About

Hi, I’m Sharon!
I’m a certified nutritional therapist, vegan food blogger and author of family-friendly vegan cookbook ‘Bit of the Good Stuff’. Originally from Essex, I now live in beautiful Bath with my husband Mark.

I am passionate about good food! I love preparing food that not only tastes delicious, but also makes us healthy and happy. I haven’t always been into healthy living though! It was the birth of Lucien that sparked my interest in food and nutrition. It dawned on me that I was now responsible for the well-being of another person, and this seemed such a big responsibility! Of course, like any mother, I wanted to make sure that I gave him the best start in life. I wanted to prepare food that was going to nourish him and keep him healthy. I also realised that Mark and I needed to take care of our own health so that we would be able to look after him.

Delving into science and nutrition journals, I read time and again of the health benefits of a whole-food plant-based diet which focuses on eating highly nutritious foods namely vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds. These are the foods that supply the body with the nutrients it needs for good health including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibre, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and plant proteins. In particular, it appears to significantly reduce the risk of diseases that have become prevalent in the West, including heart disease, cancers, autoimmune diseases, type II diabetes and obesity. 

The advice from health professionals is that a plant-based diet is not only safe for children, but it provides the best nutritional protection against disease, both in childhood and into adulthood. 

“Vegetables, grains, fruits, legumes, and nuts are the optimal foods for children. Rich in complex carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, they form the foundation for dietary habits that support a lifetime of health.” 
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine 

While we had been gradually cutting down on animal products (I’d been vegetarian since the age of 12 and quit dairy in my mid-20s; Lucien had been vegetarian since birth), in January 2011 we made the decision to go 100% plant-based as a family. I started this blog as a way to record our journey into the world of plant-based cooking and to share recipes that we loved (and, most importantly, Lucien loved!) It wasn’t long after that we made the transition to full vegan. As well as for health reasons, we also made this choice on the grounds of compassion for animals and the environment.

Personally, I’ve been amazed at the extent to which my own health and well-being has improved since I made the transition to a plant-based lifestyle. My energy levels have noticeably increased and illness has been a rarity. Prior to going plant-based, I had regular bouts of sinusitis that required antibiotics. Since making the transition, I’ve had no sinusitis nor needed any medication. Within days of quitting dairy, my skin became clear, I stopped having breakouts of eczema and the stomach cramps, bloating and aching joints that I’d endured for years completely disappeared. I felt like a new woman! Within six months of going plant-based, I lost 10 pounds (4.5 kilos). Since then, my weight has remained constant but my body shape has changed. I’m still doing the same amount of exercise, but I’m noticeably leaner.

Now in my early 50s, I feel healthier, fitter and stronger than I was in my 20s. I never imagined that I would feel this good at the age I am now…. It just goes to show that no matter what age you transition to a healthy lifestyle, you will reap the benefits.

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