What does it mean to be healthy?
For me, healthy means being good to my mind, body and soul, whether it be through food, exercise, travel or meditation. It is important to feel whole and powerful within oneself.
Do you follow any specific way of eating?
My diet is constantly changing. For the most part I eat vegetarian, raw food and practise a gluten-free diet. Occasionally I will have fish or chicken, but will still maintain a diet that is high in plant-based food. I will also have dairy if it is from a goat or a sheep, but I stay away from all cow-based products.
Why is it important for you to feel (and look) healthy?
Growing up, I had serious stomach and digestive issues. According to my mother, I have had issues since I was born. As you get older and you experience more stress and your life is evolving, so do your issues and my stomach began to get really bad in my twenties. I was always very social and living in New York and working in PR as I did, I was always entertaining. I ate and lived a life that I thought was relatively healthy.
I began to feel really bad at one point and needed to figure out how to change what was happening to me. I didn’t want to take medication, as this had been my crutch. I went to several doctors who only wanted to prescribe medicine, and they didn’t help me at all. I then sought refuge by deciding to help myself heal through nutrition.
“Once I knew what good feels like, why would I want to feel bad any more?”
I have spent the past eight years delving into this world and trying to learn and experience as much as possible. Once I knew what good feels like, why would I want to feel bad any more? People walk around with ailments all the time and just get accustomed to feeling bad. I wanted to be and feel the best I could, hence my journey continues.
What foods or groups of foods (if any) do you avoid?
Cow-based products, as they don’t make my body feel good. Gluten because I am allergic to it. Processed foods (flour, sugar, etc) because they are generally bad for your body.
What do you think are the most nutritious foods?
I think everything plant-based, organic and fresh is good for your body. We need to get proper nutrition in various ways. I juice everyday, eat salads and mostly organic. It’s not something I have to fit in; it’s just how I choose to live generally.
“Nutritious foods are not something I have to fit in; it’s just how I choose to live generally.”
What is your optimal breakfast?
A smoothie during the week and then at the weekend, I will eat eggs with salad or smoked salmon and gluten-free toast.
How do you stay on track when you travel?
I am pretty specific when I travel. If I’m not, my stomach will be really bad, so I am extremely conscious at all times about what I am putting into my body.
What are your favourite snacks?
Raw almonds and cashews, dark chocolate, Kind bars and smoothies.
Are there any food brands you love?
I love small stores and local products and I like to support them as they put their heart and soul into making these businesses and they really care about the consumer.
“Small stores and local products… put their heart and soul into making these businesses and they really care about the consumer.”
Have you ever tried a diet or detox that worked for you?
I don’t diet at all. I just finished a 15-day raw food cleanse that was really great. I have been doing various types of cleanse for the past eight years. The one I just finished detoxed my liver, kidneys and intestines and was designed by my nutrition specialist. Every detox should be created specifically for that person, as everyone’s issues are so different.
What’s your exercise routine/schedule?
I try to exercise as much as possible. I do yoga in the morning when I wake up, but go to classes about two or three times a week. I also try to do SLT: Strengthen, Lengthen, Tone (a Pilates cardio fusion workout) once or twice a week as well, and I sporadically have a trainer. In the summer I run outside near the Hudson River, which is really amazing, and during the winter I will go on the treadmill to get my cardio in. Living in NYC, I do walk all the time and try not to take many taxis.
What do you wear to workout?
Live the Process, Stella McCartney for Adidas, American Apparel, Oxumwear (unfortunately it is no longer in business) and Capezio.
“Motivation! It is hard to get there, but once you do and can imagine how you will feel afterwards, that’s the best part.”
Any tips for fitting exercise into a busy schedule?
Motivation! It is hard to get there, but once you do and can imagine how you will feel afterwards, that’s the best part. Also, having gym clothes in your office all the time, just in case you spontaneously want to go to a class. And of course working out with friends will help to get you to go. Lastly, paying for the classes up front works.