About the Hut

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

In May 2010, I graduated from Duke University with degrees in English and psychology, and I just completed my masters of science in nutrition at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. In just a few short months, I will begin a dietetic internship in preparation for my career as a registered dietitian. Someday I hope to combine my love of food and the written word as a health writer or cookbook author, but for now I plan to use this blog as an outlet for my creativity in those fields.

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 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 career; it strengthened my faith. In short, it caused me to grow as a person.

As you’ll discover from my recipes, I am a vegetable enthusiast (although I have a preference for a certain green cruciferous one). I focus on eating whole foods prepared with a little creativity and an eye on nutrition. I’ve experimented with many eating styles ranging from omnivorous to vegan, and back to pescatarian. The key tenet of my eating philosophy is variety: I strive to eat by color every day–if it’s (naturally) vibrant and fibrous, you’ll likely find it on my plate.

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 and Facebook. 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.

45 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?

  21. Michal, on February 2nd, 2010 at 6:43 pm Said:

    Hi there :) I just found your blog and I have to say that it looks super awesome! I love the name the broccoli hut its too cute. I think that you are such an inspiration and I am so glad that you decided to share your story with all of us. I cant wait to read more!

    Michal

  22. Astrid, on February 4th, 2010 at 12:13 pm Said:

    You know what? I don’t think I have fully read this page before today. I was reading your last post and you mentioned struggling with anorexia. So I read this page, and got more information. I had no idea that you have triumphed over an eating disorder and have made it such a positive influence in you life. That is truly awesome! I am also recovered from one, so I relate. Thank you for being honest about it. You have definately become a more “real” person to me. And, p.s., I would still love to spend a day with you and try you food and smoothie creations!

  23. Allison Evans, on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:07 pm Said:

    Hi,

    I am an editor at Ampere Media. I am currently working on a website called fitandfabliving. While our editors contribute most of the articles, we are always looking for a broader perspective and audience. After perusing your blog, you seem like you would be a great contributor to the site.

    We are looking for bloggers who are knowledgeable and passionate about health and fitness and are interested in getting published on a high-quality website. If you don’t have the time to write new articles, we are also glad to accept previously-written content. Unfortunately, we cannot offer monetary payment, but we can offer the following benefits:

    –Free, quality, inbound links to your blog (we have thousands of subscribers to site)
    –Association with a reputable brand
    –”Expert” classification among an elite group of bloggers
    –Excellent writing exposure with minimal extra time commitment from you

    Here is some more information about our site:

    Name: Fit&FabLiving – “Look and Feel Your Best”
    Mission Statement: Fit&FabLiving is a health and beauty community focused on helping everyone look and feel their best. Comprised of thousands of hints and tips, Fit&FabLiving brings the latest expert advice, user-submitted content and thousands of tips on fitness, health, fashion, beauty and more.

    We’re still in the early development phases of our site. It is our goal to develop a website with fantastic content from you and other expert bloggers, as well as user-generated content from the website community. We have extensive experience building online communities and have already achieved great success with our recipe website Recipe4Living .

    If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact me.

    I look forward to hearing from you!

    Allison Evans, Editor

  24. Elena, on April 6th, 2010 at 2:38 am Said:

    Hi,

    I have been reading your blog for awhile now (I am apologize for how creepy that sounds) and I just want to let you know that I am a huge fan. =)

    Your ability to recover from your eating disorder and lead a normal life free from ED truly inspires me. I love your recipes and product reviews. Thanks for sharing.

    <3

  25. Mary, on August 22nd, 2010 at 3:06 pm Said:

    Hi!

    I just stumbled upon your blog, and I see that you Live in Raleigh currently, Me too! I’m an RN at Duke :) we should meet up sometime or run a race together!

  26. Krill, on August 29th, 2010 at 6:19 pm Said:

    I have had several health problems over the years and I have recently started eating 90% vegetarian and I love it. I have never felt better in my life. I have been consuming everything I can read on the topic. If you can’t go 100% veggies then flexitarian is the way to go! I would like to work my way to 100% whole foods but it’s a struggle.

  27. Vanessa, on September 11th, 2010 at 3:07 pm Said:

    Caroline!

    I had no idea you blogged! From one vegetarian brownie to another, your website is fantastic and you’re recipes look amazing! I’ll definitely be trying them :)

    Best of luck with your masters!

  28. Kacie (Nonexistent Colors), on September 14th, 2010 at 6:59 am Said:

    What a great blog you have!!! I just graduated with my degree in nutrition!! Go for it!!! It’s tough, but extremely rewarding!!! And totally worth it!!

  29. Sabine @ thefruitpersuit, on September 17th, 2010 at 7:35 am Said:

    I’m adding you to my blog bookmarks! We have a lot of similarities going on so you might find my blog interesting as well, I too became very very interested in nutrition because of my eating disorder. For me it started while I was still in the depths of it so I had a hard time channeling it (eating as little as possible clashes a little with eating as healthy as possible ;) but I tried) and when I left treatment, I switched studies to become an RD as well.

