Following My Passion into The Kitchen!!
November 18, 2009 by Marni Wasserman
Filed under Featured Articles!, For Your Health!, Nourishing Resources
Check it out! I was featured on one of my favourite blogs Crazy Sexy Life! This blog is completely dedicated to health, nutrition, spirituality and useful day to day tips and motivational stories. I absolutely love it and absolutely honoured to be featured on it!
Just a little bit of passion can take you a long way. Everybody always asks me how I got into this, what led me to “create” what I have today. I answer them with one simple word “passion.” Once you find what this word means for you, it will bring you happiness, health and success. I promise!
We have all heard that you need to be true to yourself and your beliefs to get what you want out of life, but sometimes it takes a little effort and a step out of the that box that we often find ourselves in. It is okay to get thrown off a couple of times, but keep your focus and you will get there.
So what started out as a simple passion for me (food, eating, health) led me on a journey, which has not only become my lifestyle but my chosen profession.
I taught myself the basics, read any health book I could get my hands on and then went to schools that complimented and fueled this passion. I started my journey at the The Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto, where I became certified as a nutritional consultant. I wasn’t completely satisfied yet, I wanted to do more than just consultations and tell people what to eat. I needed to go one step further and teach people how to eat. This led me to the Natural Gourmet Culinary School in New York City. Throughout this experience, I realized that I wanted my knowledge of nutrition to apply to everything one could do in the kitchen. So now, teaching people to create simple, healthy, delicious meals is my passion. It is also the reason why I strive to show people how much fun it can be to take their own health into their kitchen and “make” themselves a happier and healthier person.
I dedicate everyday of my life now to empowering the people around me to take control of their “diet” and eat the best foods that nature has to offer. This means predominantly adopting a plant based diet that is stemmed from whole foods -nuts, seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and healthy oils from avocado and coconuts.
When I first made the switch to a plant based diet, I noticed differences right away. The daily cramps and bloated feeling I had following every meal was enough to make me sick (literally). I attributed this to wheat, dairy and refined sugar – the foundation of the North American diet. Once these guys are out, it makes room for a whole new palette or colours, textures, shapes and flavours to enter into your kitchen and become the new basis of a healthy and balanced diet.
I tell people to start simple, go back to the basics and “play” from there. Of course most people are overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, so I teach people how to prepare simple and delicious recipes with simple ingredients in their home. Most people don’t realize that they attain optimal health right from their very own kitchen.
Unfortunately most people are afraid to take responsibility for their own health. This idea of fear needs to be eradicated, because I have to tell you, once you see the benefit of having your kitchen loaded full of the freshest and best quality organic ingredients, there is no turning back. To me there is nothing more inspiring and motivating then watching people learn how to sauté green veggies for the first time, or blending up a smoothie that tastes better than any milkshake they have ever had.
The best part is when health problems start to diminish once a whole food diet is incorporated into your life. Not only will you learn that you get your calcium from kale and almonds (not dairy), iron from green leafies, dried fruit and seaweed (not red meat), and protein from hemp – but problems such as osteoporosis, iron deficiency and diabetes will start to disappear. With these foods as the foundation you will start to feel great, lose weight and have more energy!
Once these positive changes start to happen in your life – you may also discover what your true passion in life is, if you haven’t already found it.
You need to just listen to yourself and trust your instincts. Follow that itch inside that is telling you which direction to go. Choosing a more wholesome diet will allow you to feel more wholesome and connected to what really matters in your life.
After following my instincts and teaching myself the roots to good health, I very quickly learned that educating people is my passion in life. I only wanted to be in my kitchen and share my “delicious knowledge” with as many people as possible.
Tell me what your passion is. Share with my Fully Nourished community – we all want to listen, support and be inspired!















I saw this over at Crazy Sexy Life and have added your blog to my reading list! In case you miss my comment over there:
Thanks for this post – this is so relevent to me right now. Trying to get my Dad to beat his diabetes after he suffered stroke recently is my challenge at the moment. Unfortunately, eating a low-sodium vegan dinner is almost enough to make him cry. I can’t decide if it’s better to feed him healthy food and have him miserable about it, or let him eat what he wants and be happy??
I think you need to find a balance. I think there is enough variety in the vegan world to accommodate his palate. Find out the things he likes and try to re create them. I know this is easier said than done. Often I find that the problem is usually that most people don’t realize there are so many alternatives that are healthy and taste great – even for diabetes!
Hey Marni!
I am so glad I found you through CSL!
I actually help out over there in the Editorial Department! So nice to read your post. I’ve added you to my blog list, your recipes look delicious!
Marni has been a long time friend and I new her just as she was figuring out that the Institute of Holistic Nutrition was for her. She started out in nutrition at Ryerson and knew right away it was not for her. And her passion is contagious and very empowering.
I will leave you with one of my all time favourite quotes: “You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.” — Maya Angelou
She lives it to a T.
Barb..thank you so much for the amazing message! I really appreciate the support and I am so happy that the energy I give off is contagious!