will bring, but I do intend on staying in this moment because I’m so glad to be back with you, sharing both cutting edge science and ancient wisdom on how to heal, from our roots. Not just band aiding the symptoms.
Books
Janella has published 5 best-selling and award-winning books. Each one loaded with recipes, and easy to digest information – for anyone wanting to achieve better health, simply. Her 5th book YOUR 40 DAY TRANSFORMATION available now.
TV + Print
In 2001 Janella was the first to take food as medicine and natural health to the public via her career in tv and print media. From her start on morning tv, to most recently her own popular video clips, her wide reach continues to influence.
WITHFEST 2024
Exciting New WITHfest Retreats To Be Announced Soon
Events for women to gather together to laugh, move, eat, drink, inspire, discover, divine, and create satisfying new connections, both within ourselves, nature and our Sista’s.
Recipes
Healthy, tasty, ethical and environmentally friendly recipes for all different needs and cooking abilities. From the basic to exotic – vegetarian, vegan, gluten, dairy, nut, soy and grain-free meals, snacks, drinks, smoothies and sweets.
Testimonials
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