About Chef Charlie
Hello, there! I'm so glad you're here.
I am Chef Charlie, an Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition Coach, a Professional Ayurvedic Chef using food as medicine and a Reiki II certified energy worker.
I’ve served as a dental hygienist for the past 15 years, helping my patients understand the impact of their daily choices on their dental health.
I have spent my life trying all the newest diets, reading the newest recommendations on what is healthy for the body. I used to run every day, bike, hike and for three years I even did Crossfit. I have done the Spartan Beast race, taking first in my age group. Then I completed the Tough Mudder the following weekend, passing up people who started hours before me. But despite these accomplishments, I still did not feel healthy in my own body.
Does this sound familiar to you?
Like everything on paper is “normal,” and your doctor is telling you “there’s nothing wrong," but you know in your gut it’s not right?
Like no matter what you do, what you eat, or how much you sleep (or don’t), you still feel uncomfortable, unenergized, and unfocused?
That you are searching for answers as to why you just don’t feel healthy and nothing is working?
You’re not alone. Even though I was doing “all the right things,” my digestive issues continued to progress to the point I was afraid to eat because it seemed like everything was making me sick.
I found Ayurveda during COVID, and my life has never been the same. I learned simple daily habits that have improved the quality of my life and health
I learned to create nourishing, wholesome food my body could digest and absorb. I found a system to approach my health that empowers me to understand myself on the deepest level, so I can take proactive steps in my health, working with my team of care specialists, teachers, and practitioners.
I learned how to take back control of my health.
You, too, can take back control of your health. It all starts at the dinner table.
I truly found my passion and purpose in life. My mission now is to share the wisdom of Ayurveda and the traditions I have learned, and their profound impact on the body. I want to teach others to enjoy cooking using their own kitchen as the pharmacy it was meant to be. I intend to support you on your own journey and help you elevate your health and well-being.
Are you ready to nourish yourself, mind, body and soul?
Are you ready to stop looking at your body as the problem, and start loving yourself, so you can deeply care for your wellbeing? Are you ready to wake up and feel energized and whole, in both your body and mind? Let's set up a free discovery call and explore what is truly possible, together.
My Education
My first introduction to Ayurveda was through Joyfulbelly, founded and created by John Immel. I am forever grateful for the beginning education I received. (See my certificate here). You can check out their website Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda - Diet, Recipes & Digestion here because it has a wealth of information, plus recipes that are both complementary and delicious.
After learning more about multitudes of digestive disorders, I wanted to learn how to cook again. I have always enjoyed cooking, but Ayurveda has a different way of cooking, based completely on how food is digested - not the American approach of the four basic food groups.
I found Divya Alter and her Bhagavat Life and cooking courses. I immediately resonated with her and knew this was where I needed to learn my next steps. I have taken her Foundations course (see certificate here) and I graduated from the Professional Course in June 2024 (see my certificate here). I have learned a wealth of knowledge from Divya. I highly recommend her courses, which you can learn more about at Bhagavat Life (bvtlife.com) Divya is truly a beautiful light in this world.
You can learn more about the basics of Ayurveda in this handout here.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Email me at charlie@charliesroots.com.
-Margaret JohnsonThanks so much for the cooking class on making ghee. The ghee was time intensive, but so gratifying. I highly recommend Chef Charlie for any cooking class. She's relaxed, super knowledgeable, delightful and a talented chef/teacher. Thank you Charlie, for sharing your passion with us!
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