"I found myself in a very difficult point in my life, and was in deep state of depression. I had a lack of appetite, l lost an unhealthy amount of weight, became iron deficient, and battled insomnia. Hanna Rakowska came into my life at the right time and her supportive nature allowed me to feel open about my challenges. From the day that I first met Hanna, her bouncy enthusiasm for her work was infectious. She is a very knowledgeable professional who brings a nutritional approach that was easy to follow. Hanna, is very in tune with her clients, she gets to know your challenges, goals, follows up consistently and continues to support you. For me, she supported me and went above and beyond. She truly works with her clients in a manner that best suits their needs. I got a better understanding of the nutritional content of various foods and how they worked together in the human body to aid in healthy living. It would be my pleasure to recommend Hanna Rakowska and would be most happy to speak about my personal experience in depth. Thank you Hanna, for all you did to get my life back on track"
Hala Romana
Surrey BC
"I was a client of Hannaâs last year. She worked with me in addressing my osteoarthritis and digestion problems. I very much appreciated her professionalism, and the clear, explicit, and concise way she presented the dietary recommendations she gave me. Along with a dietary plan, she also gave me wonderful recipes that were simple to make and let me enjoy healthy food. I highly recommend her as a passionate, dedicated, and knowledgeable nutritionist."
Anda Popescu
Delta BC
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Hanna for nearly 10 years now. I first met her as a student while she was becoming a Dental Hygienist. Hanna was a dedicated student and devoted to the care of her patients. Her work ethic back then was undeniable. I have also had the opportunity to work with Hanna in her new career as a holistic nutritionist. I highly recommend her. She is thorough, kind, and very practical. She has vast life experiences that in my opinion make her the person to go to for holistic nutrition. I would definitely use her again and would have no problem allowing her to work with my family. Don't take my word for it. Contact her! It will be clear after just one minute speaking to her."
Kerry H
Kamloops BC
"Hanna worked with me after I suffered a severe fracture to my wrist one year ago and found out that I had osteopenia. I had no idea that the foods I was eating might be contributing to my osteopenia, which could eventually lead to full-blown osteoporosis. Hanna educated me in the best foods to eat for bone growth and which ones to avoid to prevent bone mineral loss. My wrist ended up healing much faster than my surgeon expected, and it is fully functional now (something that we were not expecting). I truly believe that my body was able to heal as quickly as it did thanks to Hannaâs counselling and her recommendations. You will immediately sense her passion for helping others, and her knowledge is simply outstanding."
Halina Westfal
Burnaby BC
"Wayne had brain surgery for his gliobastoma on January 1, 2016. His prognosis was 18 months. He has a few issues unavoidably caused by the surgery but is happy and healthy with Hanna's help. She gave us a guide for his diet and physical well-being that has supported his ability to keep the cancer at bay. We will keep on with this valuable guide and are grateful for her ongoing help. It is my pleasure to share how much you've made a difference in his life!!"
Carol Gazda
"I would encourage anyone who is or has a loved who is fighting cancer to get in contact with Hanna at back to balance. She is incredibly passionate and knowledgable about being healthy both during and after defeating cancer. I really believe she is the best of the best. When my family and I felt hopeless about the doctors prognosis on my fathers life (12-18 months max- and only if he could handle the extensive chemo and radiation that would only help to prolong but not save his life) we turned to alternative options. Hanna was there with support and advice and she was so positive and CERTAIN her suggestions would help. Well sure enough, we are at the end of the 18 months, dad was never sick during treatment, he has been feeling really great overall and surprising us all he went back to work full time. He continues to follow the regime back to balance suggested and is continuing to beat the odds. His cancer, although very aggressive and terminal has not progressed and doctors encourage him to continue "whatever it is he is doing!" My family and I cannot thank hanna enough for her skill and expertise. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you, we are forever grateful. You are an absolute angel!"
