Welcome to my inaugural blog post.  I’m so very happy to have you!  My name is Teri and here’s my story.  I have an amazing power to heal just by connecting with people through eye contact and touching big toes.  Just kidding.  Don’t we wish it were that easy?

Nope, I’m a Midwestern girl at heart, a lover of almost all things health, wellness and food.  I’m a holistic health coach and personal chef, and my mission is to help people discover their greatest health through the healing power of food.

The real story: I spent the first twenty-two years of life in the Buckeye state…Ohio that is.  Though we didn’t move around, l consider myself an Air Force brat, as my Father spent all thirty-some years of his career working for the Department of Defense at Wright-Patterson AFB.  I too worked on base for a few formative years in high school and college as a lifeguard, so I was part of the team, eh?  College was the University of Cincinnati where I graduated with my bachelors in Communications.  After tossing the graduation cap I wasted no time hitting the road for bigger and better things in the Great Pacific Northwest.  Portland, OR to be exact.  Ok, so I followed a guy out there, but what better place to land?  This was the 90’s and Portlandia was at its peak.  Oh yeah.  I got lucky.  Three weeks after moving I landed a temporary job at adidas, which turned into a permanent job and eventually a career as a brand marketing guru in the world of athletic footwear.  What fun and amazing travels, events, experiences and people.  But that’s for another blog.  Seven years I spent at adidas, then moved on to Nike for another three.  At age 32, ten years of blood, sweat and tears all in the name of sneakers was enough for me.  Culinary school was calling.  So was my new family.  I had just become engaged to a single father of three.  Three teenagers that is(!!!)  Left my sassy condo in Uptown Portland, moved to Vancouver, Washington and donned a few new hats.  I graduated from the Portland location of Le Cordon Bleu in the spring of 2008 and in the fall opened The Good Plate, preparing and delivering healthy, homecooked meals to busy people all over the Portland area.  The Good Plate was loved by many, and as word spread I was feeding all kinds of people, but noticeably more and more who were recovering either from illness, surgery or a traumatic life event, like loss of a loved one.  They were looking to me for nourishment through these difficult life events.  WOW.  Inspiring to say the least.  I’ve always been a believer in the healing power of food, which further inspired me to evolve my offering to the world by becoming a holistic health coach.  Which leads me to today.  My amazing husband Scot and I moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire in January.  You’ll hear more about the hubs later I’m sure.  Though he’s the pickiest eater I’ve ever known and cooked for, life is certainly never dull.  Scot jumped ship from his 15-year stint as a footwear designer at Nike to take on the challenging role of US manufactured footwear at New Balance.  The move has been a most awesome, fun and growing experience, except for the small detail that all three kids and now a grandbaby are still on the west coast.  They are young adults now making their own way in life, but separation is still tough.  That aside, the Seacoast area of New England and its people rock.  I received my degree in holistic health this spring, and I’m aflame with excitement as I get my new business – Chef Teri up and running!

When I’m not writing, cooking or talking about food you might find me enjoying a glass of wine with the hubs, hanging out with my two dogs Billie and Finny, exploring the Seacoast and it’s fine people, running, sailing (or dreaming about sailing, since we left our boat on the west coast…boo) or doing yoga.

Expect tips, inspiration, recipes, stories of life, love, cooking, friendship, entrepreneurship, parenting teens, and lots of yummy meal ideas.  Follow me and I’ll help you discover your greatest self through the healing power of food.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.  What about you?  What’s your story?  Do share!

Until next time, love and cheers.

Chef Teri