While healthy eating is important, optimum health isn’t just about food. From my own experience, creating a healthier mind and body begins by creating a happier, more relaxed life. This includes time with our "Primary Foods" (the "foods" that fuel us, but don’t come on a plate - relationships, career, spirituality and physical activity). For me, being healthy isn’t about wearing a size two or running a half marathon. It is about how good one feels, and making “healthy” a way of life and not a temporary diet. 

From my childhood until my early 40’s, I was eating the Standard American Diet (SAD). For me, this included sugary cereal with two diet colas for breakfast, fast food lunches, and greasy food for dinner. I bought whatever looked good at the grocery store… frozen pizza, chips, and countless other foods devoid of nutrition. I also ate at restaurants far too often. I wish I had known earlier that what we eat can change our lives!

In the summer of 2012, I was in a bicycle accident and my life changed forever. I sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury and was unable to return to work as a National Account Executive at Meet Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association. Two years of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy led to minimal progress. My doctors explained that my condition would not improve further, and that I would never again be able to work in a fast-paced career. I was still having daily headaches and felt fatigued, depressed, and anxious. I knew I had to do things differently!