Jessica Threinen
"My name is Rudy, I was born raised in Vancouver, and have been a firefighter for 30 years. I have cycled around the world following the rules set by Guinness, setting a few world records. I recently completed two full ironman triathlons and swam from Alcatraz to San Francisco. I hope you will find my story not only interesting but may change or possibly even save your life. When they join, firefighters are very fit and strong, but unfortunately with more time spent on the job, many die early of heart disease or cancer. Studies all determined this was true and likely due to all the toxins from chemicals and fires we are exposed to over our careers. Therefore, we always wore masks and decontaminated the best we could. Unfortunately, none of the studies at that time investigated our diets. None of our doctors asked about our diets during our checkups as a possible failing health cause. We didnât realize we were taking much better care of our trucks and equipment than we were of what we were putting into our own bodies. After 20 years as a firefighter, I got my first cancer. Ten years later, I contracted cancer again. Both were attributed to my occupation. I saw Hanna during my second cancer treatment and she was shocked at my diet and what we ate at work. Hamburgers, steaks, cheap but giant greasy pizzas, take out, and fast food- there was no time for fruits or vegetables. I wanted other firefighters to be aware of the link between diet and cancer, so I set out on a journey to raise money for a cancer charity by cycling around the world to help others and spread the word to firefighters around the world about diet. It took me ten years to complete my 29, 000 km journey. In the beginning, I could only ride maybe 30 or 40 km a day but as time wore on and I started eating the specific foods Hanna suggested should become more common in my diet, I turned became a finely tuned machine. I was 50 years old and cycling 100 to 200 km per day. I rode mountains, deserts jungles and geared my diet for the terrain and distances. I ate whole foods prepared by myself and never ate store-bought frozen or processed foods. I increased my magnesium and potassium intake, and my blood pressure was at the level of a 20 year old athlete. After I finished my journey, I found that a healthy cancer-fighting diet was not as complicated as people think it will be. Buying frozen, grocery prepared meals was a thing of the past for me. I only ate fresh whole foods that I prepared. Yes, of course I also avoided red meat and processed foods as well, and tried to balance out the carbohydrates, protein and fats but never got hung up on that too much. A year after coming home, I started training for ironman triathlons. I completed two of them until Covid struck and they were cancelled. So, I swam Alcatraz to San Francisco in just under one hour. I wish I had changed my diet when I was 20 years old. I likely would have avoided the battles I had with cancer. But I have turned that experience into a story and an upcoming film to try to inspire others to live a healthy, fit life with a good diet based on whole foods. Because your doctor likely isnât going to tell you that!"
Rudy Pospisi
""Hanna Rakowska of Back to Balance Nutrition, is an expert Nutritionist, who I came to know some years ago through my battle with chronic pain. She was instrumental in helping me through my healing journey, which included surgery. Hanna is extremely well-informed in the area of nutrition, which includes holistic foods and supplements. She is amazingly creative with recipes and offers new ways to handle and prepare foods, and she is very generous in sharing her considerable wisdom. Beyond these practical components, and perhaps most important is how heartfelt she is in her sincerity to help her clients. Hanna is a caring, nurturing professional, unwavering and thoughtful in her tailored approach and commitment to each client. Of course, given her own background, she is particularly experienced in helping cancer patients fight the greatest fight of their lives, supporting them in their nutritional health, but she is also incredibly knowledgeable regarding a vast array of health conditions. Hanna Rakowska is a true angel to and a devoted champion of all her clients. It gives me great pleasure to recommend her services." "
Rosana Sablic
Vancouver, BC
