Meet-a-Mom, Joya Van Der Laan | Hinsdale Area Moms

Meet-a-Mom, Joya Van Der Laan

What’s your favorite family activity in the Hinsdale, Western Springs, La Grange, Clarendon Hills Area?
We love to discover new parks and new forest preserves to walk in. We love Fullersburg and Waterfall Glen (technically in Lemont, but worth the drive) – especially when Lizzie (our goldendoodle) comes with.

How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
I’ve got 3 kids – Sophie who is 9 and has autism and ADHD, Jude who is 7 and has ADHD, and Emily who is 7.

How long have you lived in the Hinsdale/WS/La Grange/CH Area? What made you decide to live here?
I was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and moved to the States when I attended university in Iowa and then Michigan. I moved to Chicago to work at Northwestern after graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. After 8 years there, obtaining my Masters of Science in Nursing, and having our first baby, I took a Nurse Practitioner position at a clinic in Oakbrook Terrace. But when my husband and I were surprised to be pregnant again in 2013 – with TWINS – we quickly found a house in the ‘burbs and have lived in Westmont ever since.

Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop in the Hinsdale/WS/La Grange/CH Area?
I love to support the small businesses in the area – one of our favorite places happens to be in Westmont: Shree, which is an amazing vegetarian Indian restaurant.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
In the gym, I much prefer heavy deadlifts and barbell squats to almost anything else. #feeltheburn #Ihatecardio

Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My husband. Definitely my husband. He is my rock through all of life’s (and parenting’s) ups and especially the downs. He’s wise, patient (especially when I’m not), honest, loving, and so much more – and I absolutely could not do this without him.

Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I started Nourish House Calls in January of 2018, making house calls and treating patients with a variety of conditions, but especially those that were hormone-related (menopause relief!!), and those where traditional medical treatments were not working well. I integrate Functional Medicine into my practice, and incorporate lifestyle education and changes into my treatment plans. I offer at home services like medical visits, laser therapy (for pain and inflammation), trigger point injections, and lots and lots of intravenous (IV) nutrition therapy for immunity, anti-aging, detoxification, hydration and more! I absolutely LOVE being able to help people FEEL better and BE better, and using so many different methods to get there.
In October of 2020, my husband and I stated Your Autism Game Plan – a really exciting new resource for parents of children diagnosed with autism. With my medical training plus my experience as a mom with an autistic daughter, it’s research-based information with a personal, relatable touch. I’ve discussed everything from bed-wetting to picky eating, supplements to sleep and will be releasing a full course in the spring focusing on how to navigate life with an autistic child. This course is for busy parents who want reliable, trustworthy information, but don’t have hundreds of hours to spend researching online. I’ve done all that work and have compiled it into a succinct course that will guide parents on the journey and help manage many of the more bothersome symptoms of autism.

How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
This community has provided me with a close circle of friends – from schools, church, and various other kid activities. Life with these friends is better. And my patients! From my beginning in 2018, the women, men, and children in these communities have embraced my small business, entrusting me with their health concerns. I’m honored to be able to contribute to that small part of your lives, and excited to be offering this new autism resource as well.

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