Hi lovelies! I’m so excited to be entering the blogging world because I will now be able to share my thoughts, advice, and passions on a larger scale. You may know me from Instagram as @Green_Candyy, originally live_love_eat_healthy. I created my “healthy eating” Instagram in 2013 with the intentions of keeping myself accountable, sharing my ever-evolving health journey, and interacting with likeminded people in the nutrition/fitness community. I also really loved (and still do) taking pictures of my food, whether it be homemade meals or restaurant indulgences (yeah, I’m that person!!). I often say that Instagram saved me in many ways. That may sound a bit dramatic, but it’s true! Having this nutrition & fitness account helped transform my health goals for the better. I went from coveting a skinny body achieved through excessive running and calorie counting to striving for a beautifully fit physique achieved through a balanced workout regimen (weight-lifting, spinning, and pilates) and the use of food for fuel. The more food pictures I posted, the more I started to adore cooking. Overtime, my creativity in the kitchen burgeoned!
So here I am 2 years later. I’m still the veggie loving, nut-butter hoarding, apple adoring girl. But, SO much has changed! For one, I’ve moved toward a more organic, plant-based diet. I still greatly enjoy fish dinners and veggie packed omelets, but I’ve discovered the true magic of whole plant foods. Nature supplies us with so many goodies that come in a rainbow of colors and nourish us in their unique, life-giving way! With so much variety, every person is bound to discover fruits and veggies that they will find sweetly delicious and crave-worthy. Hence, Green Candy!
Another dietary/lifestyle change that has occurred over the past 2 years has been the gradual reduction of dairy and gluten in my meals. I’m not a fan of labels or restrictive diets, but I’ve taken on an active role as a Food Detective. As someone who has suffered from aggravating digestive issues for as long as I can remember, I have been willing to try almost anything to attain some relief and eradicate my issues. While I am still on a mission to achieve full digestive wellness, improvements in the way I feel and function are evidence that food can either be our medicine or our poison.
This brings me to MY NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY. I support bio-individuality, the notion that one person’s food is another person’s poison. So you love chicken or pizza or steak? Great, if that’s what is working for you and keeping your body healthy and strong. We are all different and need different types of foods to maintain optimal health. I support everyone and encourage anyone who is embarking on their health journey. Due to the fact that I thrive on a plant-based, semi-flexitarian diet, you will be seeing lots of vegan, vegetarian, and pescetarian recipes that are also gluten and dairy-free. Regardless of your preference, these meals will nourish the gut and satisfy your taste buds!
Another word about me (I promise my other blogs won’t be all about me! Haha). I have obtained both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. In 2014, I decided to go back to school and pursue my first passion, which is obviously nutrition! While still practicing as a full-time speech pathologist, I am currently enrolled at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Here, I am trained as a holistic health coach who studies countless dietary theories, inflammatory conditions, ways to improve gut health, medicinal properties of foods, the importance of stress reduction and emotional wellness, and weight management among many other things. I look forward to sharing valuable information and fun, delicious recipes that will facilitate you in reaching your health goals!
XoXo
Jen