1. How has eating healthy meals changed your life?

When I eat healthy whole foods that are nutrient dense, I feel and look my best. I suffered from IBS and migraines previously but after changing my nutrition and lifestyle, I don't really suffer from these problems at all anymore and have increased my energy two-fold!

2. As a nutritionist, what specific methods do you use to design recipes?

I try to create recipes that have a good combination of healthy complex carbohydrates and lean protein. I love playing with seasonal produce and using what is fresh at the market to inspire new meals.

3. How important is eating on time for good health and living?

I don't really believe that eating at certain times of the day plays a direct result in good health. It's obviously important to have a pattern and some sort of schedule, but when it comes down to it, it's all about calories in versus calories out - not when you eat the said calories.

4.  Do you think a vegetarian diet would completely replace the benefits of animal protein containing meals?

I do. If you include complete protein in your diet, you should be fine.

5. What type of exercise plan do you follow?

I practice yoga and cycle three or four days a week. I try to walk everywhere and sometimes will go out for a short run.

6. When you eat out, how do you select the most nutritious dishes?

When I eat out, I like to splurge so I don't always look for the most nutritious dishes. However, if I were to, I would look for dishes that are vegetarian and don't contain rich butter sauces or heavy dairy.

7. What's the 'Echelon Grand Fondo?'

The 'Echelon Gran Fondo' is a cycling event benefiting cancer research. The first annual is here in Napa Valley.