How I got here

On March 20, 2014 I wrote my first healthy recipe post. In an attempt to heal my migraines and anxiety, I had started reading & learning all I could about nourishing foods. I watched a documentary on juicing, bought a juicer, and juiced regularly for about a year. I noticed some health benefits, but I wanted more. I began to look into the “clean eating” trend and decided to do an 80/20 diet starting in 2014. And my blog was born from this journey. 

As I continued to learn alternative healthy ingredients to substitute in recipes, I found that I loved taking photos of my recipes too. 

As I continued on my attempts at “clean eating” in 2016 I began to see language and habits associated with the terms “clean eating” & “paleo” that didn’t sit well with me. I hated how these particular phrases classified some foods as clean because that meant other foods were considered dirty. My grandmother has always said, “everything in moderation.” And in my frustration I left behind the clean eating movement in my daily life and stopped using the phrasing altogether in my blogging. I decided to pursue balanced eating instead, but then life happened.  

I got a part-time job in a food & retail store and the stress along with the temptation of high sugar foods and drinks led me down a path of neglecting my health. I was living in a state of constant anxiety and feeding my body tons of salt, sugar, and caffeine with occasional whole food meals. 

During this time I was still pursuing my love of photography and passion for cooking, but I missed using real, nutrient-rich foods in most of my cooking. 

In October of 2017 I had a doctors appointment. Surprise! High blood pressure. It’s hereditary in my family, but my dr encouraged me that if changes were made to diet, stress, & exercise I could see a significant difference in my blood pressure and health. 

Thus began the rebirth of my passion for healthier cooking and better lifestyle choices. My partner and I started cooking at home more and eating out less. I got to know some health coaches in my area and got great recommendations on small steps I could take every day to feel better. 

In November 2017 I started practicing guided meditation like I did many years ago.  I began consuming literature about my hormones & how foods effected them. I started sharing healthier recipes again, but this time, left behind the labels of “clean eating” or “paleo” and took on terms that felt more authentic to my journey such as “holistic” & “balanced”. 

Now, it’s April, 2018. I’ve just finished my first month  of yoga classes. I’m consuming tons of nutrient-rich foods on a daily basis. I’m still enjoying my prosecco in moderation. I’m more intentional with my stress management. My blood pressure is in a healthy place. I’m starting to feel better. I’m still struggling with making healthy choices in diet & lifestyle. And perhaps it will always be a bit of a struggle. 

I’m hopeful for the future. Of where I’m headed. I’m comfortable with the fact that I’m starting over and leaving any ideals of perfection behind. I’m practicing being present. I’m growing. 

Throughout my food & wellness journey, one thing has stayed the same. My passion for food photography. 

I am honored to know wellness-minded individuals all over the world. From Australia, to Washington state, to right here in Alabama. I admire the work they do to spread the word of balanced living through nourishing foods and healthy recipes. And that’s why I want to serve them. 

My mission is to provide education & tools to help wellness bloggers, advocates, & coaches take the most stunning photos of food they possibly can. By learning these skills they can share their amazing recipes with even more people and make a dynamic difference in the world. I strive to foster a community of people who encourage, support, & uplift one another. What could possibly be better than that?

Portrait by Becca Paul