Food.
This blog is 100% vegan. Whether you are already vegetarian or vegan, a new beginner, or simply curious, welcome! This blog is a welcoming space for everyone interested in whole foods and living a healthy and happy life. I am a firm believer that food is a personal choice and it is entirely up to YOU what you eat! You will never find any preachy and scary posts here.
What does "vegan" mean? How is that different from being "vegetarian"?
The term vegan [pronounced vee-guhn], simply means a vegetarian who omits all animal products (e.g. dairy, eggs, etc.) from their diet. Generally speaking, vegans do not eat meat or dairy, whereas vegetarians still eat dairy products.
I'm definitely not vegetarian or vegan and I don't want to become one. Should I be reading this blog?
Absolutely! I'm glad you're here! (And to let you in on a little secret: some of my most favorite blogs are not specifically vegan!) I completely respect that not everyone wants to be vegan. I encourage you to eat the foods that make you feel good!
Are you vegan? Have you always eaten this way?
Are you vegan? Have you always eaten this way?
I stopped eating red meat in 2006, became officially vegetarian in 2007, and have been vegan most of the time since then. I first heard the term "vegan" when I moved to Seattle eight years ago and I was astonished that someone could live that way, let alone, that they would want to. I have definitely not always been a vegan and it was a process to switch to a completely vegan diet.
What made you want to become vegan?
There are a lot of great reasons to become vegan, such as, environmental sustainability, animal rights, and for your health. I was initially inspired to become vegan because of health reasons. Since I was 14, I have suffered from abdominal pain and digestive issues. I was in and out of doctors' offices, seeing specialists, and trying medications for years. Nothing seemed to make it better. At one point I was even told by a doctor to stop eating fruits and vegetables. To me, this recommendation seemed to be exactly the opposite of what I would want to do.
I began to realize that I needed to know more about food because I believed it would make me better. I started reading more, cooking my own food for the first time, and changing my diet. I first cut dairy out. Then I stopped eating meat and eggs. Switching my diet helped a lot and I have not experienced any symptoms since becoming vegan.
In 2010, I began working with a naturopath and finally discovered that the root cause of my past abdominal pain was gallstones. I was thankful to finally have an explanation after all these years! This experience showed me how important it is to listen to one's body-- and that includes eating the right food for you.
What advice would you have for someone trying to incorporate more vegetarian, vegan, and/or raw foods into their diet?
What advice would you have for someone trying to incorporate more vegetarian, vegan, and/or raw foods into their diet?
Just like with any change, changing your diet is a process. It's not going to happen overnight. My advice is to think about adding new foods and recipes to your diet rather than subtracting certain foods. Have fun with it and treat it as an experiment. Be willing to try foods out of your "comfort zone" because you might be pleasantly surprised! If it helps you, enlist a buddy for support. (For more tips, check out my article 7 Tips for Transitioning to a Healthier Diet )
Some of your recipes are tagged as "raw." What is "raw food"?
Raw food is food that has not been heated above 118 degrees. Since heating and processing food results in the loss of some nutrients and enzymes, the intent is that raw foods are better for your body and easier to digest. I've heard a lot about raw foodists who eat exclusively raw food. What do you think about this?
I personally think there is great value to including raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts in one's diet. However, my body works best with a mix of raw and cooked foods. I tend to eat more raw foods in spring and summer and fewer raw foods in fall and winter because that is what my body craves during those seasons. I encourage you to try different ways of eating and see what supports your body and lifestyle best.
Blog.
What are "Ash Picks"?
I know the word "vegan" can be scary to many. Even the thought of too many vegetables may make some leave this blog in fear. My partner, Ashley, is a very picky omnivore herself and is always cautious about my cooking. Anything that has the "Ash Picks" seal of approval guarantees that a vegetable-fearing omnivore not only ate this dish, but came back for seconds.
How did this blog start? And why is it called "For the Love of Food"?
