I have raved about her recipes many times on the blog before, so it should be no surprise that I am huge fan of Terry Walters’ Clean Food. When I found out she was releasing a new cookbook, Clean Start, I was thrilled. And when I was contacted about interviewing Terry herself, I could hardly contain my excitement! (!!!!!) 
What I love about her recipes is that they feature whole foods in their purest form, with a focus on using what’s in season. Just like Clean Food, her latest cookbook Clean Start is divided into summer/winter/spring/fall chapters (I’m already drooling over the fresh summer salads) with a heavy emphasis on whole grains, fruit and veggies. Sweet potato and Cashew Soup with Avocado Cream? Polenta Pizzas? Can I get a hell yeah!?!
Calling for nutritionally packed whole foods, her dishes are anything but boring. Clean, yes. Healthy, naturally. And flavor-packed like whoa. Clean Start is filled with vibrant, colorful photos that make the food jump off the page – so much so that I want to get to the farmer’s market immediately.
I love her recipes so much that I want to share them with you all! Fortunately, I am able to give away a copy to one lucky reader. See details below. First, enjoy my interview with Terry herself.
Elise in bold, Terry’s responses in normal text
—I may be biased, but I think that sometimes there’s a certain stigma attached to the word “vegan”. I’m not sure if it’s intimidating or off-putting for non-vegans, but I’ve noticed that many cookbooks and restaurants are opting out of using the word “vegan” even though they are in fact animal free. Do you specifically avoid using the word “vegan” in describing your book/recipes. Is this on purpose, and if so, is there a reason?
I do avoid the word “vegan”. I think of the plant-based foods in my books as the foods that we all need more of, no matter what else is on your plate. If you follow a vegan diet, my books will fit you to a T. But even if you don’t, your health and well being will benefit from incorporating these highly nutritional foods into your diet. From a variety of whole grains and vegetables, to non-animal sources of protein like legumes, nuts and seeds, my goal is to make these nutritious foods quick and easy so that we can nourish ourselves and our families every day.
—Are you vegan/vegetarian or flexitarian? (It’s ok if you want to remain label free, I’m just curious)
I’m Terry and I eat for balance. I feel best when I follow a primarily vegan and gluten-free diet, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be best for you! When we embrace labels for our approach to eating, we look more to the label for guidance instead of listening to our bodies and that’s a problem. No label can listen to your body and determine the right combination of foods and nourishment to serve your unique constitution better than you. In practice, I am likely more “vegan” than many who call themselves that. However, I do enjoy wild caught fish on occasion, and an organic turkey at Thanksgiving. I try not to be too rigid or hard on myself about the choices I make, as I don’t think judgment serves anyone’s good health.
[Elise here – I love this answer]
—How about your family members? Do your husband and kids enjoy the same foods?
I have two daughters to whom I fed kale and collard greens for almost two years before they finally gave in! Now greens are among their favorites, but I know how lucky I am! I believe in empowering my girls with knowledge so they can make their own choices, and then I step back and just pray that they make the healthy choices. If nothing else, I know that I’ve provided healthy options along the way and that their comfort foods will always be things like Tofu Kale Lasagna, Sautéed Greens with Leeks, Olive Oil and Ume, Brown Rice Pudding…along with pizza, ice cream and the other temptations that we all love, but that only rarely make it into our house! If someone doesn’t like something, I don’t force it. For instance, I happen to love tempeh, but I’m the only one in my family who does so I make it for myself for lunch and snacking. Other than the tempeh, my family likes almost everything I make. They’re the very first line of taste testing, so if they don’t like it, you’re likely not to find it in any of my books!
—As far as I can tell, Clean Food isn’t entirely gluten free (but close to it), whereas Clean Start is. I’d love for you to share the rationale behind this. Do you have certain intolerances personally (or your family members), or is it simply a dietary preference.
When my children were younger they had many food sensitivities. In healing them, I took away all dairy, gluten, soy…(the lists of foods to eliminate was huge, so I’ll spare you from the details here). While they can eat just about whatever they want now, I notice that the gluten in particular can make them more moody (shh…don’t let them know I told you)! And frankly, it can do the same thing to me! Gluten, dairy, animal protein…are all so hard to avoid when you’re not in the comfort of your own home. So, when they’re at home, I want to give them the best nutrition that I can.
When CLEAN FOOD went from being a self-published book to a published book, I had the chance to make some edits and in hindsight I wish I had taken out the gluten completely then. When you eat clean, minimally processed, gluten is in so few foods (wheat, barley, rye, oats) that it wouldn’t have been hard to do. I don’t believe that being gluten-free is necessary for everyone, but I wanted CLEAN START to be accessible to everyone. Clean food is simple, delicious and nutritious and doesn’t require the addition of dairy, animal protein, refined sugar or even gluten to be so. I bake gluten-free by choice and love that I can enjoy so many baked goods that are loaded with nutritional value and void of guilt!
—It seems like plant based diets are gaining popularity more and more these days, especially as awareness grows about the health benefits. With celebrities like Jamie Oliver, Ellen, Bill Clinton, and now Oprah (just to name a few) putting clean eating in the spotlight, maybe more wholesome diets will be embraced by the general pblic. Do you have any comments on this clean food movement? How have you been received at speaking engagements?
Twenty years ago people looked at me like I had three heads when they realized the foods I ate. A decade ago they wanted to know more. And today, people are diving in headfirst! I love it! It’s always been and continues to be incredibly rewarding to empower people to understand how their food choices influence their health, the health of the families and the health of their environment. In 2007 when I self-published CLEAN FOOD, people thought I was telling them that their food was dirty. In three years, CLEAN has become synonymous with minimally processed for maximum nutrition and has fueled a nationwide movement of which I am honored and blessed to be at the forefront.
