Welcome to my little sanctuary – I’m so glad you're here. I’m Lauren Glucina, I’m a Naturopath, Medical Herbalist, Nutritionist and Wellness Coach. Above all else, I am passionate about food as medicine, but particularly, plant foods.
Because a lot of what I do is about education, this space is for me to share and inspire on plant-based cuisine and a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
I arrived in this profession via the scenic route. You see, I worked for a good decade or so in the high-flying world of Advertising, which seemed alluring from the outside due to its creative nature. It turned out that dreaming up ideas for ads as a living was incredibly stressful and not conducive to a well-balanced life. By the end of my career, I was adrenally burnt out, fatigued, and with a host of other health complaints: multiple food intolerances, a highly inflamed gut, a chronically irritated bladder, and debilitating migraines (you can read more about my story here).
Poor health was certainly a catalyst for the career change, though I have always been drawn to and intrigued by the world of natural medicine.
In clinical practice, I help clients use foods to promote good health and wellbeing. I also love to work in the areas of adrenal health, digestive and auto-immune conditions, drawing on wisdom gained from personal experience.
I quite happily meld the science of natural medicine with traditional wisdom and spirituality.
I will forever be a student on this path, as there is so much to be learnt from plant medicines and the intricacies and intelligence of the human body.
Personally, I am a creative, sensitive, intuitive and quiet person. I am a chronic pot-burner (go figure – me being a foodie and all!), as I easily get distracted (shiny-object syndrome, alas). I love to nerd out and get lost in nutrition texts and journal articles on health and healing. Nature walks are my medicine, and reading Oracle cards are a daily occurrence. What is life without a bit of magic, after all?
My personal crusade is to simply inspire more people to embrace more plants into their diet and lifestyle. More plant-based foods, and more time in nature. The benefits are life changing.
I do this via the blog, sharing healthy recipes and nutrition articles, via my new product range - the revolutionary LIVELY™ Deserts (more on this below!), and via my consultations in clinic. I’d love you to join me, are you in?!
Where I'm based:
Auckland, New Zealand.
QUALIFICATIONS & AWARDS:
NUTRITIONAL MEDICINE
Advanced Diploma of Nutritional Medicine, Australian Institute of Applied Sciences (2017).
NATUROPATHY & WESTERN HERBAL MEDICINE
Bachelor of Natural Medicine, with Excellence in Clinical Practice, South Pacific College of Natural Medicine (2016).
HERBAL APPRENTICESHIP
6 Month Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship, Plant Rhythms (2014).
HOLISTIC HEALTH COACHING
Certificate in Holistic Health Coaching, Institute for Integrative Nutrition (2013).
RAW FOODS
Certificate in Raw Foods, Radiantly Alive (2012).
COMMUNICATIONS
Bachelor of Communication Studies, Auckland University of Technology (2004).
MY LIVELY DESSERTS
Delicious desserts on the go. Made with raw and plant-based, organic ingredients, and filled with life force energy. You’ll find them in the freezer isle of supermarkets and natural foods stores near you.
The seed of the idea for Lively Desserts was planted in the rainforests of Ubud, some years ago, whilst I was immersed in an intensive Raw Foods Training. It blew me away that such simple combinations of raw and natural ingredients could give such an explosion of flavour, whilst being kind to your body at the same time.
Mother Nature just gets it right. Every time. Which frustrated me – because the majority of products we have access to in our supermarkets are far from natural – laden with refined sugars, additives, preservatives, chemical colourings, thickeners, gums and the like.
Lively Desserts is my answer to these frustrations. A range of predominantly raw, vegan and organic frozen desserts, in four indulgent flavours. I consider them revolutionary. They are made with the most natural of ingredients, things you would commonly find at home in your own kitchen.
LIVELY DESSERTS ARE:
- Raw, vegan, and made with organic ingredients
- Made without common allergens: wheat, gluten, dairy, eggs, soy or nuts*
- Free from refined sugars
- Free from commercial nasties (additives, preservatives, thickeners, emulsifiers, gums, colourings and the like)
- Sweetened naturally with whole fruits, organic rice malt syrup and a dash of stevia
- Gut friendly thanks to added prebiotic plant fibre
- Spiked with superfoods, Ayurvedic spices and pure essential oils
- Indulgent tasting
- Convenient
- Kind to your body, our earth, and other sentient beings
THE FOUR ROCK STAR FLAVOURS IN THE RANGE ARE:
ESPRESSO ZEST: A delicious combination of orange, raw chocolate and coffee – spiked with rich chocolate fudge chunks.
DARK MINT: A creamy blend of coconut, raw chocolate and pure peppermint oil – also with a divine chocolate fudge.
BANANA CACAO: A hit with the kids, blending fresh banana with lemon (trust me – so yum), and chocolate fudge.
MANGO LASSI: Bursting at the seams with fresh mango, coconut and turmeric powder.
People tell us they haven’t quite tasted anything like this – so we look forward to you enjoying the experience!
*Made in a facility that may handle these ingredients.