Choices abound when it comes to diet, exercise, and other modalities of self-care. Many of us are well aware of our abundant options, yet we fail to put these principles into practice. The disconnect that exists between knowledge and application is a common theme in a society obsessed with food, weight loss, and physique. We often create boundaries and restrictions for ourselves that end with rebellion, overindulgence (or under-indulgence), and movement in an undesirable direction. Leah Webb, health coach and author, enlightens audiences on how to achieve health without the restriction, deprivation, and rules. She shares her personal story that began with body image dissatisfaction but was intersected and overshadowed by crisis when she learned that both of her children had unique medical needs. Her experiences have taught her to embrace a balanced approach to health that focuses on individualized needs, learning to hear those needs, and then responding by creating loving (and achievable) boundaries. You can apply these techniques to food, exercise, work, sleep, stress, relationships, and finances. When given the opportunity, your mind and body can provide you with the messages necessary to manifest your healthiest self through positive, nourishing choices. Webb shows you how.

When Leah Webb learned that her son had severe food allergies and that her daughter had cystic fibrosis, she knew that a healthy diet would play an integral part of her children’s care. But learning to get organized in the kitchen without going crazy and still having time for other things felt like an impossible task. Over the course of three years, Webb learned to master the art of meal planning and prep through the use of bulk shopping, freezing foods, planning ahead, and getting organized. Her techniques are effective enough for those needing to follow the strictest of diets, but easy enough for those who don’t necessarily love to cook or plan ahead, but also understand the necessity of home-cooked meals. Webb provides participants with an overview of the techniques that have enabled her to spend a minimal amount of time in the kitchen while serving her family a nearly 100 percent made-from-scratch diet. Home-cooked breakfasts, snacks, lunches, and dinners are possible because of the techniques she shares. Webb shows how to get organized, get cooking, and stay sane! Bring questions for the 20-minute Q&A at the end of the talk.

The microbial population of the digestive tract considerably influences proper immune response. Our bodies are designed to rely on our own physiological mechanisms, paired with the intricate action of bacteria and other microbiota, to support digestion and immunity. Leah Webb explains the ins and outs of digestion in an easy-to-understand approach, and she sheds light on the relationship between immunity, disease, microbiota, and diet. She explains what factors can interfere with healthy digestion, and she includes dietary strategies to better support immunity. Learn how avoiding grains and sugar can support a healthy digestive system (and thus a healthy immune response). Webb also discusses the ways in which the gut is connected to the brain, a relationship that directly impacts our emotions, physiological responses, and ability to feel our best.