Hi, I’m Tina.
I grew up in Brooklyn, NY to a working class immigrant Italian family — and while there was a lot of love in our home, there were also a lot of emotions and an excess of food. At a young age I learned to soothe myself with food and often ate in secret when alone. By age 16 I was 320 pounds, scared and uncomfortable in my skin. I struggled, deeply, with emotional eating and with being seen inside and outside of our house as more than my weight.
In the summer of 2001 I went to live on a small working farm with a college friend, here I found peace, quiet, and an environment safe from words and observations about my weight. I began to move and cook, while also discovering a love for writing. This was where my weight loss journey began.
Having now lost 150+ pounds on my own, I’ve maintained the weight loss for the last 24 years through mental, emotional and physical changes to my day to day living. The weight loss changed my life, but this was only the beginning of a series of life changing events. From the weight loss, to skin removal surgery, leaving my corporate job, making peace with my family and moving to Mexico part time to pursue art and healthy living - self reflection, change and cooking have been at the core of my story.
Well, God too, and a belief in miracles.
Though I await my first real boyfriend; I’ve found love within myself, the kitchen, service, in new friendships and in moving past traditional goals of home ownership, children and marriage. I have found peace in moving forward with my heart and letting God guide the way.
My creative musings, recipes, and writing on health and well being can be found here on my site.
I hope you will join me in exploring life, creativity and living with intention.
XO