I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist since 2000. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Dietetics from Western Michigan University in 1998. In 2000, I earned a Master of Science degree in Medical Dietetics from The Ohio State University.
I began my career in Columbus, OH working primarily with individuals and families living with Diabetes. My husband, Lee, and I returned to Kalamazoo in 2004. We began our family in 2006, when I decided to become a stay-at-home mom. My time at home allowed me to dive into practical nutrition and health, including more cooking from scratch. I volunteered during my 2 children’s younger years, as a La Leche League Leader (breastfeeding counselor) in Kalamazoo. I returned to working outside the home from 2018-2020 with West Michigan cancer patients.
In 2019, I completed the Forks Over Knives online culinary course. One of my favorite conferences to attend over the past 4 years is the Plant-based Prevention of Disease to maintain up-to-date knowledge. I am proud to be a member of both the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Vegetarian and Nutrition Entrepreneurs practice groups.
I became a certified Ayurvedic Health Consultant in September 2021 through Kalamazoo’s BVI School of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is an ancient medicine developed in India over 5,000 years ago. There is much wisdom within Ayurveda to help one achieve a balanced life.
Prior to Covid-19, I spent a few years working with Trent Thompson of Green Gardens Community Farm (now Of the Land community farm), on Saturdays at the Kalamazoo Bank Street Farmer’s Market. I thoroughly enjoyed those Saturdays selling the best vegetables available! Currently, I can be found seasonally at the farm on weekend evenings working Of the Land events, such as weddings.
I am thrilled to offer my services in the form of private one-on-one counseling, incorporating diet and lifestyle changes for improved health. I believe in the power of simple changes in lifestyle to shift health over time in a way that improves every aspect of life, mentally and physically. I also believe in health at every size which means that weight loss is not needed to improve health. I respect people in all bodies. Wellness is achieved through daily choices and mindset, not by attempting to control weight. Unfortunately, weight loss is strongly promoted in our culture and ends up making many feel hopeless from repeated failed attempts. I guide clients to focus on powerful choices and routines. To learn more about health at every size, I recommend visiting haescommunity.com
Personally, I have chosen a vegan lifestyle as much as possible for the overall health of my family and our planet. Some helpful resources to learn more about how our food choices impact the environment are:
Game Changers Documentary on Netflix
Food Empowerment Project at foodispower.org
Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming edited by Paul Hawken drawdown.org
If you are ready to book an initial consultation or a free 10-15 minute discovery call, click here.
I hope to speak with you soon! Stephanie
