To celebrate the launch of my new blog and web site, today I’m kicking off my Women In Wellness Series to pay tribute to the many women in the wellness field who have inspired me to pursue my own passions. These are the women I find accomplished and inspirational in the field of wellness. I’ll be asking each participant the same five questions and posting every Friday. My hope is that by sharing their truth, these women will inspire you, my readers, too.
I’m getting it all going with my favorite natural foods chef, Andrea Beaman. This woman’s enthusiasm is contagious and after watching her cooking DVD while I was a student at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I decided then and there that I would teach my own cooking classes. She makes it look so easy and fun! Having healed her own thyroid disease with health-promoting foods, exercise and natural therapies, Andrea is passionate about sharing this information with others – and it shows in everything she does.
Q: 1. What is the #1 wellness practice you live by? That thing that you do every day without fail because it revs you up from the inside out.
A: The wellness practice that I do every day without fail is to simply take care of myself. That means, I wake up every morning and stretch (Chinese Meridian stretches) or do a 15 minute yoga routine, then I meditate, and consciously eat the best quality food. There is no #1 thing that I do, it’s a culmination of everything that I do that revs me up from the inside out.
Q: 2. The premise of the blog is that wherever you are in life, is exactly where you need to be. How did you get to where you are today?
A: I got to where I am today by focusing on my passion (teaching people how to heal) and doing the things I care about in life (eating clean, living green, sharing knowledge with others). Those things give me the energy and motivation I need to keep moving forward.
Q: 3. What was your biggest transformation along the way?
That’s funny! I’m still transforming… every day in every way. With each new day comes new insight about life and the universe, and my part in it all.
Q: 4. If you could only own five items, what would they be?
A: Hmmm, that’s an interesting question because I don’t own much that I would be devastated without. I live pretty simply. But, I’d have to say:
1 chef’s knife (santoku)
2. stainless steel pots and pans
3. lifetime supply of Giovanni hair gel and conditioner π Gotta keep my curls happy
4. my most comfy pair of blue jeans
5. Anne Marie Borlind and Dr. Hauschka face cream (I guess that counts as two items)
Q: 5. What is the theme song for your life right now and why?
A: Omigosh that is the hardest question! I don’t listen to music that much, unless I’m driving my dad’s car. I prefer the sounds of nature. The birds tweeting to each other, the droplets of rain falling on the roof or outside the window, the wind blowing through the leaves of the trees, the waves hitting the rocks at the beach by my dad’s house, the sound of my nephews when they are giggling about something silly, babies crying (I know, it’s an odd one, but I love all the sounds of life), and the sound of my sweetheart gently breathing as he sleeps. All those things combined are the themes of my life. I am connected to all of them and they bring me great joy.
About Andrea Beaman
Andrea Beaman is a Natural Foods Chef, author, and television host dedicated to alternative healing and green, sustainable living. She was a featured contestant on Bravoβs hit reality TV show, TOP CHEF (season 1), is a food and health expert on CBS News, and has appeared on Barbara Walters, The View, Emeril Live and Whole Living on Martha Stewart Radio.
Andrea hosts the Award Nominated Fed UP! A cooking show that educates guests and viewers how to cook for, and cure, bodily ailments. She is the author of The Whole Truth β How I Naturally Reclaimed My Health, and You Can Too! and The Eating and Recipe Guide β Better Food, Better Health, and Health is Wealth β Make a Delicious Investment in You!
Andrea teaches fun cooking classes and health seminars to a wide base of students at The Institute For Integrative Nutrition, The Natural Gourmet Institute, The James Beard House, New York Open Center, other schools around the country as well as a monthly contributor on ifoodtv.com. Andrea is also a certified Holistic Health Coach working with clients, one-on-one, to help them achieve their health goals.
For more information about Andrea’s work and upcoming events, visit www.andreabeaman.com
Great interview! I’m inspired to go and finally watch that IIN dvd.
Yes, you MUST watch it! It was life-changing for me. I realized that cooking is a gift that is meant to be shared!