Hi, friends!
My name is Amanda. I am a 30 years old and still trying to figure out what the hell I want to be when I grow up. Kind, strong, a little bit of a smart ass? Perhaps gainfully employed doing something that doesn't suck the happiness from my soul like a dementor. I guess that's why I am here.
Trees. Trails. Texas?
Several years ago I moved to Texas, which, honestly, feels a little bit like purgatory. No offense to those who love Texas. Y'all are just cut from a stronger cloth. Between the 10 lb spiders, searing heat and sharp plants, you really have to be tough to live in this environment.
I come from the magical land where the trees are green all year round and there is a coffee shop on every corner (can I get an amen?). Born and raised in Washington State, I live for cool, rainy days, the crisp smell of pine needles and pristine alpine lakes. If I get to spend half of my day outside, I am winning. But, not here in Texas because I blister when exposed to temperatures above 87 degrees.
Living in Texas, I am working to find new things to love. So far, cheap avocados and seriously excellent fish tacos are at the top of the list. Texas also has legendary sunsets and the most tremendous lightening storms imaginable.
My Family
I am married to a man who makes me laugh all the time. He's not particularly funny in the sense that he tells good jokes, but he is naturally inclined to set me up for good jokes to tell with him at the center.
Mostly, I am just in awe that I could love a human so incredibly different then myself. My husband is fearless and always centered in a way that I am so envious of. He is hard to knock off kilter, stable, consistent, and a little bit insane, in the most amusing sense of the word.
I also have the craziest, most fantastic husky-German Sheppard named Fig. I adopted him from the shelter 8 years ago, and he completes me in a way I could never have imagined. He is 100% my doggy soulmate. We are both impulsive and wild. We love running through the woods, eating snacks and taking naps on the couch. Also, we hate cats (#asthmalife).
We have a baby girl on the way at the end of October and we couldn't be more joyed! I know she is going to have dimples and chubby cheeks just like her dad, and be the ultimate joy of our life.
My Qualifications
I have a Master's of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, and am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
Although I have background in nutrition and exercise, I am not immune to struggles with body image and disordered eating. I like to talk openly about my 10 year struggle with bulimia, anorexia and exercise addiction. I find it incredibly important to initiate ongoing conversations about these topics to lift the taboo and show other women (and men) that recovery is possible. Talking about my own experiences have helped me on my journey towards more expansive health and a healthier mindset. Life after recovery is excellent, and I hope that sharing my stories can help others achieve blissful wellness.
In addition to eating disorders, I also try to bring awareness to autoimmune illness. My husband was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a form of IBD, several years ago. This condition, in particular, is not talked about frequently and that can make those who suffer from it feel more alone. Conversations on guts and butts are not exactly sexy, and can feel very personal. As a wife and RD, I am here for those conversations. Trust me, nothing makes me uncomfortable anymore.
My Mission
My ultimate passion is food, and creating healthy meals that taste nothing like cardboard. I love cooking and eating, and teaching people how to do these seemingly simple activities in the most nourishing way possible, prioritizing both physical and mental health. My mission is to transform your concept of health-promoting foods in to something that is attainable, affordable and above all delicious.
Thanks for joining me here at Foodborne Wellness! Feel free to leave a comment on my site or follow me on Instagram. I would love to interact with you and be part of your journey!
