Breathe & Eat Chocolate, Mental Health, Science & Food Forum is a creative space where I can share some helpful quotes from scholarly resources, summarize new important research backed by science. Most of the topics here on Breathe & Eat Chocolate is related to mental health, self-care or to lighten things up a bit, I will share some personal healthy recipes related to food and family.

 

The Food part (Eat Chocolate) of the story, over a decade ago, I spent many years in the culinary arts sector, and after years of hard work, earned the title, Sous Chef. But the road to this position was filled with ebbs and flows, some excitement + disappointment. This story began when I had decided to transition from the professional sports media field to the culinary field. For me to take this big step into another world, I was fortunate enough to enroll in one of the best culinary programs in the world, the Le Cordon Bleu culinary arts program (Orlando) and graduated from the program with honors.

 

After taking on many roles for several years and working under the tutelage of a James Beard nominated Chef here in Florida. But things didn't evolve as expected. There was something else I needed to be present for. As author David Chernikoff highlighted in his new book, Life, Part Two, he shares how a Buddhist teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh says, "The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive." 

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The Mental Health part (Breathe) of the story, the next chapter in my story, earning another degree. This time, a Bachelor in Science with a degree in Human Services, also called the helping field, with a heavy focus on Mental Health. I earned this most recent degree making the President's List at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Eight full years of college and four different degrees complete. The most recent degree I had completed, I had read and researched hundreds of primary sources, scholarly articles, on mental health. I also took a short-term position with the largest mental health organization in the world and aligned what I learned and assisted others with their mental challenges in real-time at a Crisis Line.  Sometimes, being "deeply in the present moment" and helping others via your actions and your time, can make a huge impact on others. Working at a mental health crisis line, I listened to others with great care who were battling a serious mental health issues. Many times, just listening, having empathy, probing and asking questions, and using various strategies such as a Solution-focused therapy model was helpful. In many cases, a professional Therapist was needed and I encouraged them on how to find one in their community so this could lead to a positive outcome. 

 

After this journey was complete, it was time to start my own creative space, use all my professional experience + education and celebrate the beauty and healing powers of both Mental Health and modern Science. It is called, Breathe & Eat Chocolate, Mental Health, Science & Food Forum. 

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My hope is my creative ability with sharing tangible resources in written articles paired with modern and classic principles or strategies, elevates individuals who are struggling with some tangible hope, wisdom and a written path forward towards a positive outcome.