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You are here: Home / About Me {Adrienne, the Whole New Mom}

About Me {Adrienne, the Whole New Mom}

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Griff's Jeep

Whole.  New.  Mom.

That's me up there in the funny green car with the men in my life.

My name is Adrienne and I am the voice behind Whole New Mom.

I'm:

– a writer.
– a researcher (sometimes I research way.too.much a lot.)
– whole food and healthy minded
– willing to admit when I am wrong.
– a real mom. Dealing with real health issues. Struggling to balance it all.)

What I Write About:

– Whole Food that is special diet and allergy-friendly: My recipes are all sugar free and adaptable to dairy free, egg free, and gluten free diets.  Gradually I am incorporating grain free recipes as well and you might expect to see autoimmune recipes coming too.  Sorta glad about that.  Sorta not.

– Healthy, Non-Toxic Living: stuff like personal care, home care, etc. that is free of all the chemical ickiness that really makes me (and the whole world) sick.  Got sensitivities?  This is the place for you.  Don't have 'em?  This is still the place for you.  ‘Cause there are 82,000 chemicals being used in the U.S. alone.  Ick!

Check out my posts on Amazing No Streak Glass Cleaner, Natural Dishwasher Rinse Aid and The Battle of the DIY Eye Makeup Removers – and The Winner for a taste of these kinds of things.

– Health topics: toxins, GMOs, autism, food allergies, special diets, essential oils – kind of “you name it”.  If it's in the health news, I probably have something to say about it–I just might not have time to blog about it :-).

– Frugal, Simple, and Sustainable Living:  That means doing things quickly and without a lot of money or waste.  My Easiest Coconut Milk is a great example of this.

All through my life I've been interested in healthy and healthy living.  I was Pre-Med in college, but decided to change gears since I thought someday I might want a family and knew it would be hard to do both the way I wanted to.

We know that we should eat healthy food, care for our bodies, care for the earth, love our families (which includes our fellow man if you happen to not be married or have children), impact our world, and do it all on a budget and within the 24 hours that God has given us. 

Tough assignment, especially for us perfectionists :-).

The reason why I started Whole New Mom was to share with others some of the things that I learned along this bumpy road of life.

A Little Bit About Me:

– Our oldest was born at home in Illinois – this was near the beginning of our healthy living experience.  We completed a natural childbirth & pregnancy course under a leading home birth doctor who was a genius and his enthusiasm for natural living was contagious.

– I have 18+ years of experience researching healthy living, food allergies, and more.  I studied nutrition while in college, but the experience that I have gained studying and living through our health issues has been invaluable. I've managed our oldest's life-threatening food allergies for 17 years, working closely for much of that time with a local expert in immunology.

– I worked in the financial industry for 10 years including a stint on an equity options trading floor. Ask me sometime about my nickname “the hammer.”  My work included teaching Options Valuation Theory and trading at the Chicago Board of Trade at Swiss Bank Corporation, where I also was in charge of their Main Trading Course.  My students included bond, stock option, and futures traders, as well as bank executives.

– For 9+ years, I was an independent life, health, and disability insurance agent. I was a Senior Benefits Coordinator for a top insurance firm in the Chicago, IL area (Dann Insurance) in benefits where I led employee benefits meetings and made proposals to numerous corporate executives. Later on, I was in a management position in a small insurance firm in Deerfield, IL.

– I'm an experienced teacher, which might come out in my love for sharing educational information. I tutored for over 7 years, taught in schools, and also taught overseas in Japan for one year on all educational levels–from elementary to adult. I was a cooking class instructor for a short stint and have led a few classes on gut health and personal care product safety on the local level.  I also ran employee benefits meetings for a high powered insurance firm in a Chicago suburb for several years nd taught options valuation theory at an international bank.  At the same bank I ran their required entry level Options Training Course.

– Our first child was born at home and I am a strong advocate for natural parenting and breastfeeding. I was an active member of the La Leche League.

– I served on the board of the Weston A. Price Foundation, WAPF.

– I'm currently enrolled in the Aviva Romm Herbal Medicine for Women course as well as another online course where I am studying Detox, Anti-aging, Weight Loss and Sports Performance.

– As a couple, my husband and I completed a NFP, Natural Family Planning, course, something which greatly influenced our understanding of hormones and the importance of protecting the delicate reproductive system in both men and women.

– One of my sons has life-threatening food allergies as well as Asperger's Syndrome.

– Due to the food allergies and other health conditions, I've worked with many special diets over the years. My son is deathly allergic to dairy, egg white, peanut, most tree nuts, and sesame, so as a result I've become adept at cooking without those ingredients.

At various times in our lives, we've also tried the GAPS diet, paleo diet, AIP, THM, keto, gluten-free, vegan, and a little bit of  whole30.

