In my late twenties I signed up for an overnight charity bike ride from Louisville to Lexington and back (75 miles each way...150 miles total in two days. This is also where I met Mr. What I Gather, by the way) and as my training increased, so did my cravings for healthy foods. I started small - a few carrots here, a celery stick there. But it wasn't long before I tried my first salad (I used to liken lettuce to eating paper) and my veggie love has been growing ever since.
Cycling led to running, which led to even more healthy choices. In the summer of 2011, Mr. What I Gather came home from work one day with stories of a co-worker who was on the Paleo diet. I had never heard of it, but was intrigued. I was always trying to take better care of my body, but with so many messages out there I had a hard time sorting it all out. The Paleo thing just totally clicked with me, though. What could be bad about cutting out all the processed junk from our diets and eating only foods that our ancestors once hunted or gathered? The more I learned, the more it resonated with me.
By that weekend, I had written up a totally Paleo grocery list, rid our kitchen of all non-Paleo foods and ordered The Paleo Solution and Everyday Paleo on Amazon. I have always loved cooking and baking, but now I can feel good about everything that I cook for my friends and family. I think about food pretty much constantly. I love picking out foods at the grocery store and thinking about what I can create with them. I spend most of my day thinking about what I want to cook for dinner and I sometimes wake up in the morning craving brussels sprouts for breakfast (seriously). I've even been known to eat spaghetti squash as a snack.
I started this blog to share with others how simple and delicious healthy living can be! I am learning as I go and loving it every step of the way. My love for food and how it affects our health and longevity has inspired me to do more than just get creative in the kitchen. I am currently enrolled at Hawthorn University and working toward my Masters in Health and Nutrition Education. I want to make this my life. I want to learn as much as I can about how foods can improve our health and prevent disease so I can help others in any way possible. I still don't know exactly where this will all lead, but I like the direction I'm headed. Now we are expecting our first baby and I am loving this opportunity to give my baby a good, healthy start to life!
We really are in control of our health and our bodies and by only putting into our bodies whole, nutritious foods I know we can live longer, happier lives. It seems too simple, really, but it makes total sense. Eat healthy, be healthy.
My 7 year old self would probably gag at the items on the plate of the woman I have become, but she should be thanking me. I am planning to keep us strong and healthy for a long, long time.
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My writing can also be found on the following sites:
My Square Foot Garden
>Moroccan Zucchini Boats
>Roasted Tomato and Fennel Soup
>Roasted Green Veggies and Grapes
>Mediterranean Green Beans with Golden Raisins
>Broiled Salmon with Warm Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
FitKit
>Chocolate Cherry Smoothie with Cinnamon
Note-Many links on my site are affiliate links. I only promote items I believe in, already own, or would purchase myself. I wouldn't steer you wrong. Obviously.
