Hi, I’m Martha McKinnon, and welcome to Simple Nourished Living.
If you’re here, chances are you’re looking for a simpler, saner approach to eating and living well. So am I.
After decades immersed in the world of weight loss, wellness, and healthy cooking, I’ve found myself coming full circle — back to simpler food, simpler habits, and a gentler way of caring for ourselves.
These days I’m especially drawn to old cookbooks, vintage recipes, and the kinds of meals our mothers and grandmothers made before food became so complicated. Simple casseroles. Homemade soups. Cottage pudding. Tuna salad. Everyday food made with basic ingredients and served around the kitchen table.
And honestly? I think there’s wisdom there.
Long before ultra-processed convenience foods and endless nutrition noise, people often ate more simply, cooked more at home, and worried less about “perfect” eating. Even though many vintage recipes would be labeled “unhealthy” today, people generally struggled less with constant overeating, food obsession, and the all-or-nothing dieting mindset so many of us know too well.
I’m increasingly interested in exploring that intersection:
How do we nourish ourselves well without turning food into another source of stress?
My Weight Loss Journey
I’m a longtime successful lifetime WW member and former WW leader and coach. I’ve been navigating the ups and downs of weight management since the early 1990s and sharing recipes and encouragement online since 2008.
Over the years I’ve learned that lasting wellness rarely comes from rigid rules, perfectionism, or extremes.
For me, the most sustainable approach has always been:
- eating mostly simple, satisfying food
- learning moderation instead of restriction
- cooking at home more often
- moving my body consistently
- and treating myself with more kindness and less criticism
That philosophy continues to shape everything I share here.
A Little More About Me
In addition to my nutrition and wellness training through Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Institute for the Psychology of Eating, I’m also a longtime yoga student and certified yoga teacher.
Today I teach accessible yoga for seniors with a focus on the strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility we need to age gracefully and stay independent as long as possible.
As I’ve gotten older, my definition of health has shifted. I care less about chasing some ideal number on the scale and more about:
- feeling strong and capable
- maintaining energy and mobility
- enjoying everyday life
- staying curious and engaged
- and creating habits that support long-term well-being
What You’ll Find Here
Here at Simple Nourished Living you’ll still find plenty of:
- WW-friendly recipes
- easy slow cooker meals
- practical meal planning ideas
- lighter comfort foods
- and realistic encouragement for everyday healthy living
But you’ll also see more:
- simple vintage recipes
- old-fashioned cooking inspiration
- thoughts on aging well
- gentle wellness
- strength and movement
- and reflections on creating a life that feels nourishing — not just nutritionally, but emotionally too
Because I believe healthy living should support your life, not consume it.
Thank You for Being Here
I’m so grateful you’re here.
Whether you’ve been following along for years or just discovered Simple Nourished Living, I hope this space feels like a deep breath — a place where healthy living can be practical, flexible, comforting, and sustainable.
We don’t have to do everything perfectly to live well.
Sometimes simple really is enough.
XOXO,
Martha
Disclaimer: This site is not affiliated with WeightWatchers. The views and content shared are based on my personal experiences and are intended to help others on their own weight loss journey. I began including WW Points values and nutritional information in September 2012.
