Dear Big World,
I believe that feeling good is something that starts from the inside out. In order to be the best we can be, it all starts with the food we eat because everything we put into our bodies, affects how we feel, act, and think.
first chia bowl
I’ve found the most effective way to being happy is by pursuing my individual interests. Not for others, but purely for myself. The overwhelming feelings of confidence and independence that came with doing things for me, made me feel passionate and empowered.
go where you want to go
One of things I began to do for myself, was begin to cook my own food. Growing up, cooking was never big in my household. My cookings skills consisted of maybe buttered toast or macaroni and cheese (kraft of course), but I was eager to try and thus launched the summer cooking expedition of 2016.
At the time I had and still have three incredible girlfriends who continue to inspire me with their lives everyday. Throughout the end of our senior year, we would cook together, always tag each other for recipes on Pinterest, and shop at farmer’s markets for produce together.
We took a road trip to Disneyland in Anaheim to celebrate our graduation from high school, and this road trip for lack of a better phrase changed my life. Maddy, the independent, sassy, and completely innovative gal of group suggested we cook all of our food to save money. So we bought all of the ingredients to cook our own food, and somehow by the grace of a hotel microwave, fridge, and sink, we cooked three days wroth of meals for a vegan, vegetarian, paleo, and girl with celiac disease. The microwave quinoa, massaged kale, a chickpeas are meals that have never tasted so good until I cooked them with my girls.
Post Disneyland excursion and major exposure to the possibilities of health food, I began to craft anything and everything regarding fresh food. What I began to realize is even through I was not always successful at first (oh yes I blew up and cleaned the kitchen many a time that summer), I realized that the food I was consuming in addition to the creations I was making made me the happiest I have ever been. I was fueling my body with food that was good for my soul, exercising passions I had always had, and felt like I was glowing inside and out.
Kate Fruit Flower’s Raw Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
First College Smoothie Bowl
I want you to feel the same, and so, I’m writing in hope that one day you can feel this sense of renewal and fulfillment as well. I’m not going to lie, sit here I tell you I only eat organic, non-gmo, vegan, gluten, dairy free produce all the time to feel good about myself. I love all food, because I feel it has the power to make us shine inside and out. My plate is not always filled with the “healthiest” options, but with balance and positivity, the components on your plate will always be fulfilling, guaranteed.