Bio
Karla is a freelance writer who is on a quest to help readers lead more joyful, balanced, colorful, and delicious lives. She specializes in how-to food and drink content (which sometimes involves recreating Ina Garten recipes—5 stars!), insider travel guides, translating scientific studies and expert interviews into understandable terms, and trend coverage. Karla is a 17-year magazine industry veteran, with experience at other national publications like BHG, Allrecipes, Southern Living, VERANDA, Bon Appetit, Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, and more.
Experience
Karla began her career at FITNESS magazine in 2010. During the following 8 years, she worked at a wide variety of publications full-time, including Better Homes & Gardens and Recipe.com. From search engine optimization to features for print to video strategy, she has a diverse background in the various aspects that help service journalism come to life. At the start of 2019, Karla chose to pursue full-time writing, with a focus on food, drink, wellness, and travel.
Education
Karla double majored in magazine journalism and kinesiology at Iowa State University and graduated summa cum laude. She also passed her level one sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers, received her personal trainer certification through NASM and group fitness instructor certification through AFAA.
More From Karla
Karla's Stories
Ginn Choe Is the 'Bobby's Triple Threat' Bartender Who Handles More Than Just Mixology Sep 22, 2026
Go behind the scenes with the Club 3 beverage director, then steal the mixology master’s recipes to sip on during the next matchup …
The Best and Worst ‘90s Food Trends, According to Nutritionists Sep 18, 2026
According to the experts, these three fads stand the test of time.
The One Spice Every Home Cook Needs, According to Barton Seaver and Andrew Zimmern Sep 18, 2026
Hint: It’s a vegetable too.
Is It Really Possible To Brush Your Teeth Too Much? Sep 17, 2026
We asked three dentists, and they all had the same answer.
All About Tony Hawk’s Fried Chicken Restaurant in San Diego Sep 10, 2026
The Birdman himself dishes about his buzzy new restaurant on “Guy’s Feast Club.”
Tony Hawk Beat Bobby Flay and Gave Him a Hilarious Skateboarding Lesson Sep 10, 2026
Just wait until you see how the medal winner tricked out the board with training wheels.
A Barbecue Ace and a Pastry Chef Are the First-Ever Winners of ‘Pitmasters’ Sep 1, 2026
Learn more about Esaul and Grecia Ramos, the husband-and-wife team who took home the trophy and $30,000.
This Texas Barbecue Joint Served Guy Fieri His First Real-Deal Rib Sandwich Aug 27, 2026
And Stack City BBQ's rib sandwich is available all year.
Will That High-Fiber Snack Throw Your Gut for a Loop? Here’s What Experts Want You To Know Aug 27, 2026
"Healthy" candy could give you a serious stomach ache…or worse. Learn how to decode and understand their labels.
Restaurateur Jen Agg Dishes and Tells All in Her Powerful New Memoir, ‘Table Boss’ Aug 27, 2026
Find out how the "Restaurant Impossible: Last Call" co-host overcame adversity — and how she hopes to help others do the same, no …
The 1 Ingredient Your Hummus Has Been Missing All Along, According to Tyler Florence Aug 23, 2026
His secret ingredient from "American Grill: 125 Recipes for Mastering Live Fire" adds so much “depth and richness.”
‘Pitmasters’ Judge Jess Pryles Shares BBQ Secrets in Her New Cookbook ‘Prime Cuts’ Aug 23, 2026
Discover how to save money and stress less as you create blue ribbon-worthy dinners, side dishes and even desserts. Plus, Jess rev …
The Tyler Florence Appetizer 'Nearly Every Table Chooses' at His Steakhouse Aug 18, 2026
Find out why this light snack is such a star at the chef’s signature steakhouse, Miller & Lux.
Ernest Servantes: 'Chopped' Champion and the 'Pope of BBQ' Aug 17, 2026
The "Pitmasters" judge went from washing dishes to owning an award-winning restaurant deemed Texas Monthly’s No. 1 barbecue joint.
Dietitians and Travel Experts Agree — The Next Trip You Take Should Be a Wellness Vacation Aug 14, 2026
The buzzy travel trend promises you'll arrive home feeling rejuvenated, stronger, and more grounded than ever.
