alive Contributors

Julia Denker is a holistic nutritionist who specializes in women's nutrition.

Terry Lemerond is a natural health pioneer and expert with over 40 years’ experience, including industry firsts in research, botanical standardization, and innovation.

Gaz Oakley has been cooking since he was tall enough to reach the kitchen counter. A former professional chef, he went vegan in 2015 and founded Avant-Garde Vegan in 2016.

Chloe Coscarelli is an award-winning vegan chef, successful entrepreneur and bestselling cookbook author.

Maria Koutsogiannis is the author, recipe developer and photographer behind FoodByMaria, a safe place where she talks about her past, shares original healthy recipes and interacts with more than 150,000 followers.

Graham Botfield, based out of London, England, has 12 years of experience as a nutritional therapist, lecturer, and researcher within the natural health field.

Sylvain Mercier is an expert on the agricultural and processing aspects of elderberries. He was the first organic elderberry grower in Canada and now owns Canada’s largest organic elderberry orchard.

Laurel Sterling, MA, RD, CDN, National Educator for Carlson Labs, has shared her passion for empowering people on health and wellness through counselling, lecturing, and writing since 2003.

Tawna Ritco, RHN, specializes in the relationship between nutrition, lifestyle, and vitality. She has worked in the natural health industry for 15 years.

Christy Brissette, MSc, RD, is a media dietitian and the president of a health consulting and communications company. She writes about food, develops recipes, and is a frequently interviewed nutrition expert.

Linda Drosdowech is a lifestyle writer, editor, and mother of two teenage girls. She is passionate about gender equality and seeks to live a balanced life.

Dr. Frank Silva is a proud father and naturopathic doctor with a practice in Mississauga, Ontario.

Nicole Palacios, BSc, is a registered kinesiologist and certified personal trainer in North Vancouver.

Laila Benkrima, PhD, is a crop consultant working with companies to enhance their existing capabilities. Her educational background is in plant biology coupled with 25 years of industrial experience.

Writer and editor Vanessa Annand enjoys vegan cooking, time outdoors, and plucky publications.

Stephanie Raymond is a Toronto-based freelance writer.

Meghan van Drimmelen is a naturopathic physician practising in Victoria, BC. She has a general family practice with a special interest in women’s health, fertility, hormones, and pediatrics.

Andrea Hilborn is a naturopathic doctor working in Kingston, Ontario. Her special interests are in women’s hormones and in reproduction. She lives on a working farm with her husband and son.

Gabrielle Kassel is a rugby-playing, mud-running, protein-smoothie-blending, meal-prepping, CrossFitting, New York-based wellness writer. @gk.fitness

Renee Byrd is a blogger, photographer and recipe developer based in Virginia. She’s also a professional yoga teacher, mindfulness educator and wellness expert. @willfrolicforfood

Susan is a Toronto-based registered physiotherapist with a passion for injury prevention. Follow her on Instagram: @grounded.susan

Dino Halikas is a medical biologist and naturopath.