On 9/30/2025, I lost my dream job.

A job I dedicated years of learning to—paid and unpaid labor, long days, late nights, and so much career effort just to get in the door. A job where I finally got to use both of my expensive ass, hard-earned degrees—one in sociology and the other in integrative and functional nutrition.

And whew… I’ve been sad.

Like grieving an actual person sad. Moving through all the stages—shock, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually acceptance. I had wrapped so much of my identity up in my career, my employer, and the brand I was part of. Losing it felt like losing a piece of myself.

It wasn’t just me either. About 100 folks across Kentucky—and thousands more across the country—were impacted. People who dedicated their lives to teaching basic cooking and nutrition skills, especially to limited-resource individuals. People who believed deeply in helping make all of America healthier, one skill, one meal, one class at a time.

As I’ve moved into acceptance, I can finally look back with gratitude.

During my time with Extension, I grew in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I got to literally see the world—traveling to Southeast Asia—and also parts of the United States I might never have seen otherwise. I learned constantly, stretching both my ability to learn and my ability to teach. I worked alongside some of the smartest, most committed folks in Kentucky—people who challenged me, supported me, and sharpened my thinking.

I built skills I’ll carry forever: graphic design, resource development, public speaking, facilitation, storytelling, and more. I’m deeply grateful for the investment Extension and the university poured into me. And I take that responsibility seriously.

Because my return on that investment?
I still plan to do the work.

Losing that role forced me to reconnect with what matters most to me—and that’s teaching folks how to eat good.

I was doing that work before I ever became employed with Extension. And now, I’m finding new, creative, and more personal ways to continue. This blog—revamped, reimagined, and re-rooted—is part of that.

I’m reinvigorated.
I’m still here.
And I’m still committed to helping folks learn how to feed themselves and their families well—without shame, without perfection, and without breaking the bank.

Welcome back to How to Eat Good.
Let’s keep going.