You may know her from being a juice genius at The Fresh Press, but did you know she just launched her very own health living program?? Say hello to Morgan Avery, an enthusiastic gal who is on a mission to make our lives happier and healthier…

      

Healthy eating programs seem to be a “thing” this day in age; what makes your plan unique? 

I take a holistic approach, which encompasses much more than just following a meal plan. One of the ways my philosophy around food and health is unique is that, above anything else, I encourage clients to tune into their own bodies. It’s not about tracking a number on the scale, limiting calories, or getting certain grams of protein. The truth is there is no one-size-fits-all diet! What works wonderfully for one person may make the next person feel awful. Our bodies also change throughout our lives, so what worked for you in the past may not be working anymore. The fact that I have studied countless dietary theories and nutritional concepts is irrelevant when it comes to any given person. The only expert on YOUR body? You. I’m here to guide you through that exploration.

      

How did you become so passionate about healthy eating and living?

 My journey has been a series of “aha” moments, which began during my senior year of college, when I realized my unhealthy lifestyle was holding me back from who I wanted to be. A rock-bottom moment sent me on a track of self-discovery and drastic changes in my habits. I felt like I was peeling back the layers of who I wasn’t, to uncover who I am.

Fast forward to graduate school, where I was leading focus groups with female athletes to learn more about how they viewed their bodies in and outside of the sport context. My research helped me to understand cultural trends surrounding the body, and how we perceive ourselves, which is something I have been able to infuse into my programs.

 Since moving to New Hampshire two years ago, it has become very clear that my passion for this lifestyle is only expanding; I am training hard in this field and making it my main focus as a career. Whenever I create a tasty new recipe or witness someone’s success story, it fuels my fire even more!

      

What is something you think a lot of people don’t understand about healthy eating?

 A lot of people are unaware that healthy eating includes so much more than just the food on your plate. Here’s what I mean:

1. How you show up to a meal: When we sit down to eat, we consume whatever emotion we are feeling. Our bodies know if we’re feeling angry or nervous, and will literally digest food differently based on our emotional state during a meal.

2. Eating with all your senses: We have the gift of many senses, meaning we can enjoy food with more than just taste. I love making pretty food because we typically eat with our eyes first, and my eyes enjoy a good feast! By tuning out distractions while we eat, we can enjoy the experience from every angle, leaving us feeling more satisfied (and often eating less).

3. Food combining: To put this simply, different foods require different digestive enzymes that are processed at varied rates. What this means for us is that we can optimize our digestion by properly combining our food. I have seen people heal digestive issues and lose weight by focusing on this alone. It’s really quite fascinating.

      

Tell us about your group programs.

I have been running group programs for a year now and, so far, my programs have mainly been seasonal detoxes, which have been great! I am also working on a signature program that will be more of a lifestyle makeover and personal journey, where we will build new habits and beliefs over a longer period. I’m really excited about it! Her newest program begins on March, 1st so sign up soon! (Learn more here).

Where are you from?

 Boulder, Colorado! How lucky am I to have grown up in such a beautiful place, and now to be loving life out here on the Seacoast? Is this real life??

You also are a genius juice-maker at The Fresh Press…what’s your favorite thing on the menu?

 My favorite thing on the menu is… not on the menu! I’m always coming up with new creations using our ingredients, which is how many of the specials and menu items are born. We do encourage our customers to “build their own” smoothies and salads, as well. If I must pick a favorite, it would have to be the Skinny Scout, which is a mint chocolate chip masterpiece! It has almond milk, banana, spinach, peppermint oil, a sprig of fresh mint, maca powder (a superfood root from Peru known to help balance hormones), and cacao nibs (raw chocolate has so many incredible health benefits).

Thank you, Morgan, for taking the time to share your passion with us! Here’s to happier living!

xx

Maggie