About the Hut

Me, flouncing in the produce aisle of Trader Joe's

Me, flouncing in the produce aisle of Trader Joe's

Hello and welcome! I have created this blog for people who love food, especially healthful, vegetarian food.

I currently attend college in North Carolina, where I am studying English and psychology, although I plan on pursuing an additional degree in nutrition after I graduate. Ideally, I would like to combine my love of food and the written word someday as a health writer.

As you’ll discover from my daily eats, I am a vegetable enthusiast (although I have a preference for a certain green cruciferous one…). I focus on eating whole, healthful foods prepared with a little creativity and gusto. I am a lacto-vegetarian, so you’ll find plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant-proteins, nuts, and some dairy in my diet. The key tenet of my eating philosophy is variety: I strive to “taste the rainbow,” if you will. If it’s (naturally) colorful and fibrous, you’ll likely find it on my plate.

Nutrition has become a priority in my life due to my past experience with an eating disorder. I was diagnosed at age 15, although I did not truly commit to recovery until almost a year later. Only then did I realize the power of healthful foods and the nourishing benefits they provide, both physical and emotional. In my weight gain process, I researched nutrition (and incidentally vegetarianism) and found a new passion. It may sound strange to say, but I gained so much more from my experience with anorexia than I lost: it cultivated a new interest; it led me to my future career; it strengthened my faith. In short, it caused me to grow as a person.

Another recently developed interest of mine is running. After a lifetime of thinking that I was simply “not made to be a runner,” I tried going for a jog one day–and I ran three miles. I’ve been hooked ever since. I am still a relative newbie to the running world and have just begun getting involved in racing. I look forward to what my running future may hold!

With all that said, I hope you return to The Broccoli Hut and share my love of food, nutrition, fitness, and life. My entries will consist of daily meals, product reviews, discussions pertinent to nutrition and healthful cooking, along with a little insight into my daily life. I welcome your comments and questions, so if you’d like to contact me, send me an e-mail at broccolihut@gmail.com, or you follow me on Twitter. I look forward to hearing from you!

Finally, a word about the origin of this blog’s name: The Broccoli Hut started as a fictional place made up by my father, as in, “Watch out, or we’ll take you to Broccoli Hut instead of Pizza Hut.” I promise, I’ll make more than broccoli. Sometimes.

20 Responses to “About the Hut”

  1. Marianne, on April 3rd, 2009 at 7:06 am Said:

    Welcome to Wordpress! :D It’s fun, no?

  2. alanna, on April 3rd, 2009 at 4:15 pm Said:

    I LOVE the new blog layout and presentation =)

  3. Jessica (jesslikesithot), on April 3rd, 2009 at 10:46 pm Said:

    Hey girl!! Of course I’m updating my blogroll right now with THIS new one! :)

  4. dailydulcie, on April 4th, 2009 at 2:50 pm Said:

    I love the new layout :)

    I particularly love how you to “taste the rainbow”. By looking at the photos of all your wonderful dishes, the colors of the rainbow are most definitely apparent!!

    <3

    I also adore the story about how the “Broccoli Hut” came to be!

  5. *Andrea*, on April 12th, 2009 at 3:56 am Said:

    “It may sound strange to say, but I gained so much more from my experience with anorexia than I lost”

    i can totally relate to this!! i know so much more now about healthy options from blogging and researching healthy living which is a result of a past eating disorder. it’s great to see positive and healthy girls like you making it easier and more relatable for people like me ;)

  6. coco, on April 26th, 2009 at 10:41 am Said:

    just found your blog and love it! I’m not 100% vegetarian but I would if I can because I love fresh veggies and love simple homemade food! :)

  7. getfitslowly, on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:31 pm Said:

    Hi! I just found your blog and I love it. I look forward to reading more :)
    Btw, I also go to college in North Carolina!

  8. merittothecarrot, on May 24th, 2009 at 10:08 pm Said:

    I ADORE your alphabet oats concept. I must say, it’s inspiring haha. My name is Sam and I am 15 years old. I just started up my own blog. I’ve been looking at your blog for a while now and have really enjoyed doing so! Broc is my favorite vegetable too. Well, hope to hear from you! Happy blogging (:

  9. Marija, on June 15th, 2009 at 6:43 am Said:

    Hi,
    you have a great blog. My blog is http://www.thehealthiesthabits.com, I started it recently, so I was wondering if you would like to exchange links?
    Regards,
    Marija

  10. specialkphd, on July 13th, 2009 at 2:38 pm Said:

    You are so adorable!
    I challenge you to this project! Participate in this inspiration!
    http://thespecialktreatment.wordpress.com/

  11. foodfan, on July 31st, 2009 at 9:10 am Said:

    Hello! I just came across your blog a few days ago. I’ve been reading various food, nutrition and fitness blogs for the past year or so, and I must say yours is one of the best ever. I think you will make an excellent health writer if that is the career you decide to pursue. I hope you’re getting as much pleasure out of the blog as your readers, and please keep it going for as long as you enjoy it. Best regards!

  12. healthyhappyhippiechick, on August 9th, 2009 at 7:10 pm Said:

    i really like your blog! i’m definitely adding you to my blog roll =]

  13. blueberrymuffins, on August 18th, 2009 at 10:30 am Said:

    Hi! I am new to your blog and I am excited to read and learn more :) I am new to healthy living and I am blogging my experience as well. Its been interesting so far. lol.

  14. “Culinary Literacy” « Broccoli Hut, on August 23rd, 2009 at 7:30 pm Said:

    [...] About the Hut [...]

  15. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga), on August 24th, 2009 at 3:34 pm Said:

    We have so many things in common….vegetarian/vegan, a love for broccoli and veggies, running, a less than smooth-sailing relationship with food in the past, a passion for eating healthy and the TJ’s produce aisle. I am some what new to the blogging world but am poppin’ you on my blogroll and google reader so I can keep up with you b/c we have so much in common. Oh, and I used to live in both NC and SC, in CA for past 5 yrs. Hugs and hi!

  16. Caroline, the Cowardly Student « Broccoli Hut, on August 27th, 2009 at 9:48 am Said:

    [...] About the Hut [...]

  17. Alexandra, on November 24th, 2009 at 1:11 pm Said:

    Awesome blog! I love reading it & being inspired. Keep it up!

  18. Shelley, on November 28th, 2009 at 10:52 am Said:

    I just wanted to let you know that I love your blog & it is truly an inspiration to me. As someone who is currently on the road to recovery & not quite tihere yet, it means everything to read a blog like yours & see why recovery is soo worth it. you seem to be doing great & your eats are always incredibly delicious looking! look forward to following your blog

    xoxo
    shelley

  19. rebecca lustig, on December 25th, 2009 at 3:03 pm Said:

    I’m with Shelley, haha. I think you are a beautiful inspiration with so much insight to share.

    I hope you have a very merry, healthy and joyful Christmas.

    Looking forward to your next post :)
    Rebecca

  20. Aunt Fab, on December 27th, 2009 at 10:59 am Said:

    You inspired me to make my website. It unfortunately will be about eating transfats and watching those annoying Duggars. But it’s a start, no?

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