Hey there, Vanessa. So nice to have you on the blog and explore something very different from what we usually gab about. Tell us, what is La Mesa de Vanessa, when was it born and why?
Hi! Nice to chat with you. J
La mesa de Vanessa is a Plant-Based Food, Coaching, and Consulting company that aspires to help people through plants.
Our brand promise: La Mesa de Vanessa helps you unlock all the benefits of Plant-Based Food while absolutely loving what you eat.
I love food and love to cook. About two years ago I took a Plant-Based Nutrition course online. I'm always curious about health and the role that food plays in it. I wanted to learn more. The course was an incredible eye opener and I learned a lot. It prompted me to make the change into Plant-Based eating. It also sparked a desire to share this knowledge and help others.
My knowledge, my skills, my passion are “my table”. I want to bring my table to yours. To cook, to discuss, to learn, to eat, to share together. That’s how La Mesa de Vanessa came about.
Why? I believe that we are at a pivotal stage in our existence. We have come so far in so many ways. At the same time, we are deteriorating at an alarming rate. In the face of all of this progress, collectively, we are the sickest we’ve ever been. Our leaders are failing us. Mainstream education and practices are misaligned with the welfare of the people. So, it’s up to us. We must take our health back. Without it, we have nothing.
Very true to put it lightly. It's curious how much garbage is promoted and supported just because it is "FDA or USDA approved". There are a LOT of myths of living a plant based lifestyle or difficulties in shifting one’s diet. What are some easy tips you can offer so people can get a start on a healthier diet?
Firstly, drink more water. We are mostly made up of water. It makes our inner systems run well. For example, did you know that the brain is 75% water?
So, increase your water intake every day until you are drinking ½ gallon of water (16 cups, 2L) per day. This is optimum. The average American drinks 3.9 cups of water per day.
Secondly, read ingredients. Becoming aware of what is in the food that you are eating is very important. It’s the first step toward making better choices. If it’s hard to pronounce and has a bunch of numbers, leave it on the shelf.
Thirdly, schedule an appointment with me ;)
You are currently based in Switzerland. What are some of your current clients and what has been the response so far?
I have local and international clients.
This summer, I worked on creating plant-based selections for the menus of one of the hotels here in St. Moritz. The menus were well received. I also sold some of my products. People like them, (not just vegans, btw). As a result, I have some consulting projects in the pipeline, think Plant-Based Restaurant Concepts. That's for later in the year and more orders for products.
I especially love the work that I do one-to-one with my private clients. These clients are in Switzerland, the US, Hong Kong, and Puerto Rico. People connect with me through word of mouth or through Instagram. We cook, we learn, we share; it’s wonderful.
There’s also a Mesa de Vanessa line of products. Can you tell us a bit more about those and what are the plans in the near future?
When I started paying more attention to what I was eating and trying to make better choices, I realized store bought items just didn’t cut it. Many times, items in the supermarket are either very expensive or they have a lot of added stuff. Sometimes it’s both.
Because of that, I started making my own staples. Nut milks, nut butters, trail mixes, pulses, and sauces. I offer them to clients as a way to help them build a plant-based pantry to make the transition a bit easier. The products are fresh, wholesome, homemade, and delicious. At the moment, it is very much local to where I am. However, as the company grows, I can see it becoming available to more people in different places.
Some people think that plant based eating is boring. Can you share two recipes that are packed full of flavor just to show a glimpse of what people are missing out on?
I believe that it’s not boring as much as it is unfamiliar to many people. It’s about discovery. Start with some dishes that are familiar to you. Usually, it only takes a few tweaks to veganize them.
Who doesn’t like a loaded baked potato? Baked potatoes are healthy but baked sweet potatoes are even healthier. Their flavor profile is also more interesting. So, next time do this: bake a sweet potato same as normal potatoes. While the sweet potato is baking in the oven, prepare the fixings. Think black beans, sautéed mushrooms, avocado, green onions, maybe some jalapeño, if you like s. Sooooo good. Super filling and very good for you.
Another thing to easily veganize is fajitas/burritos. If you think about it, it’s practically a plant-based meal. Tortillas, rice, peppers, onions, avocado, salsa, lettuce, corn…all plants. Take it a step further and replace the meat with beans and/or jackfruit. Omit cheese and sour cream and make a delicious avocado dressing instead. There are some awesome plant-based queso recipes, if you want to venture down that route. If you want to take it a step further, replace rice with quinoa. Boom. It's all about getting creative.
