
How it started?
Healthy emotional and social development in our early years lay the foundation for mental
health and resilience throughout our lifespan. Yet, 70 percent of people living with a mental
illness see their symptoms begin before age 18. Youth who need mental health services as
they are entering the adult mental health system is often not well supported: less than 20
percent receive appropriate treatment. Food is capable of easing stress, anxiety, and
symptoms of depression, but there is a lack of affordable straightforward sources and
awareness around the correlation between food and a healthy mental state.
To address this issue I decided to design a product that educates people on how they can
ease their minds through food and not medication. A product with numerous stories on
well-being and comfort recipes from a diverse group of people. Affordable, beautifully made,
credible, diverse, and fun.




Key information:
This book is NOT about medications you can take to feel better. It is about how things you already unconsciously do (eating and cooking) can affect how you feel. It is educational, fun, and relatable material with delicious recipes scattered throughout. The book is based on stories collected from numerous people and supporting research.
Key values:
⬩affordable
⬩support self and group care
⬩simple
⬩relatable/inclusive
⬩young-adult oriented
⬩aesthetically pleasing
Key points:
⬩Addresses mental health through food and human experiences
⬩Shares peoples’ stories of their struggle with food and mental health and teaches valuable lessons through relatable human experiences
