I’m a Wellness Lover

celebrating wellness in the sun I’ve been feeling a shift happening over the past few years.... in my mind, body, and spirit. The way I feel in my body has changed, and so have my priorities. The way I dress, apply my makeup, exercise, and even the way I eat have been evolving. I’m less willing now than ever to compromise the things that help to keep me happy like sleep, sun, healthy food, and time with loved ones. Some may define this as a midlife crisis…but not me. As I embark upon the second half of my life, I’m embracing this opportunity to recalibrate myself to be the best I can be. I'm deep diving into wellness, and I’m super excited for what’s the come. My cookbooks have always been about wellness and our eco-lifestyle. They have included themes on beauty, fitness, hormones, detox, eco-fashion, longevity, community, and even money. I’m setting up now to bring you even more tips and ideas around overall wellness and living a healthy lifestyle. I’m looking forward to sharing my wellness journey with you. Thank you for sticking with me! xo

By |December 1st, 2015|Beauty, Fitness, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, Travel|8 Comments

Urban Hiking at Magic Hour

  Today is what I call "Fitness Friday" because it's when I like to post an activity we can all enjoy over the weekend that will help us keep active and get outside. Something as simple as an urban hike, aka walk (LOL), is a fun way to discover a new neighborhood with friends and/or your canine companion. As you may know, Kanga and I love to urban hike. We found an industrial area in West LA at the end of the afternoon that was bathed in golden sunlight. The lighting was magical. I guess that's why it's called 'Magic Hour' or 'Golden Hour', which is the one hour before the sun sets. (We took this photo without a filter!) I guess you can say our Happy Hour is Magic Hour! What will you do to get outside this weekend?  

By |August 30th, 2013|Fitness, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE|Comments Off on Urban Hiking at Magic Hour

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

Ani’s Travel Essentials featured in Vegetarian Times

     

By |June 27th, 2013|Beauty, Green Living, LIFESTYLE, NEWS & EVENTS PAGE, Travel|Comments Off on Ani’s Travel Essentials featured in Vegetarian Times

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?

Delicious Living Magazine, Ani’s Raw Asian Power

Grab a copy of the April 2011 issue of Delicious Living Magazine - Raw Power with 6 raw food East West Fusion recipes for a taste of "Ani's Raw Food Asia", available everywhere May 10, 2011.

Almond Buttered Banana Freeze + Acai

Almond Buttered Banana Freeze + Acai recipe that's blended with banana, almond butter, and acai juice....