We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Auslander Moreno MS RDN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“People never change.” I believe in a psychoadaptive approach, and even though people can be WILDLY resistant to change (especially nutrition change), with gentle and supportive psychological support — they really can turn over new leaves, so to speak. The issue is that many people are walled in and do not WANT to change or truly open and surrender to health professionals.

What should our readers know about your business?
Essence Nutrition is a luxury concierge nutrition and counseling practice. We are the largest group nutrition-therapy practice in Miami. Our dietitians and mental health therapists are highly specialized and trained in nearly ever nutrition specialty. Our dietitians complete a mandatory clinical hospital employment requirement for years before they can apply to join the practice, and our therapists are subspecialized in the treatment of eating disorders. We are also one of the few practices staffed to treat pediatric eating and feeding disorders, and we also provide family nutrition, home-based visits, grocery store tours, and supported meals.

I also spearhead our corporate wellness, public seminar, menu consulting, and school wellness projects.

I am most proud of my highly talented and empathetic team and how they collaborate with each other, particularly with respect to the eating disorder team. We often have to wear different hats — like serving as clients’ medical concierges in connecting them with physician and allied healthcare specialists they need (PT, OT, speech, feeding, acupuncture, trainers, meal delivery, chefs) and I am proud of how we dedicate ourselves to the good of the client.

I am most excited about my personal corporate wellness presentations and school menu projects in the pipeline. As a mother of two small boys, my private clientele time has been limited, but I am fully immersed and energized by work I can do while they are not hopping around me or trying to barge into a session.

Running a business is never easy. I have learned that work is work — and life and relationships are more important and will ultimately define us, but that was a lesson that took me many years to learn. I am striving daily to reach a balance that fulfills me intellectually, financially, and spiritually. I leaned on my husband and friends very much for that perspective.

Sadly, I learned that a lot of people are simply angry / nasty / not nice (likely as a result of their own pain/trauma…). They often will act aggressively and be all sorts of mean, obnoxious and demanding with me or my dietitians. We have a lot of discussions about enacting firm but polite boundaries, and I’ve learned that no one can ever blame you for being “too nice” or “too accommodating”, but we have to work very hard to not allow the meanies to get us down.

I want the world to know that weight does not equate to health. We practice care that is not weight-centered. We practice nutrition and health care that is compassionate, evidence-based, and centers around a philosophy that places a person’s right to pursue health behaviors that are joyous and meaningful with our input above any damaging diets or diet culture that has ultimately ruined the physical and psychological health of many people in our country.

We are also bilingual in English and Spanish 🙂

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Eeeee how fun! Breakfast at Roaster’s for Challah French Toast. Brunch at Morgan’s.

Lunch at Motek Cafe. Tessa, the owner, is an inspiration to me. A young mom with FOUR KIDS and a thriving restaurant and jewelry conglomerate.

Speaking of jewels, the ultimate shopping jewelry experience lends to a stop at Phillips House in Sunset Harbor. Lisa and Danielle are visionaries.

A Pilates class at Breathe Pilates — Gretchen is one of those Midwestern marvels somehow thriving in often mean Miami.

A NAP. BECAUSE I HAVE NEARLY 4 YEAR-OLD AND 16 MONTH-OLD BOYS.

Raw Republic for their PB+A acai bowl.

I am a level II certificated International Chocolate taster so — a visit to the only chocolate in Miami I’ll eat — Garcia Nevett.

…but I also am obsessed with cheese. So a cheeseboard at Salumeria or Lagniappe as a snack.

A walk around Gables Estates/Journey’s End, with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (or 7.) (my favorite dog).

A donation to Friendship Circle, an organization very close to my heart.

Devocion Coffee (Colombia’s finest) at Flora near Morningside.

A swim at The Ritz South Beach (I actually prefer pools to the beach….)

Taco’s and a margarita (hold the simple syrup — extra tajin– add club soda) at Pilo’s Tacos — my dear friends

Dinner at Makoto but at 6 PM – I don’t like a ‘scene’ or loud restaurants because I am 35.

I also adore Contessa. That Aperol Spritz. That butternut squash Carpaccio.

Late night overnight oats from Pura Vida — or an early breakfast. Their avocado toast is outrageous, and their service is impeccable.

Bagels + lox on jalapenol cheddar bagel from El Bagel.

Volunteer dog walking at the Greater Miami Humane Society

Ice cream at Azucar on 8th street

The Venetian Pool — so underrated!

Mint chocolate chip ice cream from Whip n Dip in South Miami

Strawberry milkshakes from “the fruit stand” — Wayside Market — in Pinecrest. Only people from Pinecrest know it as such.

Iced coffee from Aroma Espresso Bar

I retired from nightlife long ago. Nightlife for me now is being in bed by 9 PM with a medieval or Scandinavian history book and some grapes hoping none of my children wake up.

Guacamole and chips at Soho House

Pizza at O’Munaciello — the black charcoal dough!

Kite flying (+ dogs + kids) at Haulover

Walking around Aventura mall and buying terrible things I do not need (more eyeliner I never wear?)

A facial at Sana (I’ve actually never been.. can someone please send me?!)

The PAMM + Verde lunch

Visiting all the new art galleries in Allapattah (shoutout to Andrew Reed gallery — a CHILD I USED TO BABYSIT now owns a GALLERY)

A 2 hour massage. Deep tissue. In pure silence. Again, mom desires.

Nighttime show at Marian (I would need 3 espressos to stay awake for this)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents, sister, husband, and sons!

Website: http://www.essencenutritionmiami.com

Instagram: @eatlikemonica

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-auslander-moreno-ms-rdn-07050b60

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/essence-nutrition-miami

Other: e-mail: hello@essencenutritionmiami.com

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