• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Ascension Kitchen
  • About
    • Philosophy
    • About Lauren
    • Media & Events
    • Contact
    • Terms + Conditions
  • Naturopathy Consults
  • Blog
    • Plant-Based Recipes
      • Healthy Dessert Recipes
      • Mains
      • Snacks + Sides
      • Drinks
      • Kitchen Staples
      • Breakfasts
      • Salads
      • Healthy Dressings + Condiments
      • Ayurvedic Recipes
    • Natural Health
      • Natural Remedies
      • Plant-Based Nutrition
      • Functional Foods
    • Natural Living
      • Natural beauty
      • Natural cleaning recipes
      • Essential Oils
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Blog
  • Plant-Based Recipes
  • Natural Health
  • Natural Living
  • Naturopathy Consults
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Uncategorized » My Story

My Story

Published: Sep 20, 2014 · Modified: Jun 19, 2017 by Lauren Glucina • Naturopath, Nutritionist

380 shares
  • Facebook378

Lauren-Glucina

I’ve been posting on this blog for about two years now, and just realised that I have actually never shared my personal story with you. I tried to write it over a year ago, but when I read it back, it sounded like a giant bunch of unglamorous dribble, so I trashed it thinking no one would be interested and that was the end of it. Except now, I’m about to launch my second app, and more than ever it seems fitting to share a bit about myself, to give context as to why I do what I do, and what fuels the passion I have for it. Maybe it’s time to have another crack at that story…

Just as I was thinking this, I got side tracked as I normally do, and picked up my angel cards to ask a study related question. I only drew one card, and it was ‘Come Out of the Closet.’ At first I went pffft. You angels are on something. What relevance does that have?!  Until I remembered my previous train of thought. The message, of course, was to share. So, if you feel like grabbing a hot chai and getting comfy, I’ll do just that.  

Where it all started

Three years ago, I left a decade long career in Advertising. It was simultaneously the most exciting yet scary thing I have ever done.  I left partly because I needed to heal, and partly because it was time to fulfil my soul purpose.

Time to heal

About six years ago, I was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disorder - Inflammatory Bowel Disease. In the medical tradition, there is no reason, rhyme or cure, and harsh steroids and/or surgeries are the standard form of treatment. Since that diagnosis, I have been on a winding path to healing - as naturally as I can. Inflammatory Bowel is one of those nasty’s where you look fine from the outside, yet you can literally be burning up on the inside. Stress greatly exacerbates the condition, and many foods are incredibly problematic - wheat, gluten, dairy, oily foods and refined sugars.

Towards the last few years of my advertising career, I wasn’t able to manage the stress as well as I used to, especially when we were really put under the pump with tight deadlines, working weekends or till early hours of the morning. I ended up with Adrenal Fatigue, and yet another nasty autoimmune condition - Interstitial Cystitis - a chronic and very painful inflammation of the bladder and urethra – something I would not wish on anyone, that’s for sure (this is an entirely different thing to cystitis/a bladder infection by the way).

The things I tried

In my quest to heal, I tried all kinds of alternative therapies, and worked with many, many healers. I tried Chinese Herbalism, Western Herbalism, Acupuncture, Energy Healing, Rife Therapy, Intravenous Vitamin C and Mineral Therapy, Bowen Therapy, and some truly radical diets (to name but a few). Of course, I also went from specialist to specialst (and had many an invasive procedure), trying to find missing bits of the puzzle, and truthfully, collecting nothing but frustration and bills.

I experimented with raw foods, and a very simple diet specifically for healing the gut, and found some improvement. However, it still wasn’t enough to make me feel comfortable. I somehow found myself at a fasting clinic – a pure water fasting clinic – and went on to do a therapeutic 17 day long medically supervised fast, in the hope of allowing all the compromised parts of my body to repair and renew themselves. It was so incredibly hard, as I don’t think I had the right mental headspace for it at that time.

I had so many low vibrating thoughts and feelings rattling through my mind, and felt really down and out that I was here fading away while my friends were out enjoying carefree Sunday Sessions at cool new bars in Sydney. On top of this, sadly, the moment I started eating again, my symptoms returned, and I was heart broken.

