Ani is a nutritional therapist and author of the blog Healthylicious. Healthylicious is a place for healthy recipes, conversations about life, and the balance between food and mind. Ani skillfully combines flavors for real, clean food into healthy desserts - a delight for the mind and the palate.
„It's important not to strive only for low weight and a certain look, but to take care of ourselves. For me, it's important to be fully mindful of my body, and collagen is a step toward that. I'm a huge fan of collagen, precisely because of its endless benefits. I like the nose-to-tail eating concept, which includes every part of the animal - bones, broths and so on. Collagen from pasture-raised animals draws out the best from exactly those parts. Focus on anti-inflammatory eating, so we don't put unnecessary strain on the body during this time of year“, she says.
Hi Ani! Your story as a "nutritional therapist and
amateur cook, blogger and influencer" is very inspiring. If you had to
sum up in 3 sentences the most important thing that made you who you are today,
what would they be?
Hello! I'd say that everything that happens to us happens for a reason. The stages I've been through were definitely quite challenging for the age I was at, but looking back, I've taken something from each of them. As people, we change every day, and it's important to follow our own path. That's the exciting part - some of our best moments haven't happened yet. I look ahead with enthusiasm and curiosity, because every day brings something new!
You've gone through all the challenges familiar to most people
- psychological and health-related - in search of a healthy
relationship with food. In your opinion, why, despite the huge amount of information and
opportunities to share experience, do so many people still walk this thorny
path?
We all live with ideas, standards and expectations of ourselves. The internet both gives us a lot and takes from us, because of this over-information and the difficulty of sorting out what to believe. Right now we can read scientific studies supporting both extremes of everything. As easy as it sounds when someone tells you to “listen to your body,” that's exactly the hard part. You realize it only once you've gone through it.
I've been at every extreme myself, and looking back I see so many things I could have avoided. Even if someone reaches out a hand to you, you also need to want to pull yourself out and reach back. But there is a way out. It's important not to strive solely for low weight and a certain look, but to take care of ourselves. Beauty from within shows on the outside too.
Tell us about your passion for cooking. What did you cook first, and what do you love to eat?
amateur cook, blogger and influencer" is very inspiring. If you had to
sum up in 3 sentences the most important thing that made you who you are today,
what would they be?
Hello! I'd say that everything that happens to us happens for a reason. The stages I've been through were definitely quite challenging for the age I was at, but looking back, I've taken something from each of them. As people, we change every day, and it's important to follow our own path. That's the exciting part - some of our best moments haven't happened yet. I look ahead with enthusiasm and curiosity, because every day brings something new!
You've gone through all the challenges familiar to most people
- psychological and health-related - in search of a healthy
relationship with food. In your opinion, why, despite the huge amount of information and
opportunities to share experience, do so many people still walk this thorny
path?
We all live with ideas, standards and expectations of ourselves. The internet both gives us a lot and takes from us, because of this over-information and the difficulty of sorting out what to believe. Right now we can read scientific studies supporting both extremes of everything. As easy as it sounds when someone tells you to “listen to your body,” that's exactly the hard part. You realize it only once you've gone through it.
I've been at every extreme myself, and looking back I see so many things I could have avoided. Even if someone reaches out a hand to you, you also need to want to pull yourself out and reach back. But there is a way out. It's important not to strive solely for low weight and a certain look, but to take care of ourselves. Beauty from within shows on the outside too.
Tell us about your passion for cooking. What did you cook first, and what do you love to eat?
I moved abroad on my own and had to learn to cook, just so I could feed myself somehow. On the other hand there were diets and the desire to lose weight, which somehow led me toward healthy eating. And the third thing that tied it all together was my education in media, advertising, design and photography – with a few projects devoted to food. That's how I started decorating things and trying to make them visually beautiful.
One of my first healthy creations was banana pancakes - 2 eggs, 1 banana and 1 tbsp coconut flour. For 2 years I had them for breakfast every day, in a different flavor each time. I still love eggs in some form for breakfast. I like something sweet in the afternoon, most often fruit combined with coconut cream and crunchy homemade granola.
What do you cook and what do you take extra to boost your
immune system?
