Pre-Grammy Red Carpet

2013 Pre-Grammy Red Carpet, hosted by Whole Foods Market's Whole Planet Foundation® non-profit focused on alleviating poverty in developing world and in own backyard. Event was held at the Historic Village Recorder Studios where legendary artists including Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and many others have recorded their iconic hits. Proceeds from the evening go directly to Whole Planet Foundation to fund small loans and entrepreneurship programs for poverty alleviation. To date, Whole Planet Foundation has authorized $41 million and funded more than $29 million in microfinance programs in 58 countries, including the United States. They even catered vegan raw food!

By |January 28th, 2014|Beauty, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, Music, NEWS & EVENTS, NEWS & EVENTS PAGE, PRESS, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Pre-Grammy Red Carpet

Roasted Sunchoke Recipe

Have you tried sunchokes yet, aka Jerusalem artichoke? They are the tuber of the sunflower plant, and available at our local farmers' markets here in Los Angeles. As with all tubers, they are full of minerals and vitamins and help boost our immune system in the wintertime. When eaten fresh and raw, sunchokes have a light crisp, similar to water chestnut. And are delicious sliced and served as a 'chip' with dips like guacamole and hummus. I tried roasting sunchokes in my friend's convection oven, tossed in a splash of olive oil. The texture was similar to a sweet potato, starchy and delicious. A warming comfort food on a cold winter day. Enjoy this vegan, gluten-free, superfood recipe: Roasted Sunchokes 2 pounds sunchokes, scrubbed 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Toss together the sunchokes and oil in a large bowl. Spread on baking tray and roast for 20 minutes, or until tender and golden brown.  

By |December 19th, 2013|Gluten Free, RECIPES, Snacks & Side Dishes, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Roasted Sunchoke Recipe

Superfood Dessert for Giving Thanks

Getting ready for my Raw Food, Vegan, and Gluten-free Thanksgiving on Thursday, using all whole food and superfood ingredients. Here's a new recipe made with Cashew Kream that is topped with persimmon off a friend's tree. It's then finished with mesquite-lucuma sauce and cacao that's been candied with coconut sugar. This is one of my new favorite desserts, and I'm feeling grateful. What's your favorite Thanksgiving recipe?

By |November 26th, 2013|Desserts, Gluten Free, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Superfood Dessert for Giving Thanks

In the Los Angeles Times

I was featured in Sunday's Los Angeles Times newspaper here in LA, in their Holiday Guide. Here are a couple recipes and hopefully some ideas you will find useful and inspiring for keeping it fresh whole food, raw food, vegan, and healthy recipes during your holidays! Enjoy xoxo

By |November 19th, 2013|Article, Farmers' Market, Gluten Free, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, NEWS & EVENTS, NEWS & EVENTS PAGE, PRESS, RECIPES, Super Foods, Superfood, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on In the Los Angeles Times

Vegan Gluten-Free Ravioli

What's your favorite #RawFood pasta recipe? We made this delicious Ravioli in Ani's Raw Food Certification Course Level 1 this weekend in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA with summer squash pasta, cashew herb cheese, cherry tomato ravioli, and fresh Italian herbs. All ingredients from the Saturday morning Farmers' Market up the street....local, seasonal, fresh,nutritious, and super delicious. Wheat-free and gluten-free pasta filled with vegan nut cheeze. 100% good for you and the planet. Great way to detox while feasting.  

By |September 23rd, 2013|Ani's Raw Food Essentials, Ani’s Raw Food Desserts, Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen, Gluten Free, Main Dishes, RECIPES, Super Foods, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole Foods|Comments Off on Vegan Gluten-Free Ravioli

Abundance and Gratitude

I love that I have this opportunity to wake up on the coast at Rancho Palos Verdes here in Southern California. Today I am stretching and breathing on the edge, enjoying abundance, and remembering that we don't need to worry about running out of air to breathe or that the sun will run out of sunshine to shine upon us. I'm feeling deep gratitude and joy. What brings you joy today?  

By |September 3rd, 2013|Beauty, Fitness, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE|Comments Off on Abundance and Gratitude

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.    

Loose Weight Dancing at a Pool Party!

When the weather's nice out, all I want to do is play outside. I love hiking, biking, walking, swimming, and most of all...dancing! Yesterday, my ladies and I spend our Sunday Funday a Beverly Hills rooftop pool party where my friend and DJ Eric Sharp was spinning the best beats ever here in Los Angeles, CA. Swimming and dancing are both great ways to soak up sunshine while burning calories. Dancing burns about 350 or more calories an hour and aides in weight loss because it takes about 3500 calories to loose a pound. I'm targeting to loose about 3 pounds in the next couple weeks. So, dancing is a fun way to workout and get in some accidental cardio. For the next 3 months, I'm avoiding wheat and gluten, refined sugar, starches, and alcohol. Enjoying nuts and seeds in moderation, lots of vegetables, and some fruits. Focusing on upping my protein with sea vegetables, buckwheat, spirulina, and legumes. I'll keep you posted on how this makes me feel and how it changes my body. Hoping to get leaner and stronger for my Powerlifting Competition in November. Let's all keep active this summer, while remembering to eat clean too. xo  

By |August 19th, 2013|Beauty, Fitness, Green Living, Health, LIFESTYLE, Music|Comments Off on Loose Weight Dancing at a Pool Party!

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