In this episode of Nourished with Nora, Nora sits down with Chef Johanna Hellrigl—mom, restaurateur, and visionary behind Alma, one of the most sustainable restaurants in the country. Recently featured in The New York Times and celebrated for her leadership in rethinking restaurant culture, Johanna is proving that food, health, and planetary wellbeing are deeply interconnected.

Together, Nora and Johanna explore:

• The principles that guide Alma's mission-driven approach

• How sustainability and health go hand-in-hand for both guests and restaurant teams

• Why "question everything" has become a core philosophy for shifting food systems

• The hidden health risks of plastics and what it takes to change restaurant norms

• The power of primary foods—community, relationships, joy—alongside what's on the plate

• The balancing act of being a chef, entrepreneur, and mom while pushing for systemic change

Johanna also shares her passion project with Dr. Manasa Mantravadi: designing stainless steel containers to replace ubiquitous plastic deli containers—bringing real solutions from restaurants into homes and schools.

Learn more about Alma: amarestaurant.bar
Follow Johanna: @chefjohannaherrigel on Instagram

On this episode of Nourished with Nora, I'm joined by Brian Keller and Charlie Carlisle, the co-founders of Rorra, the award-winning water filtration company that's transforming how families think about water. From stainless steel countertop systems to filtered shower heads, Rorra is helping people drink and bathe in water that's cleaner, safer, and healthier—without the plastics or compromises of traditional filters.

We discuss:

- The personal stories that inspired Rorra—from Brian's daughter's eczema journey to Charlie's experience with Denver's lead water crisis.

- Why water quality is as foundational to health as sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

- The risks of aging water infrastructure and hidden contaminants like PFAS and microplastics.

- How Rorra's design preserves minerals for taste and health while filtering out what's harmful.

- Stories from families and athletes already experiencing the benefits of Rorra water.

- What's next for Rorra, from new product launches to their long-term vision for public health impact.

As a mom and wellness advocate, I've tried countless filters—Rorra is the one I trust.

👉 Learn more or try Rorra here: rorra.com/nora

Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a pediatrician, CEO, mom of three, and the founder of Ahimsa—an award-winning company making stainless steel dishware for kids. But more than that, she's on a mission to reform public health, starting with what's on our plates.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why the American Academy of Pediatrics warned against plastics

• How plastic exposure affects hormones, puberty, and long-term health

• What "culinary medicine" really means—and why it's the future of healthcare

• The simple changes families can make to reduce plastic exposure

• How Ahimsa is changing what kids eat from at home and in schools

• Why school lunch reform = healthcare reform

This is a hopeful, empowering conversation about how we can take small steps in our homes—and big ones in our systems—to raise healthier, happier kids.

Resources & Links:

• Dr. Manasa's company: Ahimsa

• Conscious Cafeteria Program: ahimsaschools.com

• Follow @ahimsahomeusa on Instagram

• Join the school lunch revolution: eatreal.org/parents

• Find Nora on Instagram: @nourishedwithnora