My name’s Avery Collins, I’m 34 years old, and I live in Portland, Oregon, where the rain smells like rosemary and the markets are bursting with fresh greens almost year-round. My journey into healthy cooking didn’t begin in a kitchen—it started in a doctor’s office. In my mid-twenties, I was juggling long workdays, takeout dinners, and stress that never seemed to leave. One day, my body told me it had had enough. That was my wake-up call.
I began cooking not out of passion, but out of necessity. I wanted to feel good again. My first experiments were clumsy—overcooked quinoa, flavorless tofu, smoothies that tasted more like lawn clippings than breakfast—but something about the process made me feel grounded. I started reading about nutrition, watching cooking shows, and spending my weekends at the farmer’s market, talking to growers about seasonal produce.
Over time, cooking transformed from a chore into a creative ritual. I found joy in the sizzle of olive oil, the scent of fresh herbs, the satisfaction of turning a few humble ingredients into something colorful, nourishing, and alive. These days, I focus on whole foods, plant-forward meals, and recipes that make healthy eating feel joyful instead of restrictive. I’m a firm believer that balance beats perfection—yes, I’ll drizzle a bit of honey on roasted carrots or sneak dark chocolate into breakfast oats without a shred of guilt.
When I teach or share recipes, my goal isn’t just to help people eat better—it’s to help them reconnect with food. Healthy cooking, to me, isn’t about counting calories or chasing trends; it’s about caring for yourself with every bite. If you can smell fresh basil and smile, you’re already halfway there.
So, welcome to my kitchen. It’s a little messy, often loud, and always full of laughter. Together, we’ll make food that feeds both body and soul.