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Danielle M. Kraljic, MSW
Holistic Health & Wellness Coach
Lifestyle Motivator
Danielle M. Kraljic, MSW
Holistic Health & Wellness Coach
Lifestyle Motivator
I received my Bachelor with a minor in Criminal Justice from Marist College. I went on to continue my education at I went on to continue my education at Adelphi University, where I earned my Master's Degree in Social Work. I have been a social worker in the field of Mental Health for over eight years and am currently working for large human service agency located in Queens, NY. Throughout my career in the field, I have worked directly with adolescents, young adults and adults, all of who have had a wide range of special needs.
Post Masters, I continued my studies and went to receive a certificate in holistic health counseling at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN),a partner of the State University of New York at Purchase College. IIN's intensive training includes more than one hundred dietary theories which is tremendous benefit and will help you discover what approach works best for you at this particular point in your life. As we all know, there is no one diet that works for everyone. My coaching approach integrates various dietary theories as well as combines knowledge of eastern and western philosophies with modern concepts , such as the USDA food pyramid, eat for your blood type, macrobiotics, the zone, whole foods, south beach diet, vegetarian and vegan diets, and raw foods.
I currently adhere to a clean style of eating, which means that I eat whole, unprocessed (preferably raw!) foods, most of which fall into the categories of fruits, vegetables, and seeds. I avoid meat (for ethical reasons) as well as dairy, wheat, and gluten (not for medical reasons but mainly because I feel notably better when I do not eat them). However, I am quick to add that I prefer not to label myself as a vegan, raw foodist, or gluten free as I am a firm believer in flexibility and listening to my body. My general rule of thumb is if I want it I eat it, but I have to make it myself. That said, it should be noted that my transition to healthful eating was an extremely gradual. I was rather young when I first made the animal/food connection, and in my early teens I decided to become vegetarian. As I declared my plan to stop eating animals, my parents looked on in dismay, but essentially didn’t think I’d last on a vegetarian diet for long so they didnt exactly try and deter me. As you can see from reading this, they were very wrong! Fast forward fifteen years later and I voiced the decision to stop eating dairy, mainly due to the fact that I was a “junk food vegetarian” and wanted to end my love affair with highly processed foods. Removing dairy from my diet resulted in the need to really read food labels. Not only did I find dairy to be an ingredient if foods that claimed to dairy –free (I'm look at you, non-dairy creamer!), I discovered that food ingredient lists in general were largely comprised of substances I couldn’t pronounce let alone recognize as actual food. Disgusted, and more committed than ever, I put in the effort prepare my own meals, eat more in line with the season, and ultimately be responsible for my health. In regards to working out, I have always been avid gym goer and I vary my workouts as much as possible by doing a mix of interval training, treadmill workouts, hot yoga, and pole dance fitness.
I believe in listening to my body and using how I feel as a gauge on whether or not what I am eating is working for me. I was once a slave to diet and all too often got sucked into the latest fads. Thin doesn’t always mean healthy and it took me a VERY long time to understand that. Our thought processes result in people clinging to a set way of eating that doesn’t benefit them or help them feel their best. I continuously look for new ways improve upon my diet and I enjoy being challenged. As I studied hundreds of dietary theories, I sought out the parts that resonated with me and from there, tailored a style of eating that was specific to my own personal needs. In my practice, I encourage others to do the same as that is the only way to find out what truly works for them.
Post Masters, I continued my studies and went to receive a certificate in holistic health counseling at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN),a partner of the State University of New York at Purchase College. IIN's intensive training includes more than one hundred dietary theories which is tremendous benefit and will help you discover what approach works best for you at this particular point in your life. As we all know, there is no one diet that works for everyone. My coaching approach integrates various dietary theories as well as combines knowledge of eastern and western philosophies with modern concepts , such as the USDA food pyramid, eat for your blood type, macrobiotics, the zone, whole foods, south beach diet, vegetarian and vegan diets, and raw foods.
I currently adhere to a clean style of eating, which means that I eat whole, unprocessed (preferably raw!) foods, most of which fall into the categories of fruits, vegetables, and seeds. I avoid meat (for ethical reasons) as well as dairy, wheat, and gluten (not for medical reasons but mainly because I feel notably better when I do not eat them). However, I am quick to add that I prefer not to label myself as a vegan, raw foodist, or gluten free as I am a firm believer in flexibility and listening to my body. My general rule of thumb is if I want it I eat it, but I have to make it myself. That said, it should be noted that my transition to healthful eating was an extremely gradual. I was rather young when I first made the animal/food connection, and in my early teens I decided to become vegetarian. As I declared my plan to stop eating animals, my parents looked on in dismay, but essentially didn’t think I’d last on a vegetarian diet for long so they didnt exactly try and deter me. As you can see from reading this, they were very wrong! Fast forward fifteen years later and I voiced the decision to stop eating dairy, mainly due to the fact that I was a “junk food vegetarian” and wanted to end my love affair with highly processed foods. Removing dairy from my diet resulted in the need to really read food labels. Not only did I find dairy to be an ingredient if foods that claimed to dairy –free (I'm look at you, non-dairy creamer!), I discovered that food ingredient lists in general were largely comprised of substances I couldn’t pronounce let alone recognize as actual food. Disgusted, and more committed than ever, I put in the effort prepare my own meals, eat more in line with the season, and ultimately be responsible for my health. In regards to working out, I have always been avid gym goer and I vary my workouts as much as possible by doing a mix of interval training, treadmill workouts, hot yoga, and pole dance fitness.
I believe in listening to my body and using how I feel as a gauge on whether or not what I am eating is working for me. I was once a slave to diet and all too often got sucked into the latest fads. Thin doesn’t always mean healthy and it took me a VERY long time to understand that. Our thought processes result in people clinging to a set way of eating that doesn’t benefit them or help them feel their best. I continuously look for new ways improve upon my diet and I enjoy being challenged. As I studied hundreds of dietary theories, I sought out the parts that resonated with me and from there, tailored a style of eating that was specific to my own personal needs. In my practice, I encourage others to do the same as that is the only way to find out what truly works for them.
