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    About Me

    Meet Charla!!

    Hey! I'm Charla, the brains behind That Girl Cooks Healthy. I'm a certified Health Coach with a background in catering and hospitality. The photographer and recipe creator mixed with an element of quirkyness too!

    a picture of Charla

    More about me

    I grew up in a typical Caribbean household filled with women who loved to cook traditional island recipes.

    Being exposed to good food from such a young age meant it was inevitable that I would have passion for cooking. It wasn't until I got older that decided to channel my energy even more.

    I love anything to do with food, fitness and health. Yup! Shout out to all the geeks out there. I see you! A few years ago I graduated with a degree in Public Health where I qualified as a Health Coach. 

    When I'm not whipped up exciting recipes or working the hospitality and catering industry, I like to travel, workout, read, spend time with loved ones and catch up on worldly affairs/documentaries/movies.

    How that girl cooks healthy came about

    My website came about after conversing with a few co-workers and people who I knew on a personal level about cooking from scratch. Growing up in a traditional household it was customary for young girls to know how to prepare wholesome meals. 

    Speaking with lots of people, both men and women, it quickly became apparent that many people don't have a clue how to make recipes from scratch. 

    Being Caribbean, I wanted to showcase recipes from my culture i.e Brown Stew Chicken , traditional as well as modern alternatives to some of my favourite recipes for example how to totally veganize Cornmeal Porridge that I ate as a little girl.

    Having a disciple in health education/catering I wanted to showcase healthier options and ways for people to take control of their well-being. As I always say "you are what you eat" it's up to you to take control of what you consume, so let me be here to guide you along the way through my Recipe Index

    The site itself started out quite broad but a few months after being diagnosed with IBS one of my triggers was consuming excessive amounts of dairy. Thankfully I managed my symptoms by reducing the amount of dairy I had on a daily basis.

    After posting a few dairy free recipes i.e Cashew Milk I had a few people reach out to me specifically looking for dairy and gluten free recipes. I had a bit of a light bulb moment so I tapped into both dairy and gluten free cooking. A good example of this is my vegan style Mac and Cheese .

    My recipes have been featured on Blavity, Parade Magazine, Black Foodie, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health Mag, Buzzfeed, Today, Mashed, Delish and the Healthy Aperture just to name a few. Go check 'em out too!!

    close up of the chicken in the pot

    Jamaican Curry Chicken

    What I Can Offer you

    • Step by step process shots of how I make most of my recipes  
    • Notes and tips on how to make each recipe perfect the first time around (check my most recent posts for more in depth information)
    • Recipes that are free the gluten/wheat/dairy free.
    • Healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean (not just Jamaican, other islands too) along with other worldly recipes. Don't forget to check the My Caribbean Foodie 101 post where you can learn about about my cooking venture from a wheat/dairy free perspective.
    • Resolve any issues by email or through the comments section

    What you won't find

    • Ready made or premade mixes. Of course there are exceptions to the rule but i.e some gluten free flour is an example. I do endeavour to make most things i.e All Purpose Seasoning from scratch and use raw ingredients where possible.
    • No alcohol - I don't drink so I wouldn't feel comfortable promoting alcoholic food or drinks. I offer alternative such a alcohol free wine, fruit juice .i.e grape juice or rum essence.
    • No pork! This may change in the future if I am met with popular request or some recipes testers, so far it's a no because I don't eat it!
    3 bowls of curry with noodles

    Curry Gungo Peas

    Work with me/contact details

    Would you be interested me working with me? If you think I would a perfect fit for your brand or would be collaborate with me. Contact me via email here -  [email protected]

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    Don't forget to check out my FAQ Caribbean Foodie 101 and Privacy Policy

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    Greetings

    I'm Charla. Caribbean foodie & Certified Health Coach. Welcome to the heaven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes. Learn more about me

    JOIN MY MAILING LIST AND BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN I POST EXCLUSIVE HEALTHY RECIPES.

    Featured recipes

    drink in a glass with moss in a bowl

    Sea Moss Drink (Irish Moss Drink)

    shrimp, cabbage and spoon in the skillet

    Jamaican Shrimp and Cabbage (Keto, GF, Paleo)

    ground beef and rice in a bowl

    Cuban Picadillo

    mofongo with salad and vegan meat

    Vegan Mofongo (Puerto Rican)

    Trinidad Stew Chicken (Slow Cooker)

    charred pineapple

    Grilled Pineapple Slices

    More

    Featured in

    Top Choice Recipes

    Cupcake a mint leaf decor

    Chocolate Mint Cupcakes (Vegan, Gluten Free and Grain Free)

    dipped strawberries

    Vegan Chocolate Covered Strawberries

    Stew with spoon

    Ital Stew (Vegan, Paleo, GF)

    yuca fries with dip and drink

    Air Fryer Yuca Fries

    close up of the milk

    Pistachio Milk (Vegan + Dairy Free)

    Coconut rum cake

    Gluten free coconut rum cake (Dairy free)

    mango pudding close up

    Mango Chia Seed Pudding (Vegan + Paleo)

    mash in a black bowl with spoon

    Green Banana Mash (Green Fig)(Vegan, Paleo + Gluten Free)

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