A summer flew by and back into another school year. I had travelled and lived in Japan for three months– Konichiwa!— and was ready for my junior year. And by ready, I mean I was back on the WW bandwagon. Except this time, I was weighing in at 174 pounds. SIDE RANT: Why do we focus so much on the number? I mean, at the time I obviously had something internally tell me I didn’t feel good and I wanted to change my habits. But, why was my goal a number instead of a feeling? END RANT. So, here I was again, countin points (OMG fruit is only 1 pt! I can drink tonight– I mean what?)*Remember,  I was in college at Chico State. I became a vegetarian and luckily for me, a new gym just open on campus so I was exercising daily. Oh and I moved into my sorority house (21 girls woo!) had this weird summer fling thing end (Don’t need me a man!)  so I was super girl-powered on top of it all. At the time, being 20 years old in college, in a sorority… I made this deal with myself. Sticking to WW and no partying until I was 21 aka drinking. Sounds silly, but it was just the goals I needed. In return, it led me to lose weight, gain confidence and reach my goals- any stay out of trouble.

Within a few months, I had lost even more than I did the first time around, and I kept goin! By the end of the year I was down 17 pounds, and felt amazing! I stopped going to WW meetings, but still kept up with my points and exercising. I weighed in weekly on my own as I would have if enrolled in WW. Before no time, I hit my 145 lb mark and decided to continue to embrace the loss by sticking to my routine. By fall of 2010, I was down to 123 lbs. This was the first time in my life I actually got a lot of worried looks from those that knew me for years, questioning if I was being safe. It’s so funny in a way because when I was 170 I clearly wasn’t healthy, but no one ever asked me if I was being “safe”. Clearly I was losing the weight in a safe manner, I was eating regularly, working out regularly and doing it the by the books.

So even a year later, I was feeling great physically, school, work, friends all was perfect AND I was still on my single lady kick–que Beyonce–until along came a boy. Literally, he’s a man/child. This guy swept me off my feet like never before! You know freshman 15? Well I hit a love-struck 20! My point counting spiraled from sushi dates and late night froyo runs. I graduated college and also got to take the trip of a lifetime with my long time bestie to Europe. All in which, I packed on the lbs. Which really, didn’t bother me. I was enjoying my life and that is all that is important.

Once I returned from Europe, I got a post-grad opportunity to work and live in San Francisco, CA. This was a move I did alone and knew only a handful of people in the city. During my time living in SF, I came across a book, “The Paleo Soultion” by Robb Wolfe. After reading it, I felt as if a light turned on. I resonated with a few similarities that Wolfe describes in his book, one minor but very crucial example is: he went to chico and was a vegetarian. I wanted to learn more about Paleo, and there it was. A new health journey.

Now, two years later, I still eat and live a Paleo, gluten-free lifestyle. Although, I do abide by a strict, often 80/20 Paleo model (that knack for baking isn’t always “PALEO”), I embrace the Paleo mindset that we should be eating unprocessed, organic, whole, natural, grass-fed, free range food. Food that is good and good for you.

Believe it or not, I’m sure I left out some details regarding my health journey. But know this, more than anything I believe that health is just that. It’s a learning process, tapping into and understanding your body. I am not a nutritionist, doctor, personal trainer or have certificates of any sort- besides CPR and certified sexy (seriously just kidding on that last one, sorry I just couldn’t help it). But, I do understand my body. I understand how I feel after I eat gluten and how I feel when I cut sugar out of my diet. I know that when I go to crossfit I feel strong and when I skip the gym for a month I have little to no energy and my universe goes completely off balance. I love learning about the way our bodies work, we are pretty amazing creatures. I have an immense passion for cooking and food, to me it’s just so beautiful and allows me to be creative daily.

With all that said — sheesh! who gave this girl a keyboard— I look forward to sharing my continual journey through cooking, nutrition, life and everything in between! My hope is that my experiences and experimentations inspire you in some way. Whether it’s reflecting on your health habits, trying a new recipe, building a garden or taking some of my entertaining advice, the choice is yours but I hope you simply enjoy!