Hello! I’m Cristina Maria Curp, Cuban-American, mother, food lover, and dreamer. Former restaurant chef, current Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, and cookbook author. I created this blog to share my passion for food as medicine. About to turn thirty, with a baby to care for I found myself at rock bottom. Emotionally and physically.
I was riddled with inflammation, pain, and fatigue. I didn’t feel at home in my body or comfortable in my skin. Hidradenitis Suppurativa was ragging all over my body. Something needed to change. So I looked at my food choices. As a lifelong binge eater and yo-yo dieter, 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 disordered eating, 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 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 and enjoy the food you eat while you do it!
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!
What Next?
- Cook from the hundreds of free recipes on my blog, via the recipe index.
- Check out my Books: Made Whole + Made Whole Made Simple
- Read informative articles and inspirational stories here.
- Grab a meal plan here.
- You can take one of my courses or work 1:1 with me!
- Book me for speaking events, private dinners, or brand deals.
10 Fun Facts About me:
- Left-handed middle child, and a Gemini!
- Made in Miami, with Cuban parts (first-generation American).
- Bilingual (hablo Español).
- I like to lift heavy things and dance salsa!
- I’m a big girl! 5’9 and toting size 11 feet!
- I’ve lived in Miami, San Diego, DC area, and Hawaii!
- Sociology and Anthropology Major with a background in market research.
- 6 years of commercial kitchen experience, 3 as executive chef.
- I’m hilarious.
- I’m also loud and I talk with my hands.
jill janoff says
60 y/o with multiple autoimmune issues and a LOT of food allergies, including gluten, garlic and onions.
Where do I start with keto?
Cristina says
I have several meal plans on the blog and in my book, I also have some posts on the blog section, see QUICK START GUIDE TO DAIRY FREE KETO. My recipes are not onion and garlic free, but you can always omit them from the recipes.
Anne Eberly says
Cristina,
My name is Ann I’m from NJ and my girlfriend in Massachusetts is crazy about you and your books. She is always preparing one of your delicious recipes. I’ve enjoyed quite a few.
The reason I’m writing to you today is because I’m going to see her next week and I wanted to take or make the necklace you wear! Did that surprise you? She was showing me one of your cookbooks and out of nowhere she said “I love this necklace she wears and she has it on in almost all the photos. I searched the Internet for pictures of you and tried to zoom in on your neck to get a close up look at the necklace! I can’t make it out! Is it a heart sideways?! Is it on a silve or gold chain? I just can’t tell… even with a magnifying glass She’s hard to buy for and this would be perfect. She loves the necklace and adores you and you work. Thank you
. Please keep up the good work you’re making a lot of people happy and healthy
All the best
Cristina says
Hi Ann, that’s so sweet. There’s a close up picture on my Instagram feed someone. But it’s more of an oval shape with a flat top, it’s a simple red gem on a brown string.
Charlie Jones says
Hey Cristina
So good to find your website. I and my wife are doing the Atkins program… your site is awesome. Looking forward to shrinking with you.
Cristina says
Thanks Charlie!
Joni says
Nice to meet you! My brother is the middle child and left-handed, too, like you. My first pet as an adult was a min. Schnauzer! ? Great dogs.
Love your Instagram posts and fabulous food creations. ?
Cristina says
Welcome Joni!
Kim says
I am definitely going to be keeping track of you lady :)! I’m an Air Force mama, Veteran spouse, speech pathologist and worn out, aging, big girl (5’11” size 12 feet!!)
Hubby and I did keto”ish” for a few months before his bilateral knee replacements. Winter in Iowa hit and we slid too.
I have minimal cooking skills and prefer very basic foods (midwestern meat and potatoes) but ready to branch out. Your work comes highly recommended by my knitting friends…..and away we go!
Cristina says
Welcome Kim!!!!
Niki says
Hello, I just listened to your pod cast with Ket o Connect and I just wanted to let you know I think you rock!
Cristina says
Thanks so much Niki!!!!
Maria T Slibeck says
Just found your blog! My 16yr daughter is overweight and suffering with HS! Diet change has been hard for us. But as a mother, I have to do something to help her! We just celebrated her 16th bday on a cruise and I couldn’t get her in a bathing suit or in the pool. According to the labs she is sensitive to soooo many things. How will we ever cut it all out? Her dermatologist wants to start autoimmune therapy and I do not want to go there!!! I’m so glad I have found this resource! Thank you. Thank you for sharing your story.
