This was me 3 1/2 years ago. A new mom, new life, unhealthy and totally lost.

Before pregnancy, my life consisted of long work hours, strenuous gym classes (that had me slimmer and more fit), juice cleanses, happy hours in the city and teeny tiny blue dresses! Then I met Joe, fell in love and life took us on an unexpected roller coaster of adventures and new beginnings.

One of those new beginnings? A baby! Nine months + 80lbs later, Carolina was born. We uprooted our life from Manhattan to Brooklyn to begin our new chapter as a family of three. Joe was quickly back at work, leaving me alone with a newborn and no manual. I was overwhelmed and scared.  I spent most days alone with Caro, fighting the baby blues while trying to get my life back to “normal”. I was trying to make sense of my emotions and I did that by overeating. I was picking up unhealthy eating habits that weren’t making me feel better.

I realized I had two choices- dwell on being overweight and unhappy or make a lifestyle change. I chose happiness – and that meant changing my lifestyle, beginning with my eating habits. I knew that this kind of change and behavior started with me, and if I wanted to set an example for my daughter and my family I had to change.

Inspired by healthy food blogs, cookbooks, and cooking class, I changed my diet, began to exercise again and the weight started to come off. Shortly after I started the blog as an outlet. I also picked up some self-help books and learned to use meditation to calm my anxiety. I gradually made small changes to my life that I knew would work for me. Everyone’s journey is different; but, it always begins with baby steps.

Fast forward to my NEW normal, which is still a work in progress. Joe, Caro, the blog, and FLIPBOX make up this new chapter of my life and my heart is full. I went from not setting foot in the kitchen to cooking and sharing healthy meals that are both delicious and time-efficient for busy families like us.

I also developed a kid-friendly dessert kit, FLIPBOX, that encourages families to come together and bake something yummy, fun, and healthy.

I’m not a doctor or a nutritionist; I’m a mom on a mission to make healthy eating easier and fun for families! 

I’ll be honest, it was not easy for me to share these photos, but I did it because I want other mamas to know they are not alone. Look around you- there are mamas right next to you fighting that good fight, and trying to be the best version of themselves. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes. Life changes, but with change come different opportunities to be better and to be wiser! One thing I’ve learned so far on this crazy journey of growth and self-discovery is to follow your passion. When you do what you love, doors will open organically and your soul will be fed.  Live in gratitude. Take a minute to say ‘thank you’ to that higher power and spread gratitude to others. Lastly, pay it forward. Help others along the way.

Oh, and that teeny tiny blue dress? I finally took it out of my closet and donated it. It’s a size 2 which isn’t my size. I’m a HEALTHY and HAPPY size 8 and I am Loving it. Here’s to loving who we are at every stage in life and living our truth!

Karla