—If I’m not mistaken you coach people in nutrition, so do you ever meet resistance with clients?
I’ve found that there are primarily two types of clients – those looking for answers, and those looking to engage in a process. The first group may pick up a few pointers that help them improve their health marginally, but success requires openness to new ideas and willingness to invest in change. Those that come ready to engage in a process are much more likely to make lasting changes and to succeed.
Finding the combination of foods and practices that are going to support one’s good health is going to be different for each person. I work with people where they’re at so that the changes are realistic, so that they can make slow and successful changes. We tend to focus more on adding things in, and not deprivation. But by and large, the person who hasn’t slept well in years but refuses to give up his 8 cups of coffee a day isn’t going to get the results he’s looking for simply by adding more kale. If only it worked that way!
And now some lighter questions:
—Who is your biggest inspiration in the food world?
My mother has always been my biggest fan and my greatest teacher. In many ways, we’ve shared the journey of learning about health and nutrition together. Every day the good health and vibrancy of my parents serves to remind me how much a healthy diet and holistic approach to living can allow you to enjoy all that life has to offer.
—What celebrity would you like to dine with (or make one of your recipes for)? And why?
There’s nothing better than sharing a meal and your perspective with someone and watching as they instantly get it! Whether it’s a friend, a neighbor, a celebrity…it’s the same reward with each person. That said, I’ve sent enough books to Oprah that she could probably wallpaper every wall in every home with CLEAN FOOD & CLEAN START! I also really appreciate Ellen & Portia who appear to live in a way that’s very true to their hearts. I’m a big fan of both Dave Matthews and Michael Franti, even Julia Roberts. Beggars can’t be choosers. If you can arrange any of these, you’ll be invited to the table too!!!
—What is your favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or dessert)?
I eat the same things at all meals, so there’s not really one that’s better than the other. I love heart-warming soups in the winter, juicy peaches, heirloom tomatoes and fresh herbs in the summer and greens like kale and collards year round. And, I find that the more color I eat earlier in the day, the better I’m fueled throughout the day. Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper, right?
—What’s your best go-to entree that you wow non-vegan company with?
There are so many options that are a lot more exciting, but I depend on my Tofu Kale Lasagna more than any other recipe! It’s hearty enough to fill big appetites, loved by all, and at this point I can practically make it in my sleep! Plus, I score extra points with my girls if there are leftovers to send as lunch to school the next day!
—What’s your favorite grain?
QUINOA. Definitely! When my youngest was a nursing infant and had thrush, I went followed a Candida diet for over a year. At the time, I hated quinoa, but it was one of the few things I could eat. Now it’s my favorite. Go figure.
[mine too!]
—If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
Kale
Quinoa
Pizza (is that cheating?)
[I’m ok with it!]
Thanks SO much to Terry for this interview, and for allowing me to share her recipes with readers.
I have mentioned this in the past, but when Kyle and I moved across the country to start our lives up in California again, we had to put all our stuff in storage for a few months. Trying to determine what clothes to keep with me as we moved from a cold and dreary New York to the sunny West Coast was nearly impossible. And asking me to fit it all into two suitcases was like torture. However, there was never any doubt in my mind that Clean Food was among the necessities. I brought it to Cabo San Lucas, as well as up and down the I-5 on our travels to Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, and back to the Bay Area. Clearly it has a special place in my heart 🙂
So, to win your own copy of Terry Walter’s latest Clean Start, simply choose one of the questions above that I asked Terry and share your own answer with me in the comment section.
It can be anything from the lighter questions like “what celebrity would you like to dine with” or “favorite grain” to more personal questions about your own inspiration in the kitchen.
Tweeting about the giveaway (mentioning @elisehippie) will give you an extra entry (just make sure you comment separately below telling me you did so).
I’ll randomly choose a winner and announce it on Monday, Feb 28th, 2011.
My biggest inspiration in the food world is my fiance, Danny. He is a professional chef and anything he makes just amazes me that he has that much talent and knows how to merge flavors together.
Are you vegan/vegetarian or flexitarian? (FYI LOVED her answer this as well…can I get an AMEN?!) I follow primarily a vegan diet as well but occassionally enjoy fish when my mood strikes me.
Great interview and giveaway!
I also tweeted! (@stephanieberard)
Fingers crossed!
Great interview and giveaway!
Favorite grain: quinoa too! Although I have been into making buddha bowls lately with brown rice– so good.
My best go-to entree is my chickpea curry. I use coconut milk, chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, spinach, diced potatoes, and curry powder to taste. I’ve also added roasted red peppers — you can add just about anything, truly. It is creamy and spicy and delicious!
Are you vegetarian/vegan/flexitarian?
I would consider myself primarily vegetarian but I don’t want to box myself in. I will have well-cooked meat on occasion.
Great interview!
What’s your favorite grain?
Okay I think oats count right? CUZ I LOVE MY OATS.. im not a huge fan of rice, etc… BUT OAts are my love!
i tweeted!
Question re: do your friends and family eat like you?
Most don’t, but luckily, they are very respectful of my desire to eat clean. They are actually really excited when receptive to me cooking for them, which makes me happy because I know they are treating their body well. Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway, Elise!
Loved this interview! I have to agree with Terry on not having putting a label on my eating style. I have never been one for rules…haha! Would love to have her cookbook!
Thanks girl, I love this giveaway!
