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The Original Natty Chef caters to the body and soul

Published:Thursday | May 21, 2020 | 12:00 AMRocheda Bartley/Gleaner Writer
Let’s get fruity. Fruits are very important in the young chef’s diet.
Sushi is rich in nutrients, so no wonder it is a favourite of hers.
If there was ever a balanced meal, this would surely meet the criteria.
For the love of kiwi. Henry poses with one of her favourite fruits.
Food should not be boring, according to the Original Natty Chef.
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When cooking, Danielle Henry sets her mind on providing balance through nourishment, medicine, and love. She believes food prepared with good intentions is not only food for the body, but the soul.

‘The Original Natty Chef’’ says cooking is a mode of self-expression. Easily bored with eating the same things every day, she creates her meals incorporating bright colours, different textures and shapes.

“It is my art and the way my inner child chooses to speak and share the love. My relationship with food has evolved greatly over time. It used to be one centred around insecurities – stress eating, overeating, undereating to punish myself for overeating, you name it,” she shared.

The young chef likes to experiment with food to create an epic and different experience. She sneaks in superfoods into all her dishes to ensure that those eating it can receive all of their vitamins.

“One of my favourite things to do in the kitchen is remix leftovers and make them new. This not only tests my creativity but also prevents food waste. And when I am remixing and creating with leftovers, I end up not eating the same thing twice. Each meal has its own vibe,” Henry said.

Her diet consists predominantly of live foods, including water, farm-fresh local greens, fruits, nuts, and seeds. It’s a diet she’s encouraging others to follow.

The Original Natty Chef reminds us that eating live foods increases mental clarity, lowers the risk of many common diseases, boosts the immune system, results in glowing skin, and increased energy levels.

“Eating these foods as medicine also ensures you are getting your daily dose of nutrients. Not to mention, it is much better for the planet. I suggest researching the effects of the meat and dairy industries on our beloved Earth,” she said.

CREATIVE DISHES

Forming new traditions of health and wealth is one of her biggest driving forces. In addition to that, setting an example for the youth to be more mindful about what they consume encourages the chef to continue to whip up one-of-a-kind plant-based dishes.

To start the transition into healthy and clean living, she suggests salads.

Get creative! Build your salad bowl by making your base raw greens, adding quinoa or black rice, some of your favourite raw veggies – lots of colours, and you can even add curried chickpeas, cooked pumpkin, roasted seasoned potatoes, or sautéed sweet peppers, onions, and garlic. Then, you can make a fun dressing to top it off. Adding olive or sesame oil, coconut oil, or even some tahini is fun as a dressing. Build until the bowl is colourful and complete, and enjoy,” she said.

For more information, contact The Original Natty Chef on Instagram @lets.stalkfood.

rocheda.bartley@gleanerjm.com