In autumn, root vegetables naturally appear, and they're my favorite. I include more “stews” or, in other words, warm dishes with sauce. As well as soups and generally warming spices, such as ginger, for example. I love pumpkin a lot and bake it often, so I always have some on hand.
I also take various bee products, such as honey and bee pollen. I don't have a specific period when I do anything special, since I try to eat varied and seasonal food all year round.
Why are you a fan of collagen and different protein sources? When
did you discover its "power"?
I'm a huge fan of collagen, precisely because of its endless benefits. I like the nose-to-tail eating concept, which includes every part of the animal - bones, broths and so on. Collagen from pasture-raised animals draws out the best from exactly those parts that we would otherwise throw away. I discovered its power when I focused more on my gut health and set out to strengthen and “heal” the intestinal lining. It's precisely collagen, gelatin and bone broth that work wonders.
Is it important to be collagen-aware?
Especially after age 25, collagen is no longer synthesized naturally in such quantities. For me, it's important to be fully mindful of my body, and collagen is a step toward that. It's completely natural and is something our body synthesizes, so at some point it's not excessive to help our body along. For me, protein intake is extremely important, and through collagen we improve that too, without strange protein powders that often contain other additives. For me, collagen has a different effect and influence on everyone. Whether it's skin, hair, nails, joints …
Share your favorite collagen recipe with us.
I have 3 favorite recipes with these products that I make all the time. One is my favorite coconut cream, which I make from 1 can of coconut milk (no additives), 2 bananas, 10 grams of gelatin and, optionally, 1-2 scoops of collagen. It makes 4 servings of cream, wonderful for a morning or afternoon snack with fresh fruit.
Another favorite recipe of mine is coconut-collagen bars, which I make with shredded coconut, coconut nectar, collagen and coconut milk.
And, of course, the gummies - I choose a juice or smoothie of my choice, sometimes blended fruit, add collagen as a protein source and, of course, gelatin. These are like beauty gummies - both tasty and good for you! How could anyone not like them? This way, you can literally turn anything into gummies.
immune system?
In autumn, root vegetables naturally appear, and they're my favorite. I include more “stews” or, in other words, warm dishes with sauce. As well as soups and generally warming spices, such as ginger, for example. I love pumpkin a lot and bake it often, so I always have some on hand.
I also take various bee products, such as honey and bee pollen. I don't have a specific period when I do anything special, since I try to eat varied and seasonal food all year round.
Why are you a fan of collagen and different protein sources? When
did you discover its "power"?
I'm a huge fan of collagen, precisely because of its endless benefits. I like the nose-to-tail eating concept, which includes every part of the animal - bones, broths and so on. Collagen from pasture-raised animals draws out the best from exactly those parts that we would otherwise throw away. I discovered its power when I focused more on my gut health and set out to strengthen and “heal” the intestinal lining. It's precisely collagen, gelatin and bone broth that work wonders.
Is it important to be collagen-aware?
Especially after age 25, collagen is no longer synthesized naturally in such quantities. For me, it's important to be fully mindful of my body, and collagen is a step toward that. It's completely natural and is something our body synthesizes, so at some point it's not excessive to help our body along. For me, protein intake is extremely important, and through collagen we improve that too, without strange protein powders that often contain other additives. For me, collagen has a different effect and influence on everyone. Whether it's skin, hair, nails, joints …
Share your favorite collagen recipe with us.
I have 3 favorite recipes with these products that I make all the time. One is my favorite coconut cream, which I make from 1 can of coconut milk (no additives), 2 bananas, 10 grams of gelatin and, optionally, 1-2 scoops of collagen. It makes 4 servings of cream, wonderful for a morning or afternoon snack with fresh fruit.
Another favorite recipe of mine is coconut-collagen bars, which I make with shredded coconut, coconut nectar, collagen and coconut milk.
And, of course, the gummies - I choose a juice or smoothie of my choice, sometimes blended fruit, add collagen as a protein source and, of course, gelatin. These are like beauty gummies - both tasty and good for you! How could anyone not like them? This way, you can literally turn anything into gummies.
What would you advise our readers to stay healthy and strong through autumn?
Take care of yourself by including as varied, seasonal and local food as possible. That's exactly what our body needs. And be kind to yourself. Focus on anti-inflammatory eating, so we don't put unnecessary strain on the body during this time of year.
Photos: Healthylicious
