This week we are pleased to share a Greater Lansing area mom who wears a lot of hats – and the one that has her whole heart is mom to Brady. And her heart is about to get a whole lot bigger as Brady is getting promoted to big brother later this month.
Not only is she a Registered Dietitian, Yoga Instructor, Lactation Consultant, Executive Chef – Kristen Brogan also is a cookbook author! Read all about this week’s Meet a Mom who has lots of helpful ideas about kids and food, her family’s health and performance company – On Target Living and how she makes it all work.
Welcome to GLAMoms, Kristen 🙂
Please introduce yourself, where are you from, where do you reside now –
Hi I’m Kristen Brogan a registered dietitian, cookbook author, Yoga Instructor, Lactation Consultant and an Executive Chef. I’m also “Brady’s Mom” and due for my second child at the end of October. My husband and I just moved to East Lansing from Chicago and are now navigating life as new homeowners in the suburbs.
What do you think is one of the best parts about being a mom?
Being loved unconditionally and seeing this little person grow and learn everyday.
What is something that surprised you about yourself once you became a mom?
My husband and I continue to live close to our same lifestyle we did pre-baby–eating healthy, working out, and scoping out new restaurants and coffee shops – we just take him along for the ride and it has now become part of his lifestyle. We get coffee at our favorite coffee shops and he gets a muffin or donut. It’s a win-win for all.
What piece of advice for new moms you wish you would have known when your kids were younger?
Ultimately, you want the best for your kids so don’t be defined by books, restraints, rules or what other Mom’s tell you. You know your kids best and sometimes that means giving in for the sake of your own happiness. They will be just fine if you let them watch TV or eat a popsicle for dinner to give you some relief every once in a while. Mom life is real and hard but it’s so worth it.
Tell us about On Target Living!
On Target Living is my family’s health and performance company located in Bath, Michigan. My rockstar Dad started the company several years ago and has since made it his mission to spread our signature rest, eat, move message with the world. Since my twin brother and I grew up practicing this lifestyle, it only seemed natural to join forces with him in an effort to transform people’s health from the inside out.
We provide speaking engagements and wellness retreats for business executives and organizations. We also sell essential superfoods designed to improve performance. In a nutshell, we help organizations make health a business strategy.
You co-wrote a cookbook – Target to Table – how fun was this? What is your favorite Brady-approved recipe?
Yes, Target To Table with my brother Matt! We both combined our favorite recipes and poof…a healthy and delicious cookbook was made. The Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie & Oatmeal On The Run are Brady approved. So is the Fruity Delicious Cake & Black Bean Mango Salad. Honestly, all the recipes are kid approved!
Wait, you are the Executive Chef too! Please share what a day of meal planning and cooking!
Wowee is this a fun job! A typical day includes planning out weekly meals, experimenting with new recipes, grocery shopping, and making a healthy lunch and dinners.
How do you introduce new foods to your son? Always looking for a new perspective – we know they won’t eat the same 5 things forever…
By being a role model and eating healthy foods myself. It’s very difficult to have your kids eat broccoli if they never see you eating it. We try to sit at the dinner table as a family with a balanced plate and make healthy eating fun. (Of course this doesn’t always happen and there are nights where my son doesn’t want to sit at the table and eat real food, but we always try).
I also try to get him involved in the cooking process. Most mornings he helps me make a smoothie that he can drink before school since most of his school meals unfortunately are Mac & Cheese and hot dogs.
I also take him grocery shopping with me and let him taste foods as we shop. It’s a great way to introduce him to new things.
Speaking of children and eating – what is a simple breakfast stand by? -this is a self serving question – we are in a rut 🙂
Oatmeal on the run (overnight oats from my cookbook) + fruit/spinach/peanut butter smoothies. We throw all sorts of good stuff in smoothies like hemp seeds, flaxseeds, greens, coconut, nutritional yeast and coconut water.
What is something you are looking forward to as we are approaching 2022?
A new baby and hopefully a year that’s normal and full of fun.
Here are a couple questions to get to know you better 🙂
Strangest thing in your purse at this moment?
Wet wipes? I guess it’s not so weird when you have a 2-year old who is always into something dirty.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Broadway performer although I have no musical or dancing ability.
What is your favorite treat – no judgement if a bag of M&Ms or some sort of totally not good for you item…
I love chocolate and yogurt covered raisins/nuts/pretzels + Carol’s Toffee Crunch cookies.
Can’t live without skincare or makeup products?
Avocado Oil Hair Conditioner Mask & Face Toner
Last book you read?
Malibu Rising
What does Kristen, “me-time” look like?
Morning yoga class, coffee, reading/surfing the web and watching Price is Right.
Favorite autumn tradition or activity?
Hot Cider & Tailgating at Home
Are you team Pumpkin Spice Latte?
Duh! Who isn’t. By the way, if you haven’t had Strange Matter’s Pumpkin Latte – you are missing out!
Mind sharing a mom trick another mom will be happy to learn?
Ask for help and make time for self-care. The definition of peak performance truly is great self-care. As Mom’s we really can do it all – but we don’t have to!
How readers connect with you if they would like more information about you and On Target Living?
Website: kristenbrogan.com/
Facebook: kristenjohnsonbrogan
Instagram: chefkajjy
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/otlkristenjohnson/
On Target Living Website: ontargetliving.com
On Target Living Facebook: ontargetliving
On Target Living Instagram: ontargetliving
On Target Living YouTube: LivingonTarget
Would you like to nominate someone for GLAMom’s Monday Meet a Mom feature? Please email [email protected] and we will take it from there!