My name is Divina. I am passionate about the connection between humans + plants. I am in awe with how much the natural world supports wellness on all levels – physically, mentally, emotionally + spiritually.
My plant-based journey first started back in 2013 when I was taking care of my uncle who was recovering from a stroke due to type 2 diabetes. His doctor advised me to stop feeding him so much meat. I wondered why as I held the idea that meat was healthy. It turns out that his sugar, meat and dairy intake were the main things that needed to be monitored closely in order to keep his blood levels balanced. I was shocked to learn that food-related diseases are the number one cause of deaths. At that point, I committed to a mostly plant-based diet for health reasons. I felt a drastic improvement in my mental health, emotions and physical performance.
My reasonings then lead to environmentalism as it was brought to my awareness that animal factory farming was responsible for majority of the environmental turmoil that we are currently facing today. I’ve been dedicated to continually learn more about how to heal ourselves + our planet through permaculture, cooking, herbalism + spiritual plant medicines.
As much as I felt for the planet and my health, it was so hard for me to kick the temptations to stick to a completely plant-based diet.
It wasn’t until I watched the film Okja by director Bong Joon-ho in 2017. That film shook me to my core with compassion. The power of storytelling brought me to an emotional place where I was able to really learn & let everything that I believe in, set in so deep into my soul. As I sat there with tears rolling down my face, I made a commitment to not support animal factory farming to the best of my ability.
This journey doesn’t have to happen over night or be so strict. For me, this is a lifelong commitment and in order for it to be a sustainable lifestyle, I have to be gentle and promise to just try my best everyday. I listen to what feels right for me and my personal beliefs. I’ve grown such a deep love and respect for food that I began to share my plant-based cooking for intimate gatherings, retreats, micro-festivals + personal meal-prepping.
My hope is that The Plant Based Palette can be a resource and community to show that a more plant-based lifestyle can be easy, fun and tasteful.