Hello! I’m Cristina Maria Curp, Cuban-American, mother, military spouse, food lover and dreamer. Former restaurant chef, current Nutritional Therapy Practicioner and cookbook author. I created this blog to share my passion of food as medicine. About to turn thirty, with a baby to care for I found my self at rock bottom. Emotionally and physically.
I was severely overweight, riddled with inflammation, pain, and fatigue. Something needed to change. So I looked at my food choices. As a lifelong binge eater, I was ready to stop the vicious cycle of guilt and self-harm. That is to say… I get it. I’ve been there. I had my day one.
I wasn’t perfect about this healthy lifestyle from day one, and I still am not. But I strive every day to feel better and be better.
A mama with a history of obesity, autoimmune disease, and a whole lotta emotional baggage. If I can turn this my hot mess express around, so can you.
I KNOW, I know in my bones that real food is the key to health, and a healthy, thriving life is the key to happiness. Here at The Castaway Kitchen, our mission is to spread the word that food does heal. That you can embrace the dietary and lifestyle changes that will change your life.
I want you to feel empowered and inspired to heal! By creating delicious resources, sharing information, and my own story, my goal is to help YOU find the nutritional path that is right for you. We’re all so unique and while I do share what has worked for me, it might not be what works for you, but I will help get you there!
Start here: FOOD AS MEDICINE
My Book: Made Whole
10 Fun Facts About me:
- Left-handed middle child
- Married to a sailor. We have two babies, a little boy, and our schnauzer.
- Made in Miami, with Cuban parts (first generation American).
- Bilingual (hablo Español)
- I’m a big girl! 5’9 and toting size 11 feet!
- I’ve lived in Miami, San Diego, Hawaii and now Virginia
- Sociology and Anthropology Major with a background in market research
- 6 years commercial kitchen experience, 3 as executive chef
- I’m hilarious
- I’m also loud and I talk with my hands
Photo by: Rebecca Borge Photography
Lesa says
Hello! I just bought your book and to be honest I only went through the recipes. Today, I have decided to change my eating and actually started Made Whole from the beginning. I have the same health issues. I eat horribly. I did well straight Keto but stopped and wanted to start eating well again. Your story has inspired me and I look forward to a new journey. I decided to write in my book as I go. Like a journal to keep me engaged. I just came to your website today and wanted to say hi and thank you. Thank you for your honesty and giving me the resources to get well from the inside out. Im nervous, anxious, and ready to try.
Best
Lesa
Cristina says
Thank you so much Lesa! I hope it’s a great resource for you as well as my blog and online community!
Heather Hoffman says
Hello
I have been dealing with stomach issues since I was kid and I LOVE food! I’m Lebanese American and my mom is the best chef! I’ve been to at least 10 GI docs and I finally saw a naturopath who did a blood food sensitivity test and I can’t believe I’m severely sensitive to eggs, beef, gluten, dairy and almonds. I’ve been keto for 3 years and I’m pretty devastated. Are your recipes tailored to many of these foods? Thoughts? Thank you! Your food always looks amazing (and you too:))
Cristina says
It can be hard to navigate food issues… I wouldn’t take the test results as a life sentence. There can be false positives on those tests and if your doctor isn’t addressing root cause issues like leaky gut, low stomach acid, inflammation, then get a new doctor! That being said, my recipes are all paleo or keto or both. ALL of them are gluten free, MOST of them are dairy free (I use a little ghee or butter) and a lot are also nut and egg free. As for beef free, just avoid the beef recipes. You can filter recipes via your dietary needs in my recipe index. Just click on paleo, keto, nut free, egg free and search in the chicken and seafood menus.
Debbie says
I am so ready to feel good got close late July then got off and have trouble getting back on. You are a great blessing. Glad I found your sites!
Cristina says
I’m glad you’re here too!
Fatima says
Hi Cristina,
Wow. I could totally relate to your binge eating and everything else. After 4 kids, I too hit rock bottom. It is very brave of you to fight back. My biggest problem is stress, I just tense up and then away goes my sleep.
Anyway, my big question is about calcium. I’m 43, have breast fed 4 babies for 2 years each. If I leave off dairy ( I noticed that my nose gets partially blocked if I consume a lot), how can I get the calcium I need? At this age, my needs are greater than before.
Thanks,
Fatima
Cristina says
Hi Fatima! Big hugs!!! Leafy greens have a ton of calcium and resistance training is great for bone health!
Maria says
Hello! I just bought your new book and am very impressed with it. I’m 53 and have been dealing with skin and scalp issues (seborrheic dermatitis – my scalp is always itching and flaking!) my whole life. I also have asthma, was diagnosed with endometriosis stage four at age 41. I really want to get healthy and lose weight. I am hoping your book and recipes can help me heal. Thank you so much for writing your book. By the way, your skin and hair look so healthy! What do you use to wash your face and for a moisturizer? Shampoo and conditioner? I’d love to know. Thank you!
Cristina says
Hi Maria, thank you, I hope it does help you too.
I use Beauty Counter Countertime on my face:https://www.beautycounter.com/products?search=countertime
I wash my hair with Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap and then put Morrocan oil on it. I also only wash it like 1x a week 🙂
Cynthia Shannon says
I’m a 1st generation Cuban-American who is bilingual too! I love your story! It is my story too except for the part about being tall. I’m only 5’2” tall. I have to ask tall people to get things for me off the top shelf in the grocery store 🤣🤣. I am so excited to have learned about you! I too want to heal my body through food. I have fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism. I lived with a high level of stress for a long time, so I think I have stress hormones that need to be balanced and my thyroid working (I take levothroxine) with everything else to heal my body. I also suffered 2 bouts of C diff which is a really terrible intestinal infection that really harmed my gut and depleted my microbiome in my gut. The only way to heal that is with probiotics and an anti inflammatory diet over an agonizingly long period of time. Your gut microbiome is so important! It does so many things for you. 20% of your serotonin is made in your gut! The gut is often referred to as the 2nd brain too. I’m missing a lot of memory retention since the C diff infections. I’m also super fatigued and weak. We need our gut bacteria to absorb the nutrients from our food. I will most definitely purchase your book and follow you on Social Media!
Steve says
Hey Christina. Thx. Read your SIBO recovery story. U r so believable. I’m going to do what you say. Anti microbials. Paleo low carb.
Oregano and caprrylic acid
Going to health store tomorrow
SIBO &painful bloating & fatigue. Not worth yummy carbs
Cristina says
Hi Steve! I highly recommend you work with a practitioner on this. There are a lot of variables with SIBO and you might need help troubleshooting.
Sherri says
I am looking forward to improving my cooking skills and adding some delicious recipes to my files! I have been doing Keto for the past year and need to get my whole family on board!
Lana Shartle says
Hi Christina. I got your book a little over a year ago and I really like it! I am looking forward to your new cook book.
Thanks!
Cristina says
Thank you so much Lana!
Lorraine Ayre says
Thanks for so many wonderful recipes! Clearly a labor of love and self-care.
Wondering if somethings wrong with my browser or what, though, as I can’t get the recipe filter at the top to work. When I try to check any box, the whole thing goes highlight, but boxes won’t check.
Thanks again for all the great recipes!
Cristina says
Hmm weird, it’s doing the highlight thing for me, but still lets me check the boxes. I use Google Chrome. What are you on?