Berry and Greens Salad for Beauty

A berry delicious and nutritious green salad made with kale, baby bok choy, Chinese greens, corn, onion, yellow squash, eggplant, raspberries, blueberries, and pomegranate marinated in a splash of olive oil, with a pink of pink sea salt. This is a simply beautiful way to pump up antioxidants to help slow the 'rusting' of my cells. Packed full of beautifying foods for feasting while detoxing, this raw vegan salad will keep your skin clear and glowing with beauty from the inside out. What's your secret for combating the signs of aging?

By |August 23rd, 2013|Dressings & Salads, Gluten Free, Main Dishes, RECIPES, Snacks & Side Dishes, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Berry and Greens Salad for Beauty

Ani’s Raw Food Certification Courses

I'm offering my final 2013 series of Ani's Raw Food Certification Courses in September in Santa Monica, CA. Level 1: September 20, 21, 22. Friday 3pm to 6pm. Saturday 8am to 4pm. Sunday 10am to 2pm. Level 2: September 27.28.29. Friday 3pm to 6pm. Saturday 8am to 4pm. Sunday 10am to 2pm. Level 3, Teacher Training: September 29, 30, October 1st. Sunday 4pm to 6pm. Monday 10am to 4pm. Tuesday 10am to 2pm. My inspiration for creating these courses is to help people learn how simple, quick, and easy raw food preparation can be! It's all about delicious and nutritious recipes made using a handful of easy to find ingredients. Complexity is added with sauces and plating. To support a healthy diet and lifestyle, we need to know how to make our own food, quickly! In my courses, I also discuss lifestyle topics including fitness, natural beauty, organic and eco-green living, healthy detox, weight loss, and much more. And for those interested in launching their own business, writing a book, and or creating a show, I talk about business strategy, entrepreneurship, marketing strategy, and keys to building your brand. I hope you can join me in September for one or all 3 of my courses! It's a really fun course, and a great way to detox feasting on the best raw food ever!! For more information, please visit my course page.    

Superfood Energy Truffles

Energy Truffles are a great way to power a long hike, bike ride, and even a car ride. These truffles travel easily, and are packed full of delicious organic goodness. I took this batch on a 4-hour hike in the Santa Monica Mountains this past weekend with my personal trainer. Each time our energy would get low, we'd pop one of these truffles to boost our endurance and stamina. They are made with omega-3 rich walnuts, antioxidant filled cranberry and raisins, and superfood cacao and maca. Flavored with a hint of vanilla, and rolled in coconut. Delicious!

By |August 12th, 2013|Desserts, Fitness, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES, Super Foods, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Superfood Energy Truffles

Vegan Protein Pudding

I whipped up this Protein Pudding at my client's home by using what he had on hand in his fridge and cabinets. Since he had no vanilla extract and no cacao powder, I used his flavored vegan protein powders instead. He did have half of a banana, 2 avocados, coconut water, and stevia powder. So, I made this Protein Pudding by blending together sweet banana, creamy avocado, chocolate and also vanilla protein powders, electrolyte coconut water, and non-caloric stevia powder. And it was delicious! Though I've personally stopped using all protein powders (instead I'm using only whole foods), this gluten-free, vegan pudding is an easy way to up your protein intake today. Happy Meatless Monday!

By |July 29th, 2013|Desserts, Gluten Free, RECIPES, Snacks & Side Dishes, Super Foods, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Vegan Protein Pudding

Red Bell Pepper Hummus

This recipe can be found in “Ani’s Raw Food Essentials” Red bell pepper hummus makes the awesomest vegetable dip.  It's so easy and simple that you can make it in just minutes! Ingredients include: Peppers Almond butter Garlic Salt  

By |June 26th, 2013|Ani's Raw Food Essentials, Gluten Free, RECIPES, Super Foods, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Red Bell Pepper Hummus

Curried Coconut Soup

This recipe can be found in “Ani’s Raw Food Essentials” Makes 4 servings: 1 cup diced ripe avocado (about 1 large) 2 1⁄2 cups cherry tomatoes 2 Tablespoons lemon juice (from about 1 lemon) 1/3 cup coconut oil, liquid 1⁄4 cup cilantro, fresh 1 Tablespoon curry powder 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 cup filtered water Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. To serve, divide among serving bowls. Top each portion with fresh cilantro leaves. Enjoy immediately! Will keep for 2 to 3 days in fridge. :)

By |June 21st, 2013|Ani's Raw Food Essentials, Beauty, Fitness, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES, Soups, Super Foods, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Curried Coconut Soup

Got Juice?

