Cape Coral chef serves up health, happiness, harmony
Listen closely this grilling season and you'll hear more than the sound of steak sizzling away. For some, the chopping up of vegetables is a much-preferred sound, for flavor and necessity.
With the summer dinner-party season in full swing, some of Cape Coral resident Lisa Brown’s work as owner of Free Flowing Health is preparing barbecue-alternative fare that’s health conscious and delicious. And many of her whole-food, plant-based meals have a more serious objective.
“Many of the people I work with are battling serious illnesses, including kidney diseases, and they are following specific protocols from naturopathic doctors,” she said, adding that she also assists those who have had cancer, diabetes and other ailments.
For large events, Brown first prepares food in a commercial space in Fort Myers. She fixes meals for parties and for health-supported clients, often lasting a full week, at residences.
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The Institute for Integrative Nutrition-certified health coach and educator provides everything from menu planning to the labeling of leftovers. Brown also gives advice on practicing mindful and conscious eating along with “just having fun with food.”
Brown moved to the Cape from New York City — she’s a graduate of the National Gourmet Institute and was an emergency medical technician while attending college — in the fall of 2019 to look after her ailing mother. After her mother died, Brown launched her business in January 2020.
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“Like a vegan diet, a whole-food, plant-based diet excludes all meats, fish, dairy products and eggs," she said. "It also steers clear of most refined and processed foods like refined white flours, refined sugars and processed oils.”
Hors d’oeuvres of cucumber cups with chickpea salad; eggplant and zucchini lasagna with cashew ricotta, kale, basil and sun-dried tomato pesto; and sugar-free cheesecake of cardamom, cashew cream and hazelnut crust topped with cherry compote are some client favorites in the party prep part of her business.
“Taste is not sacrificed in being creative,” she said.
Brown even grows her own brussels sprouts and plans to use the garden of a client in Alva to harvest pineapples, peppers, leafy greens and more.
“She elevates every flavor,” said client and friend Heidi Cook of Cape Coral. “It’s all made from scratch, so you taste the love of what she does.”
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Brown is also a volunteer supporter of the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, having nursed several cats at home plus adopting some, and also assisted with the nutrition program at Lee Health’s Wellness Center/Healthy Life Center at Cape Coral Hospital.
Also certified in several styles of yoga, she led a session for cat owners at Cattyshack Cafe in Fort Myers on June 1 and hopes to return on a monthly basis.
“I call myself a one-stop shop for health and wellness,” said Brown. “I meet clients wherever they are on their journey to a healthier lifestyle.
“I love combining my work as a chef, coach and educator to help people achieve greater levels of health, happiness and harmony.”
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What: Free Flowing Health
Services: Personal chef, heath coaching, yoga & meditation
For more information or to arrange for services: Call 646-642-0083 or visit FreeFlowingHealth.com.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cape Coral chef serves up health, happiness, harmony
