Today I took a short drive to Lansdale, Pennsylvania... home of Arnold's Way! Talk about a hidden treasure. Since I began my raw lifestyle, Arnold's Way has been a staple, a necessity, a life saver! The store is jam packed with books, DVD's and knowledge! The cafe area serves everything from its famous banana whips to the amazing raw chickun salad, one of the many creations of Raw Chef Michelle. Chef Michelle has become a great friend and inspiration of mine. Aside from my husband, who is my biggest supporter, Michelle is the only other person who understands my excitement for creating raw food.
I chose Raw Chef Michelle as The Raw Seed's first official "Raw Chef Interview" since she has been such an important person in my life over the past months. We had a great time hanging out and conducting the interview. Afterwards, Michele made a yummy raw pizza for Dustin to enjoy for lunch, delicious!!! On to the interview:
When did you first hear of the raw food lifestyle?
About 10 years ago a friend of mine told me about a retreat in San Diego, California, called Optimum Health Institute. I've always strugged with my weight and overeating. My friend recommended that I go to this retreat to help me lose weight. The plan was she was going to meet me there for support but she never came! So, I was there, all alone in this new world learning new things, meeting new people. It made a huge impression on me. When I came home I was walking down the street in Manayunk, and for the first time I noticed Arnold's Way! I went in and started taking classes.
How long have you been living a raw food lifestyle? Do you think you will ever transition back to cooked food?
I've been about 98% percent raw for over 2 years. Two years of total dedication to the raw lifestyle. When I first met Arnold and was eating raw, I had great results. I knew it was something that I wanted to stick with. I don't want to ever go back to cooked food. I don't think it would be a benefit to me and my body, I feel it would do more harm than good.
How has raw food changed you and your life?
It has allowed me, for the first time in my life, to lose weight and keep it off. I have lost over 160 pounds! In the past, I've lost weight on crazy diets and then gone right back to my old lifestyle once I'd stop, then I'd gain back TWICE as much weight as I lost! Raw food is not a diet, it's not a quick fix, it's a lifestyle that I can live with! It seems so extreme, but it really isn't. Its something that works for me. It's mind blowing for me to be able to keep the weight off! I have hope for the future, I want to continue to lose weight, feel healthy, feel sexy and great. I needed a lifestyle change, not a diet, and that's exactly what raw foods is.
How long have you been living a raw food lifestyle? Do you think you will ever transition back to cooked food?
I've been about 98% percent raw for over 2 years. Two years of total dedication to the raw lifestyle. When I first met Arnold and was eating raw, I had great results. I knew it was something that I wanted to stick with. I don't want to ever go back to cooked food. I don't think it would be a benefit to me and my body, I feel it would do more harm than good.
How has raw food changed you and your life?
It has allowed me, for the first time in my life, to lose weight and keep it off. I have lost over 160 pounds! In the past, I've lost weight on crazy diets and then gone right back to my old lifestyle once I'd stop, then I'd gain back TWICE as much weight as I lost! Raw food is not a diet, it's not a quick fix, it's a lifestyle that I can live with! It seems so extreme, but it really isn't. Its something that works for me. It's mind blowing for me to be able to keep the weight off! I have hope for the future, I want to continue to lose weight, feel healthy, feel sexy and great. I needed a lifestyle change, not a diet, and that's exactly what raw foods is.
How long have you been creating and preparing living food?When I went to the raw retreat about 2 1/2 years ago I worked in the kitchen for 8 months as a "guest worker." The guest workers would go out 2 times a week to the raw restaurants in San Diego and have amazing food. Then we'd come back to the retreat and would try to recreate what we tasted. At the retreat I held my first dinner party, everyone flipped about the food I created. They could not believe I wasn't a "raw chef." But after that, I was!
What’s your favorite part about being a raw chef?
Its creative! I know that I'm inspiring people to transition to a raw lifestyle because the food is so tasty and so good for you.
What raw chef or raw restaurant has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A restaurant in San Diego called Cilantro, I think they're closed now, but I'm not sure? We would go there 2 times a week when I was at the retreat. They had a lot of Mexican inspired dishes like tacos, burritos, it was all unbelievable. There's another place in San Diego called Ranchos. It's like Arnold's Way in that its a health food store that caters to the raw lifestyle. They have fridge cases that are filled with pre-made raw meals that are unbelievable!
Do you think the raw food lifestyle will grow to be more mainstream?
I do! I really hope so. I think raw foodism is on its way to exploding on the east coast, its huge on the west coast. Wait...I think I should mention Arnold's Way as my biggest influence! If I never met Arnold, I don't think I would be raw still today. Working here is a venue for my creativity because Arnold is so open to letting me create what I want. Arnolds is a home base, a support system that really helps me to stick with raw.
Do you think the raw food lifestyle will grow to be more mainstream?
I do! I really hope so. I think raw foodism is on its way to exploding on the east coast, its huge on the west coast. Wait...I think I should mention Arnold's Way as my biggest influence! If I never met Arnold, I don't think I would be raw still today. Working here is a venue for my creativity because Arnold is so open to letting me create what I want. Arnolds is a home base, a support system that really helps me to stick with raw.
Be sure to visit Arnold's Way in Lansdale, they are a great resource for raw foodism and health. They offer daily classes, counseling, and serve up the hottest dishes in town! Arnold's Way is also hosting Lansdale's first ever LIVE FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL on May 2nd 2009, call Arnold today at 215-361-0116 to reserve your ticket!
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