Hi there! I'm Sally. Welcome to A Foodcentric Life. I'm the professionally trained chef, Certified Health Coach, professional recipe developer, and photographer here. My recipes are about real food for real life that keeps you happy and healthy. I create fresh seasonal recipes for everyone, including gluten-free and dairy-free!
I've been a chef for 20+ years and started sharing my recipes online in 2011. Being diagnosed as NCGS (non-celiac gluten sensitive) more than a dozen years ago started me creating gluten-free recipes. It was not only me, but many of my clients that needed good gluten-free recipes. This launched me into the world of speciality dietary needs.
On A Foodcentric Life, you'll find not only gluten-free recipes but recipes for dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian diets, low carb, and more. Plus, I always add notes on how to adapt recipes to meet your personal needs and the needs of your family. And if you have any questions, I'm here to help you get delicious food on the table that works for your life and your whole family.
Our lives are food-centric because we've got to eat! Food as fuel, food for comfort, food to celebrate, to nourish and heal. It's in the kitchen that we come together and the best things in life happen.
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What You'll Find on A Foodcentric Life
This website is resource for you, with a focus on fresh whole foods, including lots of plants, nuts, seeds, healthy fats and quality proteins because healthy is a lifestyle that starts in the kitchen.
- Reliable recipes that are chef-developed, well tested and family friendly.
- Substitution and variation notes for different dietary lifestyles.
- FAQs section for commonly asked questions.
- Chef's tips and notes to give you the inside scoop and help you succeed.
My Recipes and Focus
When you're a trained chef, people always ask "what's your speciality?". While it's special diets, don't let that deter you. My recipes work for everyone, not just those with special dietary needs.
My Experience
In my two decades years working as a personal chef, private chef, caterer, recipe developer, and publisher, I've worked with and cooked for famous doctors and NYT best-selling authors, professional athletes, and busy executive families, even a few world leaders. I've taught thousands to eat healthier on stage, in classes, and in this space.
Not bad for a California girl who started flipping burgers at a Newport Beach burger joint before I could drive, and thanks to my mom who really got me started in the kitchen.
My Work
I'm a signature chef to the NY Times million copy bestseller "The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life, I co-authored and developed recipes for The Daniel Plan Cookbook, The Daniel Plan Five Essentials video series and Sony fitness video series.
I am the chef behind the recipes for Dr. Mark Hyman's NY Times bestselling book, Eat Fat Get Thin. I've published articles on healthy living and eating for Brio Magazine.
Professional Training
My culinary training was through the Arts Institute's International Culinary Program, and I received my Certified Health Coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). I'm also trained in juicing through the Juice Guru program, and food safety certified through ServSafe.
My Journey
Health challenges drove me to experiment and change my diet, but the years I cooked professionally many of my clients needed special diets too. That doesn't mean boring or tasteless food. It's the opposite! Food is the best medicine.
I lost weight, detoxed from heavy metals, Lyme and mold, learned to manage histamine intolerance (HIT) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and recovered from gut dysbiosis. It's amazing what food can do!
I live in Orange County, California, with my husband, Kent. Along with my wonderful neighbors, he is a terrific taste tester!
Some Reader Favorite Recipes
Here are a few of my recipes that have been shared tens of thousands of times.
Follow Me on Social Media!
Be sure to check out my Facebook page, Instagram page, Linked In page, and X page (Twitter).