Why hello there! :)  

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I'm Julie, a passionate explorer of life, holistic foods chef, certified yoga instructor, Ayurvedic lifestyle consultant and lover of food and all things nature.

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For as long as I can remember, I've found joy in nourishing others, creating with my hands and bringing people together through food. For me, cooking has always been an expression of love and creativity and a way to nourish the mind, body and soul.​​​​

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My path into holistic living / cheffing began with my own journey of self-discovery and healing. Through yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, mindful living and reconnecting with nature, I began to understand just how deeply intertwined our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being are.​​ It is my belief that how nourish ourselves extends far beyond what we eat. It's in how we prepare our food, the energy and intention we bring into the kitchen and where we source our ingredients.

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Over the years I have studied Ayurveda, completing a 500-hour Ayurvedic practitioner training in 2020, along with continuing my culinary education through cooking and skills classes in Bali and beyond.

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While my education in Ayurveda has helped shape my approach to cooking, I don't believe in rigid rules or a one-size-fits-all approach to nourishment and rather believe in listening to our bodies, honoring our individuality and learning to trust our own innate wisdom.

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From My Mother's Kitchen to Farmers Markets to Retreat Kitchens​

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My love affair with cooking began when I was just five years old, thanks  to my mom, who invited me into the kitchen, allowed me to help and eventually gave me the freedom to experiment] and make whatever the heck my little heart desired. Spoiler alert, it was usually sweets.

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The kitchen quickly became a place of creativity and endless possibility. A place where I could play, explore, make mistakes and discover the joy of creating edible art.

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That same childlike curiosity and love of experimenting still lives in me today, as I rarely approach cooking with rigid rules, and prefer to instead follow my intuition, play with flavors and textures and allow the ingredients to inspire the creation.​What began as childhood play eventually blossomed into a lifelong passion and a profession.

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In 2018, I created Conscious Kitchen on Oʻahu, sharing handmade granola, nut butters, superfood bites, nourishing bowls and seasonal creations at local farmers markets.

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This eventually led to private catering, meal prep, retreat catering,  and the creation of Nourish by Nature Hawaii in 2021.

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Over the years, I've had the opportunity to cook for wellness retreats, private gatherings, intimate dinners and families throughout Hawaiʻi. My work has taken me into many beautiful retreat spaces, including Hale Akua on Maui, and into collaborations with other talented chefs to create elevated dining experiences.

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Whether preparing meals for multi-day retreats, creating beautifully plated dinners or helping families enjoy nourishing food throughout their week, I love creating something unique for the people I'm feeding.

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Rooted in Nature & Sustainability​
 

Over the years my love for food has extended to the land it comes from.  

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I've created edible gardens wherever I've lived, and find so much joy in harvesting fresh herbs, vegetables, flowers and fruits from my garden to share with those I feed. 

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Whenever possible, I choose locally grown, seasonal and organic ingredients, allowing nature's seasonal offerings to inspire my menus.

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For me, cooking is an opportunity to honor the land, the people who grow our food and the interconnectedness of it all.

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Nourishing Our Community:​

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One of the most meaningful parts of my work is being able to share food beyond private kitchens and retreat tables.

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I believe that everyone deserves to be nourished, regardless of their circumstances, background or financial status.​Through my involvement with Compassion in Action, a community outreach program born at Hanuman Maui, I help prepare and share meals with our houseless neighbors on Maui.

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Alongside a beautiful community of volunteers, we bring food, supplies and love to people living without stable housing.​ Like food, the heart of this work comes back to connection. Showing up. Listening. Sharing stories. Seeing one another as human beings and remembering that we all deserve kindness, compassion and a sense of belonging.​

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Whether I'm preparing a multi-course private dinner or a simple meal for someone living on the streets, my intention is the same.... to offer something made with care and love.

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Food as Medicine, Art & Love

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At the core of Nourish by Nature, is the simple belief that food has the power to not only be medicine, but to bring us together and connect us to our innate wisdom and nature.

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I love creating meals that are not only delicious and nourishing but visually beautiful. Meals that invite people to slow down, savor, connect and feel cared for.

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My work continues to evolve as I explore new ways to share my passions through cooking, teaching, Ayurveda, retreats and community.

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I don't believe we ever stop learning, growing or discovering new ways and I am so grateful to be on this journey able to share what I love, with those who feel called.

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Hope to share a meal with you soon!

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Julie

Founder & Chef, Nourish by Nature Hawaii

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Explore My Chef Services

 

View My Food Gallery

 

Get in Touch

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Learn more about Compassion in Action through Hanuman Maui.