Find Your Inner Blyss: Alyssa Nicole’s Health and Wellness brand Living Blyss, LLC Promotes Holistic Eating
Founder of Living Blyss, LLC, Alyssa Nicole Credit: Alyssa Nicole
Like many college students St. Louis native Alyssa Nicole redirected her life during her undergrad years at the University of Missouri-Kansas City by switching her major to a field more satisfying to her lifelong passion. A year prior to her graduating in 2016, she gained the sudden urge to eat healthier after watching many of her loved ones fall victim to diet and lifestyle-based diseases. From that moment, she decided to break that cycle and advocate for herself and anyone interested in becoming more health-conscious, but with a holistic approach. After realizing the impact your zip code has on your accessibility to quality foods and the education system, Alyssa Nicole created the health and wellness brand, Living Blyss, LLC to eliminate that bias. Living Blyss, LLC offers meal prep services, holistic health and nutrition coaching, personal chef services, and more. While we all are experiencing navigating life during a pandemic, now is an ideal time to incorporate better eating habits especially during quarantine. Learn more below from our interview with Alyssa Nicole on how Living Blyss, LLC makes healthy living easy for all clients.
Living Blyss, LLC Logo Credit: Alyssa Nicole
In 2016, you earned your Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies, and now, you’re pursuing your master's degree in nutrition. How will you combine those two worlds through Living Blyss, LLC?
When I decided to declare my major as Urban Studies after two years of being undecided, I had the goal of making a change in the world. Food is a basic human right. Urban Studies is the study of people’s relationship within space. Unfortunately, your zip code can determine the quality of food you have access to as well as your overall education. Urban Studies taught me a lot about the realities of life and the different systems at play that affect our everyday lives. I believe everyone deserves to have access to healthy and nutritious food and to be properly educated on what to eat.
Who is the target audience and demographic for Living Blyss, LLC?
My target audience is health-conscious individuals seeking change within themselves. These can be people who are super busy or someone struggling with a health issue. We have services to meet people at every level.
On your website, you mention that you decided to make healthier lifestyle changes a year before you graduated from college. Did anything happen that caused you to make those changes?
I had a friend who had an autoimmune disease and I really wanted to help this friend. I've always believed the earth provides us with everything we need to thrive and care for ourselves. I began doing research and found information that reflected my beliefs as well as new information that inspired my lifestyle change. I knew that I had to change myself before I could change anyone else.
What were the steps you took to implement those changes?
I started off doing a lot of research. I read books and listened to leaders in the industry. The very first step is to educate yourself, so you really understand why you're making the change and most of all if this is truly the step you want to take. Then I began to put my knowledge into action because knowledge without action is useless. I started reteaching myself how to cook. I searched through Pinterest and Google for healthier versions of my favorite recipes. At the time I was fully vegan. I used these recipes as bases and modified them as I liked. I think of the kitchen as my own scientific lab where I can create whatever I want. I also surrounded myself with likeminded people so that I was not tempted to go back to my former lifestyle.
Another point you touched on your website was how you watched many of your loved ones fall victim to diet and lifestyle-based diseases. After witnessing those challenges, you took matters into your own hands to have the opposite. Why is it important for you to shift that narrative?
I think our society has normalized the idea of disease in old age. I don't believe that to be true for myself or others. A plant-based diet has been proven to not only prevent diet-based diseases but to reverse them as well. As a culture, we eat way too many animal foods and processed foods. The closer we get to the earth, the healthier we'll be.
Holistic coaching plays a significant role in Living Blyss, LLC's mission. While some may be ready to live healthier, they still may hold a sense of nervousness about the journey. What advice do you give to customers who are apprehensive about the coaching?
I would tell them to continue to educate themselves. Read books, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries, and be open to new information. Fact-check everything and don't be afraid to ask for help. It's normal to be a little apprehensive. This lifestyle is most likely different from anything you've ever done. Coaching is not for everyone so I wouldn't try to convince you to work with me. If you're drawn to me and my mission, then join me. If not, that's okay too and I wish you luck on your journey.
Most people who are used to primarily eating meat aren't too fond of plant-based eating. For customers willing to try plant-based foods with meat alternatives, what foods would you suggest they try?
I suggest they try as many different foods as they want. Be as creative in the kitchen as you see fit. Food isn't supposed to be stressful. It's supposed to be fun. If it's not for you, don't force it upon yourself. You'll know if it's for you because you'll be drawn to it. You won't be able to get it off your mind. You'll feel conviction when you consume the wrong things.
What breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options do you suggest newly plant-based customers purchase through the meal prepping?
Whatever looks good. They're all delicious. A favorite has been the Jackfruit Taco Bowl. I personally enjoy the Jackfruit Wrap because it has mangoes!
Living Blyss, LLC offers personal chef services to customers. Tell us more about that and how customers can sign up for it.
My personal chef services are mostly for people with doctor ordered restrictions on their diet or someone with a really picky palate. Busy people can order healthy meals through the normal meal prep service.
What do you want customers to walk away with by using Living Blyss, LLC's services?
I want them to have found their inner Blyss.
The official launch date for Living Blyss, LLC is currently still in the works. However, customers do have availability to place meal prep orders now. To place an order, you would visit the Living Blyss, LLC website. Your order will then be processed and delivered within 72 hours. Deliveries are only available in St. Louis, MO. In spite of being in the middle of a pandemic, customers can also receive holistic coaching virtually and the company does follow CDC guidelines in their kitchens.
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