Brandy’s Blog
Great Cookware Options for a Healthier Kitchen
October 5, 2021
Before we talk about what cookware to bring into the kitchen, let’s first talk about some everyday kitchen staples you might need to replace or choose not to buy. Non-Stick Pans These pans are not our friends in the kitchen. We need to set some boundar… Read More
Tips For Creating A Healthy Kitchen: Food Storage and Containers
August 19, 2021
I am excited to be collaborating with Katrina Bogdon at Our Healing Roots with a video series Healthy Home and Body. I am contributing to the “Healthy Kitchen” portion of the series. Kitchen Therapy is my Inspired Nutrition and Health Coaching business… Read More
Building A Community in the Kitchen
May 13, 2021
Having a supportive community in the Kitchen where so much happens in life is the root of becoming healthier. I enjoy gathering in the Kitchen with others. Within the Kitchen is where so much change can occur. I feel like sometimes our Kitchen is a ref… Read More
Live on Purpose: Setting Intentions and Being Accountable
March 25, 2021
“To be ‘on purpose’ means I’m doing what I love to do, doing what I’m good at, and accomplishing what’s important to me. When I am on purpose, the people, resources, and opportunities I need naturally gravitate toward me. The world benefits, too… Read More
Did Your 20/20 Vision Get a Little Blurry?
March 25, 2021
2020 may have been about a clear vision. Did you want to become focused on your 20/20 Vision? Well, change is inevitable. We learned to slow down, build our resilience, put health as a priority, and have faith. We are still learning in 2021. First, you… Read More
My Human Experience
March 25, 2021
My Journey and Life I wanted to share less about “my story,” but rather my journey and who I am at my core. I know I am a curious soul having a human experience. Sometimes those human experiences are memorable, and sometimes those experiences are harro… Read More
Flavors for Fall
October 27, 2020
Spice Up Your Fall with Wonderful Fall Flavors Fall is a magical time of the year. I love every moment and color of this time of the year. Being mindful and slowing down to enjoy these days is essential for our health and happiness. Fall Flavors are fu… Read More
Building Blocks for Healthy Soups
October 8, 2020
Healthy soup is the ultimate nourishing and warming meal. I love making soups from scratch, and I now consider myself a freestyle cook when making many dishes. It is the way I create. That is not always the way I cooked. Trust me; I need recipes… Read More
Sustainability and Food Waste
June 2, 2020
Living Light Produce Storage Guide I aim to be more sustainable wherever I can in both my kitchen and my home. One big challenge I continually face is food waste and, more specifically, keeping produce fresh until I’m ready to use it. Some weeks are be… Read More
Planning Ahead: Happiness Is Knowing What’s For Dinner
May 6, 2020
The Remaining Steps To Reclaiming Your Kitchen In my last blog, I began my series, “Love Your Kitchen, Love Yourself.” The goal of this series is to help you take ownership of your kitchen and take ownership of your in-kitchen mindset. By following my… Read More
Letting Go: How To Lose Your In-Kitchen Hangups
April 21, 2020
The First Step To Bettering Relationship With Your Kitchen We all carry something into our kitchen. For some of us, it is heavy grocery bags filled with food we are excited to cook, and for others, it is the weight of our daily lives and our internal… Read More
Local Community Healthy Food Toolkit: Taking Care of Yourself
April 5, 2020
In these difficult times, it’s important to remember that there are many resources available to you. I have compiled a toolkit of local, state, and national resources to help you stay grounded, educated, and focused on nutrition. We will update this po… Read More
When Your Kitchen is Dark, What Do you Do? Turn On The Light!
March 24, 2020
During these times, the world might feel a little dark, so we all collectively need to shine some light. I know my purpose in life is to love better and to shine light into dark places. I believe that’s your purpose as well. A Slowed Momentum Spiritua… Read More
Springing Forward: 6 Tips To Promote Better Health
March 12, 2020
Spring is a time of endless possibilities. March 8th marked the start of longer days. More daylight means more time to cultivate healthier habits. It’s time to take advantage of the momentum of new beginnings, fresh air, and positive moods. Spring is a… Read More
A 20/20 Vision for Health: Community
February 18, 2020
Why did I find it essential in my life’s work to own an integrative health center, become a health coach, and be a founding member of The Missouri Nutrition Alliance? The simple answer is because I believe in the healing power of community. On a pers… Read More
All About Beans
February 10, 2020
Looking to add more high-quality, plant-based protein into your diet? Try some beans! Beans are an excellent protein source and healthy substitute for meat, which is higher in fat and cholesterol. These tasty legumes are loaded with iron, magnesium, po… Read More
Condiments & Oils
February 10, 2020
Getting in the habit of cooking simple meals, such as steamed veggies with beans and a grain, will save you time and energy. Instead of adding complicated sauces, create a condiment tray for your table so that you and your family/guests can personalize… Read More
Meal Mapping: Knowing What’s For Dinner
February 10, 2020
Charting Your Course A Better Way To Navigate Meal Planning My purpose and mission in life is to teach women how to simplify and fill their plates with what truly nourishes them. I do this by discovering their relationship with food, home, people, and… Read More
Controversial Ingredients
January 30, 2020
Organic Quick and portable foods are now the norm in modern society. Whether it’s a toaster pastry, a tube of yogurt, a can of cola, or an individually-wrapped slice of cheese – chances are that the product is heavily processed and contains various add… Read More
A Healthy Home Detox
January 30, 2020
The benefits of eating clean, nutritious, whole foods are clear – the less toxins, chemicals, and junk you feed your body, the more vibrant a life you’ll lead. While the phrase “you are what you eat” stands true, the state of your environment can also… Read More
Spice Up Your Life!