My answer to the grain question….my favorite grain is quinoa, too! It’s so versatile and I’m not afraid to eat it sweet or savory!
DUDE my favorite grain is quinoa too! i love re quinoa, so pretty. an can pasta be a grain? brown rice pasta especially because it’s chewy 😉
I’d also like to dine with james franco, or date him, whatever’s more convenient
My favorite meal is breakfast!
And I just tweeted about the cookbook!
LOVED this interview! Thank you so much for sharing. I want her books even more now! No need to enter me in the giveaway 🙂
Awesome Interview! I think the celebrity I’d like to dine with would be Alicia Silverston. After reading The Kind Diet, I just know that whatever we had would be so comforting and delicious!
Are you vegan/vegetarian or flexitarian?
I’ve been struggling with this one as my boyfriend and I eat ovo-lacto vegetarian during the week. We’re trying to ease in to a primarily vegetarian diet. But people keep asking, “Oh, are you vegetarian now?” Responding with “Depends on the day of the week” usually gets a chuckle at least.
Thanks for the interview!
If I had to pick 3 foods to eat for the rest of my life they would be. Kale, black beans and sweet potatoea
Favorite grain: oats! I was really late to catch on to the whole oatmeal thing, but now I am obsessed!
My favorite grain is short grain brown rice. I probably eat it 3 times a week.
What a great opportunity and interview!
If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
Granola
Tortilla Casserole
Vanilla Milkshakes
Great interview! I recently discovered your blog through Gena and Choosing Raw. I am also an Angeleno, but live on the east side (Echo Park). My go-to entree is a mixture of organic white beans, caramelized onions and garlicky oyster mushrooms served with sauteed greens (like kale, chard or collards) and sometimes over polenta. Yum. I would love to win Terry’s book! I’m gonna go tweet right now…
Great interview and review, thanks!
—What is your favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or dessert)? Dinner because I have more time to create something special and sit down with hubby.
Are you vegan/vegetarian or flexitarian?
I loved her answer for this questions! I, myself, eat what feels best for my body at the time. Until a week ago, I was staying away from any meats, and use eggs, dairy, and cheese. This past week I’ve felt the need to cut eggs and dairy from my diet. I know they’ll be back, soon, though.
I’m also gluten free — not by choice, but intollerance. People think it’s so hard to eat gf, but with choices like millet, quinoa, and amaranth, I never miss pasta!
I don’t have a twitter account, but I have a facebook account. I shared this giveaway there: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000507103567
i’d understand if this doens’t get me an entry, though, since you specified twitter. 🙂
My biggest inspiration in the food world is definitely my dad. Growing up, he did a lot of the cooking and taught me the recipes passed down from our wonderful Italian family.
Like Terry, my favorite food is quinoa!
Oops, I meant favorite grain.
Pingback: Clean Start – meet Terry and win her cookbook | CookingPlanet
Very professional and interesting questions! I love that fact that she has a very similar outlook to you… You guys should be friends 🙂 I respect her views and I think it is awesome that her favorite grain is my all-time fave as well! 😀 Thanks for the interview dude.
Favorite grain – does oat bran count??? mmmmm
My favorite grain is either forbidden black rice or red quinoa. I could eat either at every meal!
I tweeted about the giveaway!
This is an impossible question cos I love too many foods.
But if I HAD to pick 3 foods to live off for the rest of my life right now I’d pick:
1 butternut squash
2 dark choccy dreams peanut butter
3 yoghurt coated banana chips( OBSESSED)
I just have to say I love your blog so much! You give me so much foodie inspiration and we like love all the same foods! Elise your AWESOME!!
Xxx
What an inspirational interview!
I am oddly in LOVE with Healthy Corner Foods Eggless Vegetarian Spicy Power-fu Salad Sandwich. I seriously could/can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner 🙂
Norwegian reader here! Thanks for hosting such an amazing give-away!
—Are you vegan/vegetarian or flexitarian?
I’m definetly a flexitarian. I eat mostly vegan, and try to incorporate as many raw veggies in my diet as possible – because it makes me feel good! I stray away from most dairy products, but sundays just aint the same without organic local eggs. I eat very little meat, and never red meat. When I occiasionally eat chicken or fish, it’s ALWAYS organic.
I would say that 90% of my meals are vegan, but it’s hard to put a label on my eating habits. But I do know that I must eat, and why not do it in a way that shows the earth and the animals respect? Money talks ya know.
Love your blog!
Which celebrity would you like to dine with? Moz!
My favorite grain is buckwheat (though it isn’t really a grain!)
My favorite meal is definitely breakfast (or at least lately it has been). I wake up and get excited for it 🙂
Wow it is so awesome that you got to interview Terry! I really enjoyed it.
My favorite meal is breakfast.
What’s your favorite meal?
Breakfast! I could eat breakfast food all day!
What are your 3 favorite foods? Pizza is NOT cheating it is wonderful. I also became a huge fan of swiss chard this year and Cheese!!!! I love me some good Brie!
Elise–so cool you interviewed Terry. I actually just bought her first book and have made a handful or so of recipes from it. I LOVE that she doesn’t label her dishes as vegan, g-free, etc. It’s just all food. And I love how it’s divided by season and not meal. However, I don’t believe she eats corn chowder for breakfast.
My husband has even enjoyed the recipes too, which I am shocked about. I’d love to win her second book because I miss pictures from the first one!
Answer: I am a flexitarian, but enjoy learning more about all types of diets and try to add more vegetables to my meals resulting in less meat most of the time.
i love her definition of her food choices. i consider myself primarily vegan, but don’t want to berate myself for any choices i make. kudos to terry!
i’d love to win a copy of the book.
