My Interview with Health Coach and Cooking Class Diva, Jamie G. Dougherty of JamieLiving.com

A few weeks ago, I sat down to reflect on the interactions that have made the biggest impact on my life so that I could take the goodness and churn it into blog post gold(for you). Almost always, the memories that stood out the most were tied to an interaction with someone who’s wisdom, courage and can-do attitude was so exuberant, that I felt instantly energized to take action in my life.

A LITTLE BLOG POST GOLD FOR YA…

Out of this reflection came the idea for a new series of posts that will feature modern, inspired and incredibly EMPOWERED PEOPLE(or since I’m a fan of shortening everything…E-People) from all over the country and the world. I will interview them, do the dirty work, and dig deep to get all their juicy knowledge, tips and best kept secrets to living a life of integrity, and the ability to be, do AND have it all! These people have rockin’ careers, exciting relationships and are empowered to live the great life each and every day. They are self starters and passionate people who want to share what they know, with you.

Together, we’ll cultivate a community of passionate, energetic, proactive people who are EMPOWERED to impact their life, community and our world in a positive way. That is my hope for this new blog series. Can you get down with that??

One thing I know FOR SURE is that we have a heck of a lot that we can learn from each other. It is my mission to bridge the gap and give you access to the people who have inspired me the most in my life, business, relationships, health and who are having a dang good time along the way!

For my first feature, I had the pleasure and a virtual cup of coffee with an amazing woman in San Francisco who is seriously heating things up this year….in AND outside the kitchen! Read my interview with her below, and watch out for her video recipe at the end of the post for a go-to meal you and your friends will LOVE! I can smell the delicious flavors simmering right out of my computer screen already! (okay, bad joke!) Anyway… I hope you are as inspired by her as I am.

Friends at Create Your Great Life meet Jamie G. Dougherty of JamieLiving.com…

Jamie….meet my friends at Create Your Great Life…

Now that we’re all acquainted, let’s get to the good stuff!

Cheers!
♥D

My Interview with Jamie G. Dougherty:
Wellness Instigator & Cooking Class Diva

DeAnna: Tell us about Jamie Living. Where did the idea for your business come from?
Jamie: I have always been interested in whole, delicious food and the power it has to change our bodies, our minds and our health. I also see so many business women struggling between what to put first, their work or their bodies. They honestly don’t believe they can have both! My business came out of the desire to help women entrepreneurs fall back in love with their bodies and empower them to treat themselves like the rockin’, feminine change-agents that they are. It’s brilliant, life-altering work and I totally dig it!

DeAnna: In your “About” section you talk about the “Old Jamie.” Talk to me about the “evolution of Jamie” and how you show up to the table today?
Jamie: Oh my goodness, the “Old Jamie” was a total bummer! I honestly don’t even recognize the person I used to be. I was actually just like the women I help now. I was a constantly-crazed, emotionally-drained, body-bashing perfectionist who held on way too tight and constantly compared myself and my body to others. It was absolutely exhausting and I had no idea how to change. I felt completely trapped in an awful cycle of self-flagellation. I also believe that I would never succeed in business until I had a PERFECT body, so though I had clients, I was never satisfied and always wanted more.

It wasn’t until I realized that I had the power, the ULTIMATE power and privilege to love my body and create my desired life that I started living the amazing life I have now…complete with a supportive husband, flourishing career, a beautiful business body, and LOTS of dancing.

The most important lesson to come out of all my struggles is the knowledge that it is my right and duty as a brilliant woman to love myself and the beautiful vessel that takes me through this life.

DeAnna: You’re an entrepreneur, speaker, coach, radio guest, cooking class diva, wife and all around wellness instigator. What’s your secret to staying empowered to be, do and have it all?
Jamie: That is a seriously good question! I do have a lot going on and I’ve got a few secrets to staying empowered and having it all without losing my mind. (Though sometimes I still lose my mind and have to lovingly find it again The first is I remind myself that I have a unique gift to share with the world. (As does everyone!) No one else can do what I do which energizes me to keep going, keep sharing, and keep supporting. The second is that life is not a race. Once I discovered my life’s work, I had a lot of anxiety around not doing enough, not getting enough visibility, not helping enough people. What I now know is that all my desires will come true, I just need to relax, breathe and stay focused on the work at hand. I also remember that I CAN have it all, just not all at the same time. And lastly, I am a total sucker for self-care. I exercise, laugh, dance and play every day to remind me that life is about FUN and enjoying every moment we are given.

DeAnna: When it comes to food, your approach is holistic in that you want women to have an educated yet enjoyable experience with every bite. What are the three actions [or mantras] women can take when approaching healthy eating and living in 2012?
Jamie: Good eating is as much about eating healthy food as it is about having a healthy attitude around food. I don’t care how much brown rice and broccoli you eat, if you are emotionally beating yourself up there is no way your body will be able to fully receive the nutrients you are putting in. Here are my three go-to action steps to approach healthy eating in the new year!

1) Ask your body: Often we shove food down our throats that our brain thinks we want but the body actually doesn’t. Before you cram ½ a bagel down your gullet, first put your hand on your belly and ask, “What do you need?” The body will tell you exactly what it is craving and what will be most nourishing that time.

2) Take 3 big breathes before eating: Breathing actually fans the flames of digestion which helps you assimilate the food and eat less and yet rarely do we breathe before and during eating. Breathing also helps up slow down which give our body enough time to recognize fullness. This simple exercise will ensure you eat exactly how much you want, no more, no less.

3) Get REAL: Here is my big New Year’s gift to you. Eat real food! That means no more fat-free cream cheese, low-fat dressings and for heaven sake, stay away from low-carb anything! Any food that’s got fat-free, low-fat, low-carb, sugar-free, low-salt etc. smacked on it has been processed in some way and is therefore not a real food. Organic meat, full fat organic butter (!!!), beans, vegetables, high quality fats, fruit and unprocessed whole grains is the only way to go when eating healthfully this and every year!

DeAnna: It’s January, and often a time that people are getting mindful about healthy living again after holiday indulgences have delectably derailed some of our diets . How do you keep your healthy mindset on track? What’s the go-to meal that is sizzling in your kitchen right now?
Jamie: The holidays can definitely be a tough time especially when we feel guilty over too many holiday cookies. The easiest way to keep your head in the healthy eating game is to remember that good food is not a diet but a lifestyle. Eating well is about choosing to treat yourself with the utmost love and respect so you can feel amazing in and about your body all year long. So you had a few too much wine and cheese? So what! When you start accepting and loving your body for its beauty not only does the guilt go away but so do the cravings for foods that don’t serve it.

As for what’s sizzling in my kitchen, last night I made a chicken and broccoli saute with jasmine rice and tahini sauce that was to die for! I topped it with almonds for a bit of added crunch, which I love! It was rich and filling and hit all my REAL food hot buttons. In fact, here is the recipe. (The original recipe calls for asparagus but since asparagus is currently out of season I opted for broccoli. Just as tasty) Enjoy!!