    For me, vegetarianism and being conscious of the food industry and the environment is a fairly recent interest field of mine but I am now seriously considering becoming vegetarian.

    anyway, keep up the good work and I’ll be reading :)

    love, sabine

  30. Claire, on October 10th, 2010 at 11:06 am Said:

    Hi Caroline,

    I love your blog and am just trying to let people know about mine, which I hope will inspire others with type one diabetes. I would love to know what you think of it and maybe you will love it as much as I love reading yours each day.

    http://www.saladmunchers.com

    With love,
    Claire x

  31. Laura Jayne Parson, on December 20th, 2010 at 4:02 pm Said:

    I’ve been searching for other vegetarian blogs and was lucky enough to stumble upon yours! Great work – I love inspiring posts! Staying positive and keeping things in perspective is something that helps me to have a healthy life – and blogging and reading blogs like yours helps me to do that! Keep it up!

  32. thehealthyapron, on December 21st, 2010 at 4:35 pm Said:

    Hey girlie!

    Just found your blog! love your food philosophy as it is very similar to mine! look forward to following!

  33. Cool Springs Restaurants, on February 21st, 2011 at 2:04 pm Said:

    I really enjoy your website, thanks or sharing! It used to seem difficult to eat really healthy all the rime while still coming up with tasty and filling meals. You’ve made it much easier! I’m going to try the buttercup squash puree this week!

  34. lindsay, on March 28th, 2011 at 1:09 am Said:

    Hi Caroline, Just found your blog and I really like your style :) I too battled a serious eating disorder in my teenage years and completed a pretty intense inpatient treatment program. Lucky for me I prevailed! Ten years later I feel so alive and strong, and after becoming a vegetarian last year, am on the healthiest path I’ve ever been on.
    Just this year I’ve finally had the guts to come out regarding my eating disorder recovery and started my own blog in hope to inspire others. :) Sounds like you have done the same and I think that is fantastically FABULOUS ;)

  35. Sarah Beth @ Health Craved, on April 13th, 2011 at 1:56 pm Said:

    I just stumbled upon your blog, and I love it! We share some of the same passions, with the exception of running. I’m more of a swimmer, but I do plan to try a triathlon in the near future. Looking forward to following your blog! :)

  36. Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner, on May 30th, 2011 at 8:18 pm Said:

    I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!! :D

  37. meg, on July 4th, 2011 at 8:37 pm Said:

    Hi! I’m a new reader, but it sounds like we have a lot in common. I graduated from Duke too and am super excited to see a duke blogger! I don’t have a blog but I love reading them. Excited to read more!

  38. Rachel, on July 7th, 2011 at 8:58 pm Said:

    I’ve been reading your blog for a bit and I can’t believe it took me this long to read your about page! It looks like we have a lot in common. That path from disordered eater to passionate foodie may seem illogical to some but it’s been the most natural transition ever in my life.
    Way to go with your blog and pursuing your passion with a nutrition masters!

  39. Lisa Mooney, on August 22nd, 2011 at 5:18 pm Said:

    Hi! I was wondering if you review products on your website? Our family business, Mooney Farms located in Northern California is the largest producer of sun dried tomatoes in the U.S. and we would love to send you our media kit and samples. Thanks!!

  40. Maggie, on October 29th, 2011 at 12:07 pm Said:

    Hi Ellie, Its great to “meet” you through Foodbuzz. I think you and I have a lot in common and I am really looking forward to reading more of your blogs and recipe posts! I already love the recipes I have browsed!

  41. Shelly, on November 3rd, 2011 at 2:34 pm Said:

    My roommate has been reading your blog for almost a year now and comes home every week with “So there’s this recipe on BH I wanna try”…me being skeptical of veggies always lets her cook what ends up being a great meal! After reading your blog for a while, we came to find out you are a Chi Omega! I’m very excited to see another sister working hard, exceling in life and doing it with grace! Congrats on the success of your blog and keep up the great work, it’s a blast to read!

    BroccoliHut Reply:
    November 3rd, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    Thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog, Shelly! I am delighted to connect with a fellow ChiO :)

  42. Meg, on November 4th, 2011 at 3:13 pm Said:

    JUST found your blog :D Love it girl <3 keep doing what you're doing. Looking forward to following now :)

    BroccoliHut Reply:
    November 4th, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    Hi Meg! So glad you stopped by the B-Hut. I just checked out your blog too, and I LOVE the name–so cute and creative.

  43. Danielle, on March 19th, 2012 at 8:07 am Said:

    Congradulations on making it through a eating disorder, school, and now sharing your love of health and food with others. I love to eat healthy but can take it to the extreme at times, finding balance is hard and it seems as though you have found yours! I just started a job as head chef of a catering company, Ooh La Las Events and More, from Viriginia Beach, we do southern comfort and healthy fresh food, I am the healthy food chef. I can’t wait to try all your recipes!

    ps I love Ellie too!

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