a note from k

founder + owner

I've been pretty transparent about my own health over the years. I've shared my experience with unexplained weight gain and how that had a huge impact on my self-worth. What I haven't talked about is the fact that I let something so superficial all-consume me, that it spiraled into something so much more than hating how I looked and having no control over it. I let a darkness rob me of any happiness to the point that I didn't even recognize who I was internally.

After being in this mental space for almost 3 years and watching my metabolic health spiral out of control, I knew I was the only person who had the power to make a change. I had to come to the realization that the only way I was going to get out of this was to prioritize my mental health and lifestyle habits. I already had the nutrition part down as I've healed many chronic health issues through the way I eat and avoiding certain foods, but I hadn't thought about the mental aspect of health. After all, with mental healing comes physical healing, and that isn't talked about enough.

Through therapy and lots of ongoing internal work, this past year has been such a transformational one. It has shown me that health is so much more than what I look like, and that focusing on how one appears doesn't determine their actual, internal health. How am I sleeping? How am I feeling? Do I have energy today? Do I really need all that caffeine? Am I eating real, whole foods that are fueling my body and brain? How did that specific food make me feel? How can I make time for myself today? Stopping to ask yourself these questions takes practice, but when you get it down, it is oh-so worth it.

In the midst of my lowest of lows and healing, salt + thread was born. I've had this idea for quite some time, but it just didn't make sense- then it clicked. I wanted to create a safe space for people who struggle with their own health and are overwhelmed by social media and all the information that is out there. When it comes to health, you have to find what works for your own biology. Eating a paleo-ish diet is what makes me feel the best, but it might not for another person, which is why we have to take diet culture with a grain of salt. There are fantastic diet sources and science to back a lot of the information out there, but we are all bio-individual.

PAUSE

I want to be clear about one thing- when I say to take diet culture with a grain of salt- diet culture itself is not the issue. The issue is finding the right resources that help aid in your own health. You can read more here on our blog about our views on taking diet culture with a grain of salt. 

"It's not 'diet culture' to want to feel great & have basic awareness that some foods can raise inflammation, mess up your blood sugar, hurt your digestion, make you feel fatigued, anxious or down." -Leading functional medicine expert Dr. Will Cole 

My science-based mantra is to eat real, whole foods (read ingredient labels always, and focus on the quality of your food), make time for your mental health, sleep well, get lots of vitamin D, and find what makes YOU feel healthy. This kind of intuition takes practice, but I hope salt + thread can be a safe space to ask questions, be informed, learn how to make dope, real food recipes, all while feeling good and lookin' cute in some comfy s+t apparel. 

If you're a part of this community, just know you don't go unnoticed. I'm so thrilled to have you along this journey with me, and am thankful for your support, no matter how it's given. 

with a grain of salt, 

kayla