My (Unnecessary) Solo Journey
My mental health journey started when I was in high school. As an excellent student, yet introverted teen, it was normal to experience days when I did not want to get out of bed. There were even more days when I was not interested in activities other kids enjoyed such as theatre, sports, or student government. Although I was a friendly kid, making friends and socializing was not something which came natural to me. While other kids attended football games, homecoming and other team events, more times than not I would find myself at home, alone, disinterested in everyday happenings and doing whatever was necessary to make it through the day. You see, I was experiencing depression and anxiety, although I was not aware of it at the time. For me, I knew something was wrong, but I could not put my finger on it, I did not know WHY I was feeling the way I felt. During my depressive episode, I would typically experience low or depressed mood and/or loss of interest in most activities, tiredness, changes in appetite, feelings of worthlessness and recurrent suicidal thoughts. I felt hopeless and no matter what I did, or how I much I forced myself to participate in life, I could not move my cemented feet forward. As I become an adult and my interests changed, I thought my new-found activities and career would help me forget my mentally challenging past. But no. There it was, depression and anxiety looming, waiting to pounce and often showed up unexpectantly. And now? Well, the depressive episodes come and go, but I do not experience them as I once did. What has changed is my ability to cope with what is happening in my brain. Through CBT, cognitive behavior therapy and other wellness modalities such as meditation, breathing, movement, and relaxation, I have learned to be fully accepting of what is and to be fully present in what I am experiencing, no matter how it shows up. The tools I now have are invaluable and they provide me a sense of calm and relief.
Unbelievably, talking to my friends and family members has been therapeutic. There are people in my life who have fully supported me and who have listened to me. More importantly, there was professional support available when I needed it and self-help resources at my disposal. Although I felt isolated and alone, I did not have to be. I never have walk this road alone. Is there stigma surrounding the topic of mental health? Of course. My goal is to help move the needle so we can begin the discussion without the attachment of embarrassment of shame.
That brings me to the kitchen.
I have been a culinary professional for the better part of 30 years. Working with my hands in the kitchen has been my greatest joy and my saving grace. For the record, I am a tactile and sensory person. It is essential that I fully immerse myself in the tastes and textures of food when preparing dishes to pass my creative energy through the food to my customers. I want them to feel the love when they eat food prepared by my hands. Not only that, but cooking provides me sense of peace and purpose. I become still in my thoughts, and I know that the God of my understanding is working in and through me.
Last year, I produced the idea of creating a DIY pie mix version of my famous Vegan Sweet Potato Pie, which is one of my best sellers, only second to my Vegan Crab-less Cakes. Although we are not currently shipping the prepared pies outside of Illinois, I wanted to offer others the opportunity to recreate the sweet potato pie in their kitchens. After perfecting the mix, I thought how it would be an even better idea to connect the DIY sweet potato pie to my story and my work as a mental health advocate. So, "A Kinder Slice" was born.
How You Can Help
By purchasing the Vegan Sweet Potato Pie Mix online, you are supporting programs which currently raises mental health awareness, offer free or sliding-scale professional mental health services, and offer creative arts programs. You can also support by purchasing products at our live events, through product donations, hosting an event, volunteering, or other areas of need. Email Me if you have ideas on how you would like to help.
Btw...if you would like pie-making support, I have created a tutorial to assist.
Thank you for your generous support and I look forward to seeing you down the road.
With Joy,
Regina
Unbelievably, talking to my friends and family members has been therapeutic. There are people in my life who have fully supported me and who have listened to me. More importantly, there was professional support available when I needed it and self-help resources at my disposal. Although I felt isolated and alone, I did not have to be. I never have walk this road alone. Is there stigma surrounding the topic of mental health? Of course. My goal is to help move the needle so we can begin the discussion without the attachment of embarrassment of shame.
That brings me to the kitchen.
I have been a culinary professional for the better part of 30 years. Working with my hands in the kitchen has been my greatest joy and my saving grace. For the record, I am a tactile and sensory person. It is essential that I fully immerse myself in the tastes and textures of food when preparing dishes to pass my creative energy through the food to my customers. I want them to feel the love when they eat food prepared by my hands. Not only that, but cooking provides me sense of peace and purpose. I become still in my thoughts, and I know that the God of my understanding is working in and through me.
Last year, I produced the idea of creating a DIY pie mix version of my famous Vegan Sweet Potato Pie, which is one of my best sellers, only second to my Vegan Crab-less Cakes. Although we are not currently shipping the prepared pies outside of Illinois, I wanted to offer others the opportunity to recreate the sweet potato pie in their kitchens. After perfecting the mix, I thought how it would be an even better idea to connect the DIY sweet potato pie to my story and my work as a mental health advocate. So, "A Kinder Slice" was born.
How You Can Help
By purchasing the Vegan Sweet Potato Pie Mix online, you are supporting programs which currently raises mental health awareness, offer free or sliding-scale professional mental health services, and offer creative arts programs. You can also support by purchasing products at our live events, through product donations, hosting an event, volunteering, or other areas of need. Email Me if you have ideas on how you would like to help.
Btw...if you would like pie-making support, I have created a tutorial to assist.
Thank you for your generous support and I look forward to seeing you down the road.
With Joy,
Regina
Mental Health Crisis
If you or someone you know is facing a mental health crisis, please call SAMHSA's Mental Health Hotline (800) 662-HELP (4357) or visit SAMHSA website.
For mental health resources and services in your local area, click HERE to be directed to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
Just know, you are not alone.
If you or someone you know is facing a mental health crisis, please call SAMHSA's Mental Health Hotline (800) 662-HELP (4357) or visit SAMHSA website.
For mental health resources and services in your local area, click HERE to be directed to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
Just know, you are not alone.