Institute for Integrative Nutrition: Should You Go?

IIN – n25111276360_3734 This month, as usual, more people have sought me out to quiz me about the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I went to school.
Often, special, positive-thinking, health-minded folks track me down to ask me if they should attend this world’s largest nutrition school.
Given that I’m on deadline for my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet (that’s the official announcement), I’ll quickly answer some of your questions.
Please note that while I can share my personal experiences, I’m not an IIN staffer. I am, however, an Ambassador though now — a very part-time thing I took on so people can ask me about the school.
What I’ve found is that inevitably, people ask the same questions over and over again. That’s why I’ve prepared a number of blog posts to to help you out.
First, let me refer you to perhaps the best place for answers about IIN.
Get your IIN questions answered here: http://www.sugarshockblog.com/2010/01/institute-for-integrative-nutrition-deepak-chopra-dr-andrew-weil-more.html
You can find even more replies here: www.sugarshockblog.com/2008/02/
You can even listen to me participate in a special IIN program here: http://www.sugarshockblog.com/2010/01/institute-for-integrative-nutrition-listen-to-yesterdays-program.html
And you can get yummy recipes for kale chips and scallops here: http://www.sugarshockblog.com/2009/12/recipe-kale-chips-from-the-institute-for-integrative-nutrition.html and then here: http://www.sugarshockblog.com/2010/09/recipe-iin-winner-frank-giglios-seared-scallops-with-cucumber-salad.html
As you can tell, I’ve written about IIN a lot over the years. I even ecstatically shared when I graduated from the schoole in 2006: http://www.sugarshockblog.com/2006/06/its_official_i_.html
Of course, you’ll have more questions, too. So get your questions answered liveinstance on July 21 or July 28.
Here’s how to attend an Info Session.
By the way, I also found this post, which includes a little info about me at the bottom.
And I just noticed that I’ve been added to the Notable Alumni list. Cool!
One thing that I loved about IIN is how people are encouraged to follow their passion and find one area where you can most help people.
For those of you who don’t know me, I’m a Sugar Freedom Expert. My mission is to help people release their sugar or carb addiction. You can sign up for the self-guided program here).
By the way if you’ve “fallen flat on your face” by making dietary goofs galore, here are some tips to get you back on track that appear on my Huffington Post blog.
If you’re an IIN grad or someone considering attending IIN, feel free to write to us. And make sure to let me and them know if you attend!
Disclosure: Yes, if you attend and give my name, I will receive a little something, which, of course, goes to help me continue to serve people around the world.

Megan Confronts Cake in a Letter

Often, when I’m coaching clients to kick their sugar addiction, I’m hit by moments of intuition as to what may help people. (In coaching school with iPEC, they taught us to honor, respect and look for those flashes.)
So last Wednesday, during one of my Break-Free Group Coaching sessions, the idea hit me out of the blue that members might be helped if they wrote a letter or poem to their favorite sweets.
I then asked members what they thought of the idea of doing this. (I never give assignments.)
On Friday, Megan Bozman, one of our members, ran with the idea and wrote a brilliant, insightful, poignant letter while tempted by a cake at work.
She then confided to us (the group members and me): “B-day cake, vanilla with white icing is one of my #1 fav sweets — and that happens to be EXACTLY what is in our conference room right now, about 5 feet from my desk. So I figure it’s a good time to write that letter to my fav sweet (which, as of Wed night, I was already planning on making white b-day cake!)”
White-cake Here’s how Meg confronted Cake — a letter I’m republishing with her permission:
“Dear Cake,
“It’s not you; it’s me. I am aware this is cliched, but it is the truth in this case. You are not an evil entity.
“While you are a nutritional wasteland, you are not evil in moderation. I still plan to welcome you into my home to celebrate my son’s birthdays and other such occasions.
“Again, it’s not you; it’s me. Something in me doesn’t react well to you & I realize this. You are fantastic during the too-brief time I get to enjoy you. Ecstatic & wonderful.
“But too often, before I even finish swallowing the last bite, I just want more! Then, I still want more and more and more. That is where the evil comes into play… it is in large quantities that you become evil.
“And I won’t waste time elaborating on why large quantities of you are bad. That doesn’t bear repeating.
“When I get ensnared by your addictive properties, I feel terrible; both physically & emotionally. The feeling of being hooked is dreadful. For one thing, it’s just simply embarrassing! It also has a negative effect on my self-esteem (really, I can’t `just say no’ & only eat a moderate amount?! What is wrong with me?)
“I don’t have some of the negative effects some experience such as stomach pains, yeast infections, skin problems, & blood sugar crashes causing a rapid decline in both energy & mood. However, I feel bloated, fat, and, well, gross. Feeling fat & gross makes me feel ugly. It’s just bad; just all around bad.
“So there you sit in the conference room. I’m sure others will enjoy you — don’t fret. Cake rarely goes uneaten in any office. But for now, I’m 10 days sweets-free & intend to go another 11 days for a round 3 weeks. At that point, I’m thinking I’ll stick to a serving of dessert or sweets once every 3 weeks.
Ta ta,
Meg”
Megan then told us that she shared her Letter to Cake with her husband, who came back with a hilarious response. He wrote:

