00:01I grew up in East New York and I would watch my grandmother from Belize cook
00:06from scratch. She literally grate the coconut even though she could buy canned
00:12coconut milk. My mother was a nutritionist and I was always eating
00:16plant-based meals since I was a child. I learned to really love the taste and
00:22texture of food and to appreciate how healthy food made my body feel. My mom
00:28always wanted me to care for myself and for my body. As I grew up I became
00:33passionate about making food and wanted to share that food with others. I was
00:38never satisfied with just one variation of a dish. My brain is wired in a creative
00:43way so when it comes to food it's hard to just make a recipe and think that's it.
00:48When I'm making a dish I go based off of feeling. I channel my ancestors and work
00:54with natural foods they had. Food that's good for the body. When it comes to my
01:00body I usually know when I'm feeling low on nutrients. My energy levels will drop
01:06or I can lack brain clarity. If I'm feeling sluggish or it's hard for me to focus I
01:13know I need to adjust the foods I'm putting into my body. So every morning I
01:18begin my day with a form of movement and a smoothie that has garden of life whole
01:23food ingredients. It's a great way for me to center myself and give my body what it
01:29needs. It gives me a sense of power and alignment. Food deepens my connection with
01:37people. Growing up I knew that I wanted to help others learn how to care for their
01:43bodies with as much love as my mother gave me. I opened up a cafe and started to
01:48hold free cooking classes for my community in my neighborhood. I love
01:53teaching my community about wellness through nourishment because what I
01:57really want is for my customers to be healthy and enjoy food and to know that
02:03they can control what they put in their bodies.
