Featured Interview With Sharon Palmer
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a registered dietitian nutritionist and plant-based nutrition expert living in LA. I am an advocate for eating a whole foods, plant-based diet, which led me to write The Plant-Powered Diet and Plant-Powered for Life. I believe that this eating style is not only the best way to protect yourself from chronic disease, but it can lower your negative impact on the environment. Plus, enjoying plants in their natural form–as close to the earth as possible–is delicious! My recipes and culinary style celebrates traditional, global flavors surrounding local, seasonal foods.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started reading and loving it early on; I always had my nose in a book since the age of 10. I started dabbling with writing in high school, but I was also in love with food and nutrition. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to pair my two great loves–food and writing–into my career. I have been writing full time for the past 12 years, during which time I’ve published more than 850 articles in national publications, authored 2 books, written chapters in 4 books, started a blog, and took on the role as editor of a publication.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love everything Michael Pollan and Marion Nestle have written on food and nutrition. I also really enjoy the food philosophies of David Katz, Alice Waters, and Mark Bittman. When it comes to gorgeous, accessible food, I am a fan of Mollie Katzen’s cookbooks. Some of the great chefs–Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz, Suzanne Goin–inspire me to learn more about food. I’m always discovering new chefs, such as Ari Taymour and Miles Thompson, who offer a new culinary vision. I absorb as much as I can on celebrating local, seasonal plant foods from these culinary geniuses to pass it on in a more accessible way to my readers.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Plant-Powered for Life offers 52 easy habits that you can acquire in order to embrace a plant-based lifestyle. No matter whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian or omnivore, you still can gain benefits by eating more whole plant foods. I guide the reader to learn the key aspects of plant-based eating, which are interwoven among 125 new, globally infused, seasonal 100% plant-based recipes. The recipes serve as an illustration of how to take on a plant-based lifestyle habit. For example, taking meat off the center of your plate is easy when you try my recipe for Tofu Mushroom Tacos and Arugula Salad Pizza. In addition, Plant-Powered for Life features gorgeous photography to inspire delicious plant-based eating.
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