On An Organic Ranch

This summer has been full of the most amazing adventures stretching from the desserts of southern Utah all the way to Yosemite, CA. But, the highlight by far was visiting my friend Natashia's ranch and vineyard in Northern California. There's a gigantic organic garden here with a row of peach trees, apple trees, raised beds of strawberries, tomatoes of all sorts, many varieties of kales, and even potatoes. Heriloom, cherry, and roma tomatoes taste incredibly delicious picked straight off the vine. This was my harvest today. Diced the potato and sautéed it up with kale, quartered tomato, garlic, onion, and rosemary. Served it topped with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes. Blended up a strawberry smoothie, and ate the peaches on their own. Yummy! On the way to gathering ingredients at the farm, I stopped off to visit the horses, chickens, turkeys, cows, and goats. The goats were surprisingly social and interactive. Plus, I recently learned goats are the best rock climbers! This little guy is so adorable! I want to take him home with me to LA. Fresh air, sunshine, rolling hills, beautiful animal friends, and organic fruits and vegetables. This must be heaven on Earth!

By |August 24th, 2015|Farmers' Market, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, NEWS & EVENTS PAGE, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on On An Organic Ranch

Ani’s Raw Food Certification Level 1

My students made me this beautiful stack with marinated mushrooms and onion, sliced tomato, oregano and rosemary marinara, cashew cheeze, and fresh Italian herbs today at my Ani's Raw Food Certification Level 1. I love showing everyone that elegant food need not use many ingredients nor be complicated to make. Each recipe uses a couple ingredients, seriously! And, is really quick to create. The sophistication comes in the plating, presentation, and use of easy to make sauces. One of our students this weekend is a Le Cordon Bleu trained professional chef who's mind was blown by Raw Food's functionality, and fresh flavors! She said "I've been making my food way too complicated!". We all laughed. Get in my belly!!! Yumminess! Our final Level 1 for 2015 is September 19+20th. I'd love to spend the weekend eating the most delicious, nutritious, and inspiring food with you. xoxo https://www.aniphyo.com/certification/

By |August 15th, 2015|Ani's Raw Food Essentials, Beauty, Dressings & Salads, Farmers' Market, Fitness, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, Main Dishes, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Ani’s Raw Food Certification Level 1

Mushroom “Bul Go Gi” Recipe

    Please join me for lunch today! This Korean inspired recipe is from Ani's Raw Food Asia. It's my vegan, gluten-free, and raw version of Korean BBQ, made with marinated shiitake, crimini, and wood mushrooms. I call it Mushroom "Bul Go Gi" (page 186). Use your favorite green leaf, like romaine or red leaf lettuce as the wrap. Then, top with cucumber, carrot, thinly sliced garlic, and my delicious Gochujang Sauce (page 225) made with unpasteurized miso (for living enzymes), sesame oil, and chili powder, to taste. Add a sweetener syrup like agave or coconut nectar too to balance out the spice, salt, savory, and sweet. Super yummy on a rainy day here in LA (thank goodness, we need the rain!). Mushoom "Bul Go Gi" Lettuce Wraps BulGoGi 4 cups sliced mushrooms 2 T tamari 1 T toasted sesame oil 1/2 T minced garlic 1/2 cup Asian pear, microplanes or pureed in food processor Fillings 1 clove thinly sliced mushroom 1 Korean or jalaeno pepper, sliced 1 cup julienned cucumber 1 cup julienned carrot Wrappers 8 red lettuce leaves, or more Toss together all BulGoGi ingredients in one bowl. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes, until softened. Prepare fillings, and set aside. Squeeze excess marinade from mushrooms, and place into each lettuce leaf. Top with fillings. Drizzle with Gochujang Sauce, below. Serve and enjoy! Gochujang Sauce 2 1/2 T unpasturied miso, any color 2 T toasted sesame oil 1/4 cup agave syrup or coconut nectar 1/2 teas chile powder, or cayenne, to taste Whisk to mix well. One last tip: I just moved my car out of my garage and onto the street so it will be 'washed' clean by the rain! Conserving water during our [...]

By |May 14th, 2015|Beauty, Farmers' Market, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, Main Dishes, RECIPES, Snacks & Side Dishes, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Mushroom “Bul Go Gi” Recipe

Give Me Sugar-Free Juice!

My favorite KOA organic juices are now available at Gelson's Markets in SoCal and LA! Yay!! KOA is cold-pressed and made from 12 fresh fruits and vegetables like pomegranate, red sea lettuce, guava, holy basil, heirloom carrots and lemon...and more. It has good-for-you vitamins (9) and minerals (74) like some other cold-pressed juices, but KOA Olakino is sugar-free with zero calories. And, they taste absolutely delicious! Other cold-pressed juices that include fruits of any sort (including apples, pineapple, pear, etc) can contain anywhere from 45g to 65g of sugar per bottle! Whoa!! That's more sugar than 3 donuts. Scary. And, our bodies have the same insulin response, whether the sugar is from juiced fruits or a candy bar. (To learn more about the effects of sugar on our health, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc...watch the documentary "Fed Up"). Incase you're wondering why KOA calls their "juice" Olakino, it's because the FDA's definition of "juice" is a beverage that contains fructose (sugar). Since KOA Olakino contains no sugar and no calories, KOA is charting new territory into a new category all their own called "Olakino", which means "healthy" in Hawaii. Pick up a bottle and tell me which flavor your prefer: Original (mint) or Raspberry. So hard to choose....      

