My Story...
As far back as I can remember nutrition has been a part of my life. One of my early memories when I was about eleven years old my father had a heart condition and was advised by his doctors to change his diet.
Overnight my mother cut out fried foods, reduced red meat, and added more pulses, fish, poultry and Greek Mediterranean based plant dishes. That was my first introduction to healthier eating.
In my early twenties a friend lent me a book called Fit for Life. It definitely was an eye opener. That part of my nutrition journey was the so called cellulite attack ! It occurred in front of a hotel mirror. Has anyone else noticed how revealing they are ? The lighting shows every single minute detail. That is when at the ripe young age of about 25, I noticed cellulite on the back of my thighs. The very next day I set off to find out how I could get rid of cellulite. I tried various creams which of course did nothing. Whilst browsing books in a book shop I came across Leslie Kenton's book "Cellulite Revolution". I followed her advice to a "T". It was my first introduction to eating seaweed, spirulina, aloe vera, skin brushing, juicing, using herbs and making detox soups with ginger and spices. I also got rid of dairy, processed products and sugar. Guess what ? My cellulite disappeared along with my asthmatic bronchitis and some extra weight. I loved Leslie Kenton - an amazing health author (R.I.P.) She always insisted that real health comes from within and the only true 'guru' is the individual human soul..
The next jump in my healthy lifestyle evolution was when I had my daughter. Around 12 months she developed eczema. So again, I set out on a mission to find out what was causing it. This led me to a world of toxic washing powders, clothes softeners, shampoos, conditioner, creams and other personal care products loaded with chemically laden ingredients.
That was when Conscious Living was born, and started importing organic cosmetics (Green People Organic Cosmetics and Sea Chi Organic Cosmetics), personal care products and high quality supplements (Pure Planet). In those days pure baby and child care products were non existent in Cyprus.
Over the past 25 years that I have been studying nutrition, wellness and spirituality; I developed my own wellness system which is the very same one I apply and personalise for my clients. As you have a system in place for your business or home or in other areas of your life there are habits or systems which you can put in place for your health. I call them golden rules. They have kept me healthy even through the worst times of my life and on the other hand when I have not stuck by them I have gotten ill and am reminded of their importance. These Golden rules are written in more detail in my book.
My Bio..
Barbara Karafokas was born and brought up in Zambia and now lives on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
She is a qualified Holistic Nutritionist MSc., a member of the Pancyprian Association of Nutritionists in Cyprus. She holds a certificate in "Paediatric Nutrition" to assist parents facing gut issues with their children from 4month old babies to teens and a certificate in Sports Nutrition.
She initially earned an undergraduate degree in Business and Finance from University of West London, and an Executive Certificate in Management from Henley Management College.
Working in the business and finance sector for ten years and after attending an Anthony Robbins Seminar in 1996, Barbara realized that she wanted to follow a career that would allow her to be more directly involved in helping others.
This led to her obtaining a master's of science degree in Holistic Nutrition.
Barbara brings a blend of skills to her practice and teaching. For over twenty years she has been committed to creating awareness about the hidden dangers to health. She promotes healthy eating, a healthy lifestyle combined with the Mediterranean diet, the raw food diet, wholefood supplements, herbs, exercise, stress management advice and other healthy lifestyle tips.
As a health, nutrition and wellness consultant, she offers counseling in person or online. Her passion is to inspire and empower others to create the life that they dream of, content and free from disease.
Barbara is also the author of the 'The Med Life Diet , 12 Essential Steps to Creating Healthy Eating and Healthy Lifestyle Habits and Attitudes for Life !'
Overnight my mother cut out fried foods, reduced red meat, and added more pulses, fish, poultry and Greek Mediterranean based plant dishes. That was my first introduction to healthier eating.
In my early twenties a friend lent me a book called Fit for Life. It definitely was an eye opener. That part of my nutrition journey was the so called cellulite attack ! It occurred in front of a hotel mirror. Has anyone else noticed how revealing they are ? The lighting shows every single minute detail. That is when at the ripe young age of about 25, I noticed cellulite on the back of my thighs. The very next day I set off to find out how I could get rid of cellulite. I tried various creams which of course did nothing. Whilst browsing books in a book shop I came across Leslie Kenton's book "Cellulite Revolution". I followed her advice to a "T". It was my first introduction to eating seaweed, spirulina, aloe vera, skin brushing, juicing, using herbs and making detox soups with ginger and spices. I also got rid of dairy, processed products and sugar. Guess what ? My cellulite disappeared along with my asthmatic bronchitis and some extra weight. I loved Leslie Kenton - an amazing health author (R.I.P.) She always insisted that real health comes from within and the only true 'guru' is the individual human soul..
The next jump in my healthy lifestyle evolution was when I had my daughter. Around 12 months she developed eczema. So again, I set out on a mission to find out what was causing it. This led me to a world of toxic washing powders, clothes softeners, shampoos, conditioner, creams and other personal care products loaded with chemically laden ingredients.
That was when Conscious Living was born, and started importing organic cosmetics (Green People Organic Cosmetics and Sea Chi Organic Cosmetics), personal care products and high quality supplements (Pure Planet). In those days pure baby and child care products were non existent in Cyprus.
Over the past 25 years that I have been studying nutrition, wellness and spirituality; I developed my own wellness system which is the very same one I apply and personalise for my clients. As you have a system in place for your business or home or in other areas of your life there are habits or systems which you can put in place for your health. I call them golden rules. They have kept me healthy even through the worst times of my life and on the other hand when I have not stuck by them I have gotten ill and am reminded of their importance. These Golden rules are written in more detail in my book.
My Bio..
Barbara Karafokas was born and brought up in Zambia and now lives on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
She is a qualified Holistic Nutritionist MSc., a member of the Pancyprian Association of Nutritionists in Cyprus. She holds a certificate in "Paediatric Nutrition" to assist parents facing gut issues with their children from 4month old babies to teens and a certificate in Sports Nutrition.
She initially earned an undergraduate degree in Business and Finance from University of West London, and an Executive Certificate in Management from Henley Management College.
Working in the business and finance sector for ten years and after attending an Anthony Robbins Seminar in 1996, Barbara realized that she wanted to follow a career that would allow her to be more directly involved in helping others.
This led to her obtaining a master's of science degree in Holistic Nutrition.
Barbara brings a blend of skills to her practice and teaching. For over twenty years she has been committed to creating awareness about the hidden dangers to health. She promotes healthy eating, a healthy lifestyle combined with the Mediterranean diet, the raw food diet, wholefood supplements, herbs, exercise, stress management advice and other healthy lifestyle tips.
As a health, nutrition and wellness consultant, she offers counseling in person or online. Her passion is to inspire and empower others to create the life that they dream of, content and free from disease.
Barbara is also the author of the 'The Med Life Diet , 12 Essential Steps to Creating Healthy Eating and Healthy Lifestyle Habits and Attitudes for Life !'
My kitchen motto is "How can I make this more nutritious ?"
Today I see myself as a Food Alchemist. My passion is combining foods, eating smarter, using the power of food synergy. Mixing and combining foods so that their health benefits are increased. Second in line come those adorable, monster green smoothies, then it's making dodgy teas (as my daughter calls them), concocting detox soups and making various tonics and tinctures with herbs. In addition to that I mix up my own electrolyte drinks and make my own sports "gels" using dates. They are a necessity when I am training for Triathlon competitions, as a Sprint Triathlete.
