Tell us about what you hope the reader takes away when reading Nourish, as well as any extra features it includes.

I believe that too many people give up on their journey to health because they have a plan that addresses only the physical aspect of health. Nourish is different, as it addresses the health of our body and soul, which brings lasting change that comes from the inside out.

Nourish provides practical information on how to live a healthy lifestyle and break free from emotional eating, calorie counting, and dieting once and for all! It also provides a realistic plan on how to listen to your bodies natural hunger cues, and find enjoyment in the foods that God designed for our bodies.

I have also included practical tools to live a healthy lifestyle such as unique clean eating recipes, fitness tips, and meal planning ideas to equip you with the tools you need to build a healthy foundation; As well as scriptures, prayers, and refection questions to encourage you to dig deeper in your personal walk with God.

It is my hope that this book will help you will learn to apply these same truths by shifting your focus from what the world says about your mind, body, and health to what God's Word says. In addition to the spiritual truths, you will learn how to care for and nourish your body in a practical way.

Nourish addresses both emotional and physical issues that many women commonly face in relation to their bodies and food. What are some things you do personally to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle?

Growing up in the church, I found that caring for our bodies was rarely discussed, and if it was, the focus was primarily on our spiritual health. I can recount countless sermons being preached on staying away from drugs and alcohol, yet it was almost as if gluttony, emotional eating, and filling our bodies with unhealthy food was perfectly acceptable. We read in the bible that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and yet some of the unhealthiest food choices can be found at church potlucks and bible studies!

If we believe that God’s Spirit dwells within us, we must also believe that our bodies are worth taking care of! Which is where finding the balance between our physical and spiritual health comes in; We must care for both aspects, (soul and body), without neglecting the other. I truly believe that achieving balance in this area is the foundation for achieving health overall; And it is only when we apply both practical and spiritual truths to our lives that we will walk in the total strength, peace, and freedom that God desires for us.

Nourish includes recipes from clean eating chocolate chip cookies to flourless pizza dough! Where does your passion for cooking come from?

I believe that much of my passion in the kitchen was developed as a part of the healing process as I was recovering from eating disorders in my early twenties. I can now say that each and every recipe that I create is truly inspired by God, in order to bring health and enjoyment to every one that I am able to share them with.

As I create each recipe, I do so with the belief that God wants us to enjoy our every day life, which includes enjoying our meals! I also believe that food can be both delicious and healthy; This is evident in the fact that God gave us taste buds, and He filled the earth with plenty of wonderful tasting foods to nourish our bodies! This is why it is my passion to create simple and healthy meals that not only feed the body, but nourish the soul.

It's obvious that your faith is important to you since it is interwoven throughout everything you do. When did you become a believer and what has your faith journey been like so far?

I grew up in an amazing Christian home, and have been attending church from an early age. I gave my life to the Lord when I was eight years old, but it wasn’t until I was in middle school that I started my own personal walk with Him. I started reading the Word, fellowshipping with Him in prayer, and going to youth group, where I learned about the Lord in a deeper way. When I was in high school however, I had seasons where I was not walking as close with Him as I knew I should have, mainly because of the pressures to fit in.

When I was in college I surrendered my whole life to Jesus once and for all, holding nothing back, and I have never been the same since.

I know that through the ups and down that Jesus never left me, and that He was always drawing me back to His side when I strayed, but it wasn’t until I had a total awakening in my soul that I gave Him all of me. Choosing to walk daily with Jesus is the best decision I have ever made in my life, and my personal relationship with Him brings more joy, peace, and fulfillment than anything this world has to offer.

As a registered nurse, what are some of the obstacles that you have seen that prevents people from achieving their health goals? What advice do you have for those that are frustrated with their attempts falling short?

I find that one of the greatest obstacles that people face when it comes to reaching their health goals is a self-defeating mind set. So often when people do not follow a program perfectly, or reach goals they set for themselves (whether big or small), they feel like a failure and throw in the towel.

I encourage people that the most important thing is believing that you can succeed! I remind them that falling down at times may happen, and it will probably happen more than once; However, when we miss the mark, it does not have to define us or our progress. The important thing is that we learn to pick ourselves up and keep pressing forward towards our goal. As long as we get back on the wagon so-to-speak, then we will keep making progress towards your goal until we reach it.

What is your favorite health related Bible verse or quote?

My favorite bible verse is Romans 12:2, which says, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

This scripture is interwoven throughout Nourish, as it is the foundation for my health transformation that took place years ago. I have seen the Word of God change not only my life, but countless others, as it will renew the minds of anyone who studies and meditates on it. This scripture tells us that when we make the choice to trust Gods promises, and live by the standards that He has set for us, we will find His good and perfect will in every area of our lives. As we shape our lives according to the principals in His Word, it begins to transform us from the inside out!