By |May 5th, 2015|Beauty, Farmers' Market, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE|Comments Off on Give Me Sugar-Free Juice!

The Power of Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is liquid sunshine! A raw, vegan, mega-superfood! Just 2 ounces contains the same amount of nutrition as 5 pounds of organic vegetables. And, about 20% of its calories come from complete branch chain amino acids and protein. It's a powerful detoxifier for the liver and blood, neutralizes toxins and pollutants in our body, and lessens the effects of radiation. Wheatgrass cleanses the body of heavy metals too. I love GREEN! The color comes from chlorophyll, a very important phytonutrient our cells need to heal and fight disease. Chlorophyll also helps carry tons of oxygen to our blood. Lots of oxygen is always a good thing! Best taken on its own, fresh, and on an empty stomach so that its nutrients can be best absorbed. Most fun shared and enjoyed with friends and loved ones! xoxo  

By |July 23rd, 2014|Beauty, Farmers' Market, Fitness, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on The Power of Wheatgrass

Raw Food Level 1: May 3+4

  May 3+4, 2014 Ani's Raw Food Certification, Level 1, in Los Angeles, CA Spend a hands-on weekend with Ani making the best Raw Food on the Planet, while effortlessly detoxing too! Register today, only a few seats remaining: https://www.aniphyo.com/certification-course/

By |March 28th, 2014|Farmers' Market, Fitness, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Raw Food Level 1: May 3+4

Jump for Joy! Raw Detox Weekend

  Jump for the Joy of RAW FOOD! Join me at an upcoming Raw Food Certification weekend in Los Angeles: - Level 2: April 12+13 - Level 1: May 3+4. Register for BOTH today….we only have one level 2 seat remaining….and you'll be able to take L2 first when registering for both L1 an L2 this round. Hope you'll join Ani for a weekend of the BEST RAW FOOD on the Planet. Effortlessly detox and cleanse while feasting and learning everything you want to know about Raw Food nutrition, health, wellness, fitness, natural beauty, entrepreneurship, and more! Register today: https://www.aniphyo.com/certification-course/

By |March 18th, 2014|Beauty, Farmers' Market, Fitness, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, NEWS & EVENTS PAGE, RECIPES, Superfood, Vegan|Comments Off on Jump for Joy! Raw Detox Weekend

Ani’s Feb 22+23 Course

Join me and enjoy the BEST RAW FOOD on the planet for a full weekend, and detox and cleanse effortlessly! Come and kickstart your Raw Food diet, or jump back on the train. You will leave the weekend feeling inspired with a slew of new recipes and menu ideas. In addition to food, we will learn about the Raw Food lifestyle, including beauty, fitness, and living a toxic-free lifestyle while focusing on social entrepreneurship and even launching your raw food business. Join me in my kitchen at my next "Ani's Raw Food Certification Level 1" on Feb 22+23 in Santa Monica CA. Space is limited, and filling up quickly. This is a hands-on Home Chef course.  

Purple Cauliflower

Look what I picked up at the Farmers' Market…. beautiful purple and green cauliflower. I love the purple for its' color, plus it contains  anthocyanins to help regular blood sugar levels and body weight while lowering our cancer risk. Both green and purple cauliflower contain glucoraphanin which converts into anti-cancer compounds in the body. Both are great fresh, organic, detox, raw food. I typically gravitate to the color green, along with kale and brussel sprouts…..so, remind myself to eat the colors of the rainbow along with many different vegetables and varieties to ensure I get the full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients my body needs. An easy way to mix it up is the pick various colors at the farmers' market. What goodies did  you find at your local farmers' market this weekend?    

By |January 20th, 2014|Beauty, Farmers' Market, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE|Comments Off on Purple Cauliflower

Join Me: Feb 22+23

I've booked dates for the first 2014 Ani's Raw Food Certification Level 1. Class will be held in Santa Monica, CA. February 22nd and 23rd Saturday 8am to Sunday 4pm This is a hands-on home chef food prep course with a focus on healthy living, natural beauty, fitness, and social entrepreneurship. Space is limited, and class will fill up quickly. So register today! For those interested in pursuing a career in Raw Foods, I also offer a Level 3 Teacher Certification Course. For more information, please visit my course page. I hope you'll join me in 2014! It's going to be the BEST year yet! xo (Photo by the awesome Mark Tassi)