Michelle Freitas is a Certified Holistic Health Coach specialising in sugar addiction and weight loss. Based in Santa Monica, LA, Michelle is a published author in the field of sugar addiction, and has written articles for MindBodyGreen and The Fix.

When she’s not coaching clients through her Sexy Slim Down program, Michelle loves playing in the kitchen and whipping up delicious, healthy meals.

Michelle’s also a truly inspiring health babe, having been through her own health challenges and sugar-addiction, before emerging on her journey to wellness. Best of all, she’s now helping others to do the same.  ♥

Please welcome Michelle. xx

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What inspired your journey to wellness?

My journey to wellness started when I was overweight and had a mean addiction to sugar. I had been diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis and was using cake, cookies and chocolate to sooth myself emotionally.

I was at rock bottom and had to do something about my never-ending desire for sweets. It was a long road but I can safely say that my consumption of sugar is within a normal range today and my weight is back normal.

What’s the best thing about being a Health Coach?

I find it incredibly enjoyable to talk about health, nutrition and cooking, but most of all I love the discovery process with my clients. It feels so good to discover the root of a behavior around food and help my client work through it.

What’s your favourite way to keep fit?

My favorite ways to keep fit are a combination of things. I enjoy yoga, hiking, and going for walks. Yoga is such a calming and centering practice that provides me with so much strength, grace and resilience in my life. Hiking and going for walks allow me to be outside and explore. I love nature and being among all the plants, animals and bugs while exercising.

How do you practice self-love and care?

My practice of self-love and care is an ongoing practice. The best way for me to start my day is with 8 hours of sleep. Right after I wake up, I meditate. It keeps my mind calm throughout the day and allows me the opportunity to respond rather than react to what happening during the day.

I eat healthily. Which doesn’t mean I eat perfectly. I listen to my body and give it what it wants. My diet is full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy protein. However, if I want a chocolate bar, I allow myself to have one.

I have hobbies. One of things I really enjoy is taking pictures. I will plan little trips in the area to just take pictures for fun. Over the years I have collected some beautiful pictures.

Most importantly, I always have something on the calendar to look forward to. I find this practice keeps me excited about life and gives me the energy to get through the harder days.

What’s your favourite way to relax and unwind?

My favorite way to unwind is by reading a good book, going for a walk, or catching a new movie at the theatre.

What’s got your toes tingling with excitement right now?

I’m working on a new project for my clients with sugar addiction. I’m still in the development phase but what I plan on creating is a 4 – 6 week course that will walk my clients through their sugar addiction. It will be completely online, easy to follow, and transformative. At the end of the process, my clients will have experienced recovery around sugar addiction, have more clarity and understanding about their addiction, and have a tool kit for living with it.

What’s one of your favourite refined-sugar-free recipes?

This Mexican Chocolate Pudding!

Print

Mexican Chocolate Pudding

Servings 2 Servings

Author Michelle Freitas

Ingredients

Pudding

• 2 ripe avocados
• ½ cup of raw cacao powder
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 3-4 servings of stevia
• ¾ cup unsweetened coconut milk
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Whipped Cream

• 1 13.5 oz can of coconut milk chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours - be sure to buy the full fat coconut milk and not the light or low fat. If you get the light coconut milk it won't have the solid cream, which is the part we need for this recipe.

Instructions

• First place a bowl in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. This bowl will be used to make the whipped cream.
• Put all of the pudding ingredients into the food processor and puree until smooth. Scoop out of the processor and chill for a few hours before serving.
  2 ripe avocados, ½ cup of raw cacao powder, ¼ cup pure maple syrup, 3-4 servings of stevia, ¾ cup unsweetened coconut milk, ½ tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla extract
• In the chilled bowl scoop the solid coconut milk out of the can with 1/4 cup of the liquid milk (save the rest of the liquid milk for other recipes). With a hand mixer, begin whipping the coconut cream on a low speed, then slowly increase to top speed. Whip the cream for about 2 minutes until peaks form.
  1 13.5 oz can of coconut milk
• When the pudding is chilled, serve with a nice dollop of cream on top.

Wow, that looks amazing! Thank you so much for sharing with us, Michelle. xx

Get to know this inspiring health babe better:

Via her Website + Twitter + Instagram. Visit MichelleFreitas.com to set up your free 20-minute Discovery Session. And while you’re there, download your free copy of her eBook: Guiltless Desserts – because life’s too short to not enjoy dessert!