Sharon Muse | Health Coach, Culinary Nutrition Expert & Recipe Developer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sharon Muse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sharon, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Sage and Celery was created after overcoming my own health struggles. Through my own research and a lot of doctors, I learned firsthand how important quality whole foods are to our overall health. I also learned that mindfulness, staying present, and slowing down all play a vital role in our health and quality of life. It is because I spent so many years struggling with my health that I wanted to create a platform to share my knowledge, recipes, and tips in hopes to inspire people who are looking to make changes in their own life. Even small steps can make a big difference!

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I think one of the aspects that makes Sage and Celery different than other food blogs is that you will not only get a delicious and healthy recipe but you will also learn how those ingredients can help nourish the body. It is very important to me that healthy eating feel approachable and attainable! Building any business from scratch is a challenge, and that is no different when the business is virtual. For me, learning to navigate the technical side is a big challenge. I am most comfortable in the kitchen so taking pictures, posting to social media, and things like SEO don’t come easy for me. I am starting to learn that outsourcing these things is a good investment in my business and my sanity:) It is my hope when people go to sageandcelery.com they are inspired to get back into the kitchen. Starting a health journey can feel daunting and I want my readers to know that I’ve been there and understand just how intimidating it can feel. I started my health journey from eating the standard American diet and owning a bakery creating traditional sugar-filled baked goods – I was completely addicted to sugar. It was causing a whole host of health issues for me – so if I can break free from sugar, you can too! With a few tips and tricks, healthy food can and should taste delicious!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta has so much to offer!! Each area of Atlanta has something fun and different – so I would pick a different place each day to explore. I am most home in midtown as that is where I live so I would start there. To start the day, breakfast at Hell Yeah Gluten- Free Bakery is a must! They have delicious gluten-free biscuits and amazing cinnamon rolls. After picking up lunch from Kale Me Crazy, I would go to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. We would then grab our food from the cooler and find the perfect picnic spot in Piedmont Park. The next place I would show off is the Atlanta Beltline and probably stop into Ponce City or Krog Street Market for a bite to eat. Dinner at Tiny Lou’s sounds like a great way to end the day! We could grab a drink at Ladybird or a beer at New Realm Brewery for a nightcap. West Midtown would be next on the agenda with a delicious bite of food from Upbeet, the Optimist, or Forza Storico. And of course, a visit to Atlanta isn’t complete without making a stop in Buckhead. Sunflower Cafe is at the top of the list for fantastic vegan food and Tuk Tuk has the best Thai food! For a fancier evening, I enjoy a delicious meal at Le Bilboquet. This list is by no way complete – there are SO many fantastic and creative places to enjoy in this beautiful city!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am today in terms of my health without Heather Fleming of Conscious Nutrition. She was the first person to teach me that there is no one right way of eating. Each person is so different and what works for you may not work for me. We need to trust our intuition and find what works for us. She also guided me as I broke free of my sugar addiction – this was huge for me! I would also not be where I am today without my family. They are my biggest cheerleaders and I am SO grateful for them! They encourage me when I am feeling overwhelmed and are a constant source of inspiration. A few of my family members are dealing with their own health issues so creating healthy and good tasting food means even more to me now. Plus, they are always willing to be honest when they are taste testing my recipes 😉 I couldn’t and wouldn’t want to do this without them!