When I had some health issues in my late teens, early twenties I learned all too quickly how easily your health can slip away from you. It was a 3.5 year journey of not feeling great and suffering the negative effects of hormonal imbalance from dry skin, my hair falling out and more. Fortunately through my own research and empowerment plus the guidance of experts later on, I was able to completely heal my body and feel joyous again. I did this by balancing my diet and my lifestyle and nutritional supplementation.  Joyous Health is not just the avoidance of the occasional cold and flu, joyous health is having a positive attitude, feeling good about your body, having energy for exercise and sex, good digestion, feeling and look fabulous! This is what you will learn and be inspired to achieve in my book, on my website and in workshops I teach. 

What did you love most about writing?

Writing for me is a chance to share my passion for natural health with the world. I love it so much! Writing my book was an incredible, lengthy, but enjoyable process. It is also a very creative process. Interestingly, when I was writing my book I didn’t have an official office at the time so my entire 293 page book was written from café to café and tea cup to tea cup across Toronto! From conception of the idea (to create a healthy lifestyle book and combine it with recipes), to all the nitty gritty of editing, creating and making all the recipes and shooting them with my team it was about a 2 year process. Writing is and has always been therapeutic for me as well. I’m so proud of this book as I know it’s going to transform people’s lives. 

Where were the shots taken? 

Most of the photos were taken up North at my parents house and property in Chatsworth, Ontario. Their neighbours are sheep and donkeys (seriously) and the land is magical. The combination of nature, good joyous vibes from everyone on my team which consisted of my designer/food stylist Carol and my photographer Nick, I couldn’t have asked for a better looking, more joyous book! I just love the natural feel of it. I often here from other writers that the vision did not translate on paper because of the photos and design so I feel very grateful because my book is exactly what I want to be — joyous! Some of the market shots were at Brickworks Farmers Market in Toronto in the Spring of 2013 where I personally shop so it felt very natural and comfortable. The shot of my hubs Walker and I is on the veranda on a hot summer day of my parent’s house drinking white wine, with a straw!

What is your favourite breakfast? 

I love so many different foods and always make sure I have variety. But if I had to pick, I would say pancakes. In fact, I was up visiting my parents this past weekend I made everyone the coconut flour banana pancakes from my book. Often times I will make extra so I can free the pancakes then pop in the toaster for a quick breakie. I also love smoothies and scrambled eggs with kale and a side of avocado with a good pinch of sea salt.

What makes you joyous?

Many things!

Good quality hugs, at least 20 seconds.
Knowing and hearing stories from clients and people who have read my book or blog that the information has changed their life.
Brunch with my hubs — that’s our thing… on Sundays we always make a point of going out for brunch with friends or making a yummy breakie at home.
Quiet time up north at my parents far away from cars, street lights and being surrounded by the solitude of nature and the joy of people I adore.
Green juices with a good dose of ginger.
Last but certainly not least, yoga! I do yoga every single day. I can’t always make it to a class at 889 so I often do my own self-practice. It keeps me happy.
What intention do you live by?

JOY McCARTHY | Holistic Nutritionist RNCP, ROHP, CNP: healthy & vibrant