Hello! I’m Cristina Maria Curp, Cuban-American, mother, military spouse, 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 severely overweight, riddled with inflammation, pain, and fatigue. 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.
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 Virginia, headed back to Hawaii!
- 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
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!
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!
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
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.
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
Karen says
Hi Cristina. I am enjoying learning on your website. I bought both of your books and have tried many recipes already. Tasty and satisfying . I have Hashimotos and was following AIP most of the time. and just recently found to have higher blood sugars. Searched low carb AIP and found you. Thank you for all the research and recipes. :))
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
Hi Karen! I’m so glad my recipes have helped you <3 I'm running a coaching group in May that combines AIP and Keto lmk if you want more info 🙂
Margo D Martin says
Hi Cristina,
I purchased your AIP KETO RESET MEAL PLAN I was wondering if you have the macros for these recipes? I am trying to learn how to use MYFITNESS pal but it is confusing to me. Was hoping you would have the macros so I wouldn’t have to stress while I learn the app. If you do would you please send to me.
Thank You,
Margo
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
Hi Margo, the AIP Reset meal plan does no have macros, and it’s on purpose. AIP + KETO is a lot. It’s better to focus on compliance and food choices over macros.
Ash says
I love when I stumble onto a blog written by someone “just like me”. Nothing against the naturally thin and lean but it’s hard to take advice from people who have bodies and hormones so different from my own.
You get it. You really do. The self-harm through starvation. The shame of binge eating after committing to that yo-yo diet for a whole 12 hours. More starvation as punishment. Disordered eating wreaking havoc on hormones. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. You’re a lovely resource; humble, kind, and generous with your experiences. I truly believe it’s easier to commit to a lifestyle when you can see someone “just like you” do it and do it well.
Thank you!
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
Hi Ash! Sending you a BIG virtual hug! I’m glad you’re here!
Ina Shah says
Hi Cristina! I took your first book out of the library and have renewed it 3 times! I want to buy one of your books and just wondered which one you might recommend…or are they quite different?
I have some similar issues such as obesity and autoimmune and am just about to dive in to your keto, paleo, AIP combo!!
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
Hi Ina, thanks! They’re very different books in terms of the types of recipes. But with both you get a lot of information and a lot of recipes that can help you reach your goals. If you navigate on my blog menu to where it says My Books, I have posts which detail each book and you can decide which is best for you.
Sasha Bes says
I also have Hydradentis Supperativia and I was wondering what you think would be the best meal plan for me to follow. (I have been trying to eliminate Gluten as well as sugars and dairy already. )
I love your website! Thanks for being an inspiration! 😀
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
Everyone is different. I found that the autoimmune protocol is a good place to start, it’s not forever, but it can help you identify foods connected to flare ups.
carlene says
Why are you unable to eat night shade vegetables? I wonder if that might be true for me.
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
They make me very ill, fatigue, inflammation, joint pain and ultimately make my skin condition flare up
Janet Landis says
My son has IBS and ulcerative colitis. He’s been told to do a low FoDMAP diet. I have two autoimmune diseases and have gone from being a triathlete to being riddled with pain and disabled in less than a year. Will your cookbooks work for us both? Thanks
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
Hi! While my recipes are AIP or AIP friendly they’re not low fodmap.
Wendy Liwonde says
Hi Cristina. I’m so happy to have found you. I’m dealing with a ton of new diagnosis’ and have no idea how to manage everything as each specialist says I should try a different special diet. The most recent discouragement is sudden onset hypoglycemia. I’ve been told there’s nothing I an do but eat lots of carbs all day everyday. I’ve been gaining a lot of weight and am super discouraged. To complicate things a bit more (as if we needed to) I live in Malawi, Africa. It’s difficult to find the ingredients in most diet plans that I get here in the US. So.. all that to say, if you have any specific advice I’d certainly appreciate it!
Tara Lynn Matlak says
So happy to have found you and your blog/recipes! I too am 5’9′, size 10/11 shoe size and was recently diagnosed with HS. A bundle of similarities with the body image, binge eating and yo-yo dieting all my pre-teen – current life. Add in the emotional stuff…psoriasis and migraines. Joined an HS for women support group on Facebook and another member shared a video with you telling your story. Thank you for your bravery and inspiring insight!
Lisa Palevich says
Love your energy and realistic attitude about the way food can change your entire life!!!
Do you have any more recipes for AIP KETo? I am trying this plan and I am already feeling much better.
Cristina Curp, FNTP says
Thank you and yes, I do! https://thecastawaykitchen.com/the-aip-keto-starter-guide/