The Fruitful Elements Team

Fruitful Elements is a national company with representatives in Toronto and Vancouver.

Joanne E. Smith, B.A., BRT, CNP (Toronto)

Joanne is a graduate of the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto, holds a degree in psychology from York University, as well as a diploma in radio & television broadcasting from Seneca College.

Joanne Smith is a Certified Nutritionist who graduated with first class honours from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto, holds a degree in psychology from York University, as well as a diploma in radio & television broadcasting from Seneca College.

Her nutrition company Fruitful Elements specializes in providing services to individuals with disabilities, with specialization in neurological conditions such as spinal cord and brain injuries, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. Joanne also teaches nutrition classes to individuals who are deaf/blind at The Canadian Helen Keller Centre.

In 2013 Joanne co-authored Eat Well Live Well with Spinal Cord Injury & Other Neurological Conditions, the first nutrition book dedicated to addressing the unique needs of people with SCI. She is also a regular nutrition columnist for New Mobility, PN, Sports n’ Spokes and Outspoken magazines in Canada and the USA.

Joanne has been the co-lead in two American and Canadian university-based nutrition studies. One study with Brock University entitled Neural and Behavioral Consequences of Chronic Inflammation Following Spinal Cord injury was the first study of its kind to use an anti-inflammatory diet using both foods and nutritional supplements to decrease neuropathic pain and depression. The overwhelming positive results of this study were published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation.

With over 20 years of public speaking experience, Joanne has been the keynote speaker at conferences across North America and presented on the topic of nutrition at numerous national and international conferences such as the Mayo Clinic Neurorehabilitation Summit, Harvard Medical School, Canadian National Spinal Cord Injury Conference, the American Spinal Cord Injury of Health Professionals, and The International Life Care Planning Symposium.

In addition to her nutritional practice, Joanne has hosted and produced two national television programs focused on telling in-depth stories about Canadians with disabilities, the Gemini award winning CBC show Moving On, and Accessibility in Action.

Joanne's commitment to addressing the needs of people with disabilities is further demonstrated through her years as a dedicated mentor and volunteer for SCI Ontario, Lyndhurst Rehabilitation Center, Canadian Spinal Research Organization, Easter Seals, The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons and numerous other disability organizations across the country.

Her dedication to raising awareness and assisting Canadians with disabilities led to her receipt of the King Clancy Award in 2006, induction into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame in 2007 and being honoured with the Gabriel Award in 2008.

Joanne recently co-wrote a nutritional guide “Eat Well, Live Well with Spinal Cord Injury & Other Neurological Conditions” which helps individuals with spinal cord injuries address their secondary health complications through nutrition.

For more information about the book or to order your own copy…

Kari McDougall, B.Sc., RHN (Vancouver)

Kari is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N.) from Vancouver, BC.

Kari works as a Project Coordinator for a non-profit school health promotion organization in BC. Kari has a bachelor’s degree in health sciences from Simon Fraser University and is currently studying at the University of Alberta in the Master of Public Health, Health Promotion program.

She co-manages a holistic nutrition blog, My Natural Balance (www.mynaturalbalance.ca) and does nutrition consulting.

Kari is also the nutritionist for Spinal Cord Injury BC's office and is delivering monthly nutrition workshops to people with brain and spinal cord injuries. These group seminars offer in-depth information on how to address secondary health complications such as bladder infections, bowel dysfunction and pressure sores, through nutrition and then provides interactive cooking lessons focusing on the specific foods and nutrients discussed. This hands-on approach, is a fun way to get people with disabilities back into the kitchen and comfortable with trying new and health recipes, as they become empowered to help themselves achieve a life of peak health through nutrition!

Holly Noon, B.Sc., CNP (Toronto)

Holly is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist (CNP) living in Toronto.

Holly graduated from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition where she received her certificate as a Certified Nutritional Practitioner (CNP). Prior to the Institute of Holistic Nutrition, Holly graduated from the University of Toronto where she received a Bachelor of Science.

Holly began working for Fruitful Elements in the spring of 2015. Holly is the Social Media Lead for Fruitful Elements, as well as nutrition researcher and meal plan developer.

Holly has her own nutrition blog, (www.hollynoon.com) where she shares nutritional tips and easy to make recipes. She also does nutritional consulting with client's and helps them achieve their goals with nutrition & lifestyle changes!