Let me fast forward quickly through the last 12 years...

I developed a breathing problem at age 15 that was followed by a 10 year onslaught of doctor’s visits, tests, and prescriptions to bring me zero answers about the root cause of my health issues. In those 10 years, I visited over 15 doctors and health professionals. I wanted my energy back and to resolve my breathing issues. In all of those visits, not one doctor asked the most important question...  “What do you eat three times a day?”  The “remedies” were: inhalers, steroids, breathing therapy, herbal supplements, and "health" shakes. At the lowest point of my illness, I was sleeping 12 hours a night, sleeping through class, and then getting back in bed after class. I had gained weight and was in pants that were 3 sizes above my high school size. I didn’t feel like myself, mentally or physically. I shrunk back from social gatherings, not feeling confident in my skin. I felt so awful and thought to myself “If I don’t have enough energy for my body now, how will I have enough energy for a baby?” I didn’t know how I would ever be a productive part of society and felt hopeless.

After I tore my second ACL in the spring of 2013, I got a road bike to rehab my knee quicker. I started listening to the #1 health podcast by Rich Roll, an ultra-athlete. An ultra-athlete competes in double-ironman distance triathlons.  Rich Roll, at the age of 40, was competing in ultramans and his diet was entirely plant-based. And he wasn’t just competing, he was placing. I thought “if plant-based eating is good enough for him, it must be good enough for me!” I started slow… a green shake one morning then black bean and sweet potato enchiladas. For the first time in my life, I was cooking from scratch. And I was hooked. 

 I had more energy than I had in years! I felt my body healing and strengthening like I had not felt before.  I realized it was because I was finally giving my body the fuel it needed to fill my nutrient-deficit and fuel me for the day.  I started posting photos of my creations, partly because I am a photographer and can’t help myself and partly because I wanted others to see that eating real food was actually fun and delicious!

People started to notice my increased energy and were very curious looking at my funky food photos! In the fall of 2014, I had a handful of friends who were interested in learning about plant-based cooking so I offered to host a session and opened it up to my friend network. At that first session, 30 people came out to hear about my story and get samples. After that, the group asked for a deeper session, wanting more information to put this in to practice. I hosted another session in January 2015 and 63 people came out on a Saturday afternoon in 10 degree weather!

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That’s the backstory. That’s where it all started.

I continue to eat funky fresh foods, but consider myself meat-based now. I am flexible, though, and enjoy all sorts of foods. I like to think I bring balance to the overwhelming world of holistic and non-toxic living.

Beetroot exists to be a resource for the Northwest Ohio region in holistic wellness and I am honored to be a part of the movement.

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I’m on a mission to tell you wellness starts with our food. Let’s be mindful about what we are putting in our bodies and leave a better legacy of health for our children and the generations to come.