– We lived in Oklahoma for a brief period but now reside in Michigan.  We had a different course planned for our lives, one that didn't include life-threatening food allergies, autism, or adrenal burnout.  But then, we aren't the ones in control of our lives.

– Our family of 3 lived on an income of 12,500 for 1 year while my husband was finishing his PhD and we still made it through 2 master's and a doctorate without debt.  Ask me sometime about our “ghetto food” and frugal date nights :-).

– My husband is an full tenured English professor and we homeschool.

– I worked as a tentmaking missionary in Japan for 1 year and served in parachurch ministry throughout college.  Interestingly enough, my husband taught in China for 2 years at the college level.  We both sang with black gospel choirs in college.  And LOVED it.

– I was pre-med in college and studied nutrition there as well. However, I am not a doctor.  Remember that as you read my posts, please :-).

– I was an Echols Scholar at the University of Virginia with an Interdisciplinary Degree, graduated near the top of my class and am a Phi Beta Kappa member.  I write this not to brag, but because some folks accuse me of not being interested in real research (check out the comments on that post) or even have gone so far to say that I am an idiot.

I don't appreciate that–let's talk civilly, folks :).

So, if you put all of the above into one person and add a lot of other things, you come out with the person behind this blog.

Where I've Been Featured:

I've been a featured writer on The Balanced Platter and The Better Mom. I've been featured in numerous places, most notably on Mamavation (Top 100 Healthy Mom Blogs to Follow), Feedspot (Top Healthy Mom Blogs to Follow in 2018), Culinary Nutrition, Wellness Mama, Perfect Supplements, Greatist, Buzzfeed, The Nourishing Gourmet, Kitchen Stewardship, and more.

Whole New Mom’s Medical & Technical Advisory Team

In an effort to be accurate with the health related articles found here on Whole New Mom, I am now working with the following advisors.

Throughout my site, you will see posts that have had their content approved by the following.

Dr. Stephen O'Connordr. stephen o'connor - emergency physician on medical mission trip with Haitian boy

Stephen L. O’Connor, MD is the former Director of Emergency Medical Services at two major medical institutions.  His experience includes three years of aeromedical flight experience as a flight physician.  Dr. O’Connor is certified in Advanced Trauma Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Pediatric Life Support, and a NIHSS provider.  He was the Director of Emergency Medical Services for a University Paramedical training program.  Currently, he is the Chief Medical Officer for the Salutem Health Group, an Integrative Medicine Clinic in Indianapolis, Indiana.  

  • Medical Doctor with over thirty years experience in Emergency Medicine.
  • Professional interest in Integrative and Preventative Medicine.
  • Ultra distance athlete.  Completed seven Ironman Triathlon events, including two Ironman World Championship Triathlons in Kona, HI. 
  • Completed many Ultramarathons including the Leadville Trail 100 mile run. 
  • Multiple Medical Mission trips to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Ecuador.

Dr. O’Connor’s interest in Preventative Health Care has given him a unique perspective in leading edge Medicine.  His pragmatic and common-sense approach with his patients and clients provides creative health solutions. Cost containment and value solutions are his professional interests.  As a medical consultant for WholeNewMom.com, Dr. O’Connor shares their mission to help others live healthier lives.

 

Moving Forward:

I forgot to mention one thing.  I also am a reforming (emphasis on the “ing”) Type A personality.

All my life I have pushed myself to do more, get straight A's, exercise enough, cook the right way, be with my kids enough, be involved at church enough, have a solid family life.  You too?

One thing that has never been perfect about me is having a neat house.  But that's probably because I am usually too busy with other things :-).  I am thinking about starting a Messy Mom's Club at our church.  If you clean before having friends over –you are kicked out :-).

 

But somewhere after Asperger's and before today, I crashed into the world of adrenal burnout.  And now I am coming out.

We've been down many medical roads en route to better health.  Our current pitstop (and hopefully we are near the end) is Nutritional Balancing to reverse heavy metal toxicity and toxin overload.

So this blog may not be as busy as some others, simply because I need to stay healthy and sane.

I will probably feel guilty about it sometimes, but that too I am working on.  When I go a few days without a post, you will know why.  I am simply trying to take care of myself and not neglect my family.

The Car in the Photo

Oh…and the funny car up there?  The car is part of our life too.  The mascots from our favorite local ice hockey team drive around in it before each home game.  See why we're so happy to be sitting in it?  We got to go on a “backstage tour” of sorts of the hockey rink and this was part of the “tour.”

According to my son, life without hockey would be–well–pretty rough.