The things I learned

It did teach me one thing however, and in the end, I realised that if I truly wanted to heal, I had to remove the biggest stressor in my life - work. Time for a career change that would both fulfil my true purpose and enable me space to really heal. Thankfully, this had been in the wiring for me for a long time, and I had already enrolled to study Natural Medicine a couple of years prior (I just hadn’t completed any papers – thanks to too many late nights and weekends spent in the office). Time to actually roll my sleeves up and go back to study. Yes, yes, yes went my heart.

The big career change

When I walked away from my career, I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. I travelled to Bali on an impulse for six weeks, to complete intensive Raw Foods training, which further strengthened the love affair I’d had with these beautiful natural foods over the last few years. I became a certified Holistic Health and Wellness Coach, and completed an amazing Shamanic Herbal Apprenticeship, learning to tune into and work with the energies of these incredibly generous and healing plants. Today, I am studying full time, still working toward my degree in Natural Medicine. I love, love, love every second of it.

Where I’ve ended up

During this time of re training, I’ve managed to tame that pretty wild inflammation in my body (most of the time – with autoimmune conditions, it’s about management). I’ve learnt to seek balance, and to nourish my body with pure, unadulterated foods. I’ve also cultivated a strong meditation and self love practice. And, I’ve also had to work my way to accepting that this is my chosen path now, and even though its been a hard road and incredibly humbling being a student again with no money, it is ultimately serving me (and later, others) at such a higher level.

Throughout this process, I have been sharing my learnings and discoveries on my blog here at Ascension Kitchen. Going back to basics (and nature!), and stepping out of the fast lane have taught me much, and this is the message I now hope to share with others. When I think of what’s to come, I get excited now, not panicky like I did working in the corporate world (can you relate to this – Holy Sh*t!! How the hell am I going to meet that deadline! Looks like it will be an all nighter! ).

Food, herbs and thoughts as medicine are my passion, and I’m really enjoying and looking forward to refining my new craft of Herbalism. I adore the magic and alchemy it brings to the table, literally.

I also have a lot to be grateful for – mostly – you. I’ve been extracted from an environment where it’s very competitive and linear, and repositioned in this beautiful space where there is community and connection with like minded souls. I’ve also had the privilege of coaching some amazing people on their own path to health and wellness.

Thank you for reading this, I feel happy now that you can understand better what I’m about and why I do what I do and create what I create.

Love, peace, health & beyond,

 

Lauren Glucina.

Related

A healthy kawakawa plant
Amazing kawakawa – all about this versatile native plant!
Dairy Alternatives
A slice of feijoa loaf iced with a lemon cashew cream, on a wooden board
Easy feijoa loaf recipe

About the Author

I’m Lauren, practising Naturopath, Medical Herbalist, Nutritionist, and essential oils educator in Auckland, New Zealand. I’m incredibly passionate about food as medicine, and helping connect people with the healing power of Nature.

BNatMed, AdDip NutMed, BCS, Certified FitGenes Practitioner.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heba Othman

    October 01, 2019 at 3:52 am

    Thank you for sharing Lauren! I was always curious about the persona behind this beautiful blog. Happy to know you better ! xx

    Reply
  2. Luz Elena Langle Gomez

    October 01, 2019 at 3:52 am

    Hi Lauren! Thank you for sharing your brave and inspiring journey. Your healing path is helping so many of us in our pan paths. Blessings an love from México!

    Reply
  3. Jennifer Weinberg

    October 01, 2019 at 3:52 am

    I appreciate that! If you are interested, I am always happy to provide a review and/or giveaway copy of the ebook or paperback if you would find that valuable! Feel free to contact me. I always love to connect with like-minded individuals! Jennifer

