Hello! I’m glad your journey has brought you here to my little corner of the internet. I rebranded my first food blog to focus on nutrition for mental health, and here you get to read about why.
I’m a Banker turned Nutritionist turned stay-at-home-mom and food blogger. I’ve always been a creative foodie who loves to cook, while at the same time embracing my nerdy fascination with the scientific aspects of how food impacts the body.
I made my entrance to the business world in commercial lending. I rose quickly and became a commercial lender in 7 years, just after finishing my bachelor’s and MBA. After a short run I decided that it wasn’t the right fit for me, so I went back to school for Nutrition, something I had been passionate about for years. After earning a Certificate in Holistic Nutrition Consulting from the American College of Health Sciences, I worked as a Nutritional Health Coach for a regional health food store (Natural Grocers) and then as a Nutritionist at a dental office (which was as fascinating as it sounds). I've since embarked on a master's degree in human nutrition at the University of Bridgeport and aim to finish my M.S. and CNS certification by the end of 2022!
Mental illness and/or cognitive impairment in one form or another has been a family affair. Both my dad and mom’s fathers died with either Alzheimer’s or dementia. There has been some obvious but undiagnosed Asperger’s or autism, lots of addiction and perhaps even some undiagnosed Border Personality Disorder. Anxiety has been passed down through generations of women, and I myself have been blessed with that and persistent depression.
When my anxiety and depression became unbearable 12 years ago, I sought counseling. Since then, I’ve done multiple different types of therapy, including neurofeedback. I’ve been on three different medications and tested my neurotransmitter levels multiple times. I’ve even done genetic testing to try to understand why I seem so prone to depression and anxiety.
I’ve been pursuing a career in nutrition most of the time that I’ve been confronting my depression and anxiety, and I’ve learned a ton along the way. I rebranded my first blog, Taste Abounds, to Neurons and Nourishment because I felt called to share what I’ve been through and all that I’ve learned.
Any struggles with mood, focus and memory is unbelievably hard. I know because I’ve been there, and if it weren’t for the steps I’ve taken, I probably wouldn’t be here today to tell you about it. But I am. And I hope that what I share helps you as much as what I've learned helped me.
So what do I hope you find here at Neurons and Nourishment? Something that sparks hope and interest in you, just like all that I learned did for me. My fascination for figuring out the cause of my depression and anxiety is part of what kept me going. I hope that the information I provide sparks something in you, too.
And the recipes…I mean, who doesn’t like to eat yummy food?
I hope to show you that the food you eat needs to be nutritious so your brain gets what it needs to function at its best. But, I also hope to show you that nutritious food can be delicious. Really, really delicious!
So dive it. Read on. Learn, cook and eat. I hope you find something that lights that spark in you and gives you hope that tomorrow will be better.
XOXO,
Laura
