Day in the Life:
Kara Mosesso, RN, MSN
Kara Mosesso, RN, MSN is a Massachusetts native, lifestyle medicine and advanced oncology certified nurse practitioner, certified health coach, marathoner, and the lead of the NP/RN research and publications working group for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree in Social Science with a minor in Spanish from Providence College in 2006. Influenced by readings from an undergraduate Women’s Studies class in 2003, she decided to become a vegetarian. In 2008, during her graduate studies at Boston College to become a nurse practitioner, she questioned the utility of the drugs she was learning to prescribe, and recognized the impact of poor food and other lifestyle decisions as the causes of most chronic disease, compromisers of quality of life and the drivers of exorbitant healthcare spending. She made the decision to transition to a completely plant-based lifestyle at that time.
After 8 years of outpatient clinical oncology practice at Tufts Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering, Kara decided to take her passion for Lifestyle Medicine on the road and founded Nomadic Nourishment. She now travels and works remotely to support people during and after cancer care to help people better manage and reverse chronic disease by implementing a plant-based lifestyle. In addition, she works as a nurse practitioner for the digital healthcare platform Maven Clinic.
Location
I am location independent at the moment! I’ve been living the ‘nomadic’ lifestyle for the last 10 months and am currently writing this from Santiago, Chile.
Favorite vegetable:
Brussel sprouts
Personal motto:
Count nutrients, not calories.
Favorite book:
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho
Favorite exercise:
Nothing clears my head and energizes me more than outdoor running! I recently completed my 26th marathon in Buenos Aires!
Favorite way to center:
Connecting with nature.
Kara’s Daily Routine:
7:00 AM: Wake up, meditate, journal, and drink hot water with lemon and turmeric
7:30 AM: Run, yoga, or another type of physical activity
8:30 AM: Breakfast (fruit, oatmeal with ground flaxseed, and coffee)
9:00 AM: Work with patients/clients
1:00 PM: Lunch (big, colorful salad)
2:00 PM: Sleep
4:00 PM: Explore my new surroundings
7:00 PM: Dinner with friends or family
8:00 PM: Read, write, and/or practice Spanish
10:00 PM: Wind down, put phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode and sleep
What gets you out of bed every morning?
Though routine is important for overall health, I’m inspired by the idea that everyday is a novel opportunity for adventure, innovation, learning, meaningful connections, and delicious plant-based meals.
What is the most important part of your daily routine?
Meditation- mostly because despite the benefits, it’s the part that is most difficult for me to be consistent with!
Whose “O” would you most love to see?
Amelia Earhart.
What is your #1 wellness habit?
Eating plant-based because it has a positive impact on my physical AND mental health, sleep habits, and marathon recovery.
What is your biggest wellness challenge? How do you address it?
I’ve been traveling and living out of a suitcase for the last 10 months, so healthy eating, routine, and regular exercise can definitely be more of a challenge. When I arrive in a new location, I prioritize a trip to the grocery store or farmer’s market and I use running as a great excuse to explore new surroundings.
Tell us about a time you were stuck in an unhealthy cycle and how you got out of it. What was the main inspiration for positive change?
I struggled with disordered eating and an unhealthy body image during my teenage and young adult years. Transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle helped me bridge the gap between my mind and body. I read profusely to ensure I was satisfying my body’s needs. Consuming REAL food rather than the fat-free, artificial, chemical, and diet ‘food’ masqueraders of my teenage years was profoundly healing. Nutrition labels became a means of delivering welcome messages about an abundance of nutrients rather than warning signals of forbidden calories.
If you could give one piece of health advice to your future kids or relatives, what would it be and why?
Prevention is better than cure. It’s often not until people recover from a serious illness that they start to consider lifestyle changes, but it’s important for people to recognize that the choices you make today impact your health 20 years from now. Eat to live while you’re young and vibrant health and longevity will likely follow.
Kara Mosesso, RN, MSN is a nurse practitioner, certified health coach, and marathoner. See how she inspires others to live healthy lives on her Facebook, Instagram, and website.