Believe in yourself. If you believe you can do it you can. It’s when our confidence wanes that we get discouraged.
Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Taryn Scarfone.
Taryn Scarfone is the founder of Joy Filled Eats, a healthy recipe blog. She has 6 children and has been married for 20 years. She began Joy Filled Eats during her own weight loss journey.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
Ihad wanted to start a food blog for years. Just for fun. But I could never find the courage or the time. After my 4th baby when I started trying really hard to lose weight I began converting many of our favorite recipes to be healthy and I wanted somewhere to share them. I decided to finally give blogging a try and found success from the beginning.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
After my youngest baby was born a couple of my friends made me dinner with recipes from my own site.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I’ve struggled with my weight most of my life. Since my initial 50-pound weight loss, I had two more babies and I’m struggling again. I’ve learned to just keep going. I’ve found that my personal story has resonated with my readers.
Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
My healthy recipes reach over 500,000 people every month. I love that there are so many people making healthy choices in their own kitchens.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing? Please give an example or story for each.
1 . Believe in yourself. If you believe you can do it you can. It’s when our confidence wanes that we get discouraged.
2 . Shake off any setbacks. Don’t let a cheat meal become a cheat week and then a cheat month. Shake it off and get back to your plan.
3 . Find things to get excited about in the kitchen. Try new ingredients like a unique spice or weird type of vegetable. Try a new cooking method or appliance. It helps stay motivated when you keep things fresh.
4 . Reward yourself. Celebrate little victories. Buy a new shirt, go for a long walk on the beach, meet a friend for a cup of coffee, sip a glass of wine. When you celebrate the small victories it motivates you to go for more.
5 . Listen to your body. Your body will tell you when its hungry or thirsty. Try to learn your cues and not just to eat your emotions.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
A way for women to truly connect with each other and support each other. Without judgement.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
You can do it. You will do it. You will help people. Don’t be discouraged with the little setbacks. Keep on going.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
Out of those I would definitely say mental health. I know so many people who have struggled and I have struggled with postpartum depression. Self care helps greatly.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
Follow Joy Filled Eats on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. And visit at joyfilledeats.com
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com .