Matthew McConaughey and Guy Fieri Shoveled Down This Texas Comfort-Food Casserole Aug 13, 2026
The "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" casserole had them fighting for the corner piece.
Moe Cason Is the Midwestern BBQ Ace Helping Select the Ultimate 'Pitmasters' Aug 7, 2026
Learn more about the self-taught pitmaster and dad of four, plus find out where to snag his signature sauces and spice blends.
We Asked 5 Personal Trainers How They Get Motivated To Exercise, Especially When They’re Not in the Mood Jul 27, 2026
Even the fittest folks hit hurdles. Here's how they renew their enthusiasm for working out (and how you can, too).
Yes, It's Actually Possible to Eat Healthy on a Road Trip — Here's How Jul 20, 2026
These five dietitian-approved tips are game-changers, and you don’t even have to skip the ice cream.
Watch Guy Fieri Take on a 5-Level Spicy Wings Challenge on 'Guy's Feast Club' Jul 19, 2026
Guy challenges a famous basketball-loving friend to a game of “can-you-handle-this-hot-wing?” one-on-one on "Guy's Feast Club."
This Protein Bar Claims To Help You Live Longer. Here’s What Dietitians Think Jul 16, 2026
Do these $48 per box bars really live up to their "younger for longer" tagline?
What Actually Happens to Your Body When You’re Hangry? A Psychologist Explains Jul 16, 2026
Here's how to avert a case of the "hangries" before it begins, or fix it if it’s already in full effect.
5 Cooking Tips From a 3-Time ‘Guy’s Grocery Games’ Champion Jul 16, 2026
You don't need to sprint through the store to take these easy meal upgrades and ideas home.
Bobby Flay Flies Solo on a 'Holiday Throwdown' Around the World Jul 16, 2026
Bobby’s besties face off in an international food fight — and try to bring the undefeated Grinch down a notch.
Is It Bad To Eat the Same Thing for Breakfast and Lunch Every Day? Jul 9, 2026
Dietitians share how the daily routine and "flavor fatigue" might be impacting your health.
Did You Know Terry Crews Almost Went to Culinary School? Jul 8, 2026
The globally famous jack-of-all-trades dishes on hosting “100 Cooks” — and plans your ultimate game-day menu.
Bob Trudnak Becomes the First Competition Pitmaster to Win ‘BBQ Brawl’ Jul 7, 2026
Discover what circuit secrets and recipes helped earn this Pennsylvania pitmaster the title of “Master of ‘Cue.”
Experiencing Foot Pain? Podiatrists and Dietitians Agree These 5 Eating Habits Might Be To Blame Jun 18, 2026
Eat your way to less discomfort by following these easy, actionable tips.
See What’s on the Menu When the Kids Take Over 'Beat Bobby Flay' Jun 11, 2026
Find out if any of the chef challengers can take Bobby to school.
Esther Choi Just Revealed Her Childhood Nickname Jun 9, 2026
She has her dad to thank for the cutest-ever nickname.
- The Tyler Florence Appetizer 'Nearly Every Table Chooses' at His Steakhouse
- Restaurateur Jen Agg Dishes and Tells All in Her Powerful New Memoir, ‘Table Boss’
- Esther Choi Just Revealed Her Childhood Nickname
- Moe Cason Is the Midwestern BBQ Ace Helping Select the Ultimate 'Pitmasters'
- Matthew McConaughey and Guy Fieri Shoveled Down This Texas Comfort-Food Casserole
- Damaris Phillips Beat Bobby Flay With This Comfort-Food Casserole
- Did You Know Terry Crews Almost Went to Culinary School?
- See What’s on the Menu When the Kids Take Over 'Beat Bobby Flay'
- Tony Hawk Beat Bobby Flay and Gave Him a Hilarious Skateboarding Lesson
- Bob Trudnak Becomes the First Competition Pitmaster to Win ‘BBQ Brawl’
- Bobby Flay Flies Solo on a 'Holiday Throwdown' Around the World
- Ginn Choe Is the 'Bobby's Triple Threat' Bartender Who Handles More Than Just Mixology