Podcast #20: Autoimmune Health, Energy Audits, and the Science Behind Habits with Dr. Amy Behimer

A Conversation with Dr. Amy Behimer

In this episode, Lori sits down with Dr. Amy Behimer for a thoughtful, real-life conversation about autoimmune health, energy, and what it truly means to nourish yourself in midlife.

Amy is an autoimmune health coach, pharmacist by training, and host of the podcast Autoimmune Health Secrets. Her work is rooted in evidence, compassion, and sustainability, helping people feel better and function better without perfection or extremes.

Together, Lori and Amy explore how autoimmune health evolves over time, why midlife can feel like a turning point, and how paying attention to energy and habits can support resilience and self-trust.

This conversation is especially supportive for women who feel like what used to work no longer does, and who are ready to look beyond quick fixes and toward whole-life nourishment.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• What nourishment looks like on and off the plate
• Amy’s personal journey with autoimmune disease and why she does this work
• How her background as a pharmacist shaped her coaching philosophy
• Why health has to fit real life and the season you are in
• What Energy Audits are and how they help rebuild self-trust
• Why midlife is an initiation, not a breakdown
• How tiny habits can support energy, clarity, and vitality
• Practical steps listeners can try the same day they listen

About Dr. Amy Behimer

Dr. Amy Behimer is an autoimmune health coach who helps people build habits that actually feel good and support long-term health. She believes in working with the body rather than against it, and in creating steady progress through awareness, compassion, and sustainable change.

She is the creator of Energy Audits, a simple yet powerful tool to help people understand what supports or drains their energy, and the host of Autoimmune Health Secrets, where she explores the intersections of health, mindset, hormones, and resilience.

Connect with Amy

You can find Amy’s coaching, community, podcast, quiz, and resources all in one place:
👉 https://linkpages.pro/b5ojnO

Follow her on social media:

• Instagram: @amybehimercoaching

A Note from Plant Powered Collective

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend who might benefit from this conversation.

This is also our first episode available on YouTube. If you are watching there, we would love for you to like the video and leave a comment. Your engagement helps us grow this community and continue these meaningful conversations.

Thank you for being part of the Plant Powered Collective. Check us out at @theplantpoweredcollective on Facebook and Instagram and on our website at plantpoweredcollective.com

Episode Title Gut Health Foundations: How Food Feeds Your Microbiome

**RISE Into Gut Health: How Food Feeds Your Microbiome and Supports Whole-Body Balance**

Gut health is more than digestion. It influences energy, immunity, hormones, mood, and how resilient you feel day to day.

In this episode of the Plant Powered Collective podcast, Lori walks you through what a healthy gut and microbiome really are, why they matter, and how small, intentional nutrition shifts can support balance from the inside out.

This is a grounded, educational conversation designed to help you feel informed and empowered, not overwhelmed.

In this episode, you will learn:

* What gut health and the microbiome are in simple, real-life terms

* Why microbial diversity is a key marker of overall health

* The benefits of a well-supported gut, including energy, digestion, and resilience

* Foods that feed a healthy microbiome and why whole foods matter

* Signs your gut may be supported or asking for attention

* A science-backed overview of how diet influences the microbiome

* How a Word of the Year like **RISE** can help you stay consistent with nutrition goals

* A gut-friendly, plant-powered **RISE Bowl** recipe

* Foundational pantry staples that support gut health

Everything shared in this episode is general education. For personalized support, Lori works with clients across North America through integrative nutrition coaching.

🎧 Listen now

🥣 Try the RISE Bowl

🌱 Book a complimentary nutrition session

The RISE Bowl: Gentle Miso Ginger Nourish Bowl

This bowl is warm, grounding, and supportive of digestion.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

• 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
• 1 tablespoon white or chickpea miso
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup chopped bok choy or baby spinach
• 1 small carrot, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 cups warm water or low-sodium vegetable broth
• Optional: tofu cubes, scallions, sesame seeds

Directions

• In a small saucepan, gently warm the water or broth over low heat. Do not bring it to a boil.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the miso with a few tablespoons of the warm liquid until smooth. Set aside.
• Add ginger, mushrooms, and carrots to the saucepan. Simmer gently for five to seven minutes until vegetables are tender.
• Remove from heat and stir in the miso mixture.
• Add bok choy or spinach and let it wilt gently in the warm broth.
• Serve the broth and vegetables over warm grains. Finish with sesame oil and optional toppings.

Eat this slowly. Sit down. Take a breath before the first bite. How you eat matters.

What Integrative Nutrition Coaching Is and Why It Is the Heart of Plant Powered Collective

What exactly is integrative nutrition coaching and how does it fit into real life?

In this episode, Lori Willinski, integrative nutrition coach and founder of Plant Powered Collective, shares the story behind a recent Women in Business chamber event and the questions that sparked a deeper conversation about her coaching approach.

You will learn:

* What integrative nutrition coaching actually is

* How it complements medical care without replacing it

* What “on the plate” and “around the plate” really mean

* Why bio individuality matters in nutrition

* How Plant Powered Collective supports health through coaching, education, and community

This episode is for anyone who has felt curious but overwhelmed by nutrition information and is looking for clarity, support, and a realistic path forward.

Ready to explore integrative nutrition coaching?

Book a complimentary session with Lori at

👉 plantpoweredcollective.com

Recipe: Warm Winter Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Tahini Lemon Drizzle

An easy, nourishing weeknight meal designed for busy women who want something grounding, satisfying, and simple.

Serves: 2 to 3
Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• Roasted vegetables
• 1 small sweet potato, cubed
• 1 cup Brussels sprouts, halved
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Sea salt and black pepper

Salad base

• 3 cups chopped kale or other hearty greens
• 1 cup cooked quinoa or farro
• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

Tahini lemon drizzle

• 2 tablespoons tahini
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 small garlic clove, grated
• Warm water to thin
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Toss sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, and red onion with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
3. While vegetables roast, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and enough warm water to create a smooth drizzle.
4. Gently massage kale with a pinch of salt until softened.
5. Add quinoa or farro and chickpeas to the greens.
6. Top with warm roasted vegetables and drizzle with tahini lemon sauce.
7. Toss gently and serve warm.

Why This Works for Busy Women

• Warm and grounding during colder months
• Rich in fiber and plant diversity
• Supports digestion and steady energy
• Easy to prep ahead and enjoy on a weeknight

This is the kind of meal that reflects the heart of Plant Powered Collective. Nourishing, practical, and rooted in both tradition and science.

Nourish Boldly and Live Vibrantly