Specialties
Transitioning to a Plant Based Diet
Dietary Needs of Seniors
Food allergies & intolerance
Meal Prepping & Meal Plans
Gluten Free Baking
Supplements & Essential Oils
Meet Plant Based Chef &
Holistic Health Coach Carol
I began my culinary career working as a private chef and specialty caterer in the Hamptons for the celebrity and elite crowd, but after watching my elderly parents, who lived thousands of miles away, struggling to shop and cook healthy meals for themselves on a daily basis, it became apparent to me that I needed to make a shift in the direction of my work.
I realized how much of a need there is within the community for healthy, home prepared meals, customized to suit various health conditions. Aging adults aren't the only ones who face this struggle. People live busy lives and many don't have the time (or the desire) to put the level of attention into planning and preparation that a whole foods, plant based diet requires. Factor in challenging health conditions that require following specific dietary protocols and it is easy to see how overwhelming a situation it can become to navigate without help.
My father prided himself on the quality of the diet he and my mother followed, but as his health declined, it became increasingly difficult for him to get to the store and to stand on his feet in the kitchen for extended periods of time. My parents' nutritional intake began to decline along with their health as they began to rely on processed frozen dinners for the majority of their meals. Although their desire was to remain in their own home, nutritional concerns unfortunately contributed to the decision to move them into an assisted living facility.
As a professionally trained, health supportive chef, it pained me to see my parents eating poor quality food. I've spent a great deal of time studying the connection between gut health and brain health, so watching my mother's symptoms of dementia worsen along with her diet was especially difficult to watch. Living so far away, I felt helpless that I couldn't cook for them on a regular basis. Even after they moved, the meals that were provided for them were mass produced and not of the highest quality, which led to significant digestive problems and continued cognitive decline for my mother.
Food is medicine in my world! I enjoy sharing nutritious, healing foods with my clients and educating them on the importance of gut health and how it relates to brain health and mental health. I strive to help people live healthier lives ... and truly enjoy making that an easier goal to achieve.
My Inspiration
My dad passed away in March of 2020 at the age of 95. My mom, who suffers from dementia and has had two strokes, is 89 and has recently been moved into a nursing home after living at home with me for 18 months. They both continue to be my inspiration.