"I was first introduced to Hanna shortly after starting my breast cancer treatments. I was in pretty rough shape. Fatigued, in pain, with inflammation throughout my body. I had digestive issues, sleep issues, and was stressed and anxious. Hanna got me back on track to a balanced state of health. Within the first 4 weeks of following the individualized plan she put together for me, I could already see and feel improvement. My pain and inflammation levels from the chemo decreased and became manageable, my energy levels increased, my bloating and heartburn resolved, and my digestive issues improved greatly. My stress and anxiety became almost nonexistent. I was able to complete all my chemotherapy appointments on time because my blood work stayed within the normal range. I also lost my post-chemo weight faster than I had prior to these dietary and lifestyle changes. The weight came off within one week as opposed to three weeks after previous chemo sessions. After a few months on the plan, I had very few issues anymore. When it was time to prepare for surgery, Hanna created another plan to get my body strong and ready for surgery, and then again another plan for post-operatory recovery. My radiation treatments went well with only little reaction and I healed quickly because I was taking care of not only my external but also internal health. Hanna has been a tremendous help. Her dietary and lifestyle recommendations are a big part of what got me through treatments as well as I did. She is an absolutely wonderful person to work with and I look forward to continuing to work with her toward my greater health during my continued recovery. "
Leah Avery
Vancouver, BC
"Hi Hanna, I had to tell you that I went to see the internal medicine specialist to check on my high blood pressure. I told him about my dietary changes and showed him data over two months of pressure tests, taken four times a day. He took a stress test, EKG, etc. He said, âYou need no medicine at all. You can do a triathlon and climb Everest.â You see how many people are likely taking these mediations without realizing that diet and lifestyle changes can prevent this. Two doctors told me I had to be on medications for the rest of my life. And don't forget how else you helped me. During my relapse of cancer after 10 years of cycling 3/4 of the way around the world for a cancer charity. I just set a world record up the steepest hill on Earth in New Zealand. My cancer came back and I had to come home for radiation. I was devastated. But you talked to me shared your story your opinion and set me up with a great treatment recovery program to help me finish my journey. The oncologists just said good luck and good bye. No radiation recovery foods pro biotics nothing. I did. I crossed the Australian continent. Across the deserts and set another world speed record along the 140 km longest straight road in Australia. I finished in Melbourne in December 2017 after 29,000 km. You are a more amazing person than you give yourself credit for! You deserve more credit. Thank you for your help. I owe you so much. "
Rudy Pospisil
Vancouver, BC
"Hi Hanna! Another energizing class on Friday. Thank you, thank you, thank you. If you've ever wondered if you found the right calling - yes you have. You have presented the info so well and I really appreciate that we can discuss questions and our own situations as they arise. So I'm really looking forward to the next classes. Thanks again Hanna. I'm feeling so much better already. I just wanted to tell you how excited I am to have all these new tools to help me get healthier! I stopped for tea after class and read through the recipes, preparing a shopping list. When I got home I launched into making the Broccoli and Brown rice bake. It was superb! I had taken the suggested 1 tsp of raw apple cider vinegar approximately 20 min before eating, and YEAH! Everything went down happily. đ I'm going to try to figure out a way to travel and get back for the fourth class. But either way I've already learned really good stuff. Thank you so much!!! "
Carrie
Nutrition to Change Pain workshop participant- CHANGEpain clinic, Vancouver, BC
"To whoever this may concern, I took the Nutrition Program at Change Pain this summer and I loved it. Hanna was an amazing teacher - the information was presented in an easily understood format and further she went the extra step to answer and research any questions we had. I learned a lot and I loved the hands-on way she taught - the 7 day challenge made me put the information she gave us into practice, and I am glad I did - I have more consistent energy through the day and I am sleeping better. She introduced us to superfoods by bringing in samples and gave us recipes to try and provided us with many useful resources. This course exceeded my expectations and I can't recommend it highly enough! "
Rhonda Bacon
Nutrition to Change Pain workshop participant- CHANGEpain clinic, Vancouver, BC
"Hello Hanna, Honestly, Iâm even further impressed reading your e-mail. How kind of you to respond so late in the day on a Friday, and Iâm sure after a very full work week. Your high level of professionalism, care for your participants and commitment to us rivals your knowledge. Iâm grateful to be in such capable hands and learning from a wonderful practitioner. Honestly, I wish I could record your sessions â they are so good, so informative and helpful. Are you considering some videos on particular areas perhaps? Hanna, Iâve listened to a lot of nutritionists & dieticians in the past, and find that you go above and beyond to explain and de-construct foods and their benefits/challenges, and effects on the body. You are a font of knowledge!!! An immense âthank youâ once again. I canât wait for the next session. I meant every single word â and it was purely to your credit. Thank YOU! "
