-Micca Terrell
A local woman working to improve her own health is also helping others by preparing healthy meals to go. Crystal Jackson, owner of Conquering Crystal Coaching, said folks can pick up prepared meals (including gluten free options) in the cooler at Street Coffee or pre-order the meals on her website, www.conqueringcrystalcoaching.com.
Jackson has been on her own health improvement journey since having gastric bypass surgery in 2019. Jackson found that besides meat and a salad, there were not many healthy “to go” options in Cheatham County.
“Cooking has always been a passion of mine, thanks to my Mom, so I started experimenting in the kitchen every weekend and I’ve ended up with quite the collection of healthy recipes that taste delicious,” she said.
“I found meal prep services based out of Nashville, but that wasn’t convenient for me, so I think the idea to do something like this has been in my mind for quite a while. With the meals I cook, I have lost 145 pounds and managed to keep it off. I want to help others eat healthier and live their lives to the fullest,” Jackson explained.
She connected with Teresa Young, owner of Street Coffee, shortly after Young had started her coffee truck.
“We just kind of hit it off and over the last few years, we’ve become like family. When she decided to open a location, I was so excited to have a permanent place to go sip on her yummy coffee,” Jackson said. “After she opened the coffee shop, she asked me if I wanted to put some of the items from my boutique in there, so we already had an established business ‘partnership’ through that.
“Approximately a month ago, I decided to leave my full-time job in order to pursue my own business(es) and I went to Teresa and pitched the (meals) idea to her. She was fully on board with the meal prep service. She’s been amazing to help me get the word out to her current customers and friends. Street Coffee has been such a Godsend to this community and I’m thankful we have women business owners who support other women-owned businesses.”
Two options are available for the meals. People can pick up prepared ones in the cooler at Street Coffee or they can preorder through Jackson’s website www.conqueringcrystalcoaching.com. She said the website launched April 19 to allow people to do pre-orders for the week of April 25. All orders must be placed each Friday by midnight for a Sunday pickup/meet up.
“I will offer pick up services in the Pleasant View Villages each Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. I will also offer pick up services in Ashland City each Sunday at 4 p.m. Those who work in Ashland City and Pleasant View can opt for a Monday morning delivery to their place of business (with a minimum of 4 meals ordered). This will be coordinated with each individual business,” Jackson said.
If anyone has questions, they can reach out to Crystal Jackson at conqueringcrystalcoaching@gmail.com. For the latest information, they can follow her Facebook page, Conquering Crystal Coaching or her Instagram @conqueringcrystal.