I love green juices, and think of them as my daily multi-vitamin. In the same way I would never think to live off a bottle of vitamins only, I don’t think to starve myself on a 5-10 day juice fast in order to detox (unless I had a tumor to starve or some other acute health crisis). It seems to be a new trend here in LA that people with unhealthy processed diets and lifestyles, who even smoke, suddenly think it’s okay to starve for 7 days on a juice cleanse to make everything better. How about focusing instead on creating a healthier lifestyle through exercise, clean eating, mediation, and happiness rather than starving? These are the real keys to longevity. Green juices are wonderful for vitamins and minerals, and for nourishing our bodies. But, it’s so much more FUN and less painful to enjoy delicious Raw Foods while accidentally DETOXing! Feasting on Raw Foods, rather than starving on a juice cleanse, is safer and healthier for you. We’re designed to be eating whole foods. Starving our bodies on just juice cannibalizes our muscle mass, slows down our metabolism, and will make us gain weight as soon as we eat again (besides throwing off our hormones, along with triggering a slew of other biological reactions). It’s painful to starve ourselves. Why deny ourselves when instead we can feast and enjoy delicious Raw Foods to cleanse and detox? I’d rather eat clean, detoxifying foods, than starve myself. Wouldn’t you agree? Ani’s Favorite Green Juice Recipe: Dandelion Kale Cilantro Jalapeño Fennel Basil Turmeric Cucumber Celery Spinach Lemon

By |June 4th, 2013|Beauty, Drinks, Fitness, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES, Soups, Super Foods, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Got Juice?

Tapenade and Candied Onion Stuffed Red Cabbage

Cabbage leaves are great to use as 'shells' to stuff with my favorite fillings to create different hand helds. Olive Tapenade, Candied Onions, Chiffonade Green Cabbage fill a beautiful purple cabbage leaf and adds crunch. Recipes and video included.

Ingredients From Our Local Farmers’ Market

Ani's Raw Food Certification courses are held a couple blocks from the Saturday morning Santa Monica Farmers' Market, where local farmers bring us seasonal produce that's been picked just a few hours before. Sometimes, we'll find heirloom ingredients available for only a week, or better yet.....dry farmed produce. That's when the plants just thrive on their own, without watering nor chemicals! Fresh, local, seasonal, gluten free, vegan, and organic...what better way to detox and cleanse from urban toxins?

By |March 15th, 2013|Events, Farmers' Market, Food Demos, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, NEWS & EVENTS, NEWS & EVENTS PAGE, Retreats, Super Foods, Talks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Ingredients From Our Local Farmers’ Market

Got Juice?

  Ani's Favorite Green Juice Recipe: Dandelion Kale Cilantro Jalapeño Fennel Basil Turmeric Cucumber Celery Spinach Lemon I love green juices, and think of them as my daily multi-vitamin. In the same way I would never think to live off a bottle of vitamins only, I don't think to starve myself on a 5-10 day juice fast in order to detox (unless I had a tumor to starve or some other acute health crisis). It seems to be a new trend here in LA that people with unhealthy processed diets and lifestyles, who even smoke, suddenly think it's okay to starve for 7 days on a juice cleanse to make everything better. How about focusing instead on creating a healthier lifestyle through exercise, clean eating, mediation, and happiness rather than starving? These are the real keys to longevity. Green juices are wonderful for vitamins and minerals, and for nourishing our bodies. But, it's so much more FUN and less painful to enjoy delicious Raw Foods while accidentally DETOXing! Feasting on Raw Foods, rather than starving on a juice cleanse, is safer and healthier for you. We're designed to be eating whole foods. Starving our bodies on just juice cannibalizes our muscle mass, slows down our metabolism, and will make us gain weight as soon as we eat again (besides throwing off our hormones, along with triggering a slew of other biological reactions). It's painful to starve ourselves. Why deny ourselves when instead we can feast and enjoy delicious Raw Foods to cleanse and detox? I'd rather eat clean, detoxifying foods, than starve myself. Wouldn't you agree?  

By |March 3rd, 2013|Beauty, Drinks, Farmers' Market, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES, Super Foods|Comments Off on Got Juice?