My journey with plant-based eating began in 2017 after learning about the realities of animal agriculture and factory farming. What started as an ethical decision quickly grew into a passion for nutrition when I discovered the profound role that food can play in health, disease prevention, and longevity. During high school, I enrolled in Cornell University's Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through eCornell, where I became fascinated by the connection between nutrition and chronic disease. That experience inspired me to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

After graduating in 2023, I took a gap year and spent my days surrounded by incredible scratch-made vegan food while working at a local vegan café. I then returned to Cal Poly to complete a Master of Science in Nutrition with a Dietetic Internship (MSDI) program. The MSDI combines graduate coursework with over 1,000 hours of supervised practice in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, foodservice management, and nutrition counseling, providing the education and training required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

I've always loved to cook, but it wasn't until graduate school that it became much more than a hobby. Between classes, studying, and internship rotations, meal prepping became essential. As I developed recipes each week, my nutrition education challenged me to think beyond simply eating vegan. I began asking myself: Was my diet truly meeting all of my nutritional needs?

It wasn't just about getting enough protein or remembering to take vitamin B12 anymore. My advanced metabolism courses opened my eyes to the complexity of human nutrition. I became fascinated by nutrients like iron, calcium, zinc, iodine, selenium, and vitamin D, and by how they interact with one another. I learned that the form of a nutrient matters, that some nutrients are absorbed more efficiently than others, and that certain foods can either enhance or inhibit how well our bodies absorb and use them. The more I learned, the more I realized that creating a well-planned vegan diet is both a science and an art.

While plant-based diets offer numerous health benefits, they do require thoughtful planning. My goal has never been perfection but rather understanding where nutritional gaps can occur and how to prevent them through practical, enjoyable meals. If you're vegan for the animals, the environment, your health -or all three- I hope you'll remember that taking care of yourself is an important part of your values, too.

That's exactly why I created Confidently Plant-Based.

I wanted to build the resource I wish I'd had while learning how to optimize my own diet - a place where you don't have to wonder whether you're getting enough of the nutrients that matter most. This resource highlights the nutrients that can be more challenging to obtain on a vegan diet and shows you how to incorporate them through delicious, approachable meals.

Every recipe on this website has been personally developed and tested by me. Each one was created with intention, emphasizing nutrient density, bioavailability, and balanced nutrition while remaining realistic enough for busy weekdays. My hope is to take the guesswork out of plant-based eating so you can spend less time worrying about nutrition and more time enjoying the food on your plate.

Whether you're brand new to plant-based eating or you've been vegan for years, I hope these recipes inspire you to nourish yourself with confidence. Together, we can build a way of eating that supports not only the animals and our planet, but your own long-term health as well.

Happy cooking!