Karen interviews Abra…..
Karen: Ok, we will begin the same way. Where did you study? What’s your story?
Abra: I received a BA in theater and education from Muhlenberg College. I am a board certified health coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in partnership with Teachers College of Columbia University. I am a member of Actors Equity Association and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. I have served on advisory boards for pharmaceutical companies and taught fortune 500 companies how to get in the kitchen and cook, cook, cook!
I love working with busy people who think they don’t have the time to be healthy.
I am a former work-aholic and emotional eater. I have healed myself from exhaustion, and poor health and consequently lost 40 lbs of unhealthy weight. I share my story and my love for real food with people that are ready to make the commitment to a better way of living and eating.
Karen: Describe an experience where a client inspired YOU?
Abra: I am inspired by my clients every day. Recently, one of my rock star clients brought 100 pounds of food to her local food bank to commemorate her own 100lb weight loss. I mean, if that isn’t just the most amazing thing!
It is an honor to be a part of my clients transformations. They do it! They find their true happiness, transform their life through food. I am their cheerleader on the side, but I can’t do it for them, I support them and encourage them to find the joy within. It is a humbling experience and I have to tell you… I absolutely LOVE what I do.
Karen: If you had one bit of advice for someone looking to improve their health what would it be?
Abra: Start right now! Do not wait until tomorrow to be mindful of what you can improve today.
Karen: What is your favorite meal to prepare? What kind of music do you like to listen to while making it?
Abra: Oh…good question! I honestly don’t have a favorite “meal” to prepare, but I do have a favorite way to cook. I LOVE to look at the ingredients I have in my kitchen and just create magic. Cooking is ME time, I cook alone and blast SHOWTUNES! I have playlists called, “sing it baby!” (currently 4 editions) Let me tell you, I sing it out! I am chopping away and belting it out. Cooking is such a healing, nourishing experience for me. Do not be afraid of your kitchen, this is where healing really begins, get in there and COOK!
Karen: I can only imagine how happy your neighbors are when you are having one of your cooking marathons!!
Ok, last question:
Describe a memory of you and I sharing a meal together. Where were we? What did we eat? etc…
Abra: A few years ago we were just about to launch Nutritious America, I remember being so excited about bringing our passion for food and health to a larger audience. We spent close to 4 hours catching up on each others lives and musing about our project at the amazing raw food restaurant, Pure Food and Wine, in NYC. We ordered the bizillion dollar truffle appetizer and savored every last morsel. We also stuck to our very strict dining rule and ordered different things so we could sample each others. I got the layered vegetable lasagna w/ pine nut cheese and sun-dried tomato sauce (I actually make this dish a few times a year now.) You ordered some kind of yummy spicy tamale. It was such a memorable meal, we were so inspired by the flavors, atmosphere, and ingredients! This meal helped to solidify our vision to begin this company. Great memory!
