ABOUT ME
I love food. I always have. French pastries, rich and creamy cheeses, dense chocolate tarts, crisp apples, fresh-picked blueberries, crusty sourdough, bubbly macaroni and cheese, sun-ripened cherry tomatoes, and all forms of ice cream are the things my dreams are made of. The smell of toast makes me swoon. I often spend the majority of my waking hours thinking about food: buying it, preparing it, eating it, and sharing it, for better or worse.
The “better” includes adopting a plant-based diet, learning to cook, bake, and eat healthy, wholesome food (desserts included!), and educating myself on the myriad healing properties of foods and how to incorporate them into my diet. However, the “worse” has been crippling at times. I have struggled with compulsive, binge, and emotional eating, eating to fill the “loneliness void”, and orthorexia. I have worried about what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat, as well as felt guilty about what and how much I had already eaten. I have brooded over the contents of my plate (and stomach) and how “healthy” or “not healthy” each bite was. I have kept lists – on paper and in my head – of every single thing I had eaten that day, and then endlessly agonized over said list. I have hated myself, my body, and my lack of willpower. Food has been my greatest pleasure and my worst enemy, in equal measure.
My complicated food relationship ultimately led me on a journey to greater health and happiness. I became a holistic health coach, and then went on to get a master’s degree in nutrition, in order to learn how to help myself and others heal their relationships with food. During this process, I discovered and defined my food philosophy: eating whole, unprocessed, plant-based foods, and doing so with intention, is the most effective and satisfying way to nourish the body, the mind, and the soul. I believe that there are no “good” or “bad” foods; rather, there are foods that make our bodies (and minds) feel good and other foods that make our bodies feel terrible. It is our job to eat with intention and listen to how our bodies react to each food in turn. As a nutritionist, I help teach my clients how to do this. I also practice the concept of bio-individuality, which posits that every person’s nutritional needs are different and that what works for one person may not work for another, necessitating a personalized, holistic approach to nutrition planning. I believe that food is therapeutic and that eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures. I became a nutritionist to help people heal their complex relationships with food, regain their health and happiness, and enjoy all of the delicious things that life has to offer.
If my story resonated with you, connect with me to discover how I can support you in becoming your healthiest, happiest self.
