Because Food is Great

Nutrition encompasses more than just one aspect of our lives; I would go as far as to say it can often take over your life if not handled appropriately.

We often hear the phrase, “you are what you eat”. After spending 3+ years working in biology labs I have to say there is some truth to this but it's not all true. It would be pretty cool if I could simply turn into an Oreo, but that’s just not how our metabolisms work. The truth is the human body is hard-wired to work for YOU. When we see different services that offer to “reset” your metabolism and injections that will jump-start weight loss I am usually skeptical. That’s because I believe that when it comes to nutrition, food, and sure we can add bodyweight that less is MORE.

My philosophy when it comes to feeling and functioning at one’s best is that our bodies know what to do. Often, we override the internal homeostasis due to anything from subconscious stimuli telling you that you need to order that pizza at 10 pm, or the unlaying trauma from a recent breakup that seems to go away for a few minutes in the company of a couple of potato chips.

Nutrition is 50% education about the best foods for your body, and 50% emotional insight about one’s patterns around food. This is the concept I work with my client on. We talk about what are the healthiest complex carbohydrates, but the meat of our sessions are what is going on in your life that is sometimes making your relationship with food more complicated than it needs to be. I know this not an easy question to answer and I rarely expect to get an honest answer the first five times I ask it. For myself, I have spent years thinking about my body and its relationship to food which is why I believe I have earned the street cred to ask the question to others.

I discovered my passion for nutrition by traveling and trying new experiences. I tought English in Costa Rica to children and adults and when I returned to the US I joined a running team and competed in 5 marathons. I saw the power of proper nutrition first hand through what our bodies and minds are capable of.

I grew up with two sisters and at 5’9’’ I was the shortest in my family. When I was 18 I started modeling and by 22 I was competing and doing well in pageantry. This was by far one of the most insightful times in my life as it showed me just how desperate people can become to achieve their fitness or weight goals. I remembered competing at Miss California and realizing that many of the girls were so consumed by every calorie they were eating they hadn’t even thought about any other aspect of the competition. These girls would see me eating my bagel and look at me like I was alien. But that was also my secret weapon. The power of truth. I knew those carbohydrates from that bagel wouldn’t make me instantly bloated because my body and my brain needed those calories to function properly and not flub an interview question.

I am proud to say in 2018 I won the Miss Arizona Intl title and went on to place 3rd Runner-Up at Miss International. Some people look down on pageants, but it truly did open doors for me. With my Miss Arizona sash, I started hosting on-camera nutrition and cooking segments for local TV stations. I did this while completing my Master’s in Nutritional Science and getting my private cliental practice off the ground. I have since traded in my crown and sash for the title of wife and new mom to a baby girl.

Through telehealth, zoom, and skype calls I work with clients across the US and I still host nutrition television segments for local and national stations. I work with my clients because I love food and I love people, and I truly believe that living your best life and feeling your best never needs to become comprised by a restrictive diet or expensive “treatment”. The bottom line, food is fuel, fuel is good. When we feel good, we do good.