January 30, 2020
Quick, easy, full of flavor! HERBS AND SPICES Spices and herbs are great for adding to your everyday food. They have the power to completely transform your meals and experience in the kitchen. They play an important role in food preparation by adding u… Read More
The Bitter Truth About Sugar
January 28, 2020
Why We Crave Sweets by Brandy Hickman A Collaboration with Brigitte Factor To Get The Scoop On Sugar and Tips for Quitting Sugar CHEMICALLY CRAVING SWEETS A mother’s breast milk is sweet. The sweet flavor is deeply nourishing to us as little babies. U… Read More
The Authentic Table
January 27, 2020
I am super excited to be joining Brigitte Factor, MS, BCHN in a new venture to connect Faith and Woman in one Community “The Authentic Table”. We are both Christian women who want to offer a safe and supportive space to make this spiritual health conn… Read More
Soups & Freezing
September 12, 2019
By Brandy Hickman Having the option to freeze our foods allows us to have more freedom in our kitchens by simplifying cooking time for our meals. Having many recipes and limited time can be overwhelming! Our busyness can keep us stuck and without some… Read More
What’s for Breakfast?
September 12, 2019
By Brandy Hickman Breakfast! It is my favorite meal. (My go-to meal when I don’t know “What’s for Dinner” is “Breakfast”.) You can be so creative in your kitchen, so instead of dreading the age-old question “What’s for Breakfast?”, be excited by all th… Read More
Methods for Cooking Vegetables
August 26, 2019
By Brandy Hickman As a Nutrition Coach, I can comfortably say that most of us could serve to incorporate more vegetables into our diets. The great thing about cooking vegetables, the possibilities are endless! There are a variety of methods and spices… Read More
Simplify, Make a Plan and Get Healthy for the Fall
August 8, 2019
SENSING A SHIFT It can be strange and sometimes sad to let go of the summer ‘routine’. But if we see change as a naturally occurring event – much like the change of seasons – then we can embrace change as a gift and an invitation to improve and enhance… Read More
Local Resources
July 25, 2019
The Gracious Plate Katie Baker — Owner www.thegraciousplate.com The Gracious Plate is a meal preparation and catering company specializing in farm-sourced and allergen-aware foods serving the Springfield area. They source many of the ingredients from B… Read More
Healthy Alternatives – Dairy Replacements
July 25, 2019
By Brandy Hickman Part of my work is guiding clients with new ways to nourish their bodies. Often I see clients who need to go on an elimination diet, and I even offer a 12 Day All Natural Detox online. Sometimes healthcare providers prescribe these el… Read More
Healthy Alternatives – Gluten Replacements
July 25, 2019
By Brandy Hickman Part of my work is guiding clients with new ways to nourish their bodies. Often I see clients who need to go on an elimination diet, and I even offer a 12 Day All Natural Detox online. Sometimes healthcare providers prescribe these el… Read More
Eating Healthy at Restaurants
June 21, 2019
Going out to eat is inevitable in our day and age. It can be a great time to connect with friends and family and enjoy a meal prepared by someone else. But for those who are being conscious about what they eat, it can be a big stressor. The 10% rule … Read More
Is Your Plate Too Full? – Healthy Boundaries
December 12, 2018
And the biggest Time Trap Women Face That Keeps Their Plates Far Too Full is… Saying ‘Yes’ when You Really Want to Say ‘No’! What does Saying Yes When You Really Want to Say No mean? Have you ever accepted an invitation to an event then when the day… Read More
Is Your Plate Too Full? – Being Present
November 5, 2018
“Not Being Awake at the Plate” Is A Time Trap Many Women Face That Keeps Their Plates Far Too Full! What is “Not Being Awake at the Plate”? “Not being awake at the Plate” is, simply put, when you are in autopilot. Have you ever driven from point A to P… Read More
Is Your Plate Too Full? – Finding Space
September 26, 2018
A “Dizzying Pace” Is A Time Trap Many Women Face That Keeps Their Plates Far Too Full! What is a “Dizzying Pace”? A “Dizzying Pace” is when you find yourself buzzing around like a hummingbird high on sugar. You seem to be going in a hundred different… Read More
Travel Clean: Eating Healthy on Vacation
July 11, 2018
Is eating clean on your vacation possible? Vacations are often times when we decide to “splurge” on ourselves. I decided to redefine what a splurge is for me. It is NOT fast food or hangovers. For me it means staying hydrated, eating clean, and gettin… Read More
15 Steps to Better Digestion
April 4, 2018
15 Steps to Better Digestion Frequently, I am asked about “gut health” and the role digestion plays in our overall health. A lot of Digestive health issues can be easily changed with simple lifestyle adjustments. I have included 15 steps to better dige… Read More
What is health?