Beverly says
My husband won your Made Whole cookbook at the Atlanta Nourish festival. My question: how many calories are in the daily AIP diet. My friend is in dire need of the AIP but cannot afford to lose any more weight. Thank you.
Cristina says
Hi Beverly, caloric needs aren’t about the diet, it’s about the person. AIP is not about weight loss, it’s about healing. So I would tell your friend to make sure they eat plenty! I recommend they use an app like Cronometer and they can plug in their personal information to figure out how many calories they need to maintain or gain weight.
Anna says
Okay, I have your book and have made some of the recipes. Question: When it requires Microwaving, what is the alternative? I do not own one and would like to be able to do without one.
Cooking cauliflower rice? Any thoughts?
Thank you in advance. I am on this journey and your are an inspiration.
Cristina says
Oh like for the tortillas? Yes, you can just steam them stove top in a skillet with a tight fitting lid and a tablespoon of water.
As for cooking cauliflower rice my preferred method is in the oven, check out my crispy cauliflower fried rice recipe here on the blog!
Maureen says
HI there! I just came across your web-site. It looks amazing!! Congratulations on your journey and thank you for sharing it!! I have diverticulitis presently for about the 5th time in 3 years. I am presently on antibiotics and a liquid diet. I have learned stuff here and there from Dr Axe and my naturopath but I too suffer with compulsive eating etc. Unfortunately, I am now almost 60, post-menopause, 5’3, used to be 5ft 4, shrinking, and about 200 lbs. Help! Advice!! Thank you in advance.
Cristina says
Hi Maureen, head to the blog area of my site, there are a lot of free resources and information at your disposal
Vannee says
Thanks for sharing your story and recipes. Will try it soon. Following the keto trend at the moment.
Casey says
I bought your book in the fall and LOVE just about every recipe in it! I love that there were sauces and desserts. So seriously great job!
Cristina says
Thank you so much Casey!!
Kyle says
I do, really like your humor and honesty.
No need to publish my comment about proof reading. It was a personal critique and not meant to be a public humiliation. I just wanted you to know there were some, (autocorrected?) Typos that sneak up on us, sometimes.
Thank you
Kyle
Cristina says
I’m a one-woman show. I use grammarly and go back and fix things as I see them. But again, one person with a business to run, social media to keep up with, writing my second book (which thankfully has editors) and also in school, and I keep a small human alive too. It’s a lot and I do the best I can.
Kyle says
Hi, I like your site, however, without being too negative, I want to say that you should really reread everything you write because there are many typos in your blog about “What Keto is”. And in order for me to take you seriously, I would recommed proof reading. If you want to put yourself out to the world, where there are 100’s of keto sites to choose from, you’ll want to check what you write to appear professional.
Thank you and again, just some feed back for you.
Your recipes look delicious.
*I had “googled” dairy free keto and this site popped up.
In case you are wondering about said typo filled article.
Feda says
Kristina, I always read about night shades, but don’t know exactly what are these
Cristina says
Freda they are a group of plants that can be inflammatory to some ppl, like me. Tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant
kat says
I have loved your website and reading your cookbook! There is so much valuable info included! So…does the fat in “butter coffee” break my fast on intermittent fasting? usually have my version 9:00ish but don’t eat anything until 12-1-2ish. Also, I might not be adding enough fat to mine: I just use coffee (or tea) w a tablespoon of MCT oil and marine collagen. I have no experience with beef gelatin but have read your info on page 55 indicating their similarity. My marine collagen (quite expensive, beneficial to joints) dissolves completely so does not thicken at all, even after beverage has cooled. Does you beef collagen thicken your coffee? or if it cools off?
I there any benefit to using beef gelatin inst of collagen? what brand do you use? Do I need to add more fat? butter is harder for me to drink so would it be just as beneficial to add 2 more T of MCT oil…although that might be more expensive than getting used to butter. I don’t ususally get my coffee drank while it is hot so the butter solidifies on top as it cools while the MCT oil stays liquid. Thank you so much for your help and sharing your journey and expertise with us!
Cristina says
Collagen and Gelatin are the same thing, but collagen is broken down further to make it water soluble. I use gelatin in my cooking and baking a lot, so it’s more cost effective to just use gelatin and stir it into hot beverages if that makes sense. You don’t need fatty coffee on keto, I often just drink coffee with almond milk in it 🙂 MCT’s create ketones, which is why ppl love em on keto, but not needed to get into ketosis or be keto at all.