When did you decide you wanted to be a holistic health expert?
I started this journey by healing myself over 30 years ago. I began to educate myself as much as possible and found teachers and like-minded people to learn from. I was so thrilled with how I felt that I became passionate about sharing what had worked so well for me with others. Everything evolved from there as I started and grew a business counseling people and creating healthy delicious foods.

If you were to teach us all one good rule about healthy eating what would it be?
Eat as much raw food as possible every day. Most people are eating about 95% cooked foods and maybe get a little raw from a glass of juice or a salad. To really improve your health and energy, raw foods should be a large percentage of your diet

Which foods are misconceived as being unhealthy?
Foods with healthy fats like avocado, oils, and nuts. These foods are so good for us and healthy fats actually help us burn fat and lose weight. They got a bad rap in the low fat craze but it was just a result of a lot of clever marketing and misinformation.

If there was one food you could all ban from our diets, what would it be?
All dairy products. As I like to call them, "cow secretions" Our bodies were not meant to digest the secretions of another animal and as we consume them the body creates excess mucous which prevents us from absorbing nutrients and can cause allergies and digestive issues.

Can vitamins replace the nutrients we are supposed to get from food?
The best way to get nutrients is from whole natural foods. However, our soil has become so depleted of nutrients because of poor farming practices that we can't always get all the nutrients we need from food anymore. Vitamins are a great way to supplement what we can't get from our food supply. However, nutrients are always better absorbed and utilized by the body when they come from a food source.

What are the most dangerous eating habits common among Americans?
Eating fast food which is high in saturated fats, sodium and sugar. These foods are robbing our bodies of vital nutrients and causing all sorts of health problems. It's a phenomenon I call "dying for convenience."

I want to lose weight, should I take diet pills?
Absolutely not. It's a temporary solution that throws the entire body out of balance. Most people who resort to quick fixes like diet pills end up putting on more weight in the long run. I'm always skeptical of something that is made in a laboratory. We have no idea what the long term affects of these products could be. The best way to lose weight is to include more fresh organic raw foods in the diet and eliminate white sugar and white flour. I strongly believe in detoxification to help the body lose weight and keep health and weight in balance.

I am on a diet, what should I eat? What should I avoid?
Eat lots of fresh whole foods. Avoid processed carbohydrates, processed sugar and dairy products. Taking digestive enzymes is a great way to lose weight and improve digestion as well.

What should I eat to boost my energy level?
Chlorophyll rich foods like leafy green vegetables. Superfoods like spirulina and chlorella are also great. I recommend that people start their day with a superfood smoothie using my Green Meal Powder. There are many other wonderful superfood products on the market as well.

What are the latest trends in the field of nutrition and dietetics?
I don't keep up with too many trends because I really believe in living as close to the way nature intended as possible. When you take care of your body with whole natural foods, plenty of rest, exercise and detoxification you don't need to worry about fad trends and diets. I am excited to see a mainstream trend encouraging people to eat less animal protein.

Have you noticed a trend in the culinary field towards better nutrition? How are restaurant menus evolving?
Absolutely. A lot of restaurants are incorporating local sustainable produce into their menus by sourcing from farmer's markets. Local foods have more nutrients and small farmers are better able to care for the land. Many chefs are more aware these days of the benefits in both taste and quality of using fresh whole foods. Organic foods are becoming more of a staple in the restaurant world as well.

When you are dining out, what meal choices do you gravitate towards?
Because I am a vegan who eats primarily raw foods, I usually have to make a special request when I eat at non vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Almost everywhere I go the staff is more than happy to accommodate especially now that plant based diets are becoming more prevalent. People always think if they go vegan they won't be able to go to "normal" restaurants anymore and I don't find that to be the case at all.

What are your beverages of choice?
Water with lemon, coconut water, kombucha, rejuvelac

How do you feel about genetically modified foods?
I feel it's a frightening aspect of the modern world that's been forced on an unsuspecting public especially since genetically modified foods don't have to be labeled as such. People need to educate themselves as to the true long term effects of this phenomenon. Many great books and documentaries have addressed this subject. It always amazes me that people think they can outsmart nature: there is always a consequence.

What defines your personal style as a health expert?
I believe in a vegan diet and detoxification for the best possible health. I also believe in total non-judgment. I share what I know and what has worked for me and I hope that that resonates with the people who choose to take my classes and eat my food. But I never want someone to feel guilty for not being "perfect." If you're trying to be healthy but slip up and eat a cheeseburger it's part of your journey, of your learning process. Eventually people know what makes them feel good and they stick with it. It's not for me to judge the choices people make. I also practice what I preach which really resonates for people and inspires them to stick with their healthy choices.

You teach a lot to your clients about nutrition, what have you learned from them?
I have been teaching for over 25 years and it never ceases to amaze me how improving your diet and detoxing the body can solve almost every health challenge under the sun. When people share their results with me it reinforces how powerful our own bodies are. I've also learned that you don't go from a to z overnight, everything in life is a process and patience is so important.