culinary

January 28, 2012 - 12:39am
Mayra Najera struggled throughout her teenage years with an eating disorder. Her new outlook on food prompted her to create healthy meals for local children.

In her early teens, Mayra Najera remembers looking through Women’s Health magazine, looking for ways maintain a healthy body weight. Najera was uncomfortable with her weight, known as the “chubbiest one” in her network of cousins. She felt empowered by articles promoting healthy lifestyles, but as soon as she looked at the cover, it was as if there was a whole different message.

“This is why I’m bulimic,” Najera said. “Because I don’t look like her.”