If there’s one person who knows a thing or two about eating for health and happiness, it’s Culinary Nutritionist and Health Strategist, Marni Wasserman.
Graduate of the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto and the Natural Gourmet Culinary School in New York, she’s the Founder of Marni Wasserman’s Food Studio & Lifestyle Shop in Toronto where she teaches her signature cooking classes, and hosts workshops and urban retreats.
She’s also author of Fermenting for Dummies and Plant-Based Diet For Dummies and is regularly featured in the media, including appearances on CBC, CHCH and Newstalk 1010 with articles in Toronto Star, Huffington Post and Chatelaine Magazine.
In a nutshell, Marni uses passion and experience to educate individuals on how to adopt a realistic plant-based diet that is both simple and delicious!
Between teaching, writing and meeting with clients – not to mention food buying, prepping and testing – Marni’s days have little downtime. Regardless, she still manages to follow an extremely healthy (and delicious!) way of eating. Check out her Instagram feed and you’ll see what we mean!
In the meantime, we got a sneak peek into Marni’s fridge to learn more about what keeps her fueled and feeling fabulous each and every day…
How would you classify your way of eating? I like to use the term “plant based”, as it’s much more approachable and inclusive. It’s also balanced, has variety and is colourful. I also get a healthy amount of protein, carbs and healthy fats from plants.
Any foods you must always have in your fridge or pantry? Greens! Lots of leafy greens like kale, collards, spinach and sprouts. Along with any other colourful veggies too. Other staples include Miso, mustard, tamari, balsamic, coconut oil, olive oil, maple syrup, almond butter, hempseeds and sauerkraut.
What do you eat on a typical day? I usually make a smoothie for breakfast with all kinds of fruits, greens, plant based protein, seeds and coconut oil. For lunch I make a big wrap in gluten free or sprouted grain bread with veggies, avocado, sprouts, hummus or a salad or maybe some leftover quinoa or soup or one pot meal that I made the night before. Dinner may be a brown rice pasta with pesto, veggie stir fry, or bean burgers. Always a variety, and always something different.
Is that Non GMO Lecithin powder we see to the left? If so, what do you use it for? It certainly is. I use this for smoothies and raw desserts. It helps to break down the fats and makes things super creamy and delicious!
No sign of eggs or dairy – not even Greek yogurt or kefir? I do not consume any cow dairy. Nor do any of my classes contain any dairy or eggs, everything is 100% plant based in my kitchen. The only kefir I would eat is homemade coconut!
As far as supplements go, do you include any? I do take a probiotic on a regular basis in addition to lots of fermented foods and Vitamin D I take in the long winter months.
No sign of green food supplements? Is that because you make your own smoothies using real veggies, or something you don’t like about the powdered stuff? I do have lots of green powder supplements (blue green algae, ormus super greens, moringa). I take these first thing in the morning with water when I wake up. These are in addition to the all the greens that I eat, raw, steamed and in my smoothies!
What are your thoughts on gluten? Do you avoid altogether? I avoid for the most-part. Though I do include ancient grains like spelt, kamut and barley. As long as it’s not white or whole wheat.
Do you allow yourself sweet or savoury treats? I definitely do. I love making my own sweet dessert treats like brownies or banana bread or raw energy balls. I also love to eat dark chocolate. For savoury, seaweed and organic popcorn seems to always do the trick, or a trail mix.
Favourite food, product, cookbook or recipe(s) you’re enjoying these days? My favourite food these days (and always) is sweet potatoes. I love experimenting with them in different recipes. I’m also loving working with black sesame seeds!
Do you have any strategies for staying on-track when you’re busy with work, constantly on-the-go, feeling rushed or under stress? I always have snacks on me or with me. This can be a packet of plant protein powder, a trail mix of nuts and seeds and goji berries or other dried super fruits. I also make sure to get greens in whenever I’m under stress as they help to alkalize the body!
If you could look inside someone else’s fridge, whose would it be? I would love to see what’s inside Ellen Degeneres’ fridge, I know she is plant based, but I don’t know what she eats specifically.
For more healthy information about Marni, visit: www.marniwasserman.com
