Client Testimonials

Curious about my counseling services? Here’s some feedback from some of the many incredible clients I’ve had the honor of working with.

“Before I started coaching with Gena, I wasn’t sure whether it would be worth it, since I knew what I “should” be doing. Her coaching, however, turned out to be a key factor in my success.  Not only does she have great advice when I am struggling, but her realistic approach helped me make major changes despite having no time and limited funds. Her recipes and ideas are for real people with lives beyond their diets, and they are great. Gena is down to earth and non-judgmental, so I am never afraid to tell her what is really going on. She strikes a great balance between encouraging me to go a little father but to keep things in perspective and have fun with the process. Since coaching with Gena, I have reached my goal weight, I have way more energy and I’m eating more raw than not.”  –Lyn D., Maryland

“Working with Gena has helped me to understand and accept my emotional triggers with respect to food. Gena understands what my struggles are, and she works with me to find solutions. More importantly, she recognizes that for me, most of these struggles have been present over the course of my lifetime. Gena helps me to feel empowered; to work toward my own personal best. Gena is highly intuitive, very insightful, and is the consummate professional. She has become a mentor and a friend . . . and the best part is that she doesn’t make me juice! I am thrilled to be working with her.”   –Amy M., New York

“When I first met with Gena, I had no idea what to expect. Was this going to be an awkward hour? Should I just turn around and leave? Am I really going to become a raw foodist? Why am I even here? I am incredibly happy to say that my instinct to contact Gena was probably one of the greatest decisions I have made in my young-adult life.

When I first met with Gena, I was at my wits end—in a horrible place, mentally and physically. I hated my body and had come very close to giving up on ever loving my figure, my whole self. I am happy to say that today, I embrace the curves God gave me; then again, I have also gone down an entire dress size. I attribute the majority of my new, self-loving attitude to Gena and her encouraging words, personal stories, and beyond amazing recipes!

You see, when I first sat down with Gena, she told me how beautiful I was. She said that my decision to eat raw would only enhance and bring out the beauty that was already there. Everything was positive. Rather than focus on what foods were “banned” when eating a high raw diet, Gena introduced me to new foods, and combinations of foods, all the while assuring me that “at any moment you can eat what you like—nothing is forbidden.” Rather than giving me orders, Gena had me thinking positively: “I am eating raw because it is something I choose to do.”

The positive spirit behind Gena’s advice stems from her positive nature as a person. When I sought out Gena’s help, I was in depressed and lonely. She however was upbeat, confident, and 100 % there for ME. She listened to my stories—to my troubles, my pains, and my fears. She consoled me when I cried, and hugged me when I felt low. She showed me how to be positive. To me, Gena became more than just a raw foods coach: she became my life coach, and above all, a friend.

I clearly cannot say enough kind words about Gena. Instead, I can only hope that anyone seeking a counselor can have an experience that’s at least half as transformative as the one I had during my time with her.”  –Simone B., NYC

“That Gena knows the in’s and out’s of raw foods and other aspects of natural self-care is evident from her eloquent and informative blog. She brings the same degree of insight, compassion, and humor to her counseling sessions. Gena was a kind and enthusiastic sounding board for me as I waded through some of the emotional terrain that can accompany lifestyle changes.  She listened lovingly and non-judgmentally, and was able to offer me both food and non-food ideas on how to make my raw life style function more fluidly. Gena walks the talk, and helps others to do the same, whether it’s incorporating some new recipes, or discussing the more personal aspects of health and growth.  Thank you, Gena!”  –Molly Z., Chicago

“Anytime people ask me why I work with Gena, I not only tell them about her approach to everyone’s different situations (and how she gears her practices towards people’s individual needs), but also that she has literally saved my life and continues to do so.

Living with Crohn’s Disease, food allergies, and perfectionism is not easy; yet you have been able to help me manage all of these issues (despite their varying levels of severity in affecting my life) and are still helping me along the way, every step of the way.

She doesn’t judge. She works with herr clients to the best of her ability, and with 100% concern for their needs.” –Elizabeth Stark, author of VeggieGirl

“I originally contacted Gena to become my raw food coach when I discovered her blog a few months ago. After emailing Gena tons of questions to which she immediately responded, I realized that she’d already provided me a tremendous amount of help at no cost. But there was so much more I wanted to learn, and Gena had a great way of explaining everything, so I decided to sign up for some coaching sessions.

I’ve struggled with anorexia and binge eating for over 10 years and I’ve seen 5 different psychiatrists and therapists.  I can honestly say that no other professional has ever showed as much genuine concern or tried to help me as much as Gena.  I already feel like I have come a long way with food; I have learned that eating raw foods makes me feel wonderful, but that it’s OK to miscombine and/or include cooked foods in some of my meals.  I realize that it isn’t about calories, macronutrients, measurements and numbers – it’s about the quality of the food we eat and what we put into our bodies.  There are times when I become frustrated, but a reassuring email from Gena, posing thought-provoking questions, always puts things in perspective. I have become so much more aware of who I am and what I need, and I feel more confident about my food choices than ever before. For the first time in a long time I realize that I can look and feel my best without being a slave to the gym or calories on a box.

I could write a novel listing all of Gena’s wonderful qualities, but in all honesty there are no words.  I truly love her and all that she does. I feel lucky to be her client!”  –Hayley Capeda,  author of It’s My Life