Paula graduated from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada and holds a degree in Applied Human Nutrition. She has since worked both in Canada and the United States as a nutritionist and wellness counselor in a variety of professional settings. Paula feels it is fundamentally important to provide nutritional education to people on how to maximize their health through diet, exercise, and supplementation. Paula has also conducted bone density screenings, body fat analysis, and cholesterol screenings, and provided lifestyle consultations based on the results. Paula has specialty knowledge on the subjects of cholesterol, weight loss, and osteoporosis.

Margo Gladding, M.S. Herbal Medicine, C.N.S. Licensed Nutritionist

Margo’s impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Master of Science degree in Herbal Medicine, providing her with a strong foundation in the history, science, and practice of herbal medicine. Margo is also certified as a Nutrition Specialist through the American College of Nutrition and is a licensed nutritionist. Since joining Village Green in 2005, Margo has been talking with customers in the store, providing private consultations, and writing and researching educational materials to help people learn more about herbs and nutrition. Margo counsels both children and adults with a wide range of health challenges. Her recommendations are always client specific and include the use of herbs, supplements, as well as dietary and lifestyle suggestions.

Ellen Kittredge, CHHC
Ellen’s Nutrition Counseling

Ellen received her training as Nutrition and Health Counselor from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition/Columbia University. Having grown up on an organic family farm in rural Massachusetts, Ellen learned early-on about the value of eating locally grown, organic food and has long been an advocate of such practices. Post-college, she worked for a national non-profit, the Center for Food Safety, and as Outreach Director was responsible for educating the public about health and environmental harms caused by conventional agriculture, factory farming, genetically modified organisms and irradiation. She left that position to more directly pursue her passion for good health and nutrition by working as Clinical Assistant for Dr. Bruce Rind, a holistic physician in Washington, DC, and from there went on to get her degree in Nutrition and Health Counseling. Ellen currently has her own thriving Nutrition Counseling practice in Annapolis, MD, is on staff at Village Green Apothecary as a Nutrition and Supplement Adviser, and is expanding her practice to the Bethesda area and offering private nutrition appointments at the Village Green Apothecary.

Naz Amini, C.N.C., Nutritional Counselor

Naz graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in Public and Community Health. She is a certified Nutritional Counselor through the American Association of Nutritional Consultants (AANC). Most recently, she was trained in FirstLine Therapy, a clinically proven lifestyle change program that is recommended by leading health organizations. As a lifestyle educator, she helps clients discover the underlying causes of chronic disease by incorporating customized eating plans, exercise, nutritional supplementation and stress management techniques. Naz has been a familiar face at Village Green for the past 7 years and her extensive knowledge in natural medicine, hormonal balance and dietary supplements makes her a great candidate to offer preventative and therapeutic nutritional services.

Carmen Ugas
www.carmenugas.com

Carmen is a Holistic Health & Nutrition Coach who graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and Columbia University. She is a member of the American Association for Drugless Practitioners and has worked closely with prominent integrative practitioners in the Washington Metro area for the past 3 years. Most recently, she was trained as a therapeutic lifestyle educator at Village Green Apothecary. She enjoys guiding her clients to discover what works best for them using an integrative approach. Providing them with guidance to enhance their eating habits, to become more physically fit, to wisely manage their time, and showing them simple ways to get organized are some of the ways in which Carmen supports them so that ultimately they are able to love their life having reached their health and life goals. Carmen prides herself on currently managing her teenage daughter’s ADHD and her own rheumatoid arthritis with the use of food as medicine, having implemented therapeutic lifestyle changes, with the use of supplements, completely drug-free. Carmen loves working with committed individuals who are ready to implement such changes which will transform their lives – beyond working at Village Green she has a private practice in North Bethesda, MD and is in the process of creating a partnership with a local holistic practitioner where Carmen will be providing nutrition, health and lifestyle coaching to breast cancer patients.

Debi Silber
www.themojocoach.com

Debi Silber is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s degree in Nutrition, a Personal Trainer, Whole Health Coach, speaker and author of The Lifestyle Fitness Program: A Six Part Plan So Every Mom Can Look, Feel and Live HerBest (recommended by Parenting Magazine). Debi’s branded The Mojo Coach® because after working with unfit, overweight and overwhelmed women for nearly twenty years, she’s discovered the six things we all need to look, feel, live our best and “get our mojo back.” Debi’s a featured expert on numerous websites, a popular radio guest, is quoted regularly in print and online, was recently featured as a successful “career-at-home-mom” in three new books and serves on the Advisory Board for the National Institute of Whole Health, The National Association of Home Based Business Moms, The Leadership Council of Conscious Entrepreneurs and Angels for Obesity-a school based project designed to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity. For a free report, weekly tips and inspiration on how to become your personal and professional best, please visit www.TheMojoCoach.com and www.TheMojoCoachOnline.com.

