Hello, Beautiful Soul!
I'm Leila Ruth Novales.
You can get to know me more
on this page.
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I LOVE:
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​Nature walks
Green smoothies
Cats & dogs
Sunrise and sunsets
Bike rides
The beach
Real, wholesome food
Weekend farmers markets
Travel & Culture
The MCU
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I was born and raised in the Philippines.
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I am a Bible girl--loved by God, redeemed by Jesus.
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I used to work in the health insurance industry for corporate accounts.
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I later changed my career to become an early childhood Montessori teacher.
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I lived and worked in Beijing, China for 15 years. This changed my life completely for the better.
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I dabbled in theatre and performing arts as a performer and a stage manager.
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I am a single mother to two beautiful and extremely talented daughters.
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I had multiple health issues that led me to enroll in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and become a Health Coach.
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Besides being an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, I am also an Essential Oils Wellness Advocate.
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I believe there is no single path to optimal health. Each person’s path is unique.
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I believe that Love is the key to healing.
My Story
My health journey started with a desire to lose a few pounds during my teens. They wouldn’t come off no matter what and how hard I tried.
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As the years passed, the few extra pounds became more extra pounds.
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Plus, more health issues started appearing.
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Bloating.
Insomnia.
Depression.
Chronic fatigue.
Fibromyalgia
Joint and nerve issues.
Hypertension.
Excessive mood swings.
Cold hands and feet.
Brain fog.
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It was difficult to function normally. It was difficult even to just get up from bed in the mornings. Everything hurt.
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Beyond food, I recognized that stress played a major role in my declining health. So, I started meditating to reduce stress. I learned about different mindfulness and breathing techniques. These techniques were so valuable not only in reducing stress but in making me more clear-headed, grounded, calm, strong, and stable.
I also started practicing yoga and explored other modalities of movement and natural healing—Qi Gong, Wujiquan, Gyrotonics, TaoYoga, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Essential Oils, Reiki, Sound Healing, and EFT.
As I felt stronger and better, I started incorporating even more movement into my daily life—biking, walking, Acro Yoga, Barre, Jindafit, Zumba, Kickboxing, Tabata, HIIT, and a wide variety of dance.
I also started learning from positive psychology and mindset shift experts.
I started having a sense of balance and vibrance in my life, and I became kinder, gentler and more compassionate toward myself and others.
It has been—and still is—such an exciting and fulfilling journey!
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Now, it’s time for me to give back.
I was miserable. And I decided enough was enough.
​I began cleaning up my eating. I started with learning to cook my own food. Then, I started adding more green vegetables in the form of green smoothies.
That was the turning point in my health.
I started feeling better.
Happier.
And more energetic.
I was ecstatic! I wanted to learn more about how food heals.
I read and researched voraciously.
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I started experimenting with different ways of eating and observing the effects on my body—vegan, vegetarian, raw vegan, Ayurveda, low fat, DASH, juicing, Paleo, AIP (Autoimmune Protocol), and Keto.
I cleaned out the toxins in my life. I started eating mostly organic vegetables and fruits and grass fed or pasture raised animal products. I replaced my commercial home cleaning and personal care products with nontoxic ones. I put filters on our showers and our tap. I even cleaned out any toxic relationships I had.
As I was going on this journey, many of my friends were so curious about the different recipes and health practices I shared on my social media. They asked me to teach them more.
So, I enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Functional Nutrition Lab’s Digestive Intensive and became an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach.
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I continue to learn and keep abreast of the latest developments in health and coaching by following and learning from the work of experts in the field of cutting-edge nutrition, holistic well-being and anti-aging. Experts like Dr. John Douillard, Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Mark Hyman, Kimberly Snyder, Ben Greenfield, Dave Asprey, Beverly Meyer, Chris Masterjohn, Dr. Joseph Mercola, Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, Andrea Nakayama, Dr. Mariza Snyder, Sally Fallon Morell, Dr. Josh Axe, Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. David Sinclair, and more.
Because of my training and my own health experiences and journey, I have a holistic and individualized approach to health.
I believe that no two people are exactly alike. Thus, no one way of eating can apply to everyone. A food that’s good for me may not be of the same benefit to you.
As your health coach, we will explore, investigate and discover your individual needs and which foods, lifestyle and health practices are most appropriate and effective for your unique physiology and psychology.
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I strive to not simply address the current manifestations of your health challenges but aim to unearth their root cause. What good is it to keep bailing water out of a sinking boat if the holes are not found and fixed?
Primary Food†
It's easy to overlook all of the things that contribute to our sense of nourishment and fulfillment. It's not just the food we eat that affects our health but all of the other factors present in our daily lives.
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Healthy relationships, a fulfilling career, regular physical activity, and a spiritual awareness are essential forms of nourishment.
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When these primary foods are balanced, what you eat becomes secondary.
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I will support you in achieving all of your goals, from eating the right foods for your body to living an inspired, fulfilling life.
Deconstructing Cravings††
Cravings play a critical role in understanding what your body needs and shouldn't be ignored.
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When you learn how to deconstruct your cravings and understand what they're really telling you, you will be able to reclaim a sense of balance and harmony.
Crowding Out††
Many nutrition experts give their clients a list of foods to avoid and foods to eat, which explains why so many people are turned off by nutrition.
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My approach is different - by eating and drinking foods that are good for you, you will naturally have less room and desire for unhealthy foods.
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Simply put, you will crowd out the unhealthy food in your diet. this takes a little practice to make it happen but I will support your along the way.
Bio-IINdividuality*
The concept of Bio-IINdividuality is the idea that each of us has unique food and lifestyle needs. One person's food may be another person's poison. That's why fad diets tend to fail in the long run.
