Meet Trailblazer Holly Clayton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Clayton.

Holly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Mind Body & Soul Food started really organically. After having my son in 2014, I wanted to make it a point to no longer feed him processed foods & took matters into my own hands by preparing/producing foods with great nutritional value! Of course, as parents that are on the go, it is so easy to stop at McDonald’s and grab a happy meal because what kid does not like nuggets and fries?! However, that was a cycle that I wanted to break. I no longer wanted to feed him foods that had no substance to it. I had to show him the importance of growing your own foods.

We started with potted plants and then eventually started a garden in the backyard. We would grow anything from herbs to vegetables. It was truly pivotal that I showed my son that fruits and vegetables do not just come from the grocery store, in fact, we can actually cultivate them with just a little TLC!

I remember harvest season coming around and we literally had so much produced to work with! I then found creative ways to utilize the organic produce from our garden making anything from soups to berry açai bowls, berry pancakes, juice, kale Caesar salads and so much more! Cooking over time has become a form of therapy for me.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A smooth ride? – It still is a learning experience each day, I face different challenges, however, it is really up to me to stay inspired. Keeping myself surrounded by like-minded individuals I found to be tremendously helpful. Continuously stepping out of my comfort zone is another way I found myself to stay motivated. It is so easy to get uninspired but that is literally where the MIND & BODY portion comes into play. You can’t move forward in life if you’re not mentally aligned!

At the age of 16, I lost both my mother & grandfather (these 2 were my biggest influencers. My grandfather was the ” head chef” of the family! He was originally from Louisiana so he incorporated a lot of cajan dishes into dinners. From Gumbo to cajan seafood. He instilled that passion of cooking into me. Which I am now able to share with the world in a different light!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Mind Body & Soul Food – what should we know?
Mind Body and Soul Food creates dishes that speak to your soul! I have noticed the bad association tied with healthy foods. People have this stipulation that it is too expensive” or “I find healthy foods bland” & even “I just don’t have the time to cook.” However, mind-body & soul food is putting an end to that stigma! I am giving people the foundation to make quick, easy and might I add healthy meals. I post recipes and videos on my Instagram (Mind Body x Soul Food) where I show people things like how they can detox and different ways they can consume protein, alkaline and so much more.

I take pride in showing people the various options there are for FLAVORS! There’s so much more to life than adobo and seasoning salt. That is in fact what sets me apart from others; my ability to create dishes that will make your taste buds dance! The next time you’re creating a dish try picking up some fresh thyme, leek, cinnamon sticks or even dates & incorporate them into your dish somehow. You’ll truly be surprised by the number of flavors these herbs release and how well they compliment each other!

Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
Evolution of a revolutionary, The Fire The next time, Eat Clean Beautiful.

Contact Info:

• Email: mindbodyxsoulfood@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindbodyxsoulfood

Image Credit:
Holly Ann Freedom

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