Oh em gee. I’m uber excited right now to launch what has been a true labor of love over the last oh, I don’t know, 7 months or so. I’m also kind of nervous (but like the good nervous when you know something amazing is about to happen) because it’s always a little scary toΒ redefine yourself and then share it with the world. Helloooooo, my friend, vulnerability.
To all my friends and fans of Peace, Love, and Food, thank you for being so loyal over the last 4.5 years, and I hope you’ll find the new design and format of the blog to be a welcome change.Β Although the look and feel of the site may be different, the values and mission behind this blogΒ ain’t changing in the slightest.
You see, I started PLF because I wanted to “inspire a peace of mind around what people eat and a love for nutritious food.” Translation: I wanted readers to know that it’s okay to indulge in a slice of chocolate cake every now and again, guilt and stress-free. And through my fun recipes, nutrition education, and photography, cultivate a love for delicious and healthy food. Well guess what, The Foodie Dietitian isΒ PLF 2.0 – through sharing simple & delicious recipes, beautiful photography, mindfulness musings, and culinary tips & tricks, I want to help people make the connection between healthy and delicious and help people learn to love food again.
As a tried and true foodie, I have a deep adoration for the food I create and eat. I respect and take interest in where my food comes (and enjoy gabbingΒ with the farmers at my farmer’s market). I take solace in spending time in my kitchen and find it to be even therapeutic at times. The passion for food I hold? I want the same for my readers and I hope to igniteΒ that fire inside of you through my posts.
Redefining yourself, while slightly terrifying, is also the most gratifying feeling in the world. After losing my job last year, I quickly realized that I very much defined myself by my work (yuck) and I lost myself for a while there, unsure of what new path was the right next step for me.
After months of job applications and interviews, and many, many twists and turns, I felt myself running in circles with no clear purpose. At that point, I escaped to Costa Rica for a yoga retreat with the hope ofΒ gaining some clarity and perspective. Amazingly, once I was isolated away from social media (and comparing myself to others) and away from others’ opinions, I was able to feel deep down in my heart that starting my own business and redefining my brand was the only thing that was truly going to excite and energize me. And the only way I was going to feel 100% Kara at the end of the day.
Around this same time, a dear friend and coach of mine also said something to me one day that totally clicked and completely changed my perspective. She said instead of asking yourself what do you want to do, ask yourself who do you want to be?
And then it became less about the job and the work and more about me as a person. Once I got clear on who I wanted to be, the decision became obvious. I got real with what I essentially knew all along (from truthfully before I was even laid off), and that was I wanted to start my own business. I was just too scared and had a million and one excuses not to that I wouldn’t admit it to myself.
My business is two-fold: nutrition coaching and consulting – everything from nutrition communications and marketing to recipe development and food photography. LearnΒ more about my coaching and consulting services here.
Inspired by theΒ yoga retreat, I alsoΒ signed up for yoga teacher training this summer at Back Bay Yoga Studio to get my yoga teaching certification. It’s been an amazing experience thus far and I can’t wait to share more about it with you in future posts.
Stay tuned for more from The Foodie Dietitian, and in the meantime, I’d love to hear from you! This blog will obviously continue to evolve over time so I want to hear from you on what topics you’d like covered, what recipe makeovers you’d like to see, and what inspiration you’re seeking.
BIG thank you and shout-out to all my family, friends, and colleagues who have supported me throughout this journey! Much love to you all.
Bon appΓ©tit!
I found you on LoseIt. Specifically Butternut Squash Kale Slow Cooker Lasagna. Can it be grain-free (eggplant??) I am not a good cook but need to eat GF Thank you!
normafloyd@juno.com
Sure! You could sub eggplant for the pasta and make it a solely vegetable based lasagna!
Congrats! Your blog is beautiful and you’re an inspiration yourself. I am a firm believer in following your dreams and being happy. I hope to get into a full time position I love doing someday. Can’t wait to follow along on your journey!
Wow. Thank you SO much, Alanna! You WILL do what you love full-time someday. As long as you have that fire within and you put it out into the universe, it will happen. Can’t wait to follow along YOUR journey. I’m sure it will be a fun ride π
Hi Kara! Love your inspiring new blog post and great new site! Looks like you are following your passion- how amazing! Hope we cross paths again!
Thanks, Nina! It’s so great to hear from you. I hope you’re well and that we cross paths soon! Will you be at FNCE this year?
I am obsessed with this blog! It is gorgeous and YOU are gorgeous. Congrats on following your passion. So proud of you!!! xoxoxo
Aw! Thanks, Jax!! You’re too sweet. xoxo
Love the new site, Kara!!! I know great things are ahead!
