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.
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!
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 🙂
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!
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.
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!
Annie Carvalho says
Hey Cristina, on the first page you say :Set your protein goal (.5g-1g per lb of body weight), set your carb limit (20-50 g total/day), the rest of your calories come from fat, eat as much or as little as you need to feel food.
Did you mean to eat as much or little as you need to feel GOOD?
Cristina says
HAHA, oops, yes, it’s meant to say to feel good. Caloric needs vary so much per person, as do carb needs (hence the range).
Michelle Robbins says
I just received your cookbook last night and am excited! I’ve been a Whole30 follower for a few years with two rounds down but mostly eating the Whole30 way consistently (at least during the week!) I also have high potassium so many of the healthy, leafy green vegetables I ate on Whole30 spiked my potassium.
Anyway, it’s nice to see some other options in your cookbook. And, I LOVE the way you organized it with page references and plain talk. Thank you!!!
Michelle Robbins
Cristina says
I hope its very useful to you! Thank you so much
Diane Savoy says
I have been losing weight but I would like new food ideas.
Laurie says
Hi. I’m looking for Keto coaching. I have recently decided to intermittent fast and I’m loving this way of life. But, I’m drawn to Keto to stop all of the cravings I have for carbs. I’m just not sure I’m on the right track. A few coaching sessions would really help me. Do you have any insight? Thanks!
Cristina says
I don’t to keto coaching per se… I practice Nutritional Therapy… and know and support a keto lifestyle if it is what will truly benefit my client. You can read more about my coaching here: https://mailchi.mp/37b455579bad/cristina-curp-nutritional-therapy-practitioner
Maria T Slibeck says
Cristina, my daughter was diagnosed w HS at age 13yr. Now at age 16, she is plagued w constant sores and constant pain. Originally, we were not told of the severity or the chronic nature of HS. Now having educated ourselves and seen how this disease has progressed, I am desperate to help
her. Where do I even start?
We have had an appointment w her dermatologist for 5 months now for a laser hair removal under her armpits to eliminate the irritation from shaving, but I haven’t been able to find any research stating that this helps or really anyone (Facebook groups) that have done this. Have you?
Finally, what are some forums or social media communities on HS that I can join?
Thank you,
Maria
Cristina says
The Hidden Plague by Tara Grant is must-read for anyone with HS. There is also a good facebook group called HS Diet Connection.
Hugs mama! I know how hard it is. But diet and stress management is everything. She can heal and live pain-free!
Danielle Fuentes Johnson says
I’ve just found your site and am exploring. I’ve done AIP and paleo before, had a baby and fell off. Boriqua living in Charlottesville, VA. AIP is hard on Latino kitchens! So glad to still have platanos, madras, yuca, etc…
Looking forward to exploring the site and trying some new recipes! Gracisas!!
Cristina says
Bienvenida!
Erin says
Hi Cristina! I have just devoured your book, Made Whole, & I absolutely love it!! I am currently transitioning to the AIP elimination phase, but found many recipes to be too carb-focused. I was so excited to see how you combine the best of keto, Paleo, & AIP! I cannot wait to try every single one of your recipes!
Question before I purchase your meal plans- are they different than what is in your book?
Thank you for sharing your awesomeness! 🙂
Cristina says
Thank you so much Erin!!!
The meal plans on my blog and the ones in my book are totally different 🙂
Lisa Goodman says
Hi Cristina. I’ve been following you on Instagram and I finally purchased your 2 week egg free/dairy free Keto plan and for some reason I saw it briefly and then tried to save each recipe on my phone and then lost the original 2 week plan. And now, I cannot access it without paying an additional $10. Could you please help?
Thx!
Cristina says
I have sent you a new link, however, you get 5 TIMES TO DOWNLOAD IT, which means that it’s probably saved somehwere on your computer, probably the downloads. This time, please be sure to save the PDF document.
Linda Koyamatsu says
Hi Cristina,
I have your book “Made Whole”. Your seasoning or pallet is very similar to mine. I try to stick with Keto. My son is milk intolerant, so your recipes are very helpful. Regarding your Keto Egg Roll Poppers, I was wondering what the pork rinds add to the poppers? I like your enthusiasm and realness.
Thank you,
Linda
Cristina says
Thanks so much Linda! The pork rinds are like breadcrumbs, they add texture and help bind the mix.
Darlene Simmons says
Sounds great sign me up. Left handed here!!
Amy PLUMMER says
Please sign me up for your emails
Cristina says
you can sign up on any page, just check the side bar or the top of the screen