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.
- 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.
Meryl Bisaga says
Hi, I have been following you FB for some time now. You are so inspirational and if at my age (58) I can learn new food tricks anyone can. I would love to hear more about how you healed / turned around your ancestral baggage with food. I come from a long line of disordered eating and what we refer to as “shit stew,” coupled with autoimmune. I typically follow W30, definitly no dairy, very minimal gluten and sugar. Sorry for the long post. Do you have more content about your healing journey?
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
Hi Meryl! Thank you! Yes I have several posts that outline my healing journey. If you go to the blog section of this website or even type “healing journey” in the search bar they will come up
Tammy Scott says
What do you do when you HATE to cook and your best friend is the microwave?
Cristina says
Well.. unless you can afford really good quality premade food usually at $15-20 per meal… I suggest you learn to make a few things you really enjoy, and once you’re really good at making them, you might like cooking more. I often find people who don’t like to cook it’s because they don’t really know how.
Rea Brech says
Where do I find your blog and recipes for AIP/Keto?
Cristina says
This is my blog! Head to the recipe index and you can sort recipes via dietary needs
Shugri says
Thank hon so much for the very insightful article about histamine in tolerance! I am in the mid of it right now. They just check my IGE level and it 2k, off the roof. The good news I have been doing low histamine diet for a while. It is helping a lot, but when of those people that was / is very sick . I am eating lot of liver and kidney. Take care and happy new year!
Scott McCracken says
Hey! We own Castaway Tattoo in Ontario Canada!
Love your logo!!
Maybe we could collaborate on something sometime??!
Cristina says
that’s awesome! I have my paper boat tattooed on my arm!
Laura says
Please help me out. We have so much in common.
I’m battling with the same thing, under my armpit
My husband is in the Navy currently station in japan. And my first language is Spanish
Cristina says
Hi Laura! Hugs! Start with this post: https://thecastawaykitchen.com/coming-out-talking-about-my-hidradentitis-suppurative-how-aip-changed-my-life/
Julie says
Just read this. I love u already?
Cristina says
Thank you!!!
Yamile says
Thank you Cristina for taking your precious time into making a book full of your teachings and understandings of the kitchen. I was raised into believing that the food we put in our mouth inherently reflects who we could be. This book mentions many overlooked ingredients and puts them into use. With this new founded perspective on cuisine I believe that I am able to manipulate my kitchen much more effectively. Thank you for sharing your personal story, it truly shines light on what a person/food relationship is capable of, an often overlooked problem in our society. My son advised us that “we must change the way we eat.” We searched the internet until we found your book, and ever since then I have only seen benefits. Gracias Cristina, p.s. soy cubana tambien 🙂
Cristina says
Graciasss Yamile! That means a lot!
Susan Hollister says
Hi Cristina,
Do you council others for their diet? If so, what are your prices?
Thanks so much!
Susan
Cristina says
Hi Susan, I no longer take clients on my own, I work for a functional medicine doctor and do all my nutrition coaching via her practice. Dr. Becky Campbell.
Bob Urian says
Christina: I am on my second week of AIP. It’s not difficult if you do all of the food in advance, then vacuum seal on freeze the extra.
Recipes are great and easy to follow.
Best of all, my arthritic body is loving it. Great reduction so far in joint discomfort.
You were correct. Starting with AIP is step #1.
Cristina says
Hi Bob! I am sooo happy to hear that! Since your email, I have wondered how you have been. Thrilled to get this update! Thank you!
Robert Ely says
I am writing a book about Beating Type 2 Diabetes- would like to share some of your thoughts and images and link the ebook version to your site. I do not have a publisher yet- but the message and my personal results are significant enough that I may self publish to get the word out faster. thanks for your time- Love the recipes and the lucid thought about food. Rob
Teresa Hambrick says
I am so happy to have found you, in your book Made Whole, your dedication page jumped out and wrapped arms around me saying follow us we have a solution.
Cristina says
Big Hug Teresa!
margaret shamblin says
You had me at 5’9″ and size 11 feet! I am 5’10” with size 11 feet. I have discovered through trying KETO that too much cheese had adverse effects on me. I’m not sure if I have a dairy intolerance or allergy, but I have been looking for a way to do keto, but with less dairy. I am eager to read about what you have to say. Thank you!
Cristina says
Welcome Margaret!!
Steve Afflixio,CEC,AAC says
I am the Food Fanatics chef for the South Florida market. Would love to chat with you and let you see what our team might be able to do to help your team.
Cell is:813-781-3920
“I talk so much with my hands I’ve been told I speak multiple languages”
Julie says
Thank you for the ebook. It was fun to look through it this morning. Your stir fryer meatballs are in my air fryer as we speak and if they taste half as good as they smell my breakfast is going to be amazing.
Cristina says
wonderful
AH says
I am two inches shorter than you, yet have the same size feet! Big feet are the worst for finding cute shoes! xoxo
Cristina says
Nordstrom Rack! They go up to size 13 in women.