This blog began in February 2010 during an independent study I was taking on food and eating while getting my masters in Organizational Development from Antioch University. Through this course, I became aware of my intense passion for cooking healthy foods and wanted to share that love with others. I love eating food, talking about food, and thinking about food. To me, food is about nourishing our bodies, being present in every moment, and connecting with those we love. So many of life's wonderful and beautiful moments involve food. This blog is my attempt to invite you on my intimate personal journey through the land of the edible. Thanks for being part of this journey with me!
Can I use your recipe or photo on my blog or website?
Recipes are meant to be shared so please feel free to use my recipes as long as credit is given to this blog. The entire contents of this site are protected by copyright. Please do not use photos without my permission. To get permission, you may email me at: fortheloveoffoodblog [AT] gmail [DOT] com. Thanks!
Professional.
What do you do for a living? Do you make any money from this blog?
I currently do not have advertisements on this blog so it is purely for passion and not a source of income. For my day job, I work at a nonprofit organization that trains homeless and disadvantaged individuals to work in the culinary industry. My job is a mix of business operations, recipe and menu development, and whole foods education with young children and low-income families.
I saw on your blog that you are currently getting your holistic health coaching certification. What do you do as a health coach?
I work with busy women who are feeling
overwhelmed and need help taking better care of themselves.
My work is
focused on helping women learn to
practice self care, find their balance, and take specific, small action steps
towards achieving their big health and life goals. I use a holistic
approach in my work and also help women incorporate more vegetables and plant-based foods into their diet
so that they have more energy to focus
on what really matters in their life.
My approach
is focused on supporting you 110%,
being your personal cheerleader, and
holding you gently, but also keeping you accountable to your own goals. In our sessions, I will not overload you
with tons of information. (Isn’t your
brain full enough already?) Instead, I
will help you break your goals down into
smaller action steps and give you the tools to make sustainable changes in your
own life. I believe that each woman
already has the knowledge inside of her and knows exactly what she needs to do
in order to transform her life. My job
as a coach is to help you use that knowledge and to support you in that
process.
Wow, a health coach sounds amazing! I'd love to work with you! Where do I sign up?
I will be certified to begin seeing clients in July 2012. My business website is currently under construction so if you would like to work with me starting in July, you are welcome to email me at fortheloveoffoodblog [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
What type of education and training do you have?
I have a BA in Psychology and Women's Studies from the University of Washington and I graduated with my MA in Organizational Development from Antioch University. In my time at Antioch, I focused my studies on life and executive coaching, organizational wellness, and came to realize my intense passion for food justice work. I am currently studying to become a holistic health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York. I do not have formal culinary training, but I have worked in the food industry for over six years and I am a volunteer cooking assistant for the PCC Cooks program in my free time.
Personal.
I'm super nosy. Tell me more about you and your life.
I love kale and can't go a day without drinking a giant green smoothie.
I work out 6 - 7 days a week and regular exercise is what keeps me sane. I currently do a mix of strength training, hot yoga, and walking.
I couldn't get through my life without the love and support from these awesome people (or felines)...
Ashley: partner of 5 1/2 years. Blog editor. Tech support. Recipe taster. Creator of Ash Picks.
Bilbo: Kitty extraordinaire. Blog critic. Recipe taster. Trouble.
Frodo: Mischief-maker. Blog model. Snuggler. Double trouble.
I love kale and can't go a day without drinking a giant green smoothie.
I work out 6 - 7 days a week and regular exercise is what keeps me sane. I currently do a mix of strength training, hot yoga, and walking.
I couldn't get through my life without the love and support from these awesome people (or felines)...
Ashley: partner of 5 1/2 years. Blog editor. Tech support. Recipe taster. Creator of Ash Picks.
Bilbo: Kitty extraordinaire. Blog critic. Recipe taster. Trouble.
Frodo: Mischief-maker. Blog model. Snuggler. Double trouble.
