About

Born and raised in Denmark, Nina is the daughter of a Danish baker, who also happened to be a vegetarian. Her first influence toward a plant-based diet definitely came from her father. She spent close to 10 years working in the holistic health field as a massage therapist. Later, Nina earned a master’s degree in teaching. She has worked as a Fine Arts teacher to over 700  students for many years, but now teaches reading intervention to struggling readers. Nina is also an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition through the T. Colin Campbell Foundation and eCornell. Nina regularly gets invited to speak on health, diet and nutrition both locally and abroad.

Nina – PCRM Certified Food For Life Instructor

 Background Information

In 2011, her father passed away from a heart attack and a few months later, a close friend passed away from breast cancer. The following year, Nina’s mother passed away from lung cancer and three months later, another friend to a heart attack at the age of 42. They all influenced Nina to adopt a whole-foods, plant-based diet. She came across the PCRM website and knew immediately that she wanted to work with an incredible group of people and become a Food for Life instructor. She is deeply honored and grateful to be part of such an amazing organization!

Why did you become a Food for Life instructor?

“Educating people about how to adopt a whole-foods, plant-based diet and its transformative powers in regards to cancer prevention and weight loss has become my new mission in life. Further, learning about the horrors of factory farming and its devastating environmental impact to our planet has fueled my passion. What is amazing about a plant-based vegan diet is that not only are you creating health for yourself, but you are benefitting the greater good of our planet.”

The factors that greatly contributed to her dietary changes have been watching “Food Inc.”, “Crazy Sexy Cancer”, “The Gerson Miracle “and especially “Forks Over Knives”, plus reading “Veganist” by Kathy Freston, ”Skinny Bitch” by Freedman & Barnouin, and books by Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. McDougall, Dr. Esselstyn and Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Nina is now a complete convert to a plant-based diet! Plus, she thinks her dog might have a paw in it as well! (See the culprit below!)

A few less important details:  In her teens, Nina sat as a hair model until one day when her hair got butchered so badly (think Sinead O’Connor with little tufts sticking out here and there). This particular hairstylist had just returned from London claiming this was the latest style. That became the end of hair modeling! Nina later worked as a model on six Nissan Commercials that were shown back in the early nineties. Nina has lived in three major cities in the United States and is excited for what the future has in store! She also worked in the fashion industry for many years, including a known fashion designer in New York. While living in Manhattan, Nina trained and ran the New York City Marathon after just six months. Six years ago, Nina was invited to speak at a story telling event on stage in London. She was chosen to end the show with her five short stories about “guts” and life in San Francisco. This is an experience she treasures dearly and hopes to do again! Nina speaks four languages and is working on a fifth one.

Nina is contributes information to “Cancer Project Nutrition and Cooking Class” and “Nourish NW” on Facebook and is the creator of “West Coast Vegans” – a page she shares with her friend Alejandra. Thanks for “liking” and/or sharing these pages with others who might benefit from any or all of these pages!

Disclaimer: Nina is a PCRM Food For Life Instructor and an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who loves to cook and bake healthy plant-based meals for her friends, family and students. Please keep in mind that Nina is not a doctor, nurse nor a nutritionist. Nina strongly recommends checking with your doctor before making any serious changes to your diet, preferably one with significant knowledge into nutrition and the benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet. What works for her, may not work for you! Nina is simply sharing her own personal journey, research & information that has helped her feel more fully energized & alive. She hopes that you can use some of the tips that she has shared!  Nina is currently working on her first book. Health & Happiness to you!

If you wish to send Nina a personal kind note or  have a question here’s her email: urbanveganchic@gmail.com