Find inspiration in the simple. Enjoy the colors, smells and the everyday normal we so oft take for granted. During the day I’m a scientist who works in a cell signaling lab in Clinical Immunology. In layman’s terms, I work towards gaining a better understanding of how the body responds to disease. I have a B.Sc. in Biology & a B.Sc in Athletic Training. *This does not make me a doctor or an expert in medicine/health. I do what works for me, please consult your doctor before undertaking any nutrition/exercise plan!*
Off the clock I love to run, listen/play music, go on adventures traveling the world & look for joy in the present. I am OBSESSED with travel and a few of my favorite trips include a month in India, 3 weeks trekking in New Zealand & most recently a trip to Paris that changed my life!
I’m trying to deepen my ashtanga yoga practice this year and really develop my cooking techniques. I was diagnosed in 2010 with a gluten allergy and malabsorption/inflammatory issues with grains. Therefore, I am grain & dairy free so my emphasis on food is high in vegetables, nuts/seeds, eggs & meat. This a ‘Paleo’ lifestyle and I eat this way because my body thrives on a higher fat, moderate protein diet.
My approach to food is enjoying it in the most natural way possible whether it’s locally sourced or minimal preparation as I don’t have hours to toil in the kitchen! As far as exercise, let’s keep it short and simple! I do not belong to a gym so I work with my bodyweight doing workouts inspired by bodyrocktv or Crossfit/prisoner workouts. A few of my favorite moves: side planks, burpees, squats, lunges & dips. This is my outlet to remind myself to enjoy the life that I have at this very moment. xo-M
hi there!!!!
that picture is hilarious!
Aw, you guys are so cute
Hi Misa! I found your blog through Mark’s Daily Apple. I’m a Type 1 diabetic so I’m curious what your research is for JDRF. I’m finding that a more “primal” diet, if you will, is really helping me out with my diabetes. Hope you are well!
This is my blog about it: http://www.dontcallmesugar.wordpress.com
sarah, thanks for reading! i’m very passionate about the work i do even though i am not diabetic. so many people in the USA are suffering from type II and there seems to be so much confusion about those of you affected by type I. i feel like i need to be an advocate for you type I’s! the research i work on is mainly focused on retinopathy/complications and using transgenic/stz induced models to replicate an insult on the retina. we are in drug trial process phase right now so my fingers are crossed for something great!
i truly believe that a lot of healing/less maintenance with insulin can be achieved through a paleo diet. i encourage you to keep reading, researching and experimenting with what makes your body feel best. i read some of your posts-congrats on the great A1c score! best, m
I love your hair. Seriously.
thank you so much. Seriously
hey beautiful girl! love your blog! not sure how i got here, but glad i did
how is grain free/dairy free working for you, and how did you end up like that if you don’t mind me asking? as a sugar free, soy free, gluten-free vegan, i love learning from other “freaky” eaters!
-rebekah
Love that pic of you and the butterfly!!!
Dana xo
http://happinessiswithin.wordpress.com/
Love that pic of you and the butterfly!!!
Dana
http://happinessiswithin.wordpress.com/
What a gorgeous pic with the butterfly! I love it and your food philosophy! Mine is very similar
aww thank you! healthy food bloggers unite!
Lovely blog! can’t wait to keep reading
Hey! I’ve read your blog a few times….but now I am coming back after remember your Paleo post from about a week ago. I have been sugar free for about 3-4 yrs now, and have the same sensitivity to fruit like you. I have also been dairy free for a few years because I just don’t like the way it feels in me (maybe lactose intolerant??). Recently, however, I have been going on a grain-free diet, and been eating mostly paleo. I can’t wait to keep reading to get some more inspiration!
thanks for reading! i am def thriving on no grains/no dairy. i know it stuns many people but my body just doesn’t do well eating that stuff! plus, i don’t really want to get hives everytime i ingest wheat you know
When I first joined the blogging network, I was a bit nervous that I would not be able to find like-minded individuals. I was wrong. I really enjoy reading your blog and look forward to learning more from you!
welcome! i love finding others that share the same interests! you can always learn something new
Hi!
Can you get in touch with me about something regarding blood sugar and stevia? I’d like to interview you and get your thoughts on this topic for my blog.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Jennifer
sure i’ve emailed you a detailed response.
Just found your blog and am really enjoying it so wanted to say hi.
I’m going to try your recipe for the curried parsnip carrot soup. Parsnips are one of my fave veggies
Hi! I just came across your blog! And I really love your “About” and your beautiful pictures!
I eat very similarly to you (for health reasons), and I also love listening to and playing music. What do you play?
thanks for stopping by! i play guitar, piano and a little flute
Hahaha, I just discovered your “My music” tab and saw you’re a guitar player and singer!
Hi there! Just ran across your blog via CCK. You are so beautiful! Can’t wait to keep reading!
oh my goodness, thank you! x
Hey there! I just stumbled upon your website via Elana’s Pantry. You are adorable, and remind me a lot of myself! It looks like we both live in the Philly area, do yoga, love working out stick to a Paleo diet, love music, Europe, etc… Awesome! I just subscribed to your blog to peek in on you once in awhile. Keep up the fab work on your site!
-Melissa
thanks for subscribing! i hope you enjoy following my random adventures and eats!
I’d like to know what your symptoms were when you didn’t follow a paleo diet? For the past year my stomach becomes so bloated after I eat and I think it may be due to the grains and dairy.
pre-diagnosis i always felt puffy and bloated. i often had digestive issues and attributed it to “too much fiber.” however, it appears i was sensitive to all the gluten i was eating in cereal bars, bread etc. once i cut that out of my diet, my symptoms improved markedly. however, it wasn’t until summer 2010 that I entirely cut out dairy as well due to inflammatory issues in my gut. This has made a world of difference. I’m not healing my gut with bone broths, alkaline smoothies, smaller portions of meat and loads of vegetables. Fruits high in sugar seem to aggravate the condition so I’m working on eating lower glycemic fruits instead of sugary-starchy ones like bananas.
Super cute blog! I especially love that first picture of you! And you are pretty adorable in the others as well
thank you so much! thanks for stopping by!
I love your style! You are gorgeous!
aww bless x thanks for reading!
Hey just came across your blog and really have enjoyed reading it so far! I am also following a gluten free diet because I jjust found out I have a gluten allergy- I am excited to learn some gluten free recipes!
welcome and thanks for reading! going gluten free has literally saved my life. i was miserable and bloated before and now i feel amazing!
Heyyyy nice blog girl~I love your clothing style, it’s just what I like to wear. Of course, you do a better job with it
Nice to meet you. And how did that butterfly stay?
thank you so sweet! the butterfly stayed because i am a nature girl lol. i had rum punch on my finger tip and apparently they like to get krunk
i love your blog!! thanks so much for sharing.
i eat the same way you do and have suffered from many digestive problems for a long long time
Paleo is changing my life.. I am really inspired by your blog and your attitude. thank you for all the recipes and for making eating this way seem, doable, normal and important! I have met a lot of criticism and resistance and cherish blogs like yours! XXO
Hey Melissa ..i am working on a research project on culinary tours in India,i would like to ask you some question related to India and your take on indian cuisine. If it is ok with you,i can send you the questionnaire,kindly mail me your email address,by mailing me.