February 16, 2018
Kitchen Therapy with Brandy: What Is Health? The word HEALTH comes up a lot with New Years’ resolutions, advertisements, or flu season. Health can be a tough subject. Our culture defines health in too many ways to count Television, social media, exerci… Read More
The Bitter Truth About Sugar
November 7, 2017
What Is An Elimination Diet and What Does it Have to do with Sugar? Part of my work is guiding clients with new ways to nourish their bodies. Often I see clients who need to go on an elimination diets. Sometimes healthcare providers prescribe these el… Read More
What Causes Leaky Gut?
October 17, 2017
Kitchen Therapy with Brandy: What Causes Leaky Gut? Recently, I shared a blog “What is Leaky Gut” make sure to read it too! Here is an outline of what the main causes of leaky gut. You may have been diagnosed with Leaky Gut or a Digestive disease such… Read More
What is Leaky Gut?
October 17, 2017
Kitchen Therapy with Brandy: What is Leaky Gut? The lining in your digestive system is like a strainer that only allow certain substances to go through and not allowing bigger substances to go through that could damage your system. A basic function of… Read More
9 Local Sources for Organic Food
September 19, 2017
Kitchen Therapy with Brandy: Top Local Sources for Organic Food People are always asking me where I shop for local organic food. So today, I am sharing some of my secrets! Well, they are not really secrets, all places that have fantastic options and I… Read More
Top 3 Foods to Detox
June 28, 2017
Top 3 Foods to Detox Hello there! Below you will find a list of the Top 3 Foods to Detox when trying to eliminate inflammation in your body. I wanted to share a quick guide to help you know what you are detoxing and how each one affects your body. When… Read More
7 Delicious, Nutritious Juicing Recipes
May 24, 2017
-7 Delicious, Nutritious Juicing Recipes- Before I share these 7 delicious, nutritious juicing recipes with you, I wanted to address some common questions about juicing. Frequently I get asked, is juicing nutritious? It is a controversial topic, bu… Read More
8 Easy Steps to Simplify Dinner Time
May 4, 2017
My purpose and mission in life is to teach women how to simplify and fill their plates with what truly nourishes them. I do this by helping them discover their relationship with food, home, people, and their mindsets. Food flows over into all of these… Read More
2 Steps to Start Creating Functional Habits
April 26, 2017
Creating Functional Habits is easier than you might think. Begin by asking yourself the following questions: What habits do you want to change? What bad habits would you like to stop? What healthy habits do you want to start? If you’re feeling stuck or… Read More
12 Healthy Ways to Detox Naturally
December 28, 2016
The goal of many people who decide to do a detox naturally is to become healthier. The foods we eat can become addictive and certainly can be toxic to our system. It can be a steep hill to climb to health because of the lack of disclosure and confusio… Read More
Are You Moving Forward or Getting Ahead?
December 17, 2016
Moving Forward, Reasons to Love Life. I am a Nutritional and Life Coach, and a large part of my work is guiding people on Moving Forward, whether it is with food, health, transformation or life. What does Moving Forward mean to me? It does not mean doi… Read More
10 Holiday Core Principles
November 29, 2016
All the activities and gatherings are a lot of fun, but can bring with them quite a bit of stress, overindulgence, and fatigue. Taking time to nourish and care for yourself becomes increasingly important. Read these Core Principles to help keep yoursel… Read More
De-stress at Work
November 10, 2016
Quick Tip to relieve stress during the work day! Is your head spinning from all the demands at the office? Take a minute to rejuvenate with this yoga tip from Brandy.
Gratitude and the Journey to Healing
November 1, 2016
Why is having gratitude such an important part of our journey towards healing? It is like building our spiritual muscle. Gratitude helps us each day strengthen our spirit, quiet our minds and open our hearts. I want to live with an open heart, and so… Read More
Carbohydrates 101
September 2, 2016
Carbohydrates are an important part of our diet, but which ones are the best for our body? Carbs are a primary energy source and a crucial part of a healthy diet, but it is important to understand that not all carbs are alike. Get the energy your body… Read More
Is Sugar an Addiction?
April 28, 2016
Sugar has become an overwhelming temptation that we feel powerless to resist. Can it be said that sugar is an addiction? 1. How much sugar are you consuming? The average American eats about 1 pound of of sugar every day. There are close to 600,000… Read More
Nourished Living Through The Holidays
October 12, 2015
Nourished Living Through the Holidays is So Much More Than Just Nutrition. Every fall there comes a point around Halloween that our calendars start to fill up slowly. It is an amazing time of the year when the air is crisp and the leaves are changing…. Read More
Crazy Things to do with Coconut
October 30, 2014
If you are a health foodie like me, you probably already know about the health benefits of Coconut. It is such a beautiful food. As with any whole food, consuming all parts of the coconut in its most natural state is going to provide your body with th… Read More