We are absolutely thrilled about this new “Get to Know” series. From this Tuesday on (for the next year, and maybe beyond), we’re going to introduce you to a creator in the wellness space that we think you NEED to know. The creators we will feature are of various backgrounds. Whether they’re an online content creator, coach, or owner of a product-based brand, each person has their own niche in the wellness world AND contributes to the space, as a whole, in a really meaningful way. We’re setting this up Q&A-style so that you can learn more about each creator’s why, the content that they’re most proud of, and exactly how you can be a part of and contribute to their journey. We hope you enjoy our conversations with these wonderful people and brands. We know they’re going to enrich your lives!
This week, we’re interviewing Nicole Charles of Heal Me Delicious. Heal Me Delicious is a food and lifestyle brand dedicated to sharing wellness tips for those following the paleo autoimmune protocol and seeking to live their best lives while navigating chronic illness. Nicole is incredibly kind and talented, and we loved getting to know her through this Q&A. Enjoy!
Why did you start your business?
Nicole: Some of the things I’m most passionate about in life are food, authenticity, holistic healing, social justice, equity, and care. As a Professor of Women and Gender Studies, I merge many of these interests through my research and teaching on gender, race, and health. As a yoga teacher and reiki practitioner, I share my love of somatic healing with my community. I created Heal Me Delicious as a place to bring all these passions together and to empower and support others through my own mind-body-soul autoimmune healing journey with Graves’ disease. My audience consists primarily of women with autoimmune diseases who are in search of lifestyle and mindset changes as well as healthy, anti-inflammatory, and nutrient-dense recipes to support them as they navigate chronic illness. Inspired by the eclectic flavors and ingredients of the Caribbean where I grew up, all my recipes are paleo and autoimmune paleo protocol (AIP) compliant so that means completely free of grains, dairy, eggs, legumes, refined sugars, nightshades and nuts, and seeds. My hope is that my blog and growing business will help others feel empowered to reclaim their versions of optimal wellness.
What’s your mission/purpose statement?
Nicole: To inspire and empower autoimmune warriors on their journeys to living their most authentic, healthful, and delicious lives.
What 2 (or 3!) pieces of content are you the proudest of?
Nicole: The recipe I’m most proud of is my paleo/AIP Sourdough Bread. After watching so many folks post pictures online of sourdough bread earlier this year when the world went into COVD-19 lockdown, I was inspired to create something equally as delicious for people following the autoimmune paleo protocol. Yes, I’d made AIP compliant Irish soda bread and flatbread (both delicious in their own right), but nothing like the real deal – warm, soft sourdough bread with a great depth of flavour and an amazing crust. After many, many an attempt I developed a recipe that I absolutely love to eat. It warms my heart to read the many messages of gratitude I receive from people who’ve found this recipe and are just thrilled at the prospect of eating bread again! I also created an accompanying AIP Sourdough Baking Guide to help others succeed on their sourdough adventures.
Another of my favorites is my Peach Thyme Galette recipe. It’s one of those recipes that you’d struggle to tell is actually gluten-free and it’s just a deliciously beautiful summer treat.
Finally, I absolutely love creating recipes that use the ingredients from my childhood in the Caribbean. I was thrilled to see how excited people were about my recently published recipe for paleo and grain-free AIP Beef Patties that are made with plantain and green banana and stuffed with a savory beef filling.
Where are you going next? What’s your goal for the next year?
Nicole: A cookbook is something I’ve had dreams of creating for as long as I can remember! Readers have been asking me a lot lately if this is in the cards and I’m saying, yes! Let’s do this!
How can we (and the Fed and Fit community) best support you?
Nicole: Thanks for asking this question! Here are three concrete ways the Fed and Fit community can support me and my business:
- Follow me and engage with my content on Instagram (@healmedelicious).
- Sign up for my monthly newsletter.
- Try and review recipes on the blog.
