Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a Danish word expressing the feelings of comfort, cozy, and happiness. It is the relaxed feeling of the first moments of the weekend on Friday afternoon, or a warm cup of tea beside the fireplace. Sweaters, socks, comfort. It also means an environment where you can find balance, no matter what season you are going through. When paired with holistic health, it means compassionate care and creating experiences of comfort that bring wellness and value to your life. Experience personalized wellness solutions tailored to your unique needs by contacting us and subscribing to learn more. Your journey to optimal health and well-being starts here.

James is a second-year Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) candidate with the Notre Dame if Maryland University and is in his final semesters earning a Masters in Nutrition and Integrative Health and concentration in Herbology. He believes that whole foods can help you create sustainable balance. He is an Army Veteran who has a passion for service and helping others find health through nutrition and a balanced life. He had been struggling with hypertension, aching joints, and bloating. He had also seen soldiers in his unit and friends at home struggling with body issues. Upon listening to Megan Rossi on Mindvalley, as well as other key friendships that brought gut health to his conscious awareness, he began seeking answers to the root causes of his symptoms. This led to enrolling in a Masters program at the Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH). Notre Dame of Maryland acquired this program in 2025, but the curriculum and quality of education remains one of the top-notch programs in the country for integrative health. Through food changes, advanced labs, and continuing work with his own personal nutritionist, James has been able to address his gut dysbiosis, add a few extra foods into his normal routine, and feel better about his digestive and overall health than he has ever felt in his life!

And he wants to share these with you as well!

Through food labs, learning about body processes and biochemical pathways, and through understanding the importance of individual nutrition and advanced labs showing optimal ranges, he is now aware of the importance of personalized nutrition and care for clients that allows them to discover root causes of their conditions rather than simply finding band-aid prescriptions that perpetuate unhealthy habits and may in fact lead to more severe conditions and health problems because underlying issues were ignored.

Those small signs. The small stomach pains, or constipations. Or fatigue. Feeling bloated or feeling those small discomforts of acid reflux. They may all be signs of underlying issues. Don’t ignore them, even if they seem trifling and unworthy to mention to your primary care doctor.

We hear you! We believe you! We see you!

Susan Testa Nutrition LLC offers team care that includes nutrition graduate level practitioner and CNS Candidate, JAMES MELNICK, to participate in leading nutrition sessions, nutrition assessment, nutrition interpretation, nutrition & lifestyle intervention, nutrition counseling and education, monitoring and providing outside referrals when necessary, under the supervision of the Registered, Licensed Dietitian and/or Nutritionist, Susan Testa, MS, RDN, LDN

Together, we can slow down and create space that nurtures your body, mind, and soul. We begin by doing a deep dive into your health and diet history. We then explore labs and make suggestions for a more nutrient dense diet, and help cultivate a lifestyle for wellness. We incorporate gardening, grocery store visits, cooking classes, and 1-on-1 calls to assess progress and create meal plans to fit your life. Add in breathwork and partnering with fitness coaches, you will be well on the way to becoming a balanced being!