ABOUT.
Native Zest is owned by Pearl Schuman, a nutritionist who is passionate about empowering others to take charge of their health & wellness through nutrition education and delicious recipes.
Her work is based in science with a challenging, but realistic approach to guide and support you on your journey for lifelong happiness.
Let’s explore your roots.
I believe in treating each individual as just that; a unique individual. While we all have similarities, the body is complex and it’s our seemingly slight differences that can have a profound impact on how each individual interacts with various foods.
We will discuss your challenges, health conditions, and goals, and determine the best plan to fit your life. My approach is to first identify any underlying issues then address the root cause; such as inflammation or dysbiosis.
My goal is to help you live your happiest days through nutrition solutions that fit your lifestyle.
Work with me.
Personalized Nutrition Therapy
Nutrition therapy catered to your dietary needs and lifestyle. Online and in-person visits are available.
Your first 15-minute consult is complimentary!
Online Health Programs
Monthly health subscription, seasonal detoxes, and a gut health program.
Each program contains meal plans, educational material, and support from yours truly.
Meal Plans
My meal plans include a shopping list, prep advice, alternative ingredient suggestions, and daily nutritional analysis breakdown.
Meal plans start at just $5.
About Me.
I was born and raised on San Juan Island, WA and during my early childhood we had a small family farm. I loved spending time in the dirt digging up and plucking treasures; carrots, potatoes, corn, raspberries, whatever we could grow.
Time in the kitchen with my mom was my saving grace from my two older brothers who lived to pester me. While my motives were slightly selfish, I enjoyed helping her get the family dinner on the table. She taught me the fundamentals of the kitchen; how to make a roux and not burn it, to be careful with sharp objects, and to always have good music on hand.
Things that I hold most dear are family, friends, community, gardening, making a mess in the kitchen, and having a crowded, boisterous dinner table centered around a colorful meal!
I earned a Master of Science in Nutrition at National University of Natural Medicine and graduated summa cum laude.
I am a Holistic Nutritionist. I LOVE what I do.
I am grateful to have grown up on the beautiful San Juan Island; it is at the heart of my values:
- Community – take care of your community, they take care of you
- Kindness – Basic human kindness goes a long way
- Honesty – I lied to my mom about going to a party in high school once. Being in a small town, she found out less than 24-hours later. I was kind of relieved. It’s not worth it.
In my not so distant past I had a poor relationship with food, prioritized partying over health, judged my health from the outside (not the inside), and had digestive issues that continued to get worse.
My health journey is ongoing, and ever-changing, just like yours. I’m constantly learning, adapting, and growing.
My beef with the health industry:
Our culture judges health from the outside. “If you would just lose ___ pounds, you’ll be happy.”
How often does that create lasting change?
Our mindset affects our ability to heal.
My goal is to help shift the health mindset. To shift the focus from working on external appearance toward internal healing.
It is never too late to change. I’m NOT here to tell people never to eat pizza again. That’s not sustainable. Please eat the pizza.
I’m here to encourage people to make change, no matter the size.
The info I provide is science-backed and evidence-based. The more I learn, the more passionate I become about what I do.
I look forward to continuing to learn and grow, and hope that my excitement creates momentum for change in you and our community.
Happy healing 💕
– Pearl