Hi! I am Kathy, a holistic dietitian and yoga teacher based in Illinois. I have been plant-based for nearly 15 years and along the way, have embodied a gentle approach to intuitive/mindful eating. Growing up an athlete, competitive drive is second nature to me and learning yoga has taught me how to bring balance and ease. Not everything has to be a competition, nor perfect. These days, growth is a daily practice. I try new patterns, keep up with the latest research, and combine all of this with what feels right for me and my family. My current area of growth is finding patience when my 5 year old goes through bouts of only wanting pasta for dinner! The most daunting aspect of healthy eating is keeping up with the complexities of science vs trends. It seems like there is a new trend every day but little to no research to back it up. Now it's your turn! (Use the template below and connect with 1-2 other introductions as well!) 🍎Where are you on your wellness journey? 🎢What would growth/progress look like to you? 🍟What is the most daunting aspect of healthy eating for you?

Are you a planner or do you take life head on day by day? Personally, I'm a little of both. I love a plan and a checklist, but I've learned to keep my plan a little open so when life does it's thing, I can pivot with ease. For example, instead of saying I'm going to the gym every day I set a more realistic goal based on my workload for the week. Some weeks I know I can get a work out in every other day, other weeks I focus on maintenance and try to get two full body workouts in. This type of focus shift keeps me moving forward toward my goals without the pressure of perfectection.

I absolutely love the idea of "intuitive eating" that’s been floating around lately. It made so much sense to me, and immediately I started looking at my own plate, hoping to see if I was actually listening to my body. I felt like a radio operator tuning a dial, just waiting for the static to clear so I could hear the signal. 📻 Each day I’ve been treating my nutrition like a practice. I show up, eat whole foods, and check in with my hunger. I trust the process and know that the "rhythm" will eventually click. Some days I feel totally in sync, and other days I wonder if I’ll ever truly know when I’m "full" versus just "bored." I keep practicing and have trust in the process. My confidence is growing and my cravings are shifting. And it happened! A real moment of intuition appeared. I was halfway through a meal I usually polish off, and I just... stopped. My body signaled it was done, and for the first time, I didn't feel the need to join the "clean plate club." I’m thrilled and can't wait to see more of these natural cues emerge!! 🥗✨ I'd love to hear your intuitive eating stories! How did you "find" your hunger cues and/or how do you "keep" that connection when life gets busy?

What are you wanting to clear up about nutrition? Is there something you've gotten mixed messages about?

I'm sure you have seen posts about the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans that were recently updated. I made a video and IG post about this exact topic yesterday. In the video, I go through about half of the document and share my thoughts. Give it a watch and let me know if you have any questions! Here's a direct link to the video: https://youtu.be/QptU2dtKXTg