Great interview! I love Clean Food. Would love to get my hands on Clean Start!!
Wheatberries are my current favorite grain. So chewy!
I also tweeted (@tracy_sinclair)
Thanks!
I also coach/counsel people in nutrition, and I meet a lot of resistance with some clients, yes! Not all, but some…some want to switch to skim milk and call it a day. Sheesh.
Courtney
Such a fantastic interview. 🙂 I love the question “Are you vegan/vegetarian or flexitarian” because of her answer.
My question:
—What is your favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or dessert)?
My favorite would have to be breakfast. I could eat it all day! I love mixing it up with oatmeal, fruits, smoothies, and of course waffles and pancakes occasionally! Since I do follow the vegan lifestyle (I don’t like labeling it either but it’s the easiest to sum up) it keeps me on my toes to try and figure out ways to re-create traditional recipes.
If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?…1. Peanut butter 2. Granny Smith Apples 3. Ice cream
—What is your favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or dessert)?
definitely breakfast! it gets me out of bed every morning. usually just oats, but pancakes, waffles, and vegan french toast make it into the rotation on the weekend:)
Are you vegan/vegetarian or flexitarian?
I like the flexitarian option. To often the label of vegan or vegetarian has a negative connation for both the vegan/vegetarian and nonvegan/nonvegetarian. I know several people who eat a small portion of organic meat a couple of times a week, but consume are vegetarians the rest of the time. They continually are flooded with e-mails and videos from vegan/vegetarian friends chastizing them for not cutting meat out of their diets. I think the respect needs to go both ways.
My favorite meal is definitely breakfast- I love my oats:)
what a great giveaway and very cool you got to interview her. my 3 foods i’d choose:
burritos, salad, and cake
—If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
Pizza
Oranges
Pineapple
And I also tweeted! (@stellarpath) I would love this book!
The three foods I would pick would be:
Pizza
Chocolate (in any form)
and Fresh fruit (which is a category I know, but I can’t pick a favorite fruit!)
Interesting interview! I am mostly vegan, sometimes vegetarian. Vegan with pizza being the exception was the ‘label’ my bf and I came up w for ourselves, though that is not strict.
Favorite meal? Definitely breakfast– it’s a great time to talk with friends or my boyfriend over coffee/grains/fruit.
This is SO cool that you got to interview her!! I really enjoyed reading what she had to say, and I felt your questions for her were really thoughtful and creative too. My favorite meal ever is definitely breakfast-I could eat it all day everyday!:) My faves are pancakes, oatmeal (duh!) smoothies, protein shakes and FRENCH TOAST! Hands down awesome:)
Tweeted it! 🙂
Terry is my new idol!
What an amazing woman and love ALL her answers, specifically her label one, i.e. vegan in practice but wild caught fish and org turkey on thanksgiving and not to beat ourselves up or judge.
Not using gluten, food allergies, what clean eating means to Terry, this whole interview just is amazing!
Using the word vegan:
I have stopped using it in many of my recipes b/c it seems to make the non-vegans edgy and I also feel I can’t please the vegans, as a whole if I ever post something that’s not vegan.
If I say primarily plant based, that seems to make everyone happier and ruffle less feathers.
tweeted it
My favorite meal: Breakfast! I could eat oats, toast, bagels, pancakes, etc all day!!
Great interview! This looks like an awesome book 🙂
Are you vegan/vegetarian or flexitarian?
I am a vegetarian who might play around with going vegan this summer just to see if it helps with my asthma and lactose intolerance issues 🙂 What a great giveaway! Thanks!!!
—How about your family members? Do your husband and kids enjoy the same foods?
I made the switch to a vegan lifestyle almost a year ago, and this is one of the questions I get asked the most. I do the grocery shopping and cooking for the family, so my husband realy has no choice but to eat what I buy and make! It helps that he is a bit of a health nut himself and he has a more adventurous palate than most. My one year-old daughter eats almost an entirely vegan diet as well. I scramble a free range organic egg for her a few times a week.
By the way, I just stumbled across your blog this week and love, love, love it! MUST make your lentil loaf asap!
My favorite grain is corn and I would love to dine with Shaggy.
my favorite grain is OATS! 🙂
My favorite meal almost every day is breakfast! The exception is if I get a date night with my guy, in which case dinner is extra special and fun.
I’ve always loved brown rice. I love oats too but rice has got to be my favorite grain 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!
How have I just returned from the Bay Area and not had the chance to meet you in person! Thank you making a special spot in your suitcase for CLEAN FOOD, not to mention in your kitchen and in your family. It’s an honor to share the journey, and the comments from all of your followers fill my heart. Sincere thanks to all. Eat Clean Live Well!
(ps: i’m retweeting, but don’t enter me to win!!)
favorite meal: definitely breakfast!! sometimes for lunch and/or dinner as well!
Favorite grain – QUINOA for sure!! I mix it with yogurt & berries for breakfast, with tomatoes, spinach, feta, olives and lemon juice for lunch, quinoa muffins for snack and served “straight up” as a side dish for dinner! (Not all in the same day of course!)
My favorite grain is oats, like so many others here! I recently became hooked on steel cut oats after a friend gave me a bag after trying, but not liking, them. 😉
thanks so so much terry!
thanks so much sally! glad you found me 🙂
ps this is how my husband is too – and how i imagine any future children will be – glad to see it works!
sounds delish – i might even have them all in the same day!
thanks stephanie! (and yes – amen!)
favorite grain: OATS! i eat oatmeal every morning with a scoop of chocolate peanut butter. it’s delicious. 🙂
that sounds AWESOME! im making a mental note of this recipe!
thank you jennie 🙂 great that you have a supportive and receptive group of friends/fam
if only i had a james franco giveaway! 😉
Wow, I can’t believe you had the chance to interview her!!!
