In a time when every aspect of health care has come under scrutiny, "Doc Rob" believes we can become healthier by making informed decisions that will “help the medicine go down,” as Mary Poppins once said.

Chicago’s Robert Streisfeld uses lots of storybook imagery to offer healthcare advice in his own book, "A Healthier Ever After."

Doc Rob, 32, is a licensed naturopathic physician, or ND, in Arizona. His practice based in River North focuses on “the art of living healthy.” He offers clients nutrition consultations at the TeamiFit lifestyle center 676 N. LaSalle St. Right around the corner, he hosts “celebrate life parties” every third Thursday at the District Bar.

The parties aim to spread the word on healthy living. He aspires to help us all become what he calls "conscious consumers" as part of a healthy diet plan.

“Conscious consumerism is a term I hope to see become more and more common. It says, look we are all consumers and we all have to make choices, but how those choices are determined comes from a variety of sources,” said Doc Rob.

“It doesn’t really matter where it comes from per say, but rather that we are becoming more aware that those choices are up to us, that we are responsible and that we have to take control. And it doesn’t only affect you; it affects society as a whole," he said. "If everyone becomes just a little bit more conscious, just a little more aware, then as a whole we’ll all be healthier and live happier.”

Becoming a conscious consumer is also less restrictive than other dietary plans, said Doc Rob.  Rather than being limited by labeling yourself as a vegan or vegetarian, you can maintain your freedom with food and still make informed, healthy decisions.

Doc Rob comes at those decisions as both a chef and a naturopathic physician. He believes eating healthy should be seen as an art form.

“Eating is an art. Living well is an art. Cooking is an art. They call them the healing arts. I think people need to embrace living healthy as an art and put your own little style to it,” Doc Rob advised.

And it doesn’t always have to be hard or overwhelming to focus on nutrition, he said. His 2008 book, “A Healthier Ever After,” taps childhood fairy tales for lessons on healthy living and the well being of our entire society.

“The old women in the shoe can represent Mother Nature. And there are so many people living on this planet that Mother Nature is not really sure what to do about it. Whenever you see civilizations crowding into an area, you have more issues with sanitation, you have more spread of germs and disease, you have a hard time maintaining the proper nourishment because of supply and demand of what’s available,” Doc Rob said.

For instance, he suggests using natural products such as sea salt and buying local foods.

“People need to know we are all on this planet together, and some people may get left out in the cold, and not have room in that shoe, if they don’t start playing their part, and being responsible and being part of the team,” he added.

“He believes that learning to live and live well is a life-long process, and his healthy suggestions are easy to apply in a modern lifestyle,” said Stacy Weckstein, a nutrition coach for business owners and entrepreneurs. 

Doc Rob promotes his views with upbeat pep talks that match his personality. But he has serious concerns about our society’s health.

“I’m sorry to say, but we have come to be a glutton society. We have the ability to have meat or animal proteins almost at every corner, via fast food or supermarkets. We are now, I think, taking advantage of that availability and as a result our health is suffering,” Doc Rob said. 

“I don’t necessarily commit to saying I think everyone should go vegetarian, or that it’s good for everybody, but I do believe that we should have more fruits and vegetables as the main components of our diet,” he said.

Keeping his clients fully informed on why they are taking supplements or changing their diet is one of Doc Rob’s main goals.

“Being informed is really an important part of what my business is now. I don’t treat or diagnose in this state because I am not licensed, but I do educate and advise and support people on their choices,” Doc Rob said.

But Doc Rob’s true passion lies in educating people on living healthy lifestyles. He said he hopes to one day have his own television show where he can act as a mediator between dietary and medical experts and consumers, to help everyone become that conscience consumer.

He portrays caring for your health as a cool and hip thing to do and said he plans to utilize the influence of celebrities and musicians in his campaign to spread health.

"He's a friendly guy, very inspiring and very motivated. He is a great entrepreneur and those are initial things you defintiely pick up right as you meet him," said Keeta Mickens, lifestyle coordinator and stress coach at TeamFit.

Doc Rob has come a long way from his hometown in  the Catskill Mountains near Woodstock, N.Y. He split his time between the pastoral regions of upstate New York and New York City where he had a lot of family. Rob describes himself as “a country boy with city flavor.” The influence of both in his childhood gave him another of his core philosophies - a balanced lifestyle.

“I’m a guy that’s a vegan, vegetarian chef, that can go out and have a burger and beer with you, that’s how grounded and balanced I am,” Doc Rob said.

Illness was another influence. After suffering from digestive problems throughout his youth and never receiving a definitive diagnosis, Doc Rob decided to pursue the study of nutrition and traditional medicine.

He completed his undergraduate education at the University at Albany, better known as SUNY. He studied human biology, which combines the study of biology, anthropology, philosophy, sociology, and religion. He calls it “the study of man.”

Doc Rob received his ND from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Arizona.  While becoming a doctor of naturopathic medicine, he studied a variety of medical techniques from acupuncture and nutrition, to standard western medicine.  

After learning how to prevent disease and care for the body, Doc Rob thought the most important thing to master was how to properly fuel the body to keep it working at its peak optimum levels. So the choice was clear - culinary school.

“The body can take care of itself if you give it the right nourishment,” Doc Rob said.

Doc Rob attended culinary school in New York, learning how to cook vegan, vegetarian, and organic menus.

“My first question is do you believe in a healthier every after?” Doc Rob asks. “I think people need to believe that by making these conscious decisions they can live a healthier life and achieve the results they are looking for.”