Life Coaching: I’m Certified!

From time to time, on this Sugar Shock Blog, I share personal accomplishments.
Today, I’m very excited, because I just found out that I passed my oral exam from iPEC, where I trained to be a life coach. (It was a pretty rigorous program which I’m thrilled to have finally completed.)
So, I’m pleased to announce that as of today, I’m a Certified Professional Coach (CPC)! Yeah!
Now that I’m a CPC, I’m entitled to use the logo which you see on your left.

Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction, etc. & Be Happy With Me in 2010!

Wishing you very happy new year to all you wonderful Sugar Shock Blog readers.
May your 2010 be the year in which you fulfill your fondest dreams and wishes.
Now, I invite you to start the year on a very happy, liberating note with me!
If you’re in New York:
* Please join me New Year’s Day, Jan. 1 at 1 pm, for my free inspiring talk where I help you to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction and other Bad Habits at the JCC in Manhattan (334 Amsterdam Avenue at West 76th Street).
* If you can’t make it then, then join me on Jan. 5 at 6 pm at the New York Open Center for another free motivating talk.
* You’re also invited to sign up for four-week program to help you break free of sugar shock, starting Jan. 12 at the New York Open Center.
* On Fri., Jan. 14, from 12 to 3 pm, you’re encouraged to come hang out with me at Willner’s Chemists at 100 Park Ave. in Midtown, when I sign copies of my book SUGAR SHOCK! (You’ll have a chance to have your questions answered.)
If you’re in another part of the country or world, please join us virtually or telephonically so that you can still get tips, tactics and tempting tidbits.
* On Mon., Jan. 4, I’m on call for you. You can call me anytime from 3 to 5 pm EST for a 15-to-20-minute complimentary Laser Coaching Session to plan strategies to achieve your dreams in the new year. To get details, subscribe to Motivating Morsels at http://www.SugarShock.com.
* Then, you’re invited to on Wed., Jan. 6 at 2 pm on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show to learn how to be happy with author Gretchen Ruben. You can listen live or later.
* Next, on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 3 pm EST, you can attend a fun teleseminar/webinar with my friends from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.(You can listen later or you miss it live.) Sign up now for the IIN-sponsored call.
* Next, on Mon., Jan. 11 at 8 pm EST, you can join us from anywhere around the world for a complimentary teleseminar/webinar to learn how to make your New Year’s Resolutions a Reality. Sign up for my free Motivating Morsels ezine to get the call-in details.
* On Wed., Jan. 6 at 4 pm EST, one of my Break Free Group Coaching programs resumes. (This one is devoted to helping you to kick sugar. Sign up here.)
* You’re also invited to save the date. On Feb. 24, you can join the Great American Sugar-Out. Details coming.

