Nutrition Program in Scottsdale, Arizona

Chef Paul Lindsey

Chef Paul Lindsey is the chef for Pinnacle Peak Recovery. He works at 2322 and is passionate about providing diverse and nutritious meals. Paul is also in recovery, and when he was using drugs or drinking, he wasn’t providing his body with the nutrients it needed. This is partly why he’s so passionate about the menu and recipes he creates for Pinnacle Peak. He knows that eating poorly can affect your state of mind and your gut health.

Recovery is about wellness, which encompasses the body, mind, and spirit. Paul believes that nutritious whole foods can promote overall wellness, making the recovery process easier and more long-lasting. He also believes in the process of slow cooking, which is the process of making foods that take time to prepare. He has a propensity for braising meats because the more time that is taken, the more love will come through in the dish. 

Paul cares about providing fresh and locally sourced ingredients to those he prepares food for. He knows his local fish and meat providers personally, and he sources vegetables from local farms and vendors.

Paul is passionate about his work as a chef because he knows “food creates a great stability once you start eating properly.” Paul knows from experience that individuals who are struggling with a substance use disorder often do not prioritize their nutrition, which is counterintuitive to the recovery process.

Chef Paul’s foods are nutrient-dense, minimally processed, and made with love and care. Adding love and care to food often means utilizing chilis and spices from all over the world to put a new and exciting twist on familiar dishes. 

Paul and his team are committed to accommodating individuals with diet restrictions or food allergies. All of his food is high-quality – special diets are never an afterthought. Chef Paul is committed to providing quality meals to everyone, regardless of their dietary needs.

Lori Binder L.Ac., CN, MT

Lori Binder is a licensed acupuncturist and clinical nutritionist at Pinnacle Peak Recovery. The first year after someone stops drinking or using drugs is critical when it comes to nutrition. It’s also when someone’s nutritional needs are higher than normal. Alcohol and some drugs can damage the gut so it can’t absorb food properly. The gut needs to re-learn how to accept the nutrients available in healthy foods. 

When people are new to recovery, they’ll often replace their drug of choice with sugar or caffeine because of the similar highs and lows. Food is one of the first things used as a coping mechanism in those recovering from drug or alcohol misuse. Unhealthy foods affect a person’s mood and cravings, so they can prevent a person from consuming what their body truly needs. This can turn into an unhealthy cycle that can be just as hard to break as addiction. 

Healthy, nutrient-dense foods create a greater chance of success in maintaining sobriety. They must be consumed every day to keep up with the nutritional demands of someone trying to heal from drug and alcohol use. 

“…the second brain lies in the gut”, Lorie Binder says. “At Pinnacle Peak Recovery, we offer nutritional education classes to build a lasting foundation for living a healthy life.”