Meet The Team

Diane Sanfilippo

Owner, BS, Certified Nutrition Consultant, C.H.E.K. Holistic Lifestyle Coach
Member: Nutrition & Metabolism Society

Holistic Nutritionist specializing in Paleo nutrition, blood sugar regulation, food allergies/intolerances and digestive health.

Certifications

I hold a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, a Holistic Nutrition Consultant Certification from Bauman College in Berkeley, CA, and a CHEK Institute Holistic Lifestyle Coach Certification.

I specialize in working with clients looking to resolve concerns around the following issues:

  • regulating blood sugar levels as related to hypoglycemia and Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
  • digestive distress, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, bloating and gas
  • addressing concerns around high or low cholesterol and high triglycerides
  • increasing energy levels throughout the day
  • food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances (including but not limited to: gluten, dairy, soy & nuts)
  • therapeutic nutrition coaching for autoimmune conditions including but not limited to: Celiac Disease, thyroid conditions, arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, fibromyalgia and Parkinson’s Disease.

I also work with clients who need or want additional assistance with not only making a switch to a Paleo or Primal type of diet, but also those who have been eating a Paleo or Primal type of diet for a period of time but are struggling to make progress with weight loss, digestive distress, lack of energy, autoimmune and other health related conditions.

Additional Education

Paleolithic Solution Seminar taught by Robb Wolf, March 2010, September 2010 & March 2011
Functional Endocrinology taught by Dr. Datis Kharrazian, July 2010
Understanding the Complexity of Gluten Sensitivity taught by Dr. Datis Kharrazian, January 2011
Breaking the Complex Web of Leaky Gut taught by Dr. Datis Kharrazian, February 2011
Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis taught by Dr. Datis Kharrazian, February 2011
The Brain-Gut Axis taught by Dr. Datis Kharrazian, March 2011.

To read more about the program I studied at Bauman College and about studying nutrition, check out this post.
Read about my personal journey through different nutritional approaches here.

Read more about Diane’s story & philosophy here.

Charissa Vercellone

Communications Coordinator

A little bit about me

My name is Charissa Vercellone; I am a proud Coast Guard wife, a mother of two furry four legged children and a fitness trainer. My passionate for health and fitness has evolved past just being a trainer and I am currently studying Holistic Health Care at The Southwest Institute of the Healing Arts. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work for Diane and help others find their own path to complete wellness. (Insert happy dance here!)

My Path to Paleo

I use to live for KFC, pizza, bagels and Kraft Mac & Cheese. I did not step foot into a gym until I was 27, well something stuck because later that year I quit smoking and became a personal trainer. I received 200 hours of nutrition education and thought I knew it all. I recommend and followed a diet of lean meats, brown rice, low fat yogurt, veggies, fruit, and healthy whole grains. I thought I was healthy but I did not feel healthy, so began my run of diets. Jillian Michael’s meal plan, The Kind Diet, low fat Diets, Clean Food diets, and I even did the Master Cleanse. I counted calories, weighed my food, ate 6 meals per day and became more obsessed with all things health and fitness. One day the owner of the Gym I worked for pulled his trainers and a few regular clients out back and had us do a strange workout. At the time I had no Idea I was doing Crossfit. I have to thank him for that, because of that workout I found my way into a Crossfit gym and shortly after I found myself sitting in a Balanced Bites seminar. That is when I had my Ah Ha moment.

What Paleo has done for me

Before Paleo I had to sleep sitting up because of heartburn, I had painful gas, my digestive system was all messed up and my menstrual cycle was all over the place. I also suffered from bouts of depression and anxiety; I would even have the occasional anxiety attack. After just 30 days of Paleo everything changed. I have not taken a heartburn or gas-x pill in over a year and my menstrual cycle is normal. I have not suffered from depression or anxiety in over a year. On top of that I have never felt better about myself, about my life, and I now feel as healthy as I am.