What is your favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or dessert)?
Definitely breakfast, but lately it has been dessert 😉
good choice! id love to dine with alicia silverstone too. she’d probably hate it though bc id be quoting clueless the entire time! ha.
kale and sweet taters – great choices!
tortilla casserole…mmmm…
hi fellow angeleno! glad you found me. your sauteed greens dish sounds fantastic. i love the combo of white beans and greens.
agreed. millet and quinoa are fabulous alternatives.
i think we should be friends too! haha.
sure why not 🙂
good call on forbidden rice. yum! i think its technically a grass, but im not going to get dictionary specific since quinoa is actually a pseudoseed. whats in a name.
im all about buckwheat too lately.
as in morrissey?
burritos! good call.
roberta – i couldnt agree more. labels only act as restrictions. im all about being inclusive in dietary terms.
picking a fruit is definitely hard…too many good ones!
hope it helps! i can definitely imagine it will improve digestion with the lactose intolerance…
i agree about labeling for convenience…its so difficult for people who i dont know – am i honestly supposed to list off the exceptions and rationale behind such choices? (it would take a decade and the person would definitely be sorry he/she asked!)
my favorite meal of the day is breakfast! i especially love it in the mornings, but often when i am feeling lazy i eat breakfasty foods at other times of the day =)
Are you a vegan/vegetarian or flexetarian
I have primarily been vegetarian since I was in my 20’s Have lately been very limited with Dairy products, but still eat eggs from the local farmer’s market. In the past few years have added wild salmon for the Omega 3’s.
I tweeted!!
What’s your favorite grain?
-I love, love, love anything oats-related!
—If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
Terry stole my answers! Pizza was always on my list. But due to ‘Clean Food’ and making those recipes over the past 18 mos. I would actually say her list would be mine if I had to choose only 3.
Kale
Quinoa
Pizza
I tweeted as well…
http://twitter.com/#!/MusicGeekSvcs/status/41363596638298112
thanks for holding this awesome giveaway! Terry is such an inspiration – the interview was wonderful to read. I also love the question, “If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?” because that’s one of my favorite questions to ask! you find so many incredible new ways to eat certain foods when you just ask! my top 3 foods:
1. KALE (same as terry!)
2. the blackened tempeh from native foods (it is like NOTHING i’ve ever tasted before)
3. cashews – my one true nut love
3 foods i would eat for the rest of my life:
almond butter, bread, sweet potatoes
Hey Elise!
I randomly discovered your blog last week and I’ve been following since! I read your interview with Terry Walters and I discovered that she is actually from right outside my hometown in CT. Small world, you could say! Anyway, just wanted to mention you’re the only other person that I’ve met that uses the term “effing.” I use it aaallll the time. In fact, I probably over use it.
Question: Best go to meal for non-vegans – Well, I’m not a Vegan but I also tend to stay away from dairy and meat, so you could say I’m about 67% there. The meals I do cook usually end up vegan. I would say my best go to meal is my fridge. I love looking through what I’ve got and tossing it into pan and creating something unique. Usually I’m pretty lucky and things turn out ok.
Thanks Elise!
PS I graduated college this past year and I’m strongly considering attending an accelerated nursing program. What program did you attend and how was it?
If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
Sweet potatoes, almond butter and broccoli. LOVE!
Hey Elise, this was a cool interview! The question that I intrigued me was the one about Terry labeling herself as a vegan/vegetarian/flexitarian or not. I too, loved this answer. In fact I thought it was brilliant. I never thought of it that way. I have always thought of myself as a person who ate intuitively, however, after reading her comment, I find that I haven’t been so. We are often guided by the labels we define ourselves with, which okay sometimes. With health, especially nutrition, I think we should definitely listen to our bodies instead. It just makes perfect sense. Medical professionals could do all the research they want, they could prescribe any diet they see fit, or declare any type of diet healthy, but the only person/being/thing who would be able to answer for a fact of what we need is our own bodies. Yep, her answer couldn’t be more brilliant.
Now, when people ask me if I am a vegan/vegetarian, I’ll respond with I’m just Leng. 😉
Thanks for posting this interview, it has definitely has me thinking about what/who I am.
great job!!!! My dream dinner celeb date would be…Madonna. I am fascinated by her drive, motivation, ever evolving style and body and I think she’s on to something:)
This is a great interview! As did many above, I think Terry’s way of not labelling herself is interesting. I don’t even use the world “flexitarian” to describe myself because, at the end of the day, who cares? I do my best to eat healthily and ethically. Most times I succeed, and sometimes I don’t.
My husband eats what I eat … except with more mayonnaise. 🙂
If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
– mushrooms!
– peanut flour!
– cauliflower!
Oh my word, defo the best question and answer was for,
—Are you vegan/vegetarian or flexitarian? (It’s ok if you want to remain label free, I’m just curious)
That’s absolutely where I am coming from. I’ve tried to use labels to help me stick to something (I’m kind of all or nothing like that) but eventually it left me feeling unbalanced and limited. So now I eat as Terry does- primarily gluten-free and vegan but I eat things outside these labels every now again depending on what my body and mind is telling me. I’m all about intuitive eating minus the labels. Especially since IBS is such a governing force in my life sometimes!
Thanks Elise
(I’m hoping I can enter this competition even though i’m in the UK?) xxx
Just tweeted about the giveaway 🙂 x
Are you a vegan/vegetarian or flexetarian?
