Interview with a Diva: Ani Phyo

I wanted to share with you today about a raw chef who breaks all the rules:  Ani Phyo.   Ani is a beautiful woman, whose training was really her upbringing–she LIVED raw food from an early age. Ani loves kids and has a youthful quality, she’s just RAWDORABLE.  What I love about her is how generously she shares her knowledge by posting recipes all over the internet.  She has traveleed around in her car with her dog and proves you CAN eat raw and travel. Ani loves to go to local markets wherever she is visiting spreading her Raw Message around.  And her recipes are ALL very simple and delicious!

Ani Phyo is the author of the best selling cookbook ANI’S RAW FOOD KITCHEN, awarded Best Vegetarian Cookbook USA 2007. Her next book, ANI’S RAW FOOD DESSERTS, will be available early May 2009. Ani has received 4 Best of Raw 2008 Awards for Best Chef, Favorite Cookbook, Sexiest Raw Vegan Woman, and 2nd place for Favorite Educator. Ani is the host of ANI’S RAW FOOD KITCHEN SHOW, the award winning #1 uncooking show on ‘YouTube’. Ani has been seen on the Travel Channel’s BIZARRE FOODS, Channel 7 ABC, and has been featured in numerous magazines including FOOD & WINE, ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE, OXYGEN, VEGNEWS, YOGITIMES and GET FRESH. Ani is currently working on her next book and shows for TV, DVD, and Web. To watch Ani’s videos, view recipes, and keep track of her latest projects, visit her at: www.AniPhyo.com.

What message would you like to share with our moms today?

Greetings Raw Super Moms! I know how busy you are raising your little ones, and how important it is to you to feed your family healthy food, but that you have very little time to spend in the kitchen. Here’s where I can help by offering my fast, easy, delicious, and nutritious recipe ideas. Most you can make with you kids. It’s fun play that nourishes our body and soul, while preserving our planet for future generations.

Since fresh raw organic whole foods offer the highest nutrient content, we’re getting more for our money. Shopping locally and seasonally means produce is fresher, lasts longer, spoils less, and less is wasted. Keep your money in your community and support your local organic farmers. To save more money, pack your own healthy food and snacks to take with you and your family when you’re in your car, out for the day, or on a road trip.

How long have you been raw, how raw are you and have there been anyone in particular in the raw community who inspired you or inspires you?

I was 100% raw for 8 years, was raised on about 80% raw by a raw foodie dad. I was forced to drink veggie juices holding my breath, did lots of mono dieting, and tended to our organic garden as a child. The past 2 years I’ve added some cooked foods back into my diet, and have been studying macrobiotics. Today, depending on time of year and my goals, I’ll fluctuate between 100% and 80% raw. I embrace moderation, and take my climate, weather, fitness, schedule, and well-being into account.

You are so gorgeous! Do you have any raw beauty secrets you could share with our readers?

Nutrify by eating nutrient-rich, fresh, whole raw foods and superfoods like veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds for vitamins, minerals, and omegas. I love using coconut oil on my skin and in my hair. I enjoy fresh (rather than dehydrated) foods to stay hydrated. Water keeps my skin moist and plump. I make sure to sweat daily by enjoying some form of cardio. I have a daily mediation practice. Plus, I do my best to find time to do fun things that make me happy, like taking Improvisation classes and laughing my head off, listening to my favourite music and dancing, and playing and hiking with my dog in nature.

What does a typical day in your life look like?

My days vary depending on the projects I have on my plate. Lately, I wake between 5 and 8, meditate anywhere from 15 min to an hour. I then feed my Rhodesian Ridgeback, Kanga, then take her for a walk. Feed myself a smoothie. Check emails and messages, have meetings. I’ll workout, run, or hike from about 11 to 1 or so, then eat lunch around 2ish. Sometimes I’ll have meetings to attend or errands to run in the afternoon, other days I’ll be at my computer and on the phone. I eat dinner between 6 and 8pm. Then either get more work done, or take time to read. I’ll meditate 15 min to 1 hour before bed. Bedtime is between 10pm and midnight. Some nights it’s later.

When do you eat your meals, at what times?  Do you have a time that you don’t eat after?

Breakfast: 8-10am

Lunch: 12-2pm

Dinner: 6-8pm

Snacks throughout the day until 11pm, sometimes later, if I’m hungry.

How much sleep do you get?

It various. Ideally I enjoy 6-8 hours a night, but sometimes I go on a couple hours.

Please share with our moms one of your favourite recipes!

SURE! Kids love making my Cranberry Coconut Almond Cookies and they keep and travel well.  I made these for a kid’s fun shop, you can see photos here.

Cranberry Coconut Almond Cookies

makes 12 servings

• 1 1/2 cups pitted Medjool dates

• 1 cup almonds, process into chunks

• 1/2 cup cranberries

• 1/2 cup shredded coconut

• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract, alcohol free

Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use your clean, washed hands to mix well. Form batter into balls, or press into cookie cutters to make shapes. Will be devoured immediately.

One last question. Please tell us what is the latest project you are working on?

My next book, my shows, and my appearances at Expo West in early March in Anaheim.

My Desserts book, called “Ani’s Raw Food Desserts”, will be available early May. Working on my book tour for May, and will be in the UK and London in early June. Please write to me if you’d like me to come to your city: ani_phyo@yahoo.com. I’d love to hear from you, and will do my best to visit! Thank you Shannon, and all the RAWMOMS- you RAWK!

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