1. During your time in university, how damaging were your bad eating habits to your life?

In university my eating habits were very damaging. I used to restrict my caloric intake to a level that was not safe for my body. After several days of feeling deprived I would binge on junk food like Kit Kats and ice cream from the cafeteria. I gained about 25 pounds during my first year of university.

2. How did you stop your obsession with food and weight gain?

For so many years food was the enemy and I knew that to get on a healthier path, I would have to learn to work with my body and not against it. With the help of a counselor, I was able to rid my obsession with calories and to give my body healthy foods in the amount that it needed. I focused on nutrition instead of calories. During this time I was able to stop binging on junk food because I no longer felt the need to. I also developed a healthier approach to exercise by focusing on the health benefits rather than the calories burned.

3. Why did you create Oh She Glows ?

I created Oh She Glows to help other women feel good about themselves, improve their self-esteem, and to rid themselves of the obsession with weight and calories. I was coming out of disordered eating that lasted for over 10 years of my life and I thought that I could save women a lot of strife if I showed them how I got healthy.

4. How have vegan cooking recipes helped you to lose weight initially and maintain your present weight?

I went vegan in 2009 for various reasons that had nothing to do with losing weight. By this point I had already lost the weight I gained in university. My decision to go vegan was a gradual transition that happened over the course of a few years as I learned more about nutrition. I think that it is a myth that going vegan will instantly result in weight loss. I actually have not lost any weight since going vegan. I think because my eating habits were already fairly healthy beforehand, it really didn't make a huge difference, calorie-wise anyways. What I did notice since giving up animal products is a decrease in breakouts, headaches, and stomach issues (all of which I struggled with for years). I also noticed whiter scleras, more energy, and brighter skin.

5. What are your daily sweet indulgences?

My daily sweet indulgences are banana soft serve with cacao nibs (frozen banana whipped in a food processor) and Glo Bars  - which are my vegan, organic line of granola bars from my bakery, Glo.
With any diet, moderation is always key.

6. What is the Green Monster Movement?

My healthy living website, Oh She Glows , is where I first started writing about my first shot at making a "green smoothie," that I called "Green Monster." Let's just say my first attempts did not turn out that great! I blend together kale or spinach, milk (almond or soy), fruit, seeds, and powders, and come up with some amazing Green Monster drinks! I have noticed a huge increase in my energy, along with a decrease in cravings for sweets. My skin has also become clearer and my hair and nails started growing like weeds. Green Monster Movement is a place where Green Monster fans can unite, get inspired, and try out new recipes.

7. What types of exercises do you do during your workouts?

Right now I am training for my third half-marathon in May 2010. I run about four times a week. I also supplement my training with bi-weekly strength workouts from Booty Camp Fitness. My training plan can be found on my website on my Run page.