Hi there, and welcome to my cozy little corner of the internet.
I’m Andrea — mama, wife, food lover, and forever student of holistic wellness and nutrition. I created Simply Salt & Soul as a sanctuary—a space to share the things that keep me grounded and help me feel my best. This is a place where simplicity meets intention; where wellness doesn’t have to be perfect, and taking care of yourself feels natural, doable, and real.
I chose the name Simply Salt & Soul because it captures the essence of a balanced life. Simply represents my belief that wellness shouldn’t be complicated. Salt is the “salt of the earth”—the essential, grounding elements like functional nutrition and the practical habits that build resilience. Soul is the heart behind it all—the laughter over a home-cooked meal, the joy of travel, and the emotional wellness that makes us feel truly alive.
My Journey: From Whispers to a Roar
My path hasn’t been a straight line. I started my career as an Early Childhood Educator, but as life shifted—bringing me two energetic boys and a busy home-baking business—I found myself facing an unexpected detour.
Somewhere between late-night baking sessions and the constant, beautiful cycle of caring for my growing family, my health started sending me signals. At first, they were whispers: tiredness and stress. But eventually, those whispers became a roar. I hit a breaking point that forced me to stop and truly listen to my body.
(You can read the full story of my battle with Trigeminal Neuralgia and how I found my way back to health [here — From Pain to Empowerment]).
A New Foundation of Care
That breaking point was a turning point. It transformed the way I showed up for myself, teaching me that true care starts from within. Once I began to honour my own needs, my relationship with food shifted, too—moving from a daily task to a powerful way to nourish my body and mind.
I didn’t just want to cook healthy meals; I wanted to understand the science of healing—how what we eat affects our energy, mood, and hormones. This shift wasn’t just life-changing for me; it was a gift for my family as well, allowing me to show up for them with a level of presence and vitality I thought I had lost.
This curiosity also brought me full circle to my roots. I found myself reaching for the strong, bitter herbal teas of Traditional Chinese Medicine that my mother brewed when I was a child—the ones I used to avoid! Suddenly, her wisdom made sense. I realized that wellness isn’t a single “fix”; it’s a beautiful puzzle of food, movement, sleep, and mindset.
Global Inspiration
My love for travel has always been one of my greatest teachers, long before my professional path in nutrition began. From the steaming ramen bowls of Tokyo and the vibrant street foods of Hong Kong to the bold, delicious flavours of Jamaica, I’ve always been captivated by how food brings people together. These adventures taught me that health isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” formula found in a textbook; it’s a rich, soulful experience influenced by culture, connection, and the flavours that ground us.\
Beyond the ingredients, travel taught me the importance of the ritual of eating—how the pace of a meal, the stories shared, and the local wisdom of the land all contribute to our vitality. Over the years, it has turned my view of nutrition into something global, seasonal, and deeply personal.
My Path Today
Since then, I have been on a dedicated journey of study. Having earned my initial certification in nutrition, I am currently studying to become a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Wellness Coach.
Through it all, the kitchen has remained my sanctuary. It’s the place where I carry on my mother’s traditions and create new memories with my boys, proving that you can find a world of wellness right at your own dinner table. If you’re a busy parent juggling picky eaters and an endless to-do list, I want you to know: you are not alone. Wellness doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it happens in the middle of the beautiful chaos of family life. Embrace the mess, find joy in those “floury fingerprint” moments!
I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s walk this journey together, one simple, intentional step at a time.
I write from both a Traditional Chinese Medicine and holistic nutrition perspective. The content here is for educational purposes only and is meant to offer a variety of tools to support your health journey. Always listen to your body and seek individual guidance when needed.