Cooking brings me so much joy. I love everything, down to the execution of the plate to picking out fresh ingredients at the market. It makes me deeply grateful and aware of where our food comes from and how feeding people is another way of saying, "I love you."

Anytime I feel my feathers ruffle off of someone else's success, I have to check myself. It's normally fear based or ego related and it's my daily work to let it go and focus on me, because that's the only person I can control and make grow.

Happiness is a state a mind, not a dress size.

I can be a bit of an overachiever and always dance that line of balance between giving myself to work versus giving time to myself and loved ones.

In this day and age, social media is a huge part of a business, which I actually love. It's a phenomenal platform to share your message, keep others and myself inspired and help keep your students connected to your events. The hardest part is the anonymous ability to say whatever you want.

There will always be people who can do it better than you, but that's a good thing! Start to see competition as inspiration — without envy.

The only way to being a better teacher is time and dedication.