We are primarily vegan though we recently purchased some organic beef. I love her cookbook Clean Food and am excited about her new book.
—What is your favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or dessert)?
My favourite is breakfast. Even though I start university at 9 most mornings I still get up that little bit earlier on he morning to have breakfast. It’s not so much the food, though I do love breakfast cereal and toast etc. But my main reason is the way that it makes me feel. I cant start my day without food in my tummy. 🙂
If I had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of my life: blueberries, sweet potatoes, and coconut.
Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/the_vegster/status/41474558791917568
If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
1. Greens
2. Raw vegan cookies my mom makes for me:)
3. Avocados
Haha I think I cheated!;)
My favorite: “Are you vegan/vegetarian or flexitarian? (It’s ok if you want to remain label free, I’m just curious)”
and I just loved the answer! (mine is the same). Thanks for the cool interview!
my 3 favorite foods I couldn’t live without: almond butter, quinoa bread and sweet potatoes.
your blog is such an inspiration for me!
What is your favorite meal? I love breakfast. Mostly, because I am on an oatmeal kick. Yum!
3 foods I’d eat for the rest of my life:
– chocolate
– apples
– hummus!
If you had 3 foods …
1. Kabocha!
2. Watermelon
3. Oysters
🙂
3 food that I couldn’t live without: Blueberries, hummus, and dark chocolate.
I’m a medical practitioner and love your blog!
If I had to pick 3 foods- peanut butter, dark chocolate and hearts of palm 😀
Favorite grain is definitely quinoa! Fingers crossed! 🙂
My fave grain is quinoa too!
I wanted to answer the 3 foods thing, but it was too hard…I do know one food I can never live without (and I regularly spend energy hoping/wishing/praying that I never develop an intolerance to it and that it’s not a cause of eczema like some people say) — TOMATO. mmmm. On a road trip once I made my parents stop at a grocery store to buy me some tomatoes and a loaf of bread because I wanted tomato sandwiches for my lunch, even though they were going to a restaurant to eat. I then made my dad slice them for me with his pocket knife.
I’m vegetarian, but I’m trying to start leaning more towards vegan. Cheese is my downfall (that was going to be one of the other 3 foods in my answer to the previous question).
If I had to pick 3 foods to eat for the rest of my life they would be sweet potatoes, spinach, and chocolate. 🙂
My favorite grain? Quinoa! I just started eating it, and I love it!
Are you vegetarian/vegan/flexitarian?
i am not a huge fan of labels, i think they can be quite limiting to people so when i explain my dietary lifestyle to people the best way i can describe it is this, “i am trying to live as compassionately as possible with regards to the animals, planet and my body.” so, like terry, i am a mostly vegan who tries to listen to her body’s needs 🙂
thank you for this interview, it’s great!!
Who is your biggest inspiration in the food world?
I adore Chef Michael Smith and his various shows. I love his use of fresh, whole ingredients and his love of cooking. He encourages others to play around with different ingredients in the kitchen but still manages to pull off delicious meals!
Great interview!
How about your family members? Do your husband and kids enjoy the same foods?
well, since i have no husband or kids i’ll tweak the question to friends and family! my immediate family (mom, dad, brother) are very supportive of my vegan diet though do not at all eat like i do. at all. they’ve picked up healthy cues along the way and proudly share them with me when i visit and it thrills me. i love that they’re making more and more healthy choices! (re: not necessarily vegan choices, just healthier choices! i don’t force my lifestyle on anyone!). as for the rest of my family, i get made fun of a lot and can’t quite figure out why. i think the concept of “veganism” is considered “weird” and too “hippy” for some of my family members to take seriously which is a bummer because i take it very seriously. so i usually just shrug off the criticism. as for my friends, well, they love me unconditionally so of course they’re supportive :)!
I would love to win this book!!
My favorite 3 healthy foods:
*Sunbutter
*Brussel sprouts
*Quinoa
Thanks for the opportunity!
i went to drexel in philly – and i effing loved it 😉
thats great – even if your entire family doesnt quite get it, at least you have your core group of friends and immediate family supporting your choices, its really great that some of your healthy ways are rubbing off too – way to be the beacon of change!!!
i like that!
thanks candace!
ditto x3
thanks deborah – thats so nice to hear
haha…im ok with it – and FINALLY someone said avocados!!!
My favorite meal is definitely breakfast! I love a big bowl of oats (and a REALLY big cup of coffee!).
If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
– Broccoli
– Avacado
– Dark chocolate with sea salt!
thanks so much for the great interview!
I really enjoyed reading this interview!
If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
-Hummus
-Peanut butter
-Spinach
hello fellow elise and hummus lover 🙂
Great interview. I would LOVE one of Terry’s cookbooks!
I liked the question about avoiding the word “vegan.” I do find that, unfortunately, the term often comes with negative connotations (although I think that is changing). I DO tell people I’m a vegan b/c it’s the easiest way to explain my diet, but sometimes I wish they could just see how I eat without that label. That way they wouldn’t automatically jump to the misconceptions about a vegan diet (that it’s boring, plain, restrictive, radical, deficient, etc.).
At the same time, I think the only way to change people’s view of what a vegan is/looks like/eats is by using the term and showing by example. Frankly, that’s in part why I started my blog–to be able to show my family and friends that being a vegan doesn’t actually suck. 🙂
So, while I totally respect and relate to Terry’s choice to omit the word and focus on simply great plant-based food, I think I’ll continue to use it myself.
