Interview with Victoria Boutenko

Question #1: What are some rawfood staples in your current diet?

Raspberries, blueberries, all leafy greens, apples, papaya, sapote and lots
of green smoothies!

B) Are you 100% raw?
Yes.

C) How did you start?

I was very ill, I had arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). The doctors told me my life was threatened.

Question #2: How did you become a raw food chef? Who trained you?

My husband told me he would never eat raw food if I couldn't make it tasty. I think my biggest influences were Sherri Soria, Elaina Love, Chad Sarno, and many others. I learned from everybody I met.

Question #3: What is your new book, "Green For Life" about?

In this book I compared the human diet with the diet of chimpanzees, because they are genetically the closest living creatures to humans. About 40% of the volume of chimpanzees' diet is greens. In my book Green for Life, I research why most humans don't like the taste of greens. My family was not an exception. Through experimentation I came up with the green smoothie, an easy and palatable way to consume more greens.

Question #4: How do you come up with a recipe?

I never made one recipe the same way twice in my whole life! I see what I have, pick what promises to taste good together, and that makes a new recipe! Sometimes I pick a recipe from cooked food that I used to like,
substitute the ingredients with similar raw ingredients, and create a totally new raw recipe that way.

Question #5: Can you share a favorite raw food recipe?

My favorite for today is the following Green Smoothie:

One package of raspberries (6 oz.)
Two ripe bananas
Half a bunch of Italian parsley
Several spinach leaves
Two cups of water

Blend well.

Question #6: What are some quick tips or hints for raw newbies?

Drink green smoothies, at least one or two cups every day! That will prevent cravings for cooked foods and overeating.

Question #7: Do you have any dental problems on the raw diet?

I had them on and off during the twelve years of being raw. Since I started drinking green smoothies on a regular basis, for the last 16 months, my teeth and gums have become stronger and healthier. Chewing regularly on my jaw exerciser also helps. You can read about this in my book, Green for Life.

Question #8: Where do you see the raw food movement heading?

I am inspired to see many more people experimenting and coming up with multiple new important tips. The raw food movement is definitely becoming more popular everywhere in the world. I foresee that there will be fewer
gurus and more doers. (No offense, Alex!)

Question #9: Can you please tell us about some of your current projects you and your family are working on and/or developing?

We are doing many things! The main project is that my daughter Valya and I are writing a book about helping children eat healthier, which we plan to publish in 2006 with North Atlantic Books.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Alex, I highly recommend that you interview Tonya Zavasta. Of all the people I've met, I consider her way of eating raw to be optimal and the most balanced. My love to all readers of this newsletter!

Note: Click here to read the interview with Tonya Zavasta!

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