I’m super excited that my sister Melissa has agreed to come on board DanielleHirsch.com and blog with me.  What can I say about my lil‘ sis?  She is the most dedicated, beautiful woman I know. Melissa’s beauty truly shines from within and touches everyone she comes into contact with.  She is kind, giving and smart; freaking smart.  She has more degrees then anyone I know; RN, masters in business, and probably a few I don’t know about.  We have always been partners in crime as kids.  Basically, I would do something unruly and she would cover it up so my parents wouldn’t find out. What are little sisters for, right? She has always had my back and I have always had hers. I consider this a great gift and a sense of completion that she is my partner on this journey of well-being. I am so excited to share her with you. Please welcome my  sister, Melissa, to DanielleHirsch.com

ABOUT MELISSA

I have been an ER nurse for 14 years.  As a nurse my main goal was to heal, promote health and well-being.  I did an excellent job when it came to my patients but, when it came to me I was a big disaster.  I blamed my poor eating habits on my job, I worked long, busy and stressful 12-hour shifts.  I never had breaks and there was never anyone to cover you for lunch.  I basically ate on the run and ate anything I could get my hands on.  I wasn’t a large girl; after all I was on the run and on my feet for 12 hours 3 times a week.  However, I wasn’t a healthy girl. I never really realized what eating all this unhealthy, processed food did to my body, energy and overall well being, until my sister introduced me to a whole new way of eating.

Danielle has always been the healthy one in the family.  She loved to work out and I hated it.  She loved to try different interesting foods and I liked my comfort carbs.  The one thing we always had in common is our love to cook, experiment, and create in the kitchen.  One day my sister decided to go on a raw journey, eating all raw foods.  I was interested in what she was eating and loved the way she described how she felt and I especially loved how she looked.  I told her I did not think I could commit to a lifestyle of eating all raw, I am going to be honest was not a huge vegetable fan.  Danielle suggested I take it slowly and to check out a book, Get Naked, written by Diana Stobo. The day I read that book was the day my life changed forever.

After a week I felt amazing, I was so excited about the changes I saw in my body and the energy I had. I actually started to work out and loved it.  I was sleeping 6 hours a night and waking up feeling refreshed and energized.  Work became less stressful and I realized with a little preparation, I could eat healthy at work. I started researching other raw books and alternative ways of eating.  I completely changed my eating habits and my way of living.  My sister was there for me every step of the way coaching and guiding me through this journey.  I started experimenting with recipes in the kitchen and quickly became passionate about making foods that are good for you and don’t make you feel deprived.  A year later, I am still excited to try and create new recipes and share them with my sister.  We discuss recipes that don’t taste quite right and she suggests substitutions or ideas.  We make a great team. Danielle and I have a goal of making eating healthy and living healthy an easy journey.  We want to heal mind, body and soul.

I am so looking forward to taking on this journey with my sister, blogging recipes and information we learn along the way.  Weather you are an omnivore, vegetarian, vegan or gluten free you will find great recipes and information that will be beneficial to your health and well-being.