Once upon a time, I followed a carrot loving, white rabbit clad in a vest into a nook in a tree, and I fell into a wonderful land of food – Foodieland! My childhood dream was to be able to talk to animals, so I decided I’d bring you into my magical world and take a bit of creative license in sharing my Foodieland story. Although I may or may not have actually followed a white rabbit into Foodieland, I can say that my early life adventures, travels, and experiences influenced my passion for delicious food, nutrition, food studies, and health.

I was blessed to have a family that always delighted in home-cooked meals and family dinners. Having lived in Latin America as a child, I recall selecting fruits and vegetables at the local farmers’ market almost daily. A bicycle-riding baker delivered fresh, French baguette to our home every morning. As a kid, I hated eating cooked vegetables, but I loved fresh, crispy salads, beans, and homemade guacamole. My parents indulged my love for salad and made sure I always got lots of avocados and beans. No matter how hectic my parents’ schedules were, we always enjoyed breakfast and dinner together. These wonderful memories from my childhood planted the seeds for my interest in food.

It is also in Latin America that I found my passion for health advocacy. When I was a young girl, I vividly remember seeing children who, instead of eating warm meals at home and attending school, spent their days on the street selling candy or shining shoes. This was the first time I was awakened to the lack of food, education, clean water and love that many children face. In recent years, I’ve worked in various roles to bring health services and food security to under-served populations.

My family eventually moved back to my now-hometown of New Orleans. Ah, New Orleans – a magical place filled with contradictions. I love New Orleans! It’s delightful Café Au Lait & Beignets, lazy moss covered trees, the smell of grass always in the air. After Hurricane Katrina devastated my beloved New Orleans, I suffered from digestive health issues, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastritis exacerbated by anxiety and depression. I found that the best way for me to heal was to adopt a mindful lifestyle that includes a plant-centered, whole foods diet, meditation, and Yoga. As I healed myself, I began to re-focus my energy to bring healing and support to others. If you are seeking to uplift your mind, heal your relationship to food, and restore your health, I’m here for you!