Thanks so much, Kristen!! Hope all is well π
This is my first time here, so I don’t know what your site was like before but it looks beautiful now! I can’t wait to follow you going forward I will be wishing all the best and cheering for you!
Thanks for the support, Kelli! So glad you stopped by!
I’m just discovering you and your website, Kara! Looking forward to following your newly-redesigned blog and getting great inspiration from fellow foodie dietitian!
Thanks, Whitney! Love connecting with fellow foodie dietitians!
Congrats! :] Your site looks awesome!
Thanks, Farrah!!
Congrats, Kara! The site is beautiful! I look forward to lots of delicious recipes and more from you!
Thanks, Sarah!! Look forward to dishing them out π
Your site is soooo beautiful Kara! Best of luck and much success to you!
Thanks so much, Anne!!
Whoo hooo!!!! The site looks fantastic and I’m so so glad you poured your heart out in this post. I think it will be inspiring to oh so many of us RDs who have their own shingle out there – you’ll have lots to share with us at Blog Brulee π Thrilled for you!
Aw, thanks so much, Deanna!! I can’t wait for Blog BrΓ»lΓ©e!!
What a gorgeous site & congrats Kara! Embrace the vulnerability π So exciting that you’re doing training at BBY – I miss that place since I left Boston last year.
Thanks, Lauren! Yes, Brene Brown taught me a thing or two about embracing the vulnerability ;). BBY is wonderful – so grateful to be doing my training there. Wish we would have met while you were in Boston. Let me know if you’re ever back in town for a visit!
Congrats Kara! The site is gorgeous and you are an inspiration. Looking forward to following your successes! xo Lauren
Thanks, Lauren!! Right back ‘atcha. So excited to follow your new brand and all of your successes. xo
OMG Kara! I am so so pumped for you and this venture. It’s really inspiring that you had the courage to redefine yourself and turn from the ickiness you felt in putting your worth in your career. I can so relate to that and I have to surrender that every. single. day (even though I don’t always do what’s best for me). Your site is gorgeous and those photos are precious!! Also– I’m super excited that you will be at Blog BrΓ»lΓ©e!
Ah, Kristina!! You’re such a sweetheart. Thanks so so much! Listening to my intuition and knowing (and doing) what’s best for me is definitely still a WIP, but it makes the journey all the more fun and interesting along the way. Glad to hear that you can relate! I’m super psyched to catch up with you at Blog BrΓ»lΓ©e too!
Here’s to catching your dreams! Your site is beautiful! Go get ’email Kara!!
Thanks, Kate!! Hope to see you soon!
LOOKIN GOOOOOOOD!!
Thanks my #1 website consultant! (don’t tell Steve)
The new site looks GREAT!!! Well done, and good on you for being brave enough to make the change and move on and over past the excuses to get this all happening! π
Thanks SO much, Gemma! It wasn’t an easy feat. But all the best things in life are worth fighting for π
Beautiful site! Worth the wait. And your pics are adorable (YOU are adorable).
Thanks, lady! Totally worth the wait.
So excited for you, Kara! Best wishes to you in your new endeavors!
Another thought for you…..a book?! I love reading your blogs! You are an awesome writer! Very thoughtful….I can feel your passion in every word:)
A book IS on the bucket list! One day… π
Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement!
Wonderful! A scary leap but I’m sure it will pay off. Beautiful pictures π Congrats!!
Thanks so much, Lauren! Appreciate your words of encouragement!
Looks awesome.. So proud of you and your ambition and courage! Love you
Aw. Thanks, Ma. Love ya.
Congratulations, Kara! Love the new look! I can def tell you put your heart and soul into this. So excited for what’s to come ahead, and I look forward to following your journey. I thought about starting my own business, but the thought just terrifies meβ¦I admire your courage!
Aw, thanks, MJ!!! That means so much to me to hear you say that. Appreciate the support & encouragement! And btw, you’d totally rock the business world if you wanted to. I can tell you already have that entrepreneurial spirit π
Congrats Kara, I am SO excited for you! The site looks amazing – love it!!
Thanks SO much, Alissa!! xo
love the website! so proud of you
Thanks, Trac! Love ya.
Congratulations Kara! The website looks amazing!
Thanks so much, Yvonne!!
Amazing…way to go for your dream!!
Thanks so much for the support, Josie! It’s a great feeling π
P.S. The website looks beautiful! Great photography!
Hurray, Kara!!!
Good luck to you!!! Send you much love and wishing you great success!!!
Thanks, Ellen!! Sending you much love right back! Thanks for your support!
Congrats, Kara!!!
Thanks so much, Regan!!