"THIS or THAT"

Winter or Summer?

• Summer!

Vinyasa or yin?

• Hot Vinyasa.

Notting Hill or Shoreditch?

• Notting Hill.

Sweet or Savory?

• Savory.

Guacamole or hummus?

• Guacamole, with loads of jalapeños.

Flats or Heels?

• Heels. I’m only 5’3” so need all the height help I can get!

To bed early or up late?

• I turn into a pumpkin at 10pm.

 

"My goal is to make healthy eating accessible, attainable and, most of all, ENJOYABLE for busy people and families."

 

How did you find your way to Atlanta?

• My husband and I both have roots in the South and, in fact, he grew up in the Atlanta area. We had been living in the Northeast and Europe for over 15 years, which we absolutely loved, but always talked about returning to the Southeast. A few years ago, my husband co-founded a company that was based in Atlanta so in 2015 we decided it was time to move to Georgia for his work and to be closer to our families.

 What do you miss most about NYC?

• My friends, the tremendous energy you only find in NYC and the food! I swear you could eat at a different restaurant every day of your life and never try them all.

What’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday?

• My idea of a perfect Saturday is getting up early to explore my local farmers market to get fresh, local goodies and produce, packing a picnic lunch and spending the day hiking, in one of our state parks, with my husband, children and dog. I love lazy Saturday evenings spent at home with family and friends. We fire up the grill, drink lots of good wine and play our favorite party game, Celebrity.

 What inspired you to create Community Kitchen?

• Eating and cooking has always brought joy to my life. I find being in the kitchen therapeutic. The catalyst for what was to become Community Kitchen was actually our move to London in 2001. I stopped working full-time, had my first child and really started pursuing my passion for food and healthy living.  Over the past 15 years, I’ve created a lifestyle for my family that includes making (mostly) healthy choices, staying active and supporting our local community/food sources. I created Community Kitchen to share what I’m making, creating and supporting with others. My goal is to make healthy eating accessible, attainable and, most of all, ENJOYABLE for busy people and families. I like to keep things simple. My recipes are not complicated and do not include any crazy, rare ingredients. Everything is family-friendly and I use fresh, nutrient-rich, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

 Where do you practice yoga now and which instructor is inspiring you?

• Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Thunderbolt Yoga’s Heated Power Flow class. The class is set to a really fun, rocking playlist so it’s super high-energy. All of the instructors are fabulous.

 What’s your local hangout?

• I don’t really have a local hangout, per se. However, I love exploring the local farmers’ markets at every opportunity. If I had to choose my favorite spot in Atlanta, it would be the Atlanta Botanical Garden.  It’s absolutely gorgeous all year long, has an amazing “Concerts in the Garden” series during the summer months and hosts cooking/foodie events, featuring local chefs, in their outdoor kitchen.  And their Edible (Kitchen) Garden is glorious!

 What’s your guilty pleasure?

• Besides Champagne?!! Right now, it’s my great-grandmother’s cinnamon rolls! I’ve been experimenting with her favorite recipe that has been in my family for generations. She was an amazing baker and her rolls are sinfully delicious.

 Which HAVEN piece do you live in?

• I LOVE my white Chloe open-back top. It’s so soft, beautifully cut and perfect for all seasons.

 Kids, career and healthy living, how do you find balance?

• I’ll be honest, it’s not always easy! For better or worse, I work out of my home, which is extremely convenient, but also full of distractions.  My career is my passion so I’m very lucky in that regard. I’ve also got an amazing support system in my family and friends. For me, it’s about finding that balance that is achievable and sustainable. I try to do something active every day whether it’s playing tennis, practicing yoga or taking the dog for a long walk. Exercise keeps me sane and makes me a better wife and mom.  As far as keeping a healthy diet, it’s all about moderation. I don’t deprive myself of foods I love, I just make healthy choices most of the time. Trust me, there is ALWAYS room in your life for that favorite dessert.  Or a little wine and Champagne!  I’m perfectly imperfect and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 What’s your favorite recipe right now?

• My favorite recipe is my Vegetable Cassoulet.  It’s a vegetarian version of the traditional French dish.  My cassoulet is hearty, but healthy and SO perfect for the fall and winter months.  And it’s a terrific dish for holiday entertaining as you can easily double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd.