The process of brainstorming names for this blog was an epic process that took literally months! I had notes in my phone, Word document lists a mile long, and a sheet of paper covered (front and back) with name ideas. I had all of the background work done; I knew my values, my theme, and the types of things I would want to write about, but I just couldn’t find an available name to fit! 

Well, like all the “kismet-ic” things in life, the name just fell out of my mouth during a conversation! At this time we were living in the NICU (I’ll write about that one day…) and I would chatter away with the hospital staff to ease my mind. On this particular day I was telling a nurse about Root2Rise, what it is, what we do there, and what I do there. I said, “I teach yoga sometimes, but I’m mostly on the food side.” If I had been a cartoon a light bulb would have appeared over my head. As soon as I said it I knew. 

I wrote it down and started examining all of ways it was perfect:

• It describes my day job- I co-own and co-operate a juice bar and yoga studio. My business partner Shantelle Abshire is the yoga leader; she has a million hours and is a yoga-teaching unicorn (seriously, take her class…better yet, take her teacher training!). I teach yoga, 2-4 times a week, but I spend a huge majority of my time in the café and juice bar. I handle day to day things working with my café manager/sister (who is also a yoga teacher with us, and a doula!) to plan and expand our menu, create and experiment with recipes, perform quality control (tasting!) and much more. 
• It describes my career perspective- I believe in a food-friendly, non-diet, and body respect approach to dietetics. I don’t believe foods are good or bad, or that people are better or worse based on their diet, food choices, body size, weight, health status, etc. etc. I believe in eating the foods that make you feel good. I believe in food as a source of nutrients, as a source of comfort, and as a source of connection. 
• It describes my personal stance in life- if anyone draws a line in the sand between food and me I’m jumping over! But, seriously speaking, cooking and baking are methods of self-care and mediation for me. I love being in any kitchen, l love to talk about food, and of course I am a huge fan of eating!  
• It is also a great segue into other topics that I plan to add to the blog in the future, such as, but not limited to: On the Personal Side (i.e. the NICU story), On the Business Side (things I’ve learned in owning and running Root), On the Community Side, On the Bayou Side, On the Food Safety Side (neRD), On the Kids Side, and so on.  

So, that’s the story behind my blog’s name! I hope that resonates with you and entices you to stay tuned for all of my food fanaticism!