Discovering optimal health and wellness has been engrained in me from childhood. Growing up in the Hudson Valley of NY, my parents were always on the cutting edge of what was "healthy".  Prevention Magazine was the bible in my house and we jumped on whatever health kick bandwagon was storming the country.  We were victims of “fat-free” cookies (which I now know served us no good) and I even remember some crazy “food combining” diet involving beets, cottage cheese and hot dogs…hmmm? My mother would forage through the stores and farm stands to bring home only the sweetest and freshest produce. My friends would flock to my house after school for the fruit platters awaiting our arrival. My mother taught me from a young age how to pick the ripest fruits and vegetables available… a skill I am still quite proud of today and often find myself helping strangers in the supermarket when they look confused. Furthermore, I was always learning her secrets of chopping the trickiest of produce. Observing my Mother and Grandmother prepare for the big Jewish holiday meals, I would help out where I could. This exposure was the foundation of my journey and helped me to recognize that health starts at home in the kitchen.

While still at the young age of 12, my health journey took an unexpected turn. Despite the limited amount of meat I consumed, I was infected with e.coli bacteria from contaminated meat.  Both of my kidneys completely shut down and I spent 8 weeks at Westchester Children's Hospital ICU unit on dialysis. In my young mind, there were no thoughts of death... only gratitude for receiving get-well cards and balloons from my classmates, wondering when I could go back to school. Looking back, what probably saved my life were the positive thoughts and the fresh fruits and vegetables that my parents would deliver daily to the hospital once I was able to eat again. Miraculously, my kidneys regained function almost with a switch of a button.  27 years later, I still have no problems with my kidneys.  I am forever grateful for this early life lesson to understand the importance of sourcing my food and the motivation to never want to be hospitalized ever again.

I had another health set back in my 20’s when I contracted Lyme Disease from exploring the deep woods of Upstate NY. I endured an extremely harsh dose of antibiotics for months until there was nothing left of me.  Although damaging to my flora and overall health, it relieved me of my numb extremities, anxiety and emotional outbursts. Through an anti-inflammatory diet, I have prevented any relapse of symptoms and work to keep my gut health in balance. One more challenge to keep me on my wellness journey.

Weekends and summers as a kid were spent in the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire where I found myself most peaceful. My desire for more mountains led me to the University of Colorado at Boulder where I studied Speech and Hearing Science.  My formal education provided me with intricate knowledge of the human body and all it's miracles. But Colorado taught me much more.  With the Rocky Mountains outside my door, fitness became a part of my life rather than a chore. Whether it was hiking, biking, skiing or snowshoeing – there was always a daily activity. I was sold on the Colorado “ crunchy granola” lifestyle. Living in a house of girls who could cook (or at least tried and eventually did) I learned to appreciate REAL food (and throw a great party). One more life lesson I took from Colorado was the importance of building lasting relationships. Real people, real food, real life!  This is what it's all about!

I currently live in Houston, TX with the most genuine and supportive man in the world.  I am mother to the two most appreciative and inspiring teenagers I have ever met.  I am a yoga student for over 20 years, tennis player, family chef and green drink junkie.  A healthy lifestyle has evolved naturally for myself. Every day I am living and learning more deeply the connection between our food, our environment and ourselves. This is my passion. This is what I want to share with the world, one bite at a time.

Let's get off the chemicals, out of the box and into real life!

EAT REAL FOOD!