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Working on the principle of bio-individuality, I'll support you to make positive changes that are based on your unique needs, lifestyle, preferences, and ancestral background.
"I guide women, especially teachers, struggling with tummy troubles, low energy levels, and sleep issues through a gentle detoxification process and bite-sized health habits to achieve better sleep, improved digestion, increased energy, and possible weight normalization."
My Training
I graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, or IIN, where I learned innovative coaching methods, practical lifestyle management techniques, effective coaching methods, and over 100 dietary theories – Ayurveda, gluten-free, Paleo, raw, vegan, macrobiotics, keto, and everything in between. I also received training from Functional Nutrition Alliance on digestive health, Mindvalley on longevity, and Stanford University on child nutrition.
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At IIN, Functional Nutrition Alliance, Mindvalley, and Stanford, I studied with the world's top health and wellness experts including:
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Joshua Rosenthal, founder and director of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition
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Deepak Chopra, MD leader in the field of mind-body medicine
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David Katz, MD, MPH, director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center
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Walter Willett, MD, DrPH, chair of nutrition at Harvard University
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Andrew Weil, MD, director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine
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Gabrielle Bernstein, bestselling author and life coach
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Susan Blum, MD, MPH, assistant clinical professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
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Mark Hyman, MD, founder of The UltraWellness Center
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Geneen Roth, bestselling author and expert on emotional eating
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David Wolfe, raw food leader and nutrition expert
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Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, professor at New York University’s Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health
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Mark Bittman, food writer for The New York Times and bestselling author
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Joel Fuhrman, MD, family physician and leading expert on nutritional healing
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Andrea Nakayama, functional medicine nutritionist, educator, speaker, and founder of Functional Nutrition Alliance (FxNA)
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Ben Greenfield, biohacker, human performance consultant, speaker, bestselling author, speaker, creator of the Ben Greenfield Fitness Show and founder of Kion
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Maya Adam, MD, director of Health Education Outreach and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Standford School of Medicine, and the founder of the nonprofit Just Cook for Kids
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As a coach, I put the power back in YOUR hands.
With my knowledge, we co-create completely personalized actions based on your goals to move you toward your ideal vision of health within your unique body, lifestyle, preferences, and resources.
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My education has equipped me with extensive, cutting-edge knowledge in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and prevention. Drawing on my expertise, I work with you to help make lifestyle changes and choose health-promoting ways that produce real and lasting results. You will develop a deeper understanding of food and lifestyle choices that work best for you, improving your energy, balance, health, and happiness.Each session will leave you feeling inspired and motivated.
We will talk about things beyond food, seeking to bring balance to important elements of your life such as love and relationships as well as career and money. I will personally and carefully guide you to make simple, small changes that transform your life.
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Learn more about my training and my unique approach to health coaching.
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Are you curious about how health coaching can help you? Let’s talk. Schedule a free initial consultation with me today.
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My Approach
I practice a holistic approach to health and wellness, which means that I look at how all areas of your life are connected.
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Does your stress at your job or in your relationship(s) cause you to overeat?
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Does your lack of sleep or low energy prevent you from exercising?
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As we work together, we will look at how all parts of your life affect your health as a whole.
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I work with my clients to get in touch with their body's needs because I understand that life happens, and your needs will change.
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I want to equip you with the self-awareness to make the best decisions for yourself in any given circumstance.
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I believe each person is fully capable of making well-informed decisions as their own expert, not the latest magazine article or fad diet book.
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Let's define what you value most for your well-being. We'll use these visions to motivate specific goals that bring you closer to where you want to be.
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As your coach, I will NOT dictate a diet for you, but together, we will explore why some foods make you feel better than others and how to strategically use that feedback.
Together, we'll co-create your health goals within reasonable time frames and actionable objectives so you know exactly what you're working toward.
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Here are some concepts we will explore
during our work together:
Integrative Nutrition Plate†
The Integrative Nutrition Plate emphasizes the importance of local and organic produce, whole grains, high-quality proteins, plant-based fats, and water.
It shows you how a plate should appear at mealtime and emphasizes the importance of proportions and portion size.
To complete the picture, the plate is surrounded with lifestyle factors that create optimal health: relationship, career, physical activity and spirituality.
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I'll introduce you to some of the healthiest foods on the planet and teach you how to find what's healthiest for your unique body!
Primary Food†
It's easy to overlook all of the things that contribute to our sense of nourishment and fulfillment. It's not just the food we eat that affects our health but all of the other factors present in our daily lives.
​
Healthy relationships, a fulfilling career, regular physical activity, and a spiritual awareness are essential forms of nourishment.
​
When these primary foods are balanced, what you eat becomes secondary.
​
I will support you in achieving all of your goals, from eating the right foods for your body to living an inspired, fulfilling life.
Deconstructing Cravings††
Cravings play a critical role in understanding what your body needs and shouldn't be ignored.
​
When you learn how to deconstruct your cravings and understand what they're really telling you, you will be able to reclaim a sense of balance and harmony.
Crowding Out††
Many nutrition experts give their clients a list of foods to avoid and foods to eat, which explains why so many people are turned off by nutrition.
​
My approach is different - by eating and drinking foods that are good for you, you will naturally have less room and desire for unhealthy foods.
​
Simply put, you will crowd out the unhealthy food in your diet. This takes a little practice to make it happen, but I will support you along the way.
Bio-IINdividuality*
The concept of Bio-IINdividuality is the idea that each of us has unique food and lifestyle needs. One person's food may be another person's poison. That's why fad diets tend to fail in the long run.
​
Working on the principle of bio-individuality, I'll support you to make positive changes that are based on your unique needs, lifestyle, preferences, and ancestral background.