Hi! I’m Shannon.
Thanks for stopping by, and for clicking here to learn more about me.
Where do I start? I’m a mid 30s (yikes!?!) foodie, who is the recipe creator and photographer for the recipes you find here on my blog, Plate of Sunshine. My husband originally nudged me to create a food blog a few years ago, back when we first met. Perhaps it was my cooking which made him fall in love with me? — perhaps it was my cooking which happened to add a few okay, maybe more than a few unwanted pounds to our waist lines.
Fast forward 4 years. I have my blog up and running! We have two lovely children who keep us on our toes at all times. And those unwanted pounds — still need to go.
Since we live in Ontario, Canada, I’m fortunate to be enjoying my one year maternity leave from work. (Sorry to rub this in to our friends South of the Border) During this time, I’ve immersed myself in books like:
- The China Study: by T. Colin Campbell
- The Food Revolution by John Robbins
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition by Julieanna Hever
…and that was just the beginning.
There were movies that we watched from Netflix. My favorite being Forks over Knives. If you don’t have Netflix, here is the link to amazon: Forks Over Knives
Maybe this is your first time being exposed to the term “Plant Based.” It’s simple really. Plant Based is really what it sounds like: Eating lots of veggies, fruits, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds — while eliminating all dairy, and meat along with processed foods and added oils. See? Told you it was simple.
The Huffington Post features an excellent quick read on the “Top 5 Reasons to Eat a Plant-Based Lifestyle.” They sum it up into the following 5 points:
- It’s good for your health
- It’s easy to lose weight.
- It’s good for the environment.
- It saves you money.
- You’re not supporting animal cruelty.
…Sounds great to me! I can become healthier, lose weight, help the environment and animals, AND save money? Sign me up!
I’ll end this “lecture” on plant based 101 and try to focus on the subject – ME! (I can’t help getting off subject, did I mention I’m a high school teacher?)
But Why Blog?
I’ve decided to begin food blogging for a few different reasons.
1. I love to cook — Hello? Foodie here. My family doctor told me once, just because I like to cook, doesn’t mean I have to stop cooking to lose weight. I just have to cook healthier foods. Maybe it was just hearing that out loud, that finally made that common sense fact, sink in.
2. Blogging helps me keep track of my own recipes, and share them with others. And again — Even if you aren’t interested or ready to make the full move to becoming plant based, why not add some more whole grains and veggies to your meal plan? Try it, I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised. 🙂
3. Lastly, there are some amazing Plant Based and Vegan Blogs out there, and I want to be one of them. But unlike the majority of the blog creators I follow, I’ve really struggled with following this plan 100%. I know I have food weaknesses, and addictions, and while we’re on that note — certainly a weight problem. But, I’m hoping that having my blog, and having readers like you, will encourage me to “keep on the path” and follow what my heart truly feels is best for my body and health.
Thanks for reading, Comments are always welcome.
Shannon
Photo from the Summer of 2014:
