About

I absolutely loved spending time with families at the YMCA with the MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!) program working alongside them to overcome common barriers to healthy eating and to set children up for a lifetime of fun, healthy habits.  At Whole Foods, I became comfortable with the power of specialized diets and was involved in spreading health education on a large scale through the Engine 2 and Health Starts Here programs.  On a smaller scale, I took on the more intimate role of working one-on-one with individuals on basic nutrition support for clients with developmental disabilities. Before our first son was born, I worked with Amy Myers, MD at Austin UltraHealth for four years as a Registered Dietitian and fell in love with the passion my patients had to get to the root of their disease.

Six months postpartum, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease where my body attacks my thyroid leading it to under-produce thyroid hormone, causing fatigue and depression, among other symptoms.  Many of my patients at Austin UltraHealth had Hashimoto’s and, ironically, I had just helped Dr. Myers with the recipes and meal plan in her book, The Thyroid Solution, up until the month our son was born.  So, as I always do, I continued to live out what I “preach” and work to get to the root of my disease.  Prior to becoming pregnant, the foundation of my diet was the same program we recommended for our patients.  However, I had tons of food aversions during pregnancy and had to adjust some, but I continued to be gluten-free, dairy-free (besides grass-fed butter and occasional goat/sheep dairy).  Then, when postpartum and breastfeeding began I was ravenous and exhausted so gluten-free grains, legumes, fruit and sugar became a higher percentage of my diet.  The intense lack of sleep was detrimental to my thyroid and overall health.  After my Hashimoto’s diagnosis I aimed to eliminate/limit grains, legumes, caffeine and sugar and while taking care of my busy little guy.  During my second pregnancy my diet changed again for what I needed and could tolerate at the time.  Not “perfect” Paleo or AIP but what was best/possible for me as a whole person (taking care of a little person) in that season of my life.  I believe food should be fun and there is such a thing as too many limitations, so for myself and my clients I encourage a practical holistic balance.  

I’ve lived in Austin since 2006 and married my sweet and silly husband in 2013.  Our boys have been the biggest challenge and joy in my life and give me lots of practice navigating good eaters with strong preferences!