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At the Bozeman Community Food Co-op, we love spotlighting neighbors who inspire us — and this month, we’re excited to introduce Happy & Holistic founder, nutritionist, and chef Brooke Heller. Through her work, Brooke is on a mission to help people save time, reduce stress, and create healthy habits that stick — without sacrificing what matters most in their lives
We sat down with Brooke to talk about her journey to becoming a nutritionist, her philosophy behind Happy & Holistic, and how we can all incorporate holistic wellness into our busy routines.
Brooke's journey into nutrition began long before she became a nutritionist. She earned her undergraduate degree in athletic training (Sports Medicine) and spent eight years working in Bozeman public schools. This experience sparked her interest in health and wellness, but it was her personal journey that truly shaped her path. “I was always really interested in nutrition and cooking,” she says. “In college, I started trying to figure out how to eat healthy, and I took some basic nutrition classes for my undergrad. As I learned more, I realized I wanted to get a formal education in nutrition.”
Brooke went on to earn a master’s in nutrition & policy from Tufts University. Her degree focused on Nutrition Science and Policy because she saw the crucial need for better food access, ingredient labeling, and regulations in the nutrition field.
One of the key takeaways from Brooke's education and personal research is the power of home cooking. For her thesis, Brooke explored the impact of meal prep and home cooking on dietary quality and metabolic markers. "I pulled a lot of data about time spent preparing food at home versus eating out, and the relationship between eating at home and better health outcomes was pretty astounding,” she explains. Her research confirmed what she’s passionate about: cooking and preparing meals at home is one of the best ways to prioritize health and wellness.
Brooke also shares that her passion for healthy living comes from her own experiences growing up. “As a woman, I struggled with body image issues and body dysmorphia,” she reflects. “I was never the ‘tiny, skinny’ girl, but I was healthy, and I struggled with that comparison. Over time, I realized how much healthier eating made me feel more confident and helped with my mental health.” Her personal transformation led to her desire to help others find the balance that worked for them.
Brooke created Happy & Holistic as a way to simplify wellness for busy people. "As a busy individual myself, I know how hard it can be to prioritize health when you’re juggling a million things,” she says. Her mission with Happy & Holistic is clear: help people focus on what truly matters to them — whether that’s spending time with family, pursuing passions, or feeling good in their own bodies.
Happy & Holistic is designed to make wellness easy, accessible, and sustainable for everyone. Brooke’s approach offers practical tips for incorporating healthy habits into everyday life, from meal prep strategies to balancing nutrition and wellness. Her work provides tools that save time and energy, allowing people to focus on what’s important — without feeling overwhelmed by complicated routines.
Brooke shared several simple tips for integrating wellness into hectic schedules:
At the Bozeman Community Food Co-op, we’re all about supporting local businesses that align with our values. Happy & Holistic is a perfect example of a community-driven initiative that encourages sustainable wellness. Brooke’s approachable and practical approach makes wellness feel achievable, even for those with the busiest of schedules.
If you’re looking for meal prep services, nutrition tips, healthy recipes or just a little motivation to focus on your well-being, we highly recommend checking out Happy & Holistic. Brooke’s content is filled with practical advice that will inspire you to prioritize your health — without sacrificing the things you love most.
Stay tuned for more features on Brooke and the valuable resources she offers to help you lead a happy and holistic life!