Who is This Girl?

Thanks for being here! I’m Dena Gershkovich, creator of The Artsy Palate. I’m a writer, recipe developer and dietetic intern. All posts, photographs and recipes on this blog are created by me, unless otherwise indicated. The best way to describe me would probably be as a creative, fashion-obsessed, avocado-addicted nutrition nerd.

I hope that this blog will be a step closer to me fulfilling my ultimate dream of becoming a registered dietitian and nutrition writer. 

A Bit About Me

I’m currently a dietetic intern with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.* I graduated from the University of Maryland in May 2020 (#coronagrad) with a B.S. in Dietetics and a B.A. in Journalism. The double major was a lot of work (179 credits!), but it shaped me into who I am today, so I am grateful for it!

My main goal in creating this blog is to combine my passion for nutrition with my love of writing. I’m here to teach you some tips for how to eat more healthfully and share some recipes while you laugh at the craziness of my life (and trust me, there’s a lot to laugh at).

In addition to chocolate and avocados, I love pretty much anything that involves expressing my creativity. This includes art, cooking, baking, writing and hairstyling (fun fact: I do hair in my second life – Insta: @hair_by_dena). I also enjoy exercising – you can find me at barre class most days of the week or biking when the weather is nice 🙂 .

I am Jewish (hence all of the references to Jewish culture), and I keep kosher. I am also a pescatarian (vegetarian who eats fish) due to taste preferences (nothing to do with health or nutrition!). These both inspire my food choices and recipes.

My Approach to Nutrition

I see each eating occurrence as an opportunity to nourish myself optimally, but dessert is also an essential part of my diet (and not chickpea blondie dessert, real-deal dessert!). Chocolate will always have a special place in my heart, especially during finals season or other stressful times. If I am craving something, I will eat it, regardless of its nutritional content. I believe that healthy eating is about inclusion rather than exclusion, and as you’ll see through my posts, seek to spread that message. I am not a fan of dieting or restriction.

To me, healthy eating means eating mostly healthy most of the time, as the tagline of my blog states. All foods fit in a healthy diet!

The Story of The Artsy Palate

The Artsy Palate was born in October of 2015, when I spent a year abroad in Israel after high school. My main purpose in blogging at the time was to help other girls on gap year seminary programs combat the infamous #sem70 – aka the 70 pounds that seminary girls supposedly gain while in Israel for the year (in reality, it’s usually about 10-15-20 pounds, but who’s counting?).

The Artsy Palate allowed me to share some of my favorite nutritious recipes and suggest tips for how to eat more mindfully while surrounded by the delicious tastes of a new country. I continued this blog into my college career to encourage others to join me in my mission to eat healthfully as a college student (and beyond 🙂 ).

Healthy eating should be intuitive, practical, easy, fun and enjoyable, and I’m here to help facilitate that.

Though young adults will probably find this blog most relatable, the messages that I’m sharing really apply to all audiences.

This blog would gain so much more from the input of others, so I encourage you to please comment any thoughts/ideas/feelings/pictures on any of my posts. If one of my recipes or tips has been working for you, I would love to hear about it!

Connect With Me

Here is a link to my LinkedIn page, in case you’d like to see what I’ve done professionally. You can also follow @theartsypalate on Instagram if you like what you see here and would like to hear from me more regularly.

To read things I’ve written for various publications, click on the “Other Writings” tab in the menu. Email me at theartsypalate@gmail.com with any comments, questions or if you’re interested in working with me – I’d love to hear from you!

Wishing you health and the right amount of chocolate,
Dena

LINKEDIN: HTTPS://WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/DENA-GERSHKOVICH-756802131/

Disclaimers

*Please note that the posts shared on this blog reflect my personal opinions and are not approved or authorized by NewYork-Presbyterian.

The content on this blog is meant for informational purposes only and should not take the place of medical advice. Before making any changes to your current eating plan, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor and a nutrition professional, such as a registered dietitian, especially if you have any intolerances, allergies or medical conditions. Nothing posted on this blog is intended to cause harm or offense of any kind.

Additionally, please understand that due to the fact that I am a student, my views on nutrition and diet are constantly evolving with my education. Though I do my best to keep this blog up to date, it’s possible that I no longer hold views shared on older posts.