Steve Stillwater
www.livinggreenandsavingenergy.com

Steve has a Ph.D. in chemistry, so you could call him Dr. Stillwater. As a result, his ideas about living a greener lifestyle typically have a strong scientific basis behind them. He believes that once the rationale that explains why a certain action will reduce waste, conserve energy, or save money is understood, people will be more willing to commit to making a permanent change in behavior. Steve has taught chemistry and biochemistry at the college level and worked as a scientist, developing ways to use natural materials like enzymes to replace toxic chemicals. His strong interest in greener and more sustainable living is a natural progression of this work. He also has a strong interest in natural ingredients and environmentally-friendly products. If you’d like more ideas on how to live a greener lifestyle and save money without disrupting your current lifestyle, go to Steve Stillwater’s website at www.livinggreenandsavingenergy.com. Steve is committed to greener living and offers to easy-to-implement green living tips and ideas that allow you to live green and save money. You can also sign up for his free newsletter and receive regular updates on green news and information you can use.

Joe Ailts
www.neurorelief.com

Joe Ailts is the Director of Medical Education at NeuroScience, Inc. Joe holds a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology and a master’s degree in nutrition. Having gained experience at the laboratory benchtop for 3 years and an additional 5 years of clinical service at NeuroScience, Inc., Joe currently provides scientific and clinical education regarding the application of clinical neuro-endo-immunology. Joe takes a special interest in understanding the neurochemistry of the sleep/wake cycle.

Scott O’Dell, MA, CSCS, USAW, USATF
www.powerelevation.com

Scott’s experience with Strength and Conditioning started when he was a college football player at William Jewell College. From there he went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Sports Science from the University of Central Missouri and also served as an intern with the Kansas State University football team. Scott then accepted a position as a Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at San Jose State University (SJSU), where he also got his Master of Arts in Kinesiology. The next stop was the University of California, Berkeley (CAL), where he went on to become the Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Throughout his collegiate coaching career, Scott has obtained a track record of success that includes: 4 National Football League 1 st round draft picks, All-Americans in various sports, and contribution to national rankings with teams of various sports. Scott has also worked in the private industry as a Personal Trainer and Sports Performance Coach at Emerson Fitness in Oakland, CA. A respected contributor to the Strength and Conditioning profession, Scott has been a conference speaker for the National Strength and Conditioning Association in the areas of plyometrics, speed development, sprinting technique, agility, strength development and technique; has spoken overseas on fitness, strength and conditioning; is on the Advisory Board for Power Revolution; and has also been featured in STACK Magazine for athletes. Scott is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, a United States of America Weightlifting Club Coach and United States of America Track and Field Coach.

James Brodsky, MD
www.drjamesbrodsky.com

Dr. James Brodsky graduated from Syracuse University in 1970 and from the Upstate Medical Center/Syracuse in 1974. Educational honors included The Faigle Award for Outstanding Senior (1970) and The Gurman Award for Outstanding Senior (1974). He was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, National Medical Honorary Society. In 1977, Dr. Brodsky completed his training in Internal Medicine at the Washington Hospital Center and was certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. In 1987, he was recognized for Advanced Achievement in Internal Medicine. Since 1977, Dr. Brodsky has been a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association, the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, and the Montgomery County Medical Society. He served on the clinical faculty at Georgetown from 1983 through 1996. Since 2005, he has been on the clinical faculty at George Washington University. He also serves on the staff at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda. Dr. Brodsky currently practices in Chevy Chase, MD, where he has been since 1977. His focus includes preventive aspects of health care utilizing the holistic model, complementary and alternative methods, integrative concepts of health care, functional medicine, and nutritional healing.

Christine M. Gonzalez, Pharm D, Health Coach
“Nourishing Balanced Energy”
www.christinegonzalez.com

As an Integrative Pharmacist, Christine’s intention is to bridge the gap between conventional and alternative medicine. She earned her B.A. in biology from Rutgers University, her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of California at San Francisco, trained to be a Certified Holistic Health Coach at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and is currently studying Western herbology. She draws from her own healing experiences that come from embracing Eastern traditions, and is honored to share this with others while supporting them on their journeys. Christine works part-time for Uptown Pharmacy in Los Angeles, does community education and outreach (presentations and free-lance writing), and works with private clients. She finds nourishing, balanced energy in her own life through a dedicated yoga practice, running, and bike riding along the beach in Southern California, where she resides.

Beth Ritchie
www.MyGreenExpert.com

Beth is a ‘green expert’ who consults to individuals and companies who want to reduce their carbon footprint while boosting their bottom line. She advises clients on ecological project planning, recycling, eco-friendly cleaning and composting, green product sourcing, and sustainability planning. For 8 years, Beth worked on the front lines of conservation in Latin America, helping build partnerships between local environmental groups and international funders. Beth is the author of three environmental books, including the forthcoming “Build Green Without Going in the Red.” She volunteers with a local land trust to help preserve the Scotts Run tributary of the Potomac, and teaches environmental science/stewardship to elementary school students. She resides in suburban Virginia in a green home she designed with her husband and two daughters.

Jim Fox
www.rockvillefitness.com

Jim is a strength and conditioning coach at Rockville Fitness, in Rockville, MD. Jim’s positions and accomplishments include: graduate of the University of Maryland, certified through NSCA, NSPA, and ACE, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at American University 1996-2001, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Washington Capitals 2002-2004, and Professor at American University 2002-2004. Jim is currently the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Maryland Baseball Academy, Washington Pride Ice Hockey, Bethesda Soccer Academy, Next Level Baseball, and Pachuca Soccer. Jim has worked with notable athletes such as Patrick Ewing, Peter Bondra, Olie Kolzig, Alonzo Mourning, Jeff Halpern, and Dikembe Mutombo.