Celebrate Nutrition developed out of Leanne Ernster’s desire to revive the lost art of healthy eating and families gathering around the table. Owner Leanne Ernster grew up around healthy concepts. Her mother and grandmother were both nurses, and the women demonstrated a great appreciation for the world of hospitality and a nurturing home. The family always ate really healthy, but in the 90s her parents, David and Donna Madore, took it to the next level.
Leanne Ernster and her grandmother Jean Christie in the garden.
“I’m always clear to say, I appreciate conventional medicine, but I see my mission as keeping people out of the hospital through disease prevention,” says Ernster.
The first patient she visited with the medical dietician showed signs of intense constipation. The goal was to place him on a low-sodium diet.
“They gave him Jell-O,” says Ernster, and she thought, “This isn’t the world I want to get into.”
Preventative nutrition became her passion. She attended George Fox University and graduated with a degree in Health and Human Performance, with an interdisciplinary collective of nutrition and athletic training classes.
“All these (disciplines) were fascinating to me, but as we know our diet is over 80% of how the body heals and restores,” says Ernster.
Japanese bounty filled Leanne Ernster's tiny kitchen.
Upon returning to the Northwest, she attended a year-long intensive fitness-training program through Ashmead College and received her certification as a personal trainer through the American Council of Exercise. She went on to complete a plant-based, nutrient-rich, chef school at Culinary Awakenings in Portland, Ore. while also working at the Firstenburg Community Center – assisting gym members with weight lifting – and running the café at Whole Foods Market. In each of her positions she fielded nutrition questions which fueled the catalyst to provide credible and inspiring nutrition coaching.
With imagination fully engaged, she founded Engedi, a healthy-minded, organic espresso and real-fruit smoothie cafe just inside the doors of US Digital. The unique twist of Engedi’s hospitality is that it shares 100% of every penny earned with the 34 local non-profit organizations housed in the same building. Engedi is a partnership with her father, and owner of the building, David Madore.
Leanne Ernster is a continuous student of good health and she has hit on exactly what America needs.
Leanne Ernster shares a meal with friends.
To me, nutrition is not even about food, or cooking, or even longevity. For me, my heart for nutrition comes from relationships. I love people and I think the saddest thing of all is when people die from something preventative.”
Leanne Ernster understands that no one begins to eat healthy overnight, but they can be inspired to begin. Last year she taught a series of nutrition classes, and this year she hopes to reach a larger audience through videos to be released soon on COUV.COM.
Her contagious, yet soft-spoken enthusiasm is focused on encouraging healthy life-changes. When asked how she will know when she’s succeeded in her mission, she replies, “I already have.”
Leanne Ernster welcomes guests to the Engedi Cafe.
Leanne Ernster
Certified Holistic Health and Whole Foods Coach
Certified Personal Trainer
Website: CelebrateNutrition.com
Facebook: facebook.com/CelebrateNutrition
Email: leanne@CelebrateNutrition.com
Engedi Cafe
Open to the public
Hours: Mon-Thu: 6:30am-5:30pm, Fri: 8am-4pm
1400 NE 136th Ave (Inside US Digital)
Vancouver, WA 98684
360.816.1431
Website: EngediCafe.com
Facebook: facebook.com/EngediCafe
Email: info@engedicafe.com
Watch the first video with a tasty kale recipe.