    Reply
  4. Ascension Kitchen

    October 01, 2019 at 3:52 am

    Always keep going Kara, we can do it together 🙂

    Reply
  5. Ascension Kitchen

    October 01, 2019 at 3:52 am

    Thank you Jennifer - I will check out your book also 🙂

    Reply
  6. Ascension Kitchen

    October 01, 2019 at 3:52 am

    Simone Penn - just replied to your email 🙂

    Reply
  7. Ascension Kitchen

    October 01, 2019 at 3:52 am

    Hi Tess, IC can be very tricky to diagnose, but that absence of any kind of bacterial infection is one key sign pointing in that direction. For me, sadly, any kind of sugar was painful - fruit - even grains - as they convert to sugar in the body. Coffee, anything acidic, and, weirdly, B vitamins when taken as a supplement. Cranberry juice is probably the worst thing. Once you have a diagnosis, you can do so much to help with the pain, there are lots of helpful herbs that have a demulcent affect and soothe the bladder lining (eg. slippery elm). A good herbalist can help you a lot, as long as they know that it requires a very very different treatment approach to the normal cystitis. In the first case, avoiding sugar like the plague may be enough to help with the pain... additionally, consider a parasite - a naturopath/herbalist with a hemaview live blood analysis can test for this. This is all just my personal experience of course, hope you start to feel better, I wish more was known about this condition, Lauren x

    Reply
  8. Simone Penn

    October 01, 2019 at 3:52 am

    hi wilma...i love YOUR line "...self love gives us the ability to turn the key"! i think thats the bit I'm struggling with at the moment. how do you love a body that continually fails you in such a big way?

    Reply
« Older Comments

Ask me anything Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

ABOUT

I'm Lauren Glucina, a New Zealand based Naturopath, Medical Herbalist and Nutritionist. My main goal is to empower you to connect with the healing power of Nature. I've been sharing plant-based recipes, natural remedies and health articles here since 2012.

If you're here, you're not here by mistake. You're ready to put your physical, emotional and spiritual health first. Welcome!

BNatMed, AdDip NutMed, BCS.

READ MORE

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Search

Features

Graphic displaying logos of websites, publications and shows Lauren has been featured on

POPULAR POSTS

Chocolate Caramel Slice

BEST chocolate caramel slice (vegan)

Close up of zucchini and corn fritters with cream and dill on top

Vegan Zucchini and Corn Fritters

Close up of a herbal facial steam for dry skin

Herbal Facial Steam with Essential Oils for Dry & Oily Skin

3 essential oils for kids sleep

Essential Oils for Kid's Sleep Support

No-bake Snickers Cake on a white cake stand by the kitchen window

Raw Snickers Cake with Vegan Caramel

Ashwagandha Sleep Tonic

Ashwagandha Sleep Tonic

Two bowls of hot Tuscan soup on a marble counter.

Lemon White Bean Kale Soup

Two bowls of kitchari surrounded by fresh herbs and dried spices

How to make kitchari – an Ayurvedic healing meal

LATEST POSTS

  • Fall crockpot potpourri
    Fall crockpot potpourri
  • How to make dandelion tea (from flower, leaf and root)
    How to make dandelion tea (from flower, leaf and root)
  • How to make mugwort tea for lucid dreaming
    How to make mugwort tea for lucid dreaming
  • Amazing kawakawa – all about this versatile native plant!
    Amazing kawakawa – all about this versatile native plant!
  • BEST chocolate caramel slice (vegan)
    BEST chocolate caramel slice (vegan)
  • Easy feijoa loaf recipe
    Easy feijoa loaf recipe
  • Summer cherry tomato confit
    Summer cherry tomato confit
  • Heavenly spiced feijoa chutney
    Heavenly spiced feijoa chutney
  • Easy Moroccan matbucha salad recipe
    Easy Moroccan matbucha salad recipe
  • Hazelnut granola
    Hazelnut granola

CATEGORIES

  • Ayurvedic Recipes
  • Breakfasts
  • Drinks
  • Essential Oils
  • Featured
  • Ferments
  • Functional Foods
  • Healthy Baking
  • Healthy Dessert Recipes
  • Healthy Dressings + Condiments
  • Kitchen Staples
  • Mains
  • Natural beauty
  • Natural cleaning recipes
  • Natural Health
  • Natural Living
  • Natural Remedies
  • Plant-Based Nutrition
  • Plant-Based Recipes
  • Salads
  • Snacks + Sides
  • Uncategorized
  • Workshops

Footer


PRIVACY POLICY | CONTACT
© LAUREN GLUCINA 2012 - 2021, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2025 Ascension Kitchen on the Foodie Pro Theme

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
380 shares
  • 378