Rooted in Love: A Journey Toward True Nourishment

Hi Wuji Family,

I wanted to start sharing some occasional reflections and bits of wisdom I’ve been learning along the way. I also want to thank you in advance — sharing this is not only part of my own growth, but it’s also supporting my studies, especially as I explore whether the path of becoming a nutritionist is truly mine to follow after completing my Nutritional Therapy program.

Growing up, my mom wasn’t overly strict about food. She didn’t read labels or follow diets, but every meal she made came from the heart — and it was always home-cooked. No matter what we were eating, there were always plenty of greens on the table. To this day, I crave greens and feel off when I don’t get enough of them.

When I got older and started living on my own, things changed. Once I had a car in high school, I’d drive to McDonald’s once or twice a week, and Krispy Kreme too — usually with my good friend Yolanda. We’d sit for hours talking and studying. There weren’t all the cute cafés we have now, so Starbucks and Krispy Kreme were our go-to spots.

I used to love those 89-cent McNuggets with honey mustard or BBQ sauce. I also gained about 15 pounds. I eventually lost it by going to the gym 4 times a week, but looking back, I wasn’t thinking much about health — just enjoying life.

In college, I started drinking on the weekends at clubs, staying up late, and my eczema got worse. I didn’t realize at the time how much poor sleep, stress, and processed food were affecting my health.

In my 20s, I began working with a holistic doctor who introduced me to NET (Neuro Emotional Technique) and muscle testing. That was the beginning of my journey back to clean eating. I did my first full cleanse with a friend, and while I felt a noticeable boost in energy, I also felt a bit restricted.

I remember my friend’s eyes were tinged pink, but during the cleanse — which focused heavily on green, whole foods — the whites of her eyes cleared up completely. It was such a powerful visual of how deeply food can impact the body.

But the moment the cleanse ended, I found myself binging on nachos. That experience showed me something deeper:

You can’t heal just by changing what you eat — you have to look at what’s underneath.

A lot of how we eat can be emotional. For example, someone grieving might turn to cookies and coffee every day. As a student of nutritional therapy, I’ve learned that we can’t truly help someone without understanding their story and offering compassion. Our role is to genuinely see our clients — to help them feel heard, understood, and gently guided toward healing from the inside out.

Good health isn’t just about the food on your plate — it’s also about why you’re eating it.

I’ve found that when people start eating clean out of fear — whether it’s fear of illness, weight gain, or trying to “fix” something — it often doesn’t last. There tends to be a cycle: eating clean during the week, then binge eating on the weekend. In those moments, the deeper emotional patterns are still present.

And truly — this isn’t something to feel bad about. It’s simply part of the journey.

The first step toward real nourishment is accepting where you are and offering yourself love and space — the kind of space that allows you to care for yourself gently, without judgment.

As we start to find balance, even when we do enjoy something less healthy, we do it mindfully — not out of avoidance. You begin to respect your body, not through force, but through connection.

True health is rooted in joy, balance, and being present with yourself.

Eating well during the week helps build up your body’s reserves for those moments when you choose to have treats. But if you're living in a constant state of stress, your body may not absorb nutrients — no matter how clean your diet is.

I’ve experienced this myself. There was a time when I had to take mineral drops because my nutrient absorption was so low. Looking back, it wasn’t just about the food — my nervous system wasn’t regulated. And that’s something many empaths can relate to.

It takes time — and a lot of lived experiences — to begin consciously loving ourselves enough to slow down, feel safe in our own bodies, and come back into balance. But once we do, the process becomes truly beautiful.

So here’s what I’ve learned:

Gently return to your center and come back into your body.
It’s not just about cutting things out — it’s about adding more of what nourishes you, physically and emotionally.
The more goodness you invite in (healthy food, loving people, safe and calm spaces), the less you'll want what doesn’t serve you.

If someone in your life is constantly negative or draining, it’s okay to step back. Come back to yourself. Build a safe space within. You don't owe anyone an explanation or response when you are taking care of yourself. 

Eating well is an act of self-love — but so is being present and not obsessing over every ingredient when you’re out enjoying life with friends. At home, we keep our pantry clean, but when I go out, I enjoy myself mindfully. 

 Find value in yourself. Love yourself deeply.

Everything else will begin to align naturally when you set the intention to welcome in only what reflects your highest expression of love.

It’s a gentle process of awareness, not perfection — and it all begins with love.

Here’s to a life rooted in love, sustained by good health.