Graduate Spotlight

Rebecca Brenner, PhD in Holistic Nutrition

How did you become interested in natural health/holistic nutrition?

I used to work for a modern dance company in Pittsburgh, and the artistic director owned a yoga studio, so company members were allowed to take classes for free. At first, I took as many classes as I could for the benefits of the physical workout, but then I kept going because of the sense of ease and presence I was beginning to feel. This led me to live at an ashram for a month to become certified in yoga. While there, I ate organic, fresh foods at every meal, and I couldn’t believe how good I felt. When I returned home, I signed up for classes at CCNH to learn how foods could heal me, my community, and the environment.

How did you decide on CCNH in particular… and how has this experience worked for you as a student?

I chose CCNH because of its reputation, its ability to allow me to create my own schedule, and its pure focus on natural health. Having a PhD in holistic nutrition has opened so many doors for me! I teach at the college level, I have my own practice, I write a monthly column, and I have a segment on a local TV station.

Have your studies involved a career change, job enhancement, and/or personal healing?

My studies have involved all of the above. Learning about nutrition and its healing effects has helped me overcome health issues such as skin cancer, and it’s allowed me to help family members overcome health issues related to stress and anxiety. I went from being a yoga teacher to a food writer, teacher/cook, and private practice owner.

Describe your “dream” career.

I feel like I’m living my dream career! I get to work with clients, write about food, share local sources of fresh food on a TV show in my community, teach a course called “Eco-Logical Eating” at a nearby college, and lead cooking lessons and preservation workshops at a local farm.

Are you a teacher or coach?

Yes. I own Park City Holistic Health, www.parkcityholistichealth.com, where I work with individuals, families, and community organizations to help them create a sustainable health plan through food. I also work closely with Copper Moose Farm, here in Park City. I lead the cooking side of our three “Harvest Dinners.” These dinners include guests harvesting vegetables from the gardens and then meeting me in the kitchen to collectively turn them into an amazing meal. Additionally, I teach three preservation workshops throughout the summer so that CSA members can learn how to keep some of their summer goodies for later in the year. Copper Moose sends out a weekly newsletter, which I have the pleasure of writing nutrition tips for. They’re a great part of the Park City community, and it’s such an honor to be a part of the amazing work they do.

Are you an author/ media columnist/ interview host/ subject matter expert?

I write a monthly column called “The Alchemical Kitchen” in Catalyst Magazine, which explores the nature, spirit, and lineage of food, along with its potential to create change. I also write a blog, www.playfulnoshings.blogspot.com, where I share recipes and ideas for creating a more local, sustainable kitchen. And I was just asked to be the nutrition editor for Basil Magazine, which is going to launch in just a few weeks. I’m currently working on having my cookbook on localism published. And I share how to shop and cook locally in a weekly segment on Park City TV.

What would you like to convey about your applications of mind/body/spirit health, as relates to work philosophy/professional life?

My years as a yoga teacher have greatly influenced my work as a nutritional consultant. My practices of mindfulness and yoga are really the foundation of all that I do. When I mention yoga, I’m not thinking about the actual poses you do on your mat, but the philosophical practices of allowing wisdom, creativity, love, and joy to come through in every moment. But I even try to drop the analytical aspect of philosophy and get right down to experience…. what does my wisdom feel like when making everyday choices about the foods I buy? What does my creativity feel like when I cook with friends? What does love feel like in the moment when I take the time to listen and understand someone’s food choices? Mining these sensations and experiences forms the foundation of my interests in holistic health, nutrition, and eating within my foodshed.

Have you mentored, been mentored, or would you like to become a mentor within any area of natural health?

I would love to mentor a new generation on how to eat locally and preserve foods in a healthy and fun way! A fresh, seasonal, whole foods diet is essential for all of us. But many of us are so far removed from shopping at a farmers’ market, cooking from scratch, in-home artisan food practices, and preserving food that taking the first steps out of the grocery store and into an open-air market can be really intimidating. I’d love to share how fun and easy it is to make and preserve more of your foods.

Who is your favorite author within the field of natural health, and why?

I’m a huge fan of Michael Pollan because of his accessible approach to eating better for your own health as well as the health of your community and the health of your environment. I love how he shines a light on current food practices, and how he offers everyday changes we can all make to our diets for a better future.

Right now, I’m loving a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt that goes something like this: “Follow your curiosities and you will have a happy, successful life.”

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