Lisa started her career as a Certified Nutritionist and Personal Trainer back in 2006. Her first business venture began with The Wedding Trainer, helping brides-to-be conquer their wellness goals before the big day.
Her plans changed in 2011 after a near-death experience; Lisa was hit by a car while crossing the street. After a few years of surgeries and intense physical therapy, Lisa was still experiencing chronic pain and mental anguish. With many doctors giving her different opinions, Lisa decided to figure out for herself how to heal her body naturally.
Not only did Lisa cure her chronic pain from the accident, but she also found relief from issues that had been plaguing her since childhood.
In 2013 she brought her method to a Physical Therapy clinic where she worked as Wellness Director, helping patients find relief from their inflammation through lifestyle changes.
The success she saw in her patients encouraged her to launch her new business venture. The Verdura Method is Lisa’s next iteration to bring personalized nutrition and wellness to everyone.
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Parenting and Food Relationships Lisa Axelrad explained that her perspective on nutrition further shifted after becoming a mother, as her primary concern became fostering a positive relationship with food for her daughter, without restriction. She highlighted the challenge of balancing nutritional knowledge with real-life situations, such as birthday parties, prioritizing a healthy relationship over strict adherence to anti-inflammatory guidelines. She also emphasized the importance of teaching children about food without instilling shame, drawing from her experience with adult clients who often deal with negative eating habits inherited from their parents.
Teaching Children About Food Lisa Axelrad and Brooke Harmer discussed effective strategies for teaching children about food. Lisa Axelrad emphasized helping children connect food to how their bodies feel rather than labeling foods as "good" or "bad". She shared an example of allowing her daughter to learn from experience, such as eating too much cake and feeling a tummy ache, which teaches self-regulation without parental shaming. Brooke Harmer suggested using "short energy food" and "long energy food" to teach blood sugar balance, allowing children to make balanced choices themselves.
Addressing Food Challenges and Parental Influence Lisa Axelrad and Brooke Harmer talked about how to navigate common food challenges with children. Lisa Axelrad advised against making food a reward for eating vegetables, as it can make vegetables seem like a "consolation prize". They both stressed the importance of using age-appropriate language, such as "big feelings" instead of "irritable," and phrases like "sometimes food" and "everyday food". Lisa Axelrad highlighted the importance of not tying personal weight goals to children's understanding of food, emphasizing that a parent's body is different from a child's.
Navigating Allergies and Dietary Differences Lisa Axelrad provided advice on discussing food allergies and dietary differences within a family. She explained that her son has allergies to fish and finfish, which means she prepares alternative meals for him while the rest of the family eats fish. She approaches the topic by simply stating that her son's body doesn't tolerate certain foods well, focusing on providing suitable alternatives without creating emotional distress or shame around the allergy.
Implementing Dietary Changes with Older Children Lisa Axelrad advised against making abrupt changes if a family has established eating habits, suggesting a gradual approach instead of going "cold turkey". She recommended that parents educate themselves first and then slowly introduce new habits, possibly starting with one new thing per week. She stressed the importance of involving children in the process by having them participate in meal preparation and grocery shopping without pressure to eat new foods immediately.
Practical Strategies for Introducing New Foods Lisa Axelrad offered practical methods for introducing new foods to children, such as taste-testing different varieties of fruits or vegetables and allowing children to observe parents trying them. She also suggested using colorful kids' cookbooks and letting children choose recipes and help with prep, fostering comfort and knowledge around food without pressure. Brooke Harmer added that parents can involve younger children by asking them to help choose vegetables by color at the grocery store.
Parental Self-Compassion and SHINE Concept Lisa Axelrad emphasized the importance of self-compassion for mothers, acknowledging that parenting comes with challenges like meltdowns and picky eating. She reminded mothers that they are doing "good enough" and that picky eating can be a phase, with each child and family phase bringing different dynamics. Lisa Axelrad shared her "SHINE" concept—Sleep, Hydration, Invest in your Rest, Nourishment, and Exercise—as a non-negotiable framework for a well-nourished life. She explained that "Invest in your Rest" involves purposeful activities like going for a walk or seeing a friend, rather than passive scrolling, to truly feel rejuvenated.
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