I first knew I wanted to be healthy at the age of 17. I was raised in a family that consumed a lot of fast foods, frozen meals, and processed foods that lasted forever in the pantry. When I decided I wanted to live a healthier lifestyle I had no one that could direct or educate me. I stopped drinking soda and eating fast food. Gradually I learned what to eliminate from my diet and what worked for my body.

 

Beginning at the age of 15 I experienced a lot of hardships. By the time I was 18 I turned to drugs. I was dealing with addiction, losing family and friends, homelessness and there were days I thought I was going to die. Finally in October 2007, at the age of 20, I decided to get clean. I did not go through rehab or have any professional help. I lived with a friend and detoxed for 30 days. I was very sick through the process but I am happy to say I did it naturally and without the assistance of prescription drugs. After getting clean and getting my health back, I decided I wanted to lose the weight I had gained while getting clean. I didn’t want to use drugs or diet pills. I wanted to do it naturally.

 

I graduated from California Culinary Academy in 2008 where I learned my skill as a chef. I began to research nutrition on my own. And that is how my journey to Happy Food Cookbook began. I graduated from Yax Yoga Concepts in March 2013. I got my Personal Nutrition Diploma from Shaw Academy in September 2015. I open Nourish Cafe & Market, as CEO of Operations & Chef, in 2017 with my business partner Kalle LeMone.

 

Since getting clean I have lost 40 lbs and dropped 10 pant sizes. Because most people didn’t share the same goal, the process was a lonely one. I stopped eating processed sugar in 2012 to see how I felt and the results were amazing. I stopped having crashes during the day which honestly reminded me of the previous drug crashes I used to experience. I felt energized all day, my cravings for sugar and carbs went away and I wasn’t as moody.

 

In 2013 after reading Wheat Belly, I challenged myself to remove gluten from my diet for a year. Afterwards I became allergic to gluten. Now I get incredibly sick when I eat or come into contact with gluten. I feel arthritis in my hands, feet and hips. I get headaches, nausea, cra,ps and bloating. I get rashes and incredibly fatigued.   I don’t agree with the way animals are processed from pasture to table so I’ve stopped consuming almost all of cow and pork products. The toxins and hormones used in preparing cows these days are alarming. I eat seafood and chicken when I know where and how it has been raised and processed, which is very rare.

 

I know first-hand how lonely it feels to be overweight and unhealthy. But we don’t have to be alone in this fight. We can unite and make this country supply our demand of a healthy way of life. Never forget your power as a consumer and your power with your thoughts.

 

You can do and be whatever you want to be.

 

I am just here as a guide to help you on your journey.