Greetings & Salutations!

Hi all! My name is Danielle, but most of my friends call me Dee. I'm brand-spankin-new to the scene & don’t have much (well, any) experience in the blogosphere. What I do have is an intense love of food, a passion for cooking, and an ever-growing interest in holistic health & nutrition.

Growing up in a crazy Italian family, it seemed every holiday, celebration & special event centered on insanely great-tasting & lovingly prepared food. Years of Sunday dinners & helping mom in the kitchen influenced my love of food & cooking. Interestingly enough, the result of all the good food I’d been exposed to piqued my interest in health & nutrition. Apparently not all good food is good for you! Crazy, right?! Over the years, great food, every day stress & a few tragedies took my emotional eating to a whole other dimension (and a whole other category of clothing sizes). A ski trip with friends was the final wake-up call I needed. Not only was I suffocated in a pair of MEN’S XL snow pants, but I was winded and fatigued after my first run of the day! Being an avid skier & overall semi-outdoorsy my whole life, this happening completely devastated me. Shortly after that incident, I joined the gym, started eating better & set small, manageable goals for myself.

I’m happy to say that it’s been over a year since I’ve started my journey and I’m still as motivated today as I was on Day One. I’m down 30+ lbs., 3 dress sizes, countless inches and, most importantly, I’m much more aware of what I’m putting into my body. This blog is my way of sharing the useful tips, interesting facts, and delicious recipes I’ve acquired and discovered (and a few I’ve even invented myself!). So join me on my journey to a fitter figure, healthier lifestyle, and overall better-feeling me (well, YOU, but you get the drift ;) ) !