My Story

Empowering individuals to live their best version of health is my passion.

Healthful living and wholesome food have always been central to my story. From childhood days spent helping my grandma in the kitchen to picking home-grown tomatoes with my own children, food has been a powerful way to connect, care for, and nourish the people most precious to me.

My career has always centered around food and cooking—from my early work as a research chef to founding Caregivers Kitchen, a culinary and nutrition training company dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and individuals with disabilities. At Caregivers Kitchen, we focus on chronic disease management through evidence-based nutrition and practical lifestyle strategies, empowering caregivers and communities to support health through food and make mealtimes meaningful.

I’ve enjoyed an active and healthy life, but several years ago the stress of raising a family, building a business and neglecting my own health took its toll on my body. I was exhausted but couldn’t sleep, anxious, depressed, overly emotional and couldn’t tolerate my favorite foods. It was affecting my career, my family, my relationships and every part of my life.

After seeking help from a holistic practitioner and doing the work to restore my health through food and lifestyle, I realized my body is truly amazing! I believe that with compassionate support, anyone’s health can thrive.

Through this experience, I learned that it’s not just the food on our plates but also the primary food that bring balance into our lives.  Healthy relationships, practicing creativity, a fulfilling career, taking time for self-care and managing stress are all tenets of a balanced life.

This experience led me to enroll in an integrative health coach training program. I now work with individuals to offer the same compassionate support that restored balance in my life.

If you’d like to learn more about my path to health coaching, click here.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

  • BS Food Science - Purdue University

  • AAS Hospitality Administration/Culinary Arts -
    Ivy Tech Community College

  • Integrative Nutrition Health Coach - Institute of Integrative Nutrition

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

  • National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach

  • Certified Culinarian - American Culinary Federation

  • Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection
    Professional Association of Nutrition and Food service Professionals

At Home in Indiana

I’m a life-long Hoosier along with my husband, Eric, our children and Blue Heeler, Daisy. In my free time you will find me riding bikes with my kids, working in the garden or in the buddy seat of the tractor.

I’m grateful to live in a place that embraces wellness and supports my efforts to educate and empower the health of my community.