About & Contact

We never said ‘Welcome to our home!’ growing up. A guest would merely pass through the door and be handed a plate, a beverage, and sometimes a platter. “Try this! Stay for dinner…What a nice person…When are they coming back to eat?”  Needless to say introductions rarely came before a bite or two. Even the UPS man picked up a snack while picking up packages. Oh, and the ladies at the bank? My dad still sends them cookies through the drive-up window.

After years of nutrition training as a Registered Dietitian (RD) , mindful eating and healthy living spilled into my hostessing. I like to think that being a healthy hostess keeps my guests around in the long run, free of health problems, so I can continue to feed them. I’m not the food police. I’ve never dieted and never will.  In fact, I love cheesy grits and French macarons. Plus my hospitable nature sure can’t keep you away from a cheese platter and wine. It’s kind of a nice balance.

 Dietetic Internship graduation-May 2012. 

What the fig(ment)?

When I create a recipe for this blog, the flavor balance of a fig is something I constantly return to. My Grandparents have a very ‘productive’ fig tree at their house and a summer abundance of ripe, fresh figs has spoiled me.

• It has shown me to look to the sweet and savory potential of foods.
• To eat seasonally and locally.
• To eat what you love and be mindful (Fresh figs aren’t year ’round  you know. They need to be savored!)
• To use nutrition as prevention and enjoyment.

Food is love. And Weddings.

 Food has always translated into a welcoming gesture and an act of love. As a newlywed (with a hubby who can cook and design blog graphics too!), I witnessed a lot of crazy diet plans, desperation to fit into the dress, and a vivid memory of ‘the cabbage soup diet’ within the wedding world. A wedding should be a woman at her best- feeling and looking great. I love working with brides to get there without insane diets and live healthfully ever after! 

10 Carlene Fun Facts

1. I love to go antiquing for home decor. My latest pick up? A life size resin greyhound statue.
2. I am constantly reading. In the car I listen to audio books. And I prefer British humor (P.G. Wodehouse is my favorite).
3. I strongly dislike bok choy.
4. My husband and I are high school sweethearts, but we’ve known each other since fourth grade. He will not let me live down a bucket hat and overalls from over a decade ago.
5. I have a menagerie. I can’t say no to an animal that needs a home.
6. I love monograms. “My rule is, if it’s not moving…monogram it.” -Reese Witherspoon
7. My parents are 2 of the last pewtersmiths in the USA. Which is why I have an unusually thorough understanding of American colonial art.
8. My nails are painted a different wild color every week.
9. I like to garden. For Christmas, I asked for a fig tree. Now I have two huge ones…in pots. I love them.
10. I am currently learning how to golf. It’s a long and tee-dious process (ha-ha).

To Contact:

Twitter – Pinterest- Instagram- Email: CarleneHelble@gmail.com