Hello (virtual handshake)! I want to share a little more about myself so you can gain a better idea of who I am and why I feel so strongly about living a plant-based lifestyle.
I have been a certified personal trainer since 2013 and a certified nutrition and wellness consultant since 2015. I also hold a Masters degree in Health Science and I am a published author on plant-based diets and lowering meat consumption, check it out!
How did I venture into the world of plant-based? Initially, I wanted to do my part for the environment and I’m an animal lover (we have a big fluffy dog and a cat who showed up at our door one day and decided to join the family) but eating plant-based went beyond a moral code for me. I knew eating whole foods, such as vegetables fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds, wasn’t just beneficial for staying healthy but eating those foods is also a way to be proactive towards our health and prevent cancers, obesity and chronic diseases. After years of studying health science, nutrition and the benefits of eating less animal products and consuming more plant foods, I made the conscious, natural progression to reduce my intake of animal products and go plant-based!
Full transparency, it took me a few years to figure out how to eat for my body and not feel like I was restricting myself. While I transitioned to how I eat now, I tried various other diets to either completely eliminate animal products or minimize food groups and I ended up gaining a few pounds, bloating and feeling absolutely overwhelmed with the process. I finally had my AHA MOMENT, when I realized I do not need to conform to certain diets or try to mold my eating behaviors around existing dietary trends just to reduce my meat and dairy intake. While I embarked on this health journey I was simultaneously earing my Masters in Health Science with a focus in plant-based nutrition. Through my studies, I learned there is no “one size fits all” way to eating less meat, that instead, the focus is more of a reduce (meat and dairy) and increase (plants) mentality. That is how I began appreciating not only the health benefits but also the flexibility and inclusiveness of going plant-based. So I hit “refresh” on my mindset and simplified the process. I slowly began making food swaps, trying new recipes and reducing my intake of animal products, without eliminating any food groups. Easing into my transition to plant-based created new sustainable behaviors and has allowed me to eat uniquely for myself while upholding my personal ethical decisions. I am happy to say I have never felt better mentally or physically!
I felt so dedicated to helping others reach their own best health by reducing the amount of animal products on their plate, I decided that with my private nutrition practice, I would no longer consult on any other ways of eating. I wanted everyone to uncover their best health by learning how non-elimination, mindful, plant-based nutrition could significantly improve their mental and physical state of being. My clients began seeing skin issues clear, gut problems improving, weight loss, an increase in energy and a lengthy list of other benefits, all from eating more plants and less meats and dairy!
There are so many incredible benefits to eating more plants, I thought, “how can I make the process of going plant-based accessible to anyone and everyone?” And with that question came the creation of the Plant-Powered Approach! An affordable, comprehensive, self-paced program that guides you to becoming plant-based!
Want to know more about me? A few of my favorite activities are…
- Working on my green thumb in our garden
- Going on outdoor adventures like hiking or kayaking
- Trying a smoothie from a local café
- Looking up recipes to try to recreate
- Reading a book in my hygge nook
- Scrolling on Pinterest
- Listening to a podcast while cooking, jogging or walking our dog
- Enjoying a warm bevvy while catching up on a tv show
My life intentions (not in order of importance):
- Learn to be a better gardener
- Live on a homestead with goats and chickens
- Open a small farm-to-table eatery on the homestead
- Work to lessen the gap of healthy food accessibility
- Keep spreading the benefits of plant-based eating
- Do an amateur salsa dance competition
- Learn how to play the piano
- Finally, become fluent in Spanish
Favorite Food: I have a sweet tooth so one food I will never turn down is a homemade chocolate chip cookie
Favorite Drink: hot chocolate with marshmallows
Favorite exercise: This is a tough one for me, I absolutely love exercising, so I will say my least favorite and that is a plank, a 30 second plank feels like a lifetime
What friends would say about me: I am very caring and trustworthy, maybe a little quirky and I make soup and muffins ALL the time