A Bit About Me

Hi, I'm Karen Firestone, Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor (C.F.N.C.) and Behavior Specialist (C.B.S.) in Woodland Hills, California. I teach people how to optimize their nutrition and lifestyle habits to improve their overall health and wellness. And in doing so, I empower them to become their own health advocate.

During my childhood, eating 'healthy' was a concept that wasn't emphasized in my household. In my parents' defense, they were recent Honduran immigrants working extra hard trying to make ends meet caring for me, my two siblings, and my grandmother who lived with us. Spanish was their primary language. Nurturing us with love was top priority along with keeping us fed, clothed, and happy. Worrying about ingredients was lower on the priority list. Reading ingredient labels was out of the question. Sure, I was told that eating liver was healthy (to which I replied, 'YUCK!') and carrots would 'make my eyes pretty.' Apart from that, my dietary education was provided largely by marketing companies. I believed a bowl of sugary cereal was 'part of a healthy breakfast,' especially when paired with a slice of white toast slathered in margarine and a glass of orange juice. Is that visual familiar? I ate processed everything, from bagged chips to soup out of a packet, pasta out of a can, mashed potatoes out of a box, cheese-like slices wrapped in plastic, 'creme'-filled snack cakes, and the holy grail of processed foods - the microwaveable tv dinner. I remember defending my snack of nacho flavored tortilla chips dipped in cream cheese as 'healthy' because cream cheese had less fat than sour cream (which, of course, I learned from the cream cheese commercials). I never thought twice about eating fast food. It was a delicious treat! It wasn't until adulthood that I began to think differently about food. At that point, eating anything labeled 'low fat' was my main focus. Those marketing companies still had the wool pulled firmly over my eyes.

My journey into functional nutrition started when I became a mom in 2005. When my oldest son was just an infant, he developed a recurrent rash. The traditional medical approach of treating the symptom with creams or medicine didn’t sit well with me. I was way more protective of his little body than I ever was mine. It was obvious to me that something must be causing the rash. I wanted to understand what that cause was, rather than just treating the symptom. Finding little help within the medical community, I sought my first holistic practitioner. She recommended a simple dietary adjustment. Soon, my little cutie was rash free and my passion for functional nutrition was ignited.   

Little did I know, my pregnancy triggered my own autoimmune condition. I began suffering from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms, including acne, brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, joint pain, numbness in my hands, bloating, overactive bladder, stomach discomfort, reflux, constipation, and diarrhea, to name a few. I spent years trying to manage my symptoms with over-the-counter meds. When it was clear my symptoms were getting worse, I started to pursue answers. It took 5 years for me to be properly diagnosed with Celiac Disease. (At that time, Celiac Disease was not a household name.) I saw several doctors over those years and was given some good and some very bad advice. I felt confused, desperate, and alone until I finally met a doctor who told me, 'Don't worry, we WILL get to the bottom of this.' I remember being so grateful that tears sprang to my eyes. He took his time, listened, and put the puzzle pieces together. In the end, the answer to my problems was a dietary intervention, not medicine. I had been offered several over the years, including anti-anxiety medication, which I thankfully declined. As the years went by, I learned through trial and lots of error that I was also sensitive to the protein in dairy along with having severe reactions to soy. More recently, dietary interventions have helped me address peri-menopausal symptoms, resistant weight loss, and blood sugar imbalances. Changing my diet changed my life. So my mission began, to share my experience and to learn as much as I could about functional nutrition so that I too could bring hope and support to others. 

Earlier in life, I completed my A.A. in Child Development before graduating from UCLA, with a B.A. in Psychology, emphasis in Developmental Psychology and Behavior Modification. There I discovered my passion for counseling and working with children with developmental differences and their families. For several years, I worked as a behavioral therapist and parent educator, during which time I became a Certified Behavioral Intervention Specialist, Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst, and Associate Director for the agency where I worked. I loved making a difference in the lives of families and, through this work, I gained invaluable insights. For example, I learned the importance of having one-on-one support in everyday settings to bring about long-lasting change. Also, I was exposed for the first time to the theory that dietary change could impact behavioral symptoms in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. At that time, this theory was unconventional, but it intrigued me and I continued to note anecdotal evidence over the years. Today, it is well known that gut health and the microbiome play a key role in behavior and brain function. I look forward to the day when gut health and nutrition become a first step intervention for all brain-related conditions.

When it came time to make my passion my career, I enrolled in a Functional Nutrition Counseling certification program through the Functional Nutrition Alliance, directed by Andrea Nakayama, Functional Medicine Nutritionist. Her dedication to excellence in the field is unmatched. Her commitment to providing the most cutting edge science and practices from world renowned doctors and scientists created an exciting, content rich learning experience. I will be forever grateful for her leadership, inspiration, and support. 

Today, I'm a C.F.N.C., but my behavioral background gives me a unique perspective in the field of functional nutrition. Not only can I help you develop successful habit change strategies based on scientific behavioral principles, I also understand the need for ongoing support. So often, we're given advice and sent on our merry way to implement those recommendations. And our intentions are good! But out in the world, it's easy to get overwhelmed and fall back on old habits. My unique direct support services are meant to bridge that gap and provide the support in the community needed to get you on the right track so you feel confident navigating any situation on your own.  

I am grateful to have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. I have been sick and scared, and I know now there's a light at the end of that tunnel. I am here to help guide you through the tunnel to a place of health and contentment. My goal is to support, listen, understand, question, teach, and guide you along your personal health healing journey. And most of all, I am here to help you become your own health advocate.   

If you'd like to get in touch with me, please email me at kfirestonecfnc@gmail.com . I look forward to hearing from you. 

Warmly,

Karen Firestone