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hey there!

I’M MICHELE.

Here is the dirt on me.

I’m the functional nutritionist and health-supportive chef behind The Dirt on Vegetables (@thedirtonvegetables).

I hold a Master of Science in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and became a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) in 2019. My training in functional nutrition and functional medicine allows me to work with clients to support a wide range of concerns—from gut health, IBS/IBD, autoimmunity, and hormone balance to micronutrient status, metabolic health, recovery, hydration, and sleep.

But before stepping into the world of clinical nutrition, I spent over a decade as a personal chef, creating vibrant, plant-centered meals tailored to unique dietary needs. That hands-on kitchen experience gave me something textbooks never could: an obsession with making healthful food actually taste amazing.

I live in Westchester, New York, with my husband and our two spirited kids. When I’m not working with clients, you can find me:

 • Raiding my dad’s garden for the best seasonal produce in Goshen

 • Singing at the top of my lungs while I cook (my unofficial second career)

 • Hauling around my oversized, personalized LL Bean tote filled with snacks, toys, and wet wipes

 • Or enjoying family time at the beach in Gloucester

WORK WITH ME
 
 
 

I ATE my last cheeseburger AT AGE 7 and have been a vegetarian ever since THAT PIVOTAL MOMENT WHEN I SAID BYE-BYE TO EATING MEAT. let's get interested in where our food comes from.

 
 
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ONE HEALTHY FORKFUL AT A TIME

I was trained at the Natural Gourmet Institute (now part of ICE), where I learned to make food that checks all the boxes: nourishing, plant-forward, gluten-free, allergy-friendly—and, yes, absolutely delicious. I also hold a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University because I believe food should do good and taste good in equal measure.

Growing up, I’d wake to the smell of garlic sizzling in olive oil as my mom packed our school lunches. That scent? Still my favorite in the world. It taught me that food is love, and flavor is everything.

Let’s get real though.

Your shelves are overflowing with cookbooks. Your Pinterest boards are packed. Your pantry has “superfoods” you forgot you even owned. You know what healthy eating looks like—but getting it to stick in real life, when you’re juggling 2 kids, work, and sleep deprivation? That’s a different story. (Been there, done that).

Here’s the good news: nothing is wrong with you.

You don’t have a willpower problem.

You don’t need a detox.

And you definitely don’t need to suffer for your health.

What you need is a plan that fits your life, not one that turns it upside down. That’s where I come in.

🌿 What Working Together Looks Like:

My approach is flexible, high-impact, and deeply personalized:

  • Real Food Guidance

    Tailored meal plans and practical food ideas that meet you where you are—with options that match your sensitivities, schedule, and cravings.

  • Smart Supplement Strategy

    No overwhelm. No expensive guesswork. Just a phased plan that prioritizes what your body truly needs.

  • Lifestyle Tweaks That Stick

    Simple habits to help you feel more energized, calm your nervous system, and sleep like a well-fed baby.

  • Tracking Without Obsession

    Clear tools to notice patterns, celebrate progress, and adjust when life throws curveballs (because trust me, it will).

  • Coaching That Gets You

    This isn’t about perfection. This is about showing up with curiosity, learning from setbacks without shame, and building momentum one meal at a time.

My goal?

To help you eat well most of the time, so you can feel good most of the time.

Because that’s where the magic happens.