Get to Know Me: My "Why"

      About ten years ago, I started a journey. I didn't know how it would impact my life, how long it would be, or where it would take me. I didn't know the pain it would cause me, the lessons it would teach me, or the community it would give me. I had no idea all the things I would lose, or all the things I would gain. 
​
   Sometimes life throws HUGE curveballs. Most 25 year olds don't imagine having to step away from their full-time occupation- or figure out what that means for their life. Should I fight my way back to work? Should I accept that maybe it's just not the most suitable career when considering my health? Was going to college to work in full-time music ministry a waste? What's next? Is God asking me to completely shift gears? Or is this just a small redirection? Is it only a season of learning and preparing for something else?

     I still don't know the answer to any of these questions, but one thing I've become certain of is that regardless of the answers to any of them. . . I've been given an opportunity.
     
     An opportunity to try new things, learn new things, develop new skills, and dream new dreams. Yeah, of course there's always pain in letting go (or rather, laying something down), especially when you've worked almost half your life for it. However, wallowing in the pain isn't going to change. a. darn. thing.

So here's what's up. Over the past couple years, I've heard a lot of these phrases more times than I can count:

• You need to find a way to share your story.
• Would you share some of your recipes with me?
• You've learned so much- how can you use that to help others?
• I wish there was a way for you to use everything you've learned on your journey.
• Where did you learn so much about health and nutrition?
• Do you work in healthcare?
• You should start a lifestyle blog.

And of course, my favorite, and most terrifying suggestion: You should write a book.

Yeah, that's definitely not happening. At least not anytime soon.

      However, I do hope that in the midst of the limbo of "still trying to figure it all out," this becomes a place where I'm able to share things that help others. I wouldn't have learned half of the things I'll eventually be sharing if it weren't for the journey I've been on with illness. I wouldn't have this passion to encourage others to healthier lifestyles. I want to create a resource for not just healthy foods, but also healthy homes. As a culture, I think we've become sort of accustomed to, "you are what you eat," but very few of us understand the weight of, "you are what you live in."

      Besides providing resources, I also look forward to having a place to share my story and connect with others. I'll write more about this later, but I've been put in a pretty tough position with my health. I'm part of a group of people who are considered to be, "the canaries in the coal mine." I'm the warning signal. What's happening to me, does matter for you- and that gives me so much motivation to share what I've learned. . . I really do want to be a warning signal that can become a positive voice amongst all the noise before it's too late for our communities, or our environment.

    I also want to validate stories and share resources with others who are on similar wellness journeys: to create a community where maybe we don't feel quite so ​"different" after all. 

      So, thanks for joining me. I'm excited to cook together, learn together, grow together, and create positive and lasting change together. We'll probably be cooking together and sharing stories for quite a while before I'm able to launch some of the other portions of my site- but if you're anything like me, you probably believe so many friendships can be made over food and conversation! 

XX Des