The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Meet holistic nutritionist, speaker and author Alison Cowell, from Guthrie in Angus
Q What was your plan B career-wise? A
Well, I’m actually now on plan C and loving it! From civil servant in England to self-employed nutrition consultant in New Zealand, now back in the UK as an author and speaker on health in Scotland. My personal and clinical experience has shown me that we need a different approach, so I’m on a mission!
Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
AMy wedding photo album. I married in 1978, way before digital images were around.
Q Theme song for your life? A
Always look on the bright side of life, Monty Python. Like most people, I’ve had more than a few curveballs thrown my way but it’s a question of making the best of what you have (especially in these unnerving days).
Q Last meal on earth? A
One of my mum’s roast dinners.
Q Dream dinner party guests? A
George Michael (if he were still here!), Jason Manford, Jane Fonda and Dawn French.
Q First thing you’d do if you won a million pounds?
AScream!
Q Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
AI auditioned for a local production of The Sound of Music when I was 10 years old.
A sympathetic pat on the head and the offering of a Quality Street on the way out signalled the stage was clearly not my calling.
Q What was the last book you read? A
I’d Rather Get A Cat And Save The Planet: Conversations with Child-free Women by my very talented niece Nina Jervis.
Nina chose not to have children and this book is a fascinating revelation of thoughts and feelings from a selection of women who made the same choice.
Q If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
AAvocados, I love them!
Q What makes you happy? A
Family time. It’s a bit clichéd I know, but spending time with my family means everything.
Q What makes you sad? A
Animal cruelty.
Q Do you believe in aliens? A
Not in a Star Trek way but it wouldn’t surprise me if there is “life” of some sort out there.
Q What was the first album you ever bought?
ACherish by David Cassidy – and I played it non-stop at full volume! I still have it amongst my collection of old “LPs”.
Q If you could go back to any point in history, what would it be?
AWould it be dreadful to ignore amazing historical milestones and simply wish to be in a time where I could float around in a beautiful Scarlet O’Hara type dress?
Q What do you do to unwind? A
Indulge in a luxurious candle-lit bubble bath, with a glass of red wine and George Michael playing in the background.
Q Happiest memory? A
Eventually managing to climb up to the middle branches of a tree when I was five years old and feeling on top of the world!
Q And most embarrassing? A
Starting the verse too early when my school choir were softly humming the introduction to Silent Night, in a candle-lit hall, to a packed audience. My lone, very loud, “Silent...” interrupted the tranquillity.
Q What are you proudest of? A
My boys. My two sons are wonderful people who make me proud every day. I’d want their company even if they were not my sons.
Q Who do you admire most? A
My parents. They tackle life with humour and togetherness. At 92 years old, my dad still plays weekly golf at St Andrews.
Mum is determined to control Parkinsonism and her symptoms have vastly improved since this time last year.
Q What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to do?
ASay goodbye to family and friends when emigrating (twice).