My Official Author Bio
“Catherine Barnhoorn is Mom to Mila, a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and the author of ‘Mila’s Meals: The Beginning & The Basics’ – a 500-page collection of over 100 gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free recipes and food ideas for baby’s first years (and the rest of the family too).
Catherine healed herself from autoimmune conditions (Endometriosis, Candida, Leaky Gut and severe Eczema) through diet as well as organic and holistic living. After noticing that her daughter reacted badly to the same foods as she did (even while she was still breastfeeding), Catherine made the decision to raise her daughter on a “free-from” diet – that is, free from gluten, sugar and dairy. When Catherine couldn’t find a recipe and nutrition book which catered to feeding a baby this way, she set about creating one herself. You can find out more and follow their ‘free-from’ journey at www.milasmeals.co.za
Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Psychology from The University of Cape Town; a diploma in Marketing and Visual Communications from The AAA School of Advertising (accredited by The International Advertising Association); and a certificate in Health Coaching (INHC) from The Institute For Integrative Nutrition (IIN) & certified by The International Association of Health Coaches (IAHC).
In her ‘previous life’ Catherine was a graphic designer and branding consultant in London, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Surviving an armed home invasion in Johannesburg led her to start a new life in Knysna in order to fulfill her ‘If-I-Survive-This-Promise’ to live a life of meaning and of service to others.
Catherine is deeply passionate about empowering parents to make informed decisions with regards to what they feed their children and themselves, and she firmly believes that food can be “the best form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.”
Catherine sees her, and her daughter’s, food intolerances as a blessing which has led them down a path of learning, discovery and good health – which will hopefully stand them in good stead for years to come.”
Catch a glimpse of Mila & Mama...
I am notoriously camera shy 🙂 But here are some video’s…
Part of the video I created for the crowdfunding campaign I ran (to raise money to print the book) gives you a glimpse of Mila & I and more insight into our journey creating the book…
Me accepting my Gourmand “Best In The World” Cookbook Award in Yantai, China.
This is my story of how I came to The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), my experience of IIN and what has happened since I graduated. I am sharing the stage with Rebecca – IIN’s global admissions representative. She shares more on IIN and the health coaching program.
Mila and I in the kitchen
Once there’s no camera, I can talk and talk and talk! Even at midnight – which is when I was interviewed on Cape Talk Radio!
Q&A with Catherine
Read this blog post for more about me and the thoughts and processes behind the book. These questions were originally asked of me by Tracy-Lee Stark, journalist for The Citizen newspaper.
I am...
A certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and a proud member of the South African Society for Integrative Medicine (SASIM)!
You can find my full CV on my Linkedin Page.
Interested in becoming a health coach?
What is a Health Coach?
A Health Coach is a wellness authority and supportive mentor who motivates individuals to cultivate positive health choices. Health Coaches educate and support clients to achieve their health goals through lifestyle and behavior adjustments.
Why Study At IIN?
I really can’t recommend this course highly enough in every aspect: support; business set up; nutrition education and so much more.
There is now a huge demand for Health Coaches. Not only are doctors hiring more Health Coaches than ever before, but patients are learning that working with a Health Coach is one of the most effective ways to improve their health. And as more and more medical professionals recognize the vital importance of Health Coaches, the demand will grow. Dr. Michael Roizen recently wrote a Huffington Post article echoing this notion.
I'm Catherine (aka Mama)
I ask “Why” as often as a toddler does, I am fascinated by nutrients and what they do, I research everything, information and intelligent conversations are my gummiberry juice, my kitchen is my happy place, my child is my greatest teacher – besides my garden – my plants teach me a lot of life lessons too.