We all have a different food journey that is unique to us. I am here to tell you about my transition to plants and share nourishing and shareable dishes that bring my family and I joy.

My decision to become a full plant-based vegan was not an abrupt, cold turkey moment. It was a slow and subtle path of learning that I was lucky enough to start on with my first career a year out of college. But let’s start way before then.

A classic child of the 80’s I grew up on a diet of fish sticks, fries, spaghetti, burgers, and Friday pizza nights. Of course, my parents tried to teach us to “eat our vegetables”, but like most kids, we were presented with a plate of 1/3 meat, 1/3 (boring) vegetable, and 1/3 carb. But, I was an athlete and young, so never felt the consequences, well, yet.

When I went away to college and was on my own, my eating habits tanked. I lived off of ramen, macaroni, fast food breakfasts rushing off to class, and 2 a.m. cheese fries. When I finally reached my senior year, I had gained at least 20 lbs., was bloated with terrible digestion, and constantly lethargic. I cannot imagine what was happening internally to me from fueling myself with all this processed food. I went from being voted most athletic in grade school, and played on a championship field hockey team, and now, I could barely run a half mile.

Shortly after graduation, I jumped at the chance to get away from my home town and move to a Florida beach town. A year later, I began my career with Whole Foods Market in marketing. This is what really jumpstarted my interest in natural, organic, and special diet foods. On my first training day with an associate, I grabbed lunch in the café and a free brochure to read while I ate. The “Vegan Starter Guide” is where my journey truly began. While at Whole Foods, I helped develop healthy eating (plant-based) shopping tours, cooking classes, and had the opportunity to take dozens of trainings and courses with top plant chefs and doctors like Fuhrman, Esselstyn, Stoll, Chad Sarno and more! I dabbled as a vegetarian/pescatarian, for many many years, while incorporating more and more plants into my diet as I learned. Over ten years ago, I joined a seven day, healthy eating immersion in Tampa led by Dr. Stoll, and came out a new person. Read about my immersion experience here (coming soon).

When I came home from the immersion, I was ready to take the leap! I had the science confirming all the beliefs that animal products were out, and plants were the key to health and wellness. I have never felt so committed or full of energy in my life, and have stayed fully plant-based for a decade, through a healthy pregnancy and now at home with my family. With all this knowledge, I feel compelled to help people live their best life through diet and lifestyle.

You don’t have to be 100% vegan, or at all to begin incorporating more plants into your diet to fight inflammation, have more energy, better digestion, and all the immeasurable ways this will help your life.

Thanks for following me along on this journey. I hope it brings more vitality to your life as it has with mine.

-Kristin