Nice to Meet You.  Hope to see you around more and more!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lyne says

    February 17, 2019 at 9:54 am

    Hi there

    I am enjoying your site , great ideas….but cannot open the link to the appropriate substitute as you have listed on your spices page.

    “Don’t have all the spices to make one of these homemade seasonings? You can most likely find an appropriate substitute here.”

    Can you help me with that? Thanks

    Reply
    • Adrienne says

      February 20, 2019 at 12:41 pm

      Hi there – thanks for the kind words! Thanks for alerting me. We found something wrong this past week–somehow links were changed in the back end of the site–I got this one working again. If you ever find another one, please let me know and should be working again!

      Reply
  2. Randeep says

    January 11, 2019 at 12:17 am

    Hi Adrienne,

    I’m curious why nutritional balancing didn’t work out for you. I’m currently trying it with Theresa and would appreciate any insight you have.

    Reply
    • Adrienne says

      January 11, 2019 at 5:51 am

      Hi there – several things but I didn’t really make any progress after the initial 1-2 months when I drastically changed my diet. My whole family (or at least 3 of us) did it and I didn’t see much benefit. I ended up having pretty bad thyroid issues that showed up and felt I needed some specialized attention. Hope you find what you are wanting in better health!

      Reply
  3. Jessie says

    January 9, 2019 at 10:14 pm

    Hi Adrienne!

    Just wanted to say I found your blog and loved it! I too felt I needed to look into the essential oil companies. Started a little sisterly spat when my sisters found out I am looking elsewhere for oils. Oh well! Next research project for you – “are big oil companies a cult?” Lol

    Anyhow, I don’t know how you do it all – messy house, blog, home school, special diet cooking for family. Makes our house look tame. Just had to say hi and send a virtual hug!

    J

    Reply
    • Adrienne says

      January 10, 2019 at 9:15 am

      Hi there! Welcome and thank you! Oh my goodness I get it! However, that can really be the case with any Direct Sales company….sadly. I understand it b/c people get dependent on the income. It’s hard to think that what you are leaning on for security might not be the best…..I do work with some Direct Sales but I work hard to stay honest / have integrity about it.

      Well, I don’t do it all. But I will say we have been working on the house and it’s moving in a good direction. You forgot autoimmune issues and child w/ Asperger’s and anxiety and the other w/ dyslexia :). Thanks again and hope to see you around again. I will be doing more on essential oils I hope in the near future–feel free to sign up here: https://wholenewmom.com/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-essential-oils-before-you-buy/

      Lots to research!

      Reply
  4. Daina says

    January 8, 2019 at 10:58 am

    Hi Adrienne, I have been researching essential oils, and would really like to ask you some questions. I came across a very interesting wordpress blog that has a profile picture of whole new mom, (which I am assuming is you obviously). It was about oils and Dr. Gary Young, but I just wanted to reach out to you and ask if you are the writer. There is some pretty crazy info on there that I had never heard about, and I just want to know if you are indeed the write (aka the whole new mom profile pic).
    The reason I am reaching out is because I went through your 7 part series on how to choose essential oils and really appreciate all the information. I am doing from research for myself and also my family and am like you in that I NEED TO KNOW, lol. You do not need to approve this comment, but I would appreciate if you contacted me. My email is (email removed by blog owner) (my personal one, which I NEVER post on public forums, but this is important to me, so I made an exception). If you did not write the posts then I think you would also like to know about it.

    Reply
    • Adrienne says

      January 16, 2019 at 8:36 am

      Hi there – thanks for commenting and for reading. Glad we were able to get in touch–that was very thoughtful of you….and no, as I said, that blog was not me. Odd that someone would take an image from my site and use it on his. I’m trying to do what I can to get it taken down.

      Reply
  5. DarL says

    December 29, 2018 at 7:47 am

    Adrienne, I have commented in past about insomnia and going days without sleep. I finally, in May, found an integrative Dr. who figured out that I am 3x toxic of lead poisoning. I am doing chelation with dmsa and now finally sleeping ( was close to psychosis with brain inflammation).
    My question is: do you know of any formums where people like me can interact with others going through this? I have not been able to find anything. Getting healthy is going to be a long haul as I am only 2 months into the chelation of 6 or more months. I have been very sick for 2 years and so looking forward to getting better.

    Reply
    • Adrienne says

      December 30, 2018 at 12:16 am

      Hi there and nice to see you again. I’m sorry you are having more issues. I know how that goes. I would think you should be able to find something on Facebook perhaps. Or try an internet search for the topics you are looking for and then “forum.” I wish you well!

      Reply
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Welcome, I’m Adrienne! Mother of 2, wife of 1. Frugal Special Diet & Non-Toxic Mama, Addicted to Essential Oils, Natural Stuff, DIYing and Researching Everything. Read More Here—->

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