Calli Overstreet--Contributor

My name is Calli. I am a food person. You could say I am a FoodNerd. You may not believe me, but I could probably talk about food all day long. Food is fun, it's culture, it's health, it's skill, it's exploration, it's sharing and serving, tasting, and learning. It's important to me.

I have a bachelor's degree in Nutrition Science with a minor in Communications from ASU. I work for a doctor, seeing those patients that need help with nutrition, weight loss, diabetes education, and food allergies. Group cooking classes, personal consulting, and chef assisting is what I do on the side occasionally. In my last year of college, I completed an internship with a professional chef, who is a naturopath. I developed, modified, and learned many recipes during that time. Shape Up US is an organization that created a continuing education course all about health and wellness and I was a writer and contributor for that project.

I am a dance teacher, since I was 16. I teach all ages and all styles. I have taught at many different studios around the valley, and still do. This fall I will be co-teaching a program called "Confidence Connection" at Premiere Performing Arts Academy. I am mostly teaching the students about nutrition and exercise and how they relate to self confidence and empowerment. It is a program designed to help youth gain life skill so they can take on the world with confidence.

On a personal note, I am married, no kids yet, love to laugh, be sarcastic, and have fun. I sing, dance, play the guitar, and cook. I love going to the superstition market and overflowing my fridge with fresh produce for $10. I love debunking that healthy eating is expensive.

My philosophy is what I like to call  90/10. 90% of the time we should eat whole, non-processed food, Ex: veggies, fruit, lean meats, fish, and nuts and seeds. The other 10% is just because we can't change overnight and be hardcore in a blink. We live in a world of food that is horrible for us, but happens to taste so good.

I will be contributing recipes, tips, nutrition facts and myths, and restaurant reviews of places that actually serve or will serve you healthy food!! That's how I roll, welcome aboard :)