I’ve lived in Virginia all of my life, and there is nowhere else I’d rather be.  I grew up in Lexington, majored in economics at William and Mary, and then moved to Richmond. 

My career brought me the privilege of working in clients services in both the investments and automotive industries. Then after ten years as a family caregiver and community volunteer, while earning an advanced certificate in Culinary and Food Services Management from University of Richmond, I quietly launched Plentiful Foods in the summer of 2016. 

I’m named after my grandmother, who was an inspiring role model and mentor to me.  As a child, I loved setting the table for Grandma, as inviting aromas of her homemade dinners filled her home and spread all the way out through the screen door onto her front porch, where she welcomed in her family and friends.  I marveled at how a lovingly full table of good food drew in people to savor memorably special times together.

Growing up, our family experienced a number of health challenges including juvenile diabetes and asthma. My mother explored ways to support our health by eliminating sugar and processed foods, while adding fresh vegetables and juices, ancient grains and legumes as part of a balanced diet.

In college, I began a love-hate relationship with food and with my weight.  As anorexia and bulimia threatened to consume my life, I lost years obsessively counting every calorie consumed and burned; tallying every protein, fat and carbohydrate gram; and subsisting on highly processed diet “food-like substances” that left me starving for more.

Thankfully, there was a major turning point in my early thirties (It’s kind of a wild story.  Let me know if you’d like to hear it sometime!), when I became determined to learn a healthy and sustainable way of living.  It was like my eyes were suddenly opened to the astounding bounty of fabulous foods that God created to nourish our bodies, and to nurture our relationships—so that we can share the fullness of life together.

My lifetime of experiences with food, and the power that it has to bless and to bring people together, have stirred up a particular calling within me:  to provide you and your busy families with remarkably good food for sharing life together around your own tables--on ordinary weeknights as well as for gatherings on special occasions.

Fun Fact: I met and married my wonderful husband, Craig 21 years ago.  It was worth waiting half of my life for the right person!  While we have missed having our own children, we are blessed with amazing godchildren and many close friends who generously share their families and their lives with us.