Did you know that the MonkDev team is spread out across the entire U.S.? While headquartered in San Diego, CA, the MonkDev family has roots in the South, East, and Midwest!

Today we bring you one of our most recent additions, Customer Advocate Jennie Harrell. Jennie is usually one of the first voices you'll hear when working with MonkDev. As you can probably tell from her gentle twang, she represents the South with pride and grace.

I sat down with Jennie and asked her to share about herself, her life, and her food habits (it'll make sense in a second). 

1. So you're on the Paleo diet. In fact, you wrote the book on it! Tell me what the Paleo diet's all about.

I do eat Paleo-style! All that means is that I only eat real foods (meat, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds). No sugars, no dairy, no processed foods, and no gluten - all of these items have been greatly altered from their original states.

Some people will tell you that the Paleo diet is based on the foods that "our evolutionary ancestors" used to eat. I see it very differently... I eat the foods that God made available for us in their purest form, without the added ingredients that we humans have concocted.

However, I don't really call it a "diet." It's not for the purpose of losing weight, and there is no deprivation involved (I eat a TON, and I enjoy every bite!). It is definitely a way to achieve better health. Since I started eating Paleo-style last July, I have experienced increased energy, clearer skin, better digestion, blood sugar regulation, a better physique, and much more. So yeah, I'm a big fan.

I blog my Paleo adventures and my favorite recipes on my website (easypaleo.com), and I wrote an eBook (Easy Paleo: 21 Practical Ways to Simplify Your Paleo Life) that has been very popular in the Paleo community. Fun!

2. What was your favorite giveaway on The Ellen Show? Favorite memory? What about your favorite Ellen dance move? Girl can cut a rug!

How did you know that I think Ellen is hilarious? I regularly laugh out loud at her antics. I don't watch her show regularly (we don't have TV!), but I see her Facebook updates.

My favorite video clips are when she pranks celebrities and makes them look ridiculous. And her challenge to sneak up behind strangers and dance like a maniac definitely stirred up some fun times for me and a few family members. We had a regular dance-off at the local Flea Market one day (right behind the backs of unsuspecting passersby).

3. Have you seen "The Hunger Games" yet, and if so, who is your favorite character?

I have seen "The Hunger Games," and I have to admit that I was very disappointed. It did not compare to the book, and the producers made so many unnecessary changes to the story! My favorite characters are Rue and Cinna.

4. OK. You have a perfect Saturday to schedule. What's on the docket and why?

My perfect Saturday would involve spending the whole day relaxing with my husband, but he works every Saturday. Since that is the case, my normal "perfect Saturday" involves sleeping late, and then homemaking (buying and preparing lots of local meat and produce for the week, cleaning, and catching up on laundry - yes, I enjoy these things!). My husband comes home early on Saturdays, and we love to just get cozy and chill out with good food and movies.

5. What's the best part about being on the MonkDev team?

This answer requires almost no thought at all. The best part about being on the MonkDev team is the fact that I am surrounded by people who love Jesus. Everything we do revolves around the Gospel, and it is a breath of fresh air. We close our meetings with prayer, we communicate with grace, and we are all in this for the same reason: to bring glory to God.

I love talking with pastors and church staff all day, and providing tools that I truly believe will enhance their ministries. I feel like I'm doing something valuable each day, and I'm grateful to be surrounded by a team that feels the same way.

Welcome, Jennie! We're thrilled to have her on board and can't wait for you to start working with her. Ready to get started? Work with Jennie today.