Hi! I’m Alexandra, but most people call me Alex. I am a Registered Dietitian who believes in a holistic approach to health and wellness. My goal is to help people nourish themselves to feel their best while also maintaining healthy relationships with food & their bodies. There will be no strict dieting here. Because I believe food is so many things; fuel, enjoyment, culture, love, and nourishment. So … the best “diet” is one that is ‘au naturale’, meaning it comes easy, it doesn’t cause extra stress, and above all, it helps you feel a little more YOU.
Anyway, I thought I’d share a little more about me. I have come to learn that I’m a really big homebody, which I love. I grew up in a small beach town on the Jersey Shore with my parents, three siblings and our dog Duke. Our little square mile town came to life every summer. Long beach days and barefoot bike rides to and from friends’ houses were the norm for us. Back then, I wished it would stay summer forever. That desire came to fruition when I moved down to south Florida for my dietetic internship, where it’s summer all year round. This homebody has come to find out that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and exploring new places is so good for you. Every time you do, you grow just a little bit more. And these past 2 years, I’ve definitely grown. I now have a second place to call home, still biking distance to the beach, and I couldn’t be happier here. One of my favorite things to do when I get off work is to watch the sky turn pink and blue like cotton candy as the sun goes down. Since exploring my new neighborhood, I have also come to love outdoor yoga classes, walks along the Intracoastal, and good books from the local library.
My other main reason for being such a homebody is due to my love for my family. I’m now a short plane ride away from them, but our relationships and bonds only seem to grow with the distance. We’re all very close and (almost) always get along. And when we do get together it always involves a delicious meal and sitting together at the dinner table talking and laughing for hours. Growing up, we were pretty healthy kids and were always very active, traveling from one sporting event to another. But it wasn’t until my Dad battled some serious health conditions that I discovered my own passion for nutrition. I saw first hand how the combined holistic approach of nutrition, exercise, a healthy mindset as well as unwavering support was integral to my Dad’s recovery. Ultimately, I realized that through my work as a Registered Dietitian I could help others prevent or manage conditions similar to his, while leading happy and healthy lives with their families too.
The road to get here hasn’t been easy. I have been studying nutrition intensely for 6+ years. I graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelors in dietetics as well as obtained a masters in clinical nutrition from the University of Rutgers. Then I completed my 1,200 hour dietetic internship at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center as well as passed the national board exam to officially become a Registered Dietitian. And more recently, I have spent the past year practicing as a clinical RD at a trauma hospital.
While my clinical experience has shed light on the importance of preventing chronic diseases, it has also illuminated my passion for a holistic way of healing. The development of chronic disease is multifaceted, as is the cure. However, many people today are more interested in quick fixes. Most of the patients I see in the hospital are admitted for multiple chronic conditions, given prescriptions for medications and then are quickly discharged from the system. These patients go back out into the world and live as if their chronic diseases don’t exist. They continue to neglect their bodies by eating poorly, sleeping inadequately, remaining sedentary, and improperly managing stress. I believe our health is determined by our ability to nurture the mind, body, and soul which is why I preach the combination of healthy practices of a holistic lifestyle to help people feel their best. Through a holistic lens, I hope to be able to help others lead healthier lives.
Finally, along the way, I have faced my own health challenges, or should I say continue to face. Let’s face it, we all have something to work on. My story is still a work in progress, as I assume most things in life are but I am working at it everyday. And while I have been determined to integrate a more holistic approach to health with my patients, I think more often than not, I am speaking and reminding myself of its importance. That reminder is great when I get bogged down honing in on one aspect of health, when in reality, “you are only as good as the sum of all parts”. Anyway, I am hoping that by sharing some knowledge, recipes, and remedies for healing, I might be able to help others with similar challenges or who are simply just trying to learn more about their bodies and how to adequately take care of them. Either way, I’m glad to be sharing my story if it can help someone else in theirs.
So if you’re still reading, I formally welcome you to this space that houses all kinds of healthy recipes and remedies for you to incorporate into your daily lives. Stay tuned for more!