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I also tweeted about this. But it may not spread the word as I am new to Twitter and have a total of 3 followers HA.
I loved this interview! The question about who would I most like to have dinner with? Probably Ellen and Portia. They seem like such a caring and interesting couple and after reading Portia’s book Unbrearable Lightness, I would be inspired to learn more about how she made the transisiton from disordered eating to such a healthy way of life! P.S. I would be very excited to get this book!
this is SUCH a great, insightful comment. thanks for sharing kelsey!
i agree…portia and ellen are so inspirational…
What is your favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or dessert)?
By far favorite meal is breakfast… I will wake up extra early to make sure I have time to make the most delicious bowl of oatmeal I can think of 🙂
Favorite grain is rice- any form, but I would like to eat more millet b/c I love that too. Quinoa, I am hot and cold on. That is why I want this book b/c I know it is good for me and want good ideas. Been a fan of Terry’s since ’08.
My fav grain is brown basmati rice!
Do your fiends and family eat like you? My husband eats what ever I make, but doesnt eat that way when I am not around. My kids eat Kale chips sometimes and green monsters, but not much else I make. I tried to make some healthy vegan cupcakes yesterday, my son wrinkled his nose and said, “are you going to make some kid cupcakes too?”
Pingback: Staples « hungry hungry hippie
Dinner is my favorite meal. I get to cook and sit down with my roommates and talk about our days.
Who is your biggest inspiration in the food world?
Most definitely my biggest inspirations are all of the vegan bloggers out there!! Thank you!!
I really think that a plant based diet is the best way to stay healthy.
Favorite grain — short grain brown rice. Love the nutty taste.
Wow… only 3 foods? I would choose blueberries (bluebs!), kale, and beets…. gotta have the good colors! I just discovered Clean Food, its great, would love to see Clean Start. Really enjoy your blog 🙂
You can make ANYTHING with it! Most versatile pseudo-grain ever!
yes, and the chewy factor. so good.
agreed.
thanks bridget!!
awww…thanks lindsey (im assuming slash hoping im included in that group_
haha…kids are so funny. were the cupcakes good?
The three foods I can’t live without…
1. Sweet potatoes
2. Avacados/guacamole
3. Medjool Dates
Thanks for the giveaway, would love to win this book, what a treat.
My 3 foods are….1. sweet potatoes
2. Honey crisp apples
3. Peanut butter
I love the clean eating magazine, and would love to own the new cookbook!
I choose 3 things to eat for the rest of my life:
1. TJ’s Sunflower Seed Butter
2. Bananas
3. Kale
I love having to name only three foods I would eat for the rest of my life! Makes me think about all of my favorites!
1. trader joe’s whole wheat tortillas
2. almond butter
3. bananas
Do your husband and kids enjoy the same foods?
This is a constant struggle in our house. My partner and I do not have children, but he has always been a meat and potatoes guy whereas I was vegetarian when we met. Over time we are learning how to make our meals better while staying true to who we are as individuals. Lately, we have been playing “The Salad Game” where we make our own salad concoctions then have our friends/family vote online for the best sounding one. Today I won with the “Rissa’s Classy Club” salad.
My favorite meal is breakfast, and favorite grain is wild rice – love the texture and the taste!
Of course! You’re one of my daily checks fo’ shizzle.
thats so cute!!
here’s my entry:
http://deepveganthoughtsbyjess.blogspot.com/2011/02/to-e.html
read it and weep. literally. i cried pretty much the entire time i wrote it. lame.
xoxo
The 3 foods I’d choose to eat if I were limited to them for the rest of my life (which is a painful thing to suggest, by the way)…hmm, I’m gonna go with my homemade black bean chili, mushroom and tomato pizza, and cold cereal. yeah, I know that choosing “cold cereal” probably is cheating, but I am willing to accept my faults. 😉
What’s your best go-to entree that you wow non-vegan company with?
Although some may doubt it’s title as an “entree,” I have been making a killer crock pot vegan chili with delicious cornbread from the BabyCakes cookbook whenever we have company this winter.
I also made the cornmeal encrusted tempeh with homemade tomato sauce, black bean puree and braised kale from “Conscious Cook” for dinner this Christmas and all of my sisters ate it and raved about it (my family doesn’t usually partake in my food!)
I can’t wait to see what my spring time entree will be!
Awesome giveaway!
I’d love to win a copy of that book!
I’d eat hummus, spinach and apples for the rest of my life. Oh shoot – and almond butter! can’t forget the ab!
I bought both of these cookbooks a couple weeks ago and love them so far! I have made a few recipes and they have been delicious.
Great interview! My 3 foods would be sweet potatoes, spinach, and chocolate.
ohhhhh man. can i come over? i want babycakes’ cornbread – that cookbook is legit!
you are my twin! great choices!
i did cry. you mean more than words to me.
—If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
Spinach – I love it in every form
Blueberries – They are so sweet and so good for me
Hummus – How could I live without it?
what an awesome interview!
hmmm 3 foods for the rest of my life?
kale
shrimpies
anddddd
dark chocolateeeeeeeee
If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
OATMEAL!
hummus
apples
I eat these everyday already. I even have a blog about oatmeal…some say it’s a bit obsessive…I say it is delicious!
Awesome giveaway!
3 foods I’d want to eat for the rest of my life? Granola, pizza, and cinnamon buns.
Eek, that list makes it painfully obvious that I’m a hungry/busy student.
—What is your favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or dessert)?
My favorite is Dinner! I sometimes cheat that and have brenner (breakfast and dinner!)
