Eating healthy and living my bliss is not about being thin and losing weight. This can be an additional perk, but I eat a healthy plant-based diet so I can be my most radiant, sexy, happy, authentic self.

Living in Los Angeles, I’m surrounded by anorexic Hollywood stars and regular people are consumed with dieting and starvation. It isn’t psychologically or physically healthy to put so much concern and energy into the way we look. We create toxicity in our entire life when we become obsessed with the physical. I know first hand what toxic thoughts can do. Even though I’ve been pretty thin my whole life, I would break down in tears looking at my thighs in the mirror. Our society, advertising, fashion magazines, and culture has allowed this to happen to both the women and men of my generation.

Thankfully, when we switch to a healthy plant-based diet our bodies have a tendency to shed unwanted pounds and move toward our natural body weight. This weight is different for every person. And it happens over time, not overnight. I have so many clients come to me, who have been vegan for a while, but still have unwanted pounds. They want me to tell them what to do to lose weight, like I have a magic pill that will solve all their problems. But it’s really no secret. A healthy plant-based diet and exercise has always been the answer, for not only physical health, but mental health as well.

But, it’s what’s on the inside that really matters most. We must change our consciousness, change the way we view ourselves when we look in the mirror, accept that we all come in different shapes and sizes and that’s a beautiful thing. So instead of thinking about the dreaded bikini season we are in, take some time to highlight your inner beauty this Summer. And also think about how to support your actual insides, by eating more organic, local plant-based foods that nourish you from the inside out.

Now that Summer has officially arrived we can start eating more raw, cooling foods like locally grown fresh fruit and water-dense veggies. My second eCookbook, The Blissful Chef: Cooking With The Seasons, is now available for only $4.99 and is filled with 16 delicious recipes, tips on how to stay cool this summer, and which foods nourish you throughout Summer. I hope you will check it out!

Here is one of my all time favorite summer appetizer recipes featured in the eBook. The farmer’s market is bursting with beautiful heirloom tomatoes right now. Not only are they stunning, they taste sweeter and richer than the usual tomato. Fresh herbs are also abundant at the market, so enjoy one of my favorite appetizers that makes a great snack too.

Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta
Serves 4 to 6

3 cups heirloom tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup packed basil, chiffonade
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
Dash of black pepper
Dash of sea salt, to taste
Dash of coriander
Baguette, cut on diagonal in 1/2 inch pieces

Preparation
Stir ingredients together in a medium bowl until well combined. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes. Taste, and season with salt as necessary. Toast bread and pile it on.