“Thank you CNM for showing me how to live healthier!”

Driekie Zietsman, CNM Graduate in CNM’s Natural Chef

I learnt how to cater for non-vegan, vegan and vegetarian eaters, the health benefits of different foods and best of all, how to use food as medicine.

Growing up in the Afrikaans community in South Africa, I naturally learnt to cook like my mother. Lots of starch, butter and salt. Supper was usually served with rice, potatoes and bread, with one or two vegetables and loads of meat. I always thought it was the natural way to eat, but over the years, I slowly changed the way I cook and prepare food.
Now I am looking to take this a step further, I’ve joined CNM’s Natural Chef Diploma Course.

I used food to heal my body

I didn’t realise that you can use food to heal your body until I was diagnosed with Benign Congenital Hypermobility Syndrome, which means I have constant inflammation in my joints. I embarked on an anti-inflammatory diet and was amazed at how well I started to feel. I had less pain, more energy and a better outlook on life.

The lecturers draw from their own industry experience

My friend Ann Knight was busy doing her Natural Chef course when I was diagnosed. It made me realise how beneficial a course like this would be for me and my family. I loved the classes, my classmates and the course. The lecturers were great and taught me so much more than I would have learnt anywhere else. Their knowledge comes from practical and personal experience, which is the best way to impart knowledge.

I learnt how to use food as medicine

I genuinely feel that CNM and the Natural Chef Course have helped me grow as a health practitioner in my role as a chef. I learnt how to use food as medicine. I’m currently busy studying the Health Coach course and I hope to work with people who, like me, need to use food and exercise to heal their bodies and minds. Working with a qualified nutritionist, I strongly feel I can make a big difference to people’s lives.