Frequently Asked Questions

This section is a constant work in progress, so if you have any questions for me, feel free to send me a note at info{at]nourishing-matters.com

What is your food philosophy?

I believe in the concept of bio-individuality in which every body has unique needs and wants that are optimal for them. While my diet is mostly plant-based, I try to listen to what my body needs, wants, and craves to inform my eating choices. This may sound a bit silly, but I believe over time everyone can learn to listen to their body a little better. It is important that so many factors affect our body, and what our body may need now, may not be what it needs in a few years. For example, after eating mostly vegetarian for several months, I found that I felt better and stronger after incorporating more meat into my diet several days a week. I now make room in my budget and in my meal planning for locally sourced, organic, and grass-fed meat options or sustainably sourced seafood options.

What do you typically eat in a day?

This varies day-to-day, season-to-season and depends on my activity level, but here is a recent sample if I am eating at home. I also eat the dishes and leftovers of those meals that I post on my blog. When I am eating out, which happens once or twice a week, I still migrate towards vegetable-heavy dishes, but I usually order whatever I want. I am a believer in the 90/10 rule where you eat healthy 90% of the time, and allow yourself wiggle room 10% of the time.                     

Breakfast: Soaked oats with yogurt, berries, nuts or nut butter + dark chocolate
Lunch: grain salad + local goat cheese + sauteed seasonal vegetables + hard-boiled egg + piece of fruit
Snacks: 2-3 large handfuls of nuts + avocado toast with coconut butter + small baked good + local or Greek yogurt
Dinner: bean and vegetable stew + small portion of meat or other protein + brown rice
Dessert: dark chocolate + banana
Beverages: Mostly water or hot herbal tea, sometimes a glass of wine or a (very) small cup of coffee

I am visiting Philadelphia. Where do you recommend I go out to eat, practice yoga, or to take advantage of the city?

This is a fantastic question! There are so many wonderful options. I am busy compiling a Guide to Wellness in Philadelphia, so check back soon! 

Why did you decide to start a blog and how did you start?

I have always enjoyed writing, journaling, and creating. When I left dental school in January 2015, I was ready to explore the creative side that I felt I had sequestered during my science-heavy studies. A conversation with my brother's girlfriend inspired me to give blogging a try, and I thought, why not? I had nothing to lose. Recipes were a natural medium for me as I have always found myself drifting into the kitchen. The hardest part was publishing that first post, and in all honesty, I look back at some of the beginning posts, and wonder what I was thinking at the time. I am critical of my photography and recipe writing, but at the same time, it is so neat to look back and see how I have grown. Even if it is just a little bit. I am thankful for the support and encouragement I get from my family, friends, and all those readers who I have not yet met who come from the crazy world wide web to my little space here.

How did you become a Holistic Health Coach?

I have always been a bit of a health nut. I still have a little workbook from 1st grade in which I answered that my favorite food was pizza because it had so many of the food groups that I had been learning about in school: dairy, vegetables, and starch. While pizza may no longer be my absolute favorite food, I have always been a little wired to think about food as not only something delicious, but also nourishment for the body. Playing sports year-round through high school made me more conscious about fueling my body the right way in order to excel. I read fitness magazine and health articles, sometimes coming across conflicting advice that could make my head spin, but I was a sponge for it all. And I played in the kitchen a lot, experimenting, reading cookbooks, and working in restaurants. I shopped at farmers' markets, bought organic, and had little trouble eating enough fruits and vegetables and limiting sugar.

Despite my diet and exercise patterns being "healthy," for a few years, I was not healthy. I did not feel like my best self. I was three years into a graduate degree program that would lead me to a career my heart was not in . I had trouble falling asleep and if I fell asleep, I could not stay asleep. I lost weight. I had neglected my relationships with friends, family, and my boyfriend. I was going through the motions but not moving forward. Instead I was digging myself deeper. I had been waiting for something to change my situation, but that something never came.  After one particularly teary-eyed shower, I was finally ready to act. I made the first move and took a leave of absence from dental school. Over the next few weeks, I started to take control over those areas I had neglected. No matter how much kale I was eating, smoothies I was blending, yoga I was practicing, I did not feel whole until I started to invest in those other parts of my life.

I knew I was not the only one to have experienced the same feelings I did- the same thoughts of "when is it all going to get better?" I wanted to share what I had learned with those who were ready for change. I wanted to be that guide to others re-discovering their most vibrant self. I enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to learn from other people's experiences and listen to world-renowned experts in their fields of nutrition and wellness. I feel so fortunate to motivate, inspire, and help others. We all deserve to feel like the person we wanted to grow up to be.

How did you become a yoga instructor?

I have been practicing yoga for over a decade and took my first teacher training as a way to deepen my practice and to escape from a graduate program that was leaving me less than fulfilled. I began teaching at local studios in the Philadelphia area. I am so thankful, not only for the opportunity to share yoga with the people around me, but also from what I have learned about myself in throughout the process.

Where did you do your training?

Certified Holistic Health Coach, Institute for Integrative Nutrition, New York, NY
Hatha Yoga, 200 Hour Teacher Training, Raja Yoga Studio, Philadelphia, PA                                                  Bachelor of Arts, Dartmouth College, NH

What is the difference between a Health Coach and a Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian?

This is a very good question. A Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist, and a Health Coach, while different in their scope of practice, can be very complementary. A Registered Dietitian has graduated from a college approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, completed a 1200 hour supervised internship, and passed an exam to obtain the RD degree. A Nutritionist, like a Registered Dietitian, advises clients on dietary choices, but their certification and training can vary from state-to-state and country-to-country. A Registered Dietitian is a Nutritionist, but not vice versa. A Health Coach, on the other hand, is a mentor who works with and supports clients and empowers them to make lifestyle and dietary changes to help them feel their best. Rather than prescribing one diet or exercise program, Health Coaches tailor individualized wellness programs to meet their clients' needs. They do not prescribe, treat, or take responsibility in a client's life. We are a coach, your biggest ally for holistic wellness and can be a valuable, complementary member of a healthcare team to bring about lasting wellness changes for individuals and in larger healthcare settings.