I’ve been dropping hints here and there on Instagram in the past few weeks (lots of celebrating lately), but I’m officially sharing the news with you today about my move from Charleston to Chicago – to complete my goal of becoming a registered dietitian.

Print purchased at Rifle Paper Co. 

I’m incredibly humbled and excited for the opportunity to officially complete a dietetic internship while working on my Master’s degree in business administration and marketing. It’s a double whammy! In elementary school,  we would have “career days” where professionals would come in to talk about a day in their life. Even at a young age, I’ve always admired the passion each person had for their work – I wanted to feel the same myself. And as cheesy as it sounds, I get a serious case of the butterflies in my stomach when I talk about anything nutrition and food related. From food trends to pediatric nutrition, and from chia seeds to every little vitamin fact in between – all of it!

Like, the other day I had this awesome forty minute conversation with a lady at Whole Foods about the different types of spices we keep in our cabinets for our love of roasting (and eating) vegetables, and from there, we talked about our similar food philosophies – the idea that ingredients and quality of ingredients are so much more important than calories. We shared a mutual bond for sourcing local, wholesome, from the earth ingredients. A love for lacinato kale and ice cream made with real, local cream (hay Jeni’s.) These are the moments I value so much – sharing with others the beauty in nourishing the body. But also, here are a few other things I noticed –

1. My spice rack is out of control. How did I end up with 5 containers of pumpkin pie spice?
2. I’m so glad at least one person (Thanks so much for listening again, Jen!) actually likes to hear me ramble endlessly about how much I like goji berries and turmeric. I think I can seamlessly weave food and nutrition into everyday chit-chat, mostly because it’s what pre-occupies my mind, similar to how you guys are pre-occupied with sweet potatoes and avocados (let’s high five our orange tinted, smooth hands)
3. I could talk for another 25 hours straight because everything in this field gives me so much energy I think I could take that energy and run all the way to Seattle right now. (marathon talk, cause that’s what’s also on my mind lately)
4. Passion is what motivates me. From seeing someone else work theirs or living mine – it radiates. 

I wanted to sincerely thank each and every one of you for the continued support, daily affirmations, and  the kind words you give me. You inspire me to keep falling in love with what I do. Nutrition Happens is growing and working on a few projects to be released in the summer – I’m excited to share with you all the new content! 

Fun fact: I originally thought I wanted to be dentist. I spent about three summers working for my dentist’s office. I still am OCD about clean teeth! 

The gap year I took between undergrad and this coming grad school year was exactly what I needed to grow my creative outlets – and there’s no better place than Charleston to spend it. The south and this beautiful city will always be my home. Charleston showed me the beauty in finding inspiration in every corner. (Literally. Like, have you seen the architecture down here? I can make the same walk everyday and each experience is unique.) Every weekend was a staycation.

The crazy talented people I’ve met in the past year alone is enough to make my heart praise all things good here. The foodie culture helped me establish a much stronger approach to food, and for that I’m thankful. I’m working on series of my Charleston eats to share in the weeks to come – look for that soon!

I’ll definitely miss home (and the warmth! #goodbye60degreewinter), but I’m also ready for new adventures. Even though I’m a total complainer when it comes to the cold, (I see this as a window of opportunity to nourish my growing quilted vest collection and buy more winter gear….hello, new BARBOUR layers)  my mind has always been an adventurous one. Getting to experience one of the most culture rich places in the country is a fantastic way to learn and grow. 

I’m also excited to be spending the second half of marathon training in Chicago! It’s a city of famous runners and food that might be too good to be true. I see you there, Ralph Lauren Restaurant. 

And for those of you already in Chicago……a new veggie lovin’ foodie is coming to town (est. August 2015). Come at me with your best recommendations! (bonus points if you can recommend a coffee shop that also serves kick-ass kale and cold pressed juices that rivals #thedailycharleston.) 

Have you visited Chicago before?