It's National Eat Better- Eat Together Month and we’re stepping up this year to celebrate and encourage others to participate! All month we are going around Orlando and interviewing people who we see inspiring and challenging one another to be the best versions of themselves in our Community. So without further ado, we introduce to you our friend Princess-Rose!

Q: Hi Princess Rose, Tell us a little bit about you!

P: Hey name is Princess-Rose Gary!  I am 24yrs old and I’m originally from Lansing, Michigan! I moved to Orlando about 6 years ago and it has been one of the best decision of my life! I am the youngest of four, I have two brothers and one sister! I am a full-time student at Full Sail University studying Internet Marketing and I work part time at FYND Fashion, it’s a lovely boutique in SoDo District! I love ALL things orange and audio! So, when I’m not working or studying you can find me researching new podcasts to listen to, catching up on the latest albums released, practicing yoga, creating new content for my site or diving into a new book!

Q: Growing up, what were meals like for you at home?

P: Well growing up for the most part, my mom would try her best to make a home cooked meal and whenever she did it was amazing! But since both of my parents worked a lot sometimes it was a little more difficult to make a meal every night, especially with a home full of picky eaters. At times, we would resort to family sized boxed dinners. One thing I will say is that my brother taught me how to make the BEST spaghetti!

Q: What do meals look like for you now?  

P: Now I live with extended family and we have a fairly large household yet we still have a delicious home cooked meal at least 4-5 times a week! Prior to living with them aside from spaghetti anything microwaveable was my go to meal. So, it’s been really cool learning how to cook healthy hardy meals for myself and others!

Q: What do you think “Eating Better, Eating Together” means?

P: The first thing that comes to mind when I hear “Eating Better, Eating Together” is support! For me a good support system is key to achieving any goals in life especially when it comes to healthy eating/living. When you have people around you to keep you accountable and cheer you on it makes things easier. And we all know that changing our eating habits can be difficult at times so having a good support system is definitely beneficial!

Q: Would you say “Eating Better, Eating Together” ties into Eating Healthier?

P: Definitely! Eating Better = Eating Healthier! Some people think that eating healthy means they miss out on all the “good food!” I think eating healthy means moderation! I mean I like donuts just as much as (maybe more than) the average person BUT a donut a day does NOT keep the doctor away! So even though I occasionally indulge in the cupcakes and donuts of life I do so in moderation!

Q: Do you feel inspired to Eat Better? If so, who or what inspires you?  

P: My brother is one of my biggest inspirations! He is an ACE certified personal trainer and power lifting record holder! So, he is always trying to coach me in the ways of healthy living! He always tells me that what you eat is just as important if not more important than the number of reps you do at the gym. He really focuses on meal planning with his clients because his goal is for a lifestyle change not just a change in physical appearance.

Q: Lastly, why do you want to Eat Better?

P: I want to eat better because it has been proven time and time again that changing the way you eat can give you a better quality of life in the long run! In the meantime, if that means I’ve got to rise to the occasion by breaking my “eating comfort zones” and opting into some healthier habits I am more than willing to do that!