Your Nutritionista is here!

Hi!
Wow, my very first blog post EVER!  Very exciting.  This is where my lifelong passions for cooking, and promoting health converge.

So what on earth made me decide to "pull the trigger" and become a blogger?  The desire to help others and provide support and reliable information to those who want to make educated decisions about their own health.  The U.S. is in a major health crisis right now and so many of the ills that plague Americans today CAN be prevented with a change in how we look at food, and what we choose to eat.  The more I have learned about nutrition and human health over the years as a Health Education professor, Health Coach, Exercise Specialist, and a mother, the more of a believer I have become in the power of healthy eating. 

So what IS "healthy eating"?  Ahhh, that's a subject for a future post! 

So many people want to make a change or have already started.  If you are in either of these categories, then good for you! Making the decision to make a lifestyle change and taking the first steps is HUGE!  Others desperately need to change but aren't sure if they can or want to.  Many are scared to fail or are just so overwhelmed by all of the conflicting information flying around that they don't know where to begin. 

Please understand that the more knowledge you have going into it, and the more prepared you feel, the more likely you are to succeed!   And even if you have made attempts in the past and have failed always remember this...

The harder you try, the smarter you get!  Regardless of the outcome.  If you don't give it much effort, it probably won't be as rewarding of an experience. 

I know this from personal experience.  It was just over one year ago that I began digging into learning more about plant-based nutrition and the effects of various foods on the way the body works.  When I started looking into it, I was cynical, and more than a little leary, but remained open minded.  The research evidence was compelling and sound enough to convince me and my family to make changes to our diet and change some of our cooking and eating habits.  As a parents, we weren't just concerned with our own future health, but that of our children as well.  Helping them to learn about the importance of healthy eating was a skill we wanted them to learn now and take with them throughout their lives. 

I can't wait to share this with you!

Of course we can't forget the cooking component. Heck no!  That's the fun part!  I'll try to include a new recipe with each post. They will be original, kid tested "Your Nutritionista" recipes.

It has been a remarkable journey with a substantial learning curve.  I can't wait to share these findings and experiences, tips and, of course, recipes with you.  If my husband and I can make healthy eating work for us, and bring our two young children on board, then anyone can do it! 

In good health,
Your Nutritionista