There’s a restaurant that wants to expand their menu. What does that process go like?
We look at their current menu. I get a feel for their concept and flavor profiles. With that, I put together plant-based dishes that mirror the feel of their restaurant. We make sure that they have the proper fat, protein, and carbohydrate mix so that people are getting all that they need. Lastly, we make sure that they are delicious. That way, everyone enjoys and everyone wins. Good food for all.
Hahaha I dig it. Now let's get down to decadence and delve into culinary "Treat yo self" territory. Willy Wonka read this interview and he needs your help to come up with two confections to satisfy people’s sweet tooths. Give us some Wonka Worthy recipes.
Willy would love banana ice cream. So easy to make. Firstly, peel and cut ripe bananas, put them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, put them in the food processor or a very powerful blender and mix until smooth. This is a great base. You can add frozen strawberries, or a bit of ready-made coffee, or my favorite, cacao powder, walnuts, maple syrup, dates, and cacao nibs or dark chocolate chunks…..Chunky Monkey anyone?
Next up, 3 words: Chocolate-Avocado-Mousse. Banana, Avocado, Cacao Powder, Almond Milk, Medjool Dates, Date Syrup, Sea Salt, and Almond Butter. It sounds strange but it’s so good. Avocado adds a lovely creaminess and the flavor is totally masked by the chocolate and other sweet ingredients. By the way, have to give a shout out because I found this recipe in the Deliciously Ella app. To make, put all the ingredients in the food processor until smooth.
All sounds lush AND healthy because they shouldn't have to be mutually exclusive. There’s actually a method to shifting your diet and it has to do with the number 21. Can you tell us a bit more about this process?
We eat 21 plates per week (3 meals x 7 days). My method involves gradually increasing the amount of plant-based plates week by week. You can start at 1 plate, at 21 plates, or any number in between. We work on demystifying the plant-based diet, we learn how to build complete plant-based plates that are filling, healthy, and delicious. We create meal plans based on the client’s goals. My goal is that people eat more plants and discover the amazing benefits that come with including more plants in their diets. If they get to 21, amazing. If they stay at 10 or 14 plates, it’s also good. Each plate is a success.
To all the 21s and anything in between. Switching gears and getting random: Vanessa is magically transported into a Super Mario game…and like Mario, most of her power ups are plant based. Tell us three of the power ups and what happens when you eat them?
Mario’s got it right! Mushrooms are super healthy and oh so versatile. You can sauté, roast, grill, soup, even eat them raw. They are great in risotto, pizza, sushi, you name it. There are some that are incredibly meaty that can stand up to any meat dish and some very delicate and full of flavor…truffles…hello. So, mushrooms would also be one of my power ups. If you eat them, they will keep your heart strong, your blood flowing, your stomach happy, and your skin glowing.
Second power up: sweet potatoes. You can cook them in many different ways.
They should be classified as a super food since it’s one of the healthiest foods on the planet. No joke. It’s proven that communities that have sweet potatoes in their diets have lower rates of heart disease and diabetes and enjoy longer, healthier lives. That and they are delicious.
Lastly, power-up number 3 is: dark chocolate. Yes, dark chocolate. They have high levels of antioxidants (keeps bad stuff at bay inside the body) and many good minerals. They keep your blood flowing, may reduce blood pressure, protect your skin, and, some even say, increase brain function. But remember, dark 70% or more.
And now all that’s left is to roll out the green carpet and have you share your links so people and businesses can connect to you.
Love the green carpet bit. Yes, very exciting. We are days away from the lamesadevanessa.com website launch. Until then, you can find me via LinkedIn and on Instagram @lamesadevanessa.
Thanks, JD!
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That was a lot of healthy fun so kindest thanks to Vanessa for taking time from her hectic schedule to chat with us a bit about how we can be healthier and happier, because sometimes to get to the meat of the matter, you have to think of everything beyond the meat. Feel free to contact her and if you do, tell her I sent you.
Til next we creatively connect or connect creatively...
Peace, love, and avocado rolls
JD
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