My food inspiration comes from the alarmingly large number of people in my life who have lost their battle with cancer all within the last few years. While I do not necessarily believe that they got cancer from the foods they grew up on, I do believe that I can do everything in my power to live a healthy life for myself and any child that will eventually reside in my food-loving belly. I am hoping that a more natural diet will bring my body closer to what it naturally would be and further from any diseases. Plus, I feel so much better when I eat fresh foods!
Pingback: Veggie Squash Noodles « hungry hungry hippie
What an amazing interview! It sounded so professional! Were you a journalist in another life?
They were all such good questions! Hmm, which one do I want to answer? How about “Who is your biggest inspiration in the food world?”
I would definitely have to say all my blogger friends! I am the only one that I know in my little corner of the world that eats the way that I do. My friends and family don’t discourage it, but they really just don’t understand. Most people think I eat the way I do because I’m on a diet/trying to lose weight…same with exercise. I just don’t understand when it became so abnormal to love eating healthy meals filled with whole grains and fruits and veggies. It’s called taking care of my body people! You only get one!
I just tweeted!
holllller,
what a great interview and giveaway!! good on ya 🙂
What is your favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or dessert)?
Breakfast for sure!!! I often eat it for every meal of the day!!
My three favorite foods would have to be…
– vegan pizza (either my own homemade version or from Whole Foods…. so, so good!!)
– chocolate
– sweet potatoes… as long as I could use additional ingredients to make them savory or sweet, I love how they are so versatile!
My biggest inspiration in the food world is Michael Pollan. He is so smart! I love his intellectual but totally accessible, balanced, rational, natural approach to food. I heart him!
One more just for fun!….. I think my favorite grain would have to be oats. Such comfort food for me. When I eat a bowl of oatmeal it just tastes like home!
Thanks for offering the giveaway! I would love this book! I have endometriosis, so I’m on a gluten free, sugar free, soy free vegan diet. My favorite vegan meal that I serve guests is homemade pad thai!! I can make it vegan (and gluten and soy free!) and then I make chicken on the side that guests can add if they want to.
cool! when i’m trying to “wow” non-vegan peeps, I usually make a pasta dish with Tofurkey Italian sausage. I usually go for a red sauce or pesto sauce since trying to pass off cashew “cheese” as cheese can get tricky sometimes.
3 foods: kale, apples, watermelon!!
tweet tweet 🙂
i like pollan too – i love that he emphasizes educating yourself on where your food comes from.
omigosh, I love Terry Walters!!! I tried her walnut lentil loaf and it was out of this world. I almost hogged the whole thing and kept it away from my family!
Her book Clean Food definitely has some of the most interesting and wholesome recipes.. I find she is similar to Heidi Swanson.
If you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
I could live off Mangoes, avocadoes and hummus.
I still havent come across a recipe to win my heart over for kale… wish I do one day!
My go-to dish for wowing non-vegans is cheese-free homemade pizza with pesto! It’s always a winner!
my favorite meal is breakfast! by farrrr…1st of all, i always wake up starving, so whatever i eat is sure to satisfy…2nd, i love cereal, oats, smooties, nut butters, pastries (of the healthy variety) and so many other breakfast options!
3 Foods for the rest of my life:
Bananas
Dark Chocolate
Pizza
makes me hungry thinking about these!!
is it too late to enter?! i LOVE clean foods, and am anticipating loving clean start equally.
– if you had to choose 3 foods to eat for the rest of your life what would they be?
– kale
– bananas
– sweet potatoes
What is your favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or dessert)?
I love every meal! They each have their own delights that I look forward to 🙂 Esp…dessert!
Great interview! I tweeted and shared this on Facebook 🙂
Okay, I’m really excited to learn that Terry’s books are gluten-free friendly. It’s been on my list of “books to explore” for awhile, but finding out that it’s gf friendly moves it up the list quite a bit.
Three foods: I know this isn’t completely balanced but I’d pick apples, strawberries, and oats.
My mom is my inspiration in the kitchen (as well as most other areas of my life!). For 21 years, I never had any interest in learning to cook because she is such an incredible cook, but one day, when I was away at school, I got an intense craving for one of her famous dishes and I knew I would have to make it for myself. At this point, I didn’t even know how to boil water (honestly), so my mom walked me through the whole thing on skype. Now, I LOVE cooking and learning about food. I always consult with my mom though, because mommy’s really do know best (and everything).
Are you vegan/vegetarian or flexitarian? (It’s ok if you want to remain label free, I’m just curious)
This question has had at least 3 different answers in the past month! As I am new to the blog world, I have learned SO much about food and nutrition. I have always been a very healthy eater but with so many bloggers being vegetarian/vegan, I started to look into the lifestyle and do lots of research and reading! “Eating Animals” has definitely opened my eyes. I started as as a pescatarian at the beginning of February, and then decided to give up fish completely (saying no to salmon at sushi dinners was tough!). I also have almost completely cut out dairy to make myself vegan. I had a little bit of frozen yogurt after about 3 weeks of no dairy, and felt so sick! I feel so much better about my lifestyle now!
I also just tweeted about this amazing giveaway 🙂
My bf likes to say “she’s vegan except when she’s not” which sounds exactly like what Terri was describing. I eat vegan most of the time, when I’m cooking for myself, but if something fantastic is offered (pork loin to steak to sardines to goat cheese), I’ll assess how I feel, and usually choose to have a bite or two.
Love the giveaway.
Pingback: Clean Food Cornbread (with a side of eggs)
Pingback: Clean Food Cornbread (with a side of eggs) « FODMAPS diet
Pingback: The weekly menu | Hungry Hungry Hippie