“I don’t tell people what to eat; I make them aware of their options.”
AMADI caught up with world renowned celebrity chef Lauren Von Der Pool to give tips on how to live a healthy lifestyle to start off the New Year. Her restaurant, Green Café, will be opening in Dupont Circle soon. In the meantime, she is using her non-profit organization, Von Der Pool Gourmet Health and Living Services, Inc to implement healthy living programs in the community.
From selling raw pies in front of Universities on the streets of Washington D.C. to catering to celebrities at the Oscars, Lauren Von Der Pool’s journey through the world of gourmet cuisine is an amazing one. The 25 year old Northwest D.C. native, who turned her life around after a near-death experience in a fight at 16 years old, is now a vegan celebrity chef and CEO of Von Der Pool Gourmet, LLC and Von Der Pool Gourmet Health and Living Services, Inc. In a few short weeks, the chef who has studied at Le Cordon Bleu and worked alongside Wolfgang Puck, will celebrate the opening of Café Green in Dupont Circle as Founder, Senior Vice President, and Corporate Culinary Director.
Lauren is currently a private chef for recording artists Wale, UCB, and a host of A-list celebrities when they are staying in Washington, D.C. Lauren eats raw and vegan foods, but she cooks meals for all eating lifestyles. “Wale likes for me to cook oxtails,” she says for example. Lauren assures that no matter the eating lifestyle, everything she cooks is all organic. “It’s still very healthy and live raw foods are always included in the meals.” Her cooking is nothing short of amazing. I have had the pleasure of indulging in a feast a la Von Der Pool, halfway helped her in the kitchen (i.e. washing and cutting), and she even taught me how to make lobster pizza. She used fresh, organic ingredients for the feast and even used edible flowers in the salad! And with the opening of Café Green, all of the D.C. area will be able to sample vegan and raw dishes prepared by Lauren and crew and take delight at a bar stocked with organic beer and wine.
The influence that Lauren Von Der Pool has on the community is astonishing. She was the youngest CEO attendee at the recent Clean Energy Economy Forum at the White House and her non-profit implements healthy living and eco-awareness to schools in statistically obese Wards in Washington, D.C.
Check out her feature on WTTG Fox 5 news of her in action.
Lauren travels the world catering events, doing food demonstrations, green job training, and workshops. Anything healthy and economical, you can find Lauren Von Der Pool somewhere in the mix. So it was only right that Lauren serve as the perfect person to give way to helping AMADI readers into a healthy lifestyle. As we begin a new year and decade, many of us are wondering how to move toward and healthier, greener lifestyle. “In general, you need to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet,” Lauren advises. More specific advice ranges from client to client. “I don’t tell people what to eat; I make them aware of the [healthy] options out there for them.” While we all may not be able to afford a private chef in this economy, Lauren gave us some tips on how we can eat healthy while on a budget.
Lauren Von Der Pool’s 2010 Healthy Eating Resolution Tips
*Eat locally. Find out what your community has to offer and support your Farmer’s Market.
*You can grow your own herbs, even in your windows! Herbs such as rosemary and thyme are easy to grow.
*Utilize your coupons. You can find great deals at Trader Joe’s or Yes! Organic Market.
*Von Der Pool To Go – gourmet meals on a budget will be available soon!
Find out more about Lauren’s amazing journey, current and future accomplishments, and look out for her Von Der Pool To Go meals on her websites.
www.vonderpoolgourmet.com
www.laurenvonderpool.com
AMADI will also give updates as the opening of Café Green draws near. 
January 11th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Keep up the excellent work Lauren. Very inspiring and educational…