Deepak Chopra, Dr. Andrew Weil, Etc. Will Inspire You: Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s Holiday Gift

I bring you exciting news.
Starting soon, you can get inspired and educated by some of the biggest names in health in wellness all in the comfort of your own home or in the flesh.
You can be motivated and instructed by spiritual guru Deepak Chopra; wellness advocate Dr. Andrew Weil; raw food expert David Wolfe; Dr. Arthur Agatson, the founder of the renowned South Beach Diet; Dr. Joseph Mercola (of Mercola.com); and many other Movers & Shakers in in the fields of health, wellness and nutrition.
Plus, you can have lunch with me in New York — MY treat.
Over lunch, you can quiz me over lunch about sugar, artificial sweeteners, your procrastination situation or whatever else is on your mind.
Plus, I’ll even throw in a complimentary laser coaching session.
Just IMAGINE!
Wouldn’t it be cool to hang out with some of the biggest Movers and Shakers in the field of health and wellness?
Dr. andrew weil. ny And wouldn’t it be fun to have lunch with me and to ask me all your pressing questions about sugar and sugar addiction and whatever else is on your mind?
How can you hang out with all of us?
It’s easy. just sign up for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN).
I’m writing today, because my friends at IIN, the world’s largest nutrition school, are offering my friends and fans a special holiday gift.
If you register now for the coming year, you’ll not only get inspired by such gurus as Deepak Chopra, Andrew Weil and David Wolfe, but you can get a special tuition scholarship for $500.
Being in the presence of ALL of these wellness Movers & Shakers is exhilarating. Andy, David, Joe and many more will move you to change your life! (OK, I confess, I didn’t actually hang out with them in a private room. But I got to be in their magnificent presence, and it was thrilling to be in the same space with these remarkable Movers & Shakers!)
You, too, can enjoy the company and information from those AMAZING wellness gurus. They can become YOUR personal guides, too, when you register for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) the IIN curriculum world’s largest nutrition school.
While attending this amazing place, Deepak, Andy, David, IIN founder/executive director Joshua Rosenthal (a man with a vision) and the other incredible speakers can help you learn about good nutrition.
Not only that, but my friends at IIN can help you to look at food in a whole new light.
They also can help you to learn how you can be “reborn” just by choosing the right foods for you that nourish your body and soul.

Free Motivating Morsels Teleseminar This Coming Monday

Great news! I’m pleased to announce that this coming Monday night, Aug. 31 at 8 pm EST, I will present a complimentary Motivating Morsels Monday teleseminar/webinar.
My intention for this free teleseminar/webinar is:
1. To help you identify your bad habits so you can begin to start smart habits in September.
2. To help you arrive at your sugar truth. (We’ll do a couple of fun, interactive exercises. I maintain that kicking sugar can be fun while also being life changing.)
3. To help inspire you to create a better, healthier life, where you are at the weight you desire and you have more energy, concentration and libido.
4. To help you to create one easy action step, where you’ll immediately where you tap into your passion and purpose.
5. To answer your questions. Make sure to ask them ahead of time here.
6. To make four announcements:
* You’ll learn about a new interactive community/forum to be launched soon.
* You’ll learn about future, free, monthly Motivating Morsels teleseminars.
* You’ll find out about new, low-priced group Break-Free Coaching programs, which begin on Sept. 14 and 16. (You’ll even get to bring in a friend for free.)
* You’ll get a chance to win special raffle prizes. You need to attend the teleseminar/webinar live in order to win, because you’ll need to email a special code (that’s given on the call)..
The prizes to be awarded include:
1. One complimentary admission to my upcoming Break-Free Group Coaching program ($250 value),
2. One complimentary strategy session with me (Connie Bennett)
3. One complimentary strategy session with fellow life coach James Hahn, II, and
4. One copy of my book SUGAR SHOCK! How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life — And How You Can Get Back on Track.
Wondering how to join us on Monday, Aug. 31? It’s easy.
* You can access this teleseminar from any location in the U.S.
* Plus, you can listen live via webinar from anywhere around the world.
* Then, if you can’t make the program live, you can listen for 24 hours after the program ends.
Get the details now about how to join us in the Motivating Morsels Monday telseminar/webinar: http://tinyurl.com/MotivatingMorselsMondayCB83109
Make sure to submit your questions ahead of time.
During this call, I’ll be joined by fellow life coach James Hahn, II, who will share his inspiring story about how he became “reborn” by removing the sugar and losing a whopping 70 pounds.
Spread the word to your friends and loved ones about our exciting Motivating Morsels Monday teleseminar. Be sure to arrive at 7:50 p.m. EST, because space is limited.