Named as one of the “Top 20 Role Models” in nutrition by Arianna Huffington, this dietitian and founder of Nutrition Stripped dishes designing a way of eating and living unique to our body and life. It’s her mission to make us all feel better. Her name may be followed by MS, RDN and LDN—but we like her most for teaching us to make the best smoothies on the planet
Work & Life
TNE: Where did you find the love for what you do?
MHK: I’ve always had a core feeling about caring and teaching. When I focused academic studies on clinical nutrition in undergraduate and graduate school, it became clear that this is what I was meant to do.
TNE: Joy that drives you daily…
MHK: Knowing that my work is supporting people’s health and well-being. My mission behind Nutrition Stripped is to empower people to take their health into their own hands by learning the science of nutrition and how to practice the art of healthy living.
TNE: What would you tell your younger self?
MHK: Check your ego. It’s a spiritual practice I learned in my early twenties, and it’s transformed my life and work.
TNE: Who in your life has made a major impact?
MHK: I learned about resilience, strength, and perseverance from the women in my family and their stories of female ancestors. Whenever I feel lacking or fearful, I envision them to help me stand in my worth and power.
TNE: Your favorite vacation destination…
MHK: I’m grateful that our home is completely embraced in nature, so I really don’t feel the need to escape anywhere, but I love any vacation with warmth, crystal clear water, delicious food, and wildlife.
TNE: On creative focus…
MHK: I turn off all disruptive technology (phone, email, etc.) and just go outside. My best creative and innovative work comes not by being influenced by overconsuming content, rather finding a creative flow within myself.
TNE: Quote, mantra, or saying that has meaning in your life…
MHK: The present moment is the only moment that matters. It’s a marathon, not a sprint; progress, not perfection.
TNE: Food fetish…
MHK: A unique mix of psychology, philosophy, and sports that led me to study nutrition. It’s fascinating that what we consume nourishes our physical body on a cellular level. It also nourishes our mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Food is so much more than nourishment physically. It’s part of our human experience. It’s how we socialize, practice traditions, celebrate milestones, learn new cultures, and enjoy ourselves.
TNE: The most rewarding aspect of your work…
MHK: Transforming someone’s health and having them realize that they’ve known what to do to achieve optimal health all along they just needed someone to guide them with practical tools, strategies, and plans they needed to feel like their best versions of themselves.
TNE: Writer’s block wisdom…
MHK: I’ve found that the best remedy is putting the work away for a few days. I like to sleep on it and to check-in with myself to see why I might be feeling resistance.
My Routine
TNE: How do you start each day?
MHK: My morning routine is a primary pillar in my signature 5×5 Framework. Ideally, I start my day by hydrating with filtered water. I make hot tea, do light yoga stretches, meditate, go to barre3 and refuel with a smoothie or hot breakfast.
TNE: What products or services do you count on for energy and health? Give us your wellness go-to’s…
MHK: Most of the things I swear by for my boosting energy and maintaining optimal health, actually don’t cost a thing and they’re accessible to everyone! It’s mostly about self-care such as setting boundaries with your time and energy, calling a loved one to chat, having alone time to self-reflect, spending time in nature, giving back to the community, sleeping in when you need it, drinking filtered water, eating nourishing foods, and moving your body in a way that feels good!
TNE: Me and myself…
MHK: I treasure alone time. Self-reflection and silent time are great for our health and well-being. I take that seriously, devoting alone time each week where I can unplug, journal, process, and reboot so I can show up fully for others.
TNE: What do you never leave home without?
MHK: My phone. There’s a lot of social media action on @nutritionstripped. I’ve got to keep up with my people!
TNE: Always in your fridge…
MHK: Lots of mustard! I enjoy sampling a variety of artisan mustards and using them for homemade salad dressings daily.
TNE: How do you get your “glow?”
MHK: 90% of the time I’m completely makeup-free. I’m a firm believer that what you put into your body shows up through your hair, skin, and nails. I try to get the glow from the healthy, nourishing foods that I eat.
TNE: What is your beauty routine?
MHK: My hair is low key and natural most days. I’m a big fan of no-heat styling for long hair! If I have a photo or video shoot or going out at night, I’ll do my own makeup. I get my hair cut and cared for by my favorite stylist in Nashville, Katya Kooienga at Green Pea Salon. I typically love doing my own nails while listening to a podcast. The best self-care time!
TNE: How do you de-stress?
MHK: Meditation has changed my life. I’ve been practicing for over a decade, it’s a preventative stress management tool and an in-the-moment stress reduction technique.
TNE: Go-to fast healthy food recipe…
MHK: A nourish bowl is a way to throw together meal prepped items like roasted veggies, protein, starchy carbohydrate (like sweet potato or quinoa), and a dressing or sauce for fat. Assemble with big handfuls of dark, leafy greens for fiber and that’s it. Takes 15 minutes (tops) to throw together and will make you feel like a million bucks.
TNE: Flavor favorites…
MHK: Sea salt and black pepper. People forget to just season their food, especially when cooking with vegetables!
TNE: Most loved sweet treat…
MHK: My favorite dessert or something sweet is dark chocolate or chocolate anything.
My City
TNE: Coolest neighborhood treasure/place…
MHK: I’m biased from living there, but I adore the history and intimate feeling of Germantown. Plus, it’s home to my favorite restaurant, Rolf and Daughters.
TNE: Top choice for date night…
MHK: Samurai Sushi or Bombay Indian and a drink at Patterson House. All for sentimental reasons with my husband, but it’s definitely our go-to date night out!
TNE: Meeting friends for coffee or wine…
MHK: Franklin Juice, High Garden Tea, Barcelona, Avo, Wild Cow, Butchertown Hall, Henrietta Red.
TNE: Healthy dining havens…
MHK: True Food Kitchen, Avo, Wild Cow, and Sunflower Cafe.
TNE: Designer frocks…
MHK: Elizabeth Suzann is a trailblazer in serving diverse physical body types, age, gender, etc., She’s also bringing awareness to sustainability in the world of fast fashion which is a contributor to climate change. I love her aesthetic, style, and mission behind her brand.
TNE: On lakeside living…
MHK: I love Nashville, but in general, city life was never really suited for us, which is why we made the intention and life-changing switch to build a home and live quite far from the city and completely surrounded by nature. It’s the best decision we’ve ever made!
TNE: The perfect free day…
MHK: Getting a workout in at barre3, grabbing lunch or juice with a friend before a spa afternoon. It would end with dinner at Rolf and Daughters with my family.
TNE: Community and culture picks…
MHK: I totally support Thistle Farms – their mission is incredible! Anything with the arts. I’m a huge fan and supporter of the Nashville Ballet. The arts are so vital to our experience, our creative expression, and the Nashville Ballet has such beautiful talent.