Rosana Sablic
Nutrition to Change Pain workshop participant- CHANGEpain clinic, Vancouver, BCtle
"HI Hanna, Many thanks Hanna for all your information. Your presentation was very good and informative. You spoke very well and you look so young and beautiful. I hope u will have more workshops and I look forward to meeting you in class. "
C
The Anti-Cancer Diet seminar attendee- Choices Markets, Vancouver, BC
"Hi Hannah, Thank you again for a very informative session tonight. I really enjoyed it. I lost my mom to cancer almost 17 years ago and three of my aunts have had breast cancer and survived it. My mom didnât have breast cancer but it was an incidental finding after she had a knee MRI which showed bone Mets :( It was already too late for her by then. I currently work as a medical radiography tech at a couple Fraser Health hospitals but when I first graduated, I worked at the cancer agency for a couple years so I learned a lot about cancer there too. Now that I have children of my own, I want to do everything I can to prevent cancer from happening to me so they donât have to go through what I went through years ago losing my mom. I really appreciate that you are informing the public about choosing better eating habits and adapting a healthier lifestyle. Could you please send me some recipes and a list of those cancer preventing foods? I would like to pass this on to my aunts and their families too as I hope it will bring some helpful insight to what their eating habits should be like. Anyway thank you so much again. I truly enjoyed the online seminar and look forward to future Choices Foods online seminars! Take care and stay safe, "
Michelle Elliott
The Anti-Cancer Diet seminar attendee- Choices Markets, Vancouver, BC
"Hi Hanna, Thanks for your webinar. I definitely learned a lot. Wish Iâd been eating better years ago. "
Larry Gray
The Anti-Cancer Diet seminar attendee- Choices Markets, Vancouver, BC
"Hi Hanna, Thank you for the fantastic workshop Hanna. I would like to request for your recipe list and any other information that you mentioned on today talk, It was a lot of information to absorb. Really appreciate the information. Thank you so much. "
Constance Wong
The Anti-Cancer Diet seminar attendee- Choices Markets, Vancouver, BC
"Hi Hanna, Thanks so much for the event with Hanna Rakowska tonightâŚtons of excellent information! I would like to have all that was offered - the presentation, recording, etc. Thank you. "
Jennifer Umezuki
The Anti-Cancer Diet seminar attendee- Choices Markets, Vancouver, BC
"Thank you for the seminar - it was very informative! I would be interested in receiving the recipes that you mentioned as well as a copy of the presentation."
Susan Lang
The Anti-Cancer Diet seminar attendee- Choices Markets, Vancouver, BC
"Hello Hanna, Thank you for hosting the Anti-Cancer Diet workshop. Very useful information and well laid out. Both myself and my brother who is undergoing cancer treatment participated in your workshop. "
Loretta Woodcock
Labour Relations Officer- Team Lead, BC Nurses' Union
"Hi Hanna, Thank you for the presentation on the Anti-Cancer diet. I found the information very useful. I am glad to hear that soy has been vindicated as I love soy products including tofu and am happy that I don't have to reduce my intake. Could you please include me on your email list to receive your recipe ideas. Thank you! "
Betty Ing
The Anti-Cancer Diet seminar attendee- Choices Markets, Vancouver, BC
"Your presentation was very informative, and I love talks on how to prevent illnesses, and truly believe in this theory. Although I still haven't given up meat completely), but when I hear your talk, it's inspiring to keep reducing the bad stuff and pump up the good foods more. I really appreciate your time in doing this to help us all. Have a good night. "
Laura Fines
The Anti-Cancer Diet seminar attendee- Choices Markets, Vancouver, BC
"Hi Hanna, Thank you, Hanna, this was a great presentation. I learned a great deal. I was wondering if I could have the presentation and any handouts. I would, if I could like to share this with my brother who completely changed his diet two years ago after barely surviving a brain stem tumour. He is much better, but still on the mend, the road is long and challenging. I am have been making efforts to mend my ways too, more of the fruits, veggies, legumes, whole grains, etc, but again the road is full of challenges after years of the old ways. Fortunately I have been reasonably active in my lifestyle, so that has helped. A bit, Thank you, "
Rudi
The Anti-Cancer Diet seminar attendee- Choices Markets, Vancouver, BC
"Hi Hanna, Thank you so much for your really excellent presentation! I feel inspired to think more carefully about my food choices now. Would appreciate so much any handouts you have to offer, and also the recipe package, and recipe links. I would also really appreciate the PDF of your presentation and recording if possible. Best and thanks again! "
