How I Got Here

How my passion for nutrition unfolded and led me to where I am today.

In my early 20s, I enrolled in a class on healthy eating, which sparked my interest in a career in nutrition. I was astonished to discover that what I considered "common knowledge” about healthy eating was not widely known.

Growing up, I was fortunate to have a mom who prepared meals emphasizing color and balance. I took for granted that our family meals included various food groups, and my mom's self-education in nutrition, despite the lack of internet resources, profoundly impacted our choices.

Our school lunches, made at home, featured whole wheat bread sandwiches with pure ground peanut butter, salads, and fruits. Instead of meat, we enjoyed veggie lasagna and tacos filled with beans. While we weren't strictly vegetarian, meat wasn't a daily staple. This was in the mid-1970s to 1980s.

Even at the age of 9, I was introduced to tofu, which was far from mainstream at the time. I vividly remember my mom teaching us that corn, peas, and lima beans were classified as starches, not vegetables. When it came to church picnics and tailgating, our go-to dish was a fruit salad that always sparked a fun guessing game about how many different fruits were in it (averaging around 12!).

I pursued a degree in nutrition/dietetics because I believed I could turn my interest in nutrition and its impact on health into a rewarding career.

Little did I know what lay ahead—years of rigorous scientific study, including chemistry, biology, biochemistry, math, and nutrition science courses. The journey was challenging, but I persevered. Alongside completing my bachelor's degree, I dedicated myself to a comprehensive 900-hour internship and eventually earned a Master of Science in Nutrition. All this while also being a household manager with a husband who worked 50+ hours weekly for a worldwide parcel service delivery company and a son who was 10 when I finished my Master’s Degree in the fall of 2000.

Today, I am proud to combine my educational background with real-life experiences and a genuine desire to help others make informed choices about their health and nutrition. My years of experience working with many populations have helped me gain the knowledge and expertise to provide evidence-based guidance that empowers individuals to lead healthier lives.

Thank you for joining me on this incredible journey, and I look forward to sharing valuable insights and resources with you.