TRANSFORM Your Life With Food: Chef Babette On Fitness At 70+, Self Love & Reinvention | Rich Roll

The Rich Roll Podcast
23 Jan 2023103:24
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this inspiring interview, 72-year-old Chef Babette shares her journey from a challenging past, including abuse and addiction, to finding health, vitality, and purpose through a vegan lifestyle. She emphasizes the importance of self-love, taking responsibility for one's own well-being, and making conscious choices for personal and planetary health. Chef Babette's story is a testament to the power of change and the impact of embracing a plant-based diet.

Takeaways
  • 🌟 Chef Babette's journey to a vegan lifestyle began after meeting her husband, who introduced her to the concept and provided her with influential books on plant-based diets.
  • πŸ† Chef Babette's restaurant, Stuff I Eat, has played a significant role in promoting healthier, plant-based eating within the Inglewood community, despite initial skepticism from locals.
  • 🌱 The transformation to a plant-based diet significantly improved Chef Babette's health, including her eczema, asthma, and overall digestion, highlighting the power of food in healing.
  • πŸ’ͺ At 72, Chef Babette is a testament to the vitality and energy that can be achieved through a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise.
  • πŸ€Έβ€β™€οΈ Chef Babette emphasizes the importance of self-love and taking responsibility for one's own health and well-being, encouraging others to make conscious choices about their food and lifestyle.
  • πŸ₯¦ The concept of 'food as medicine' is central to Chef Babette's philosophy, advocating for the consumption of living, uncooked foods to preserve their life force and nutritional value.
  • 🌍 Chef Babette's message extends beyond personal health, also addressing the broader issues of environmental sustainability and animal rights, urging individuals to consider the global impact of their dietary choices.
  • πŸ“š Education is a key component of Chef Babette's approach, encouraging individuals to learn more about the benefits of plant-based diets and the sources of protein.
  • πŸŽ₯ Chef Babette's participation in docuseries and social media presence aim to spread awareness and inspire change in the way people eat and live.
  • 🌱 Chef Babette's vision includes the hope for more community-based initiatives that promote healthy eating, such as urban gardening and accessible, affordable plant-based options for all.
Q & A
  • What is the main message Chef Babette wants to convey through her work and lifestyle?

    -Chef Babette's main message is about embracing self-love, self-care, and education. She advocates for a plant-based diet and regular exercise as a means to improve personal health, extend vitality, and contribute positively to the planet. She encourages people to take responsibility for their choices and to live each moment consciously.

  • How did Chef Babette transition from a challenging past to becoming a vegan chef and fitness enthusiast?

    -Chef Babette transitioned by taking control of her life, making conscious decisions to change her diet and lifestyle. After meeting her husband, who introduced her to a vegan lifestyle, she read books like 'Fit for Life' and 'The Mucusless Diet Healing System' which changed her perspective on food and health. She started with small steps, like adding one push-up each day to her routine, and gradually built a successful plant-based restaurant and became a fitness inspiration.

  • What was the turning point for Chef Babette in her journey towards a healthier lifestyle?

    -The turning point for Chef Babette was when she started reading books about healthy eating and plant-based diets, given to her by her husband. These books, along with her personal experiences and struggles, led her to change her diet and exercise habits, which significantly improved her health and well-being.

  • How does Chef Babette maintain her fitness routine and what advice does she have for others?

    -Chef Babette maintains her fitness routine through strength training, hiking, and stair climbing. She advises others to start with small, manageable goals, like adding one push-up each day, and to stay consistent. She emphasizes the importance of self-love and taking care of one's body as a form of self-respect and responsibility.

  • What is Chef Babette's perspective on the vegan movement and its accessibility?

    -Chef Babette believes the vegan movement is often seen as an aspirational and high-net-worth lifestyle, which can be off-putting for many people. She advocates for making veganism and plant-based diets more accessible and affordable, especially in communities where healthy food options are scarce. She encourages people to educate themselves about the benefits and to transition gradually.

  • How does Chef Babette address the issue of food deserts and limited access to healthy food options?

    -Chef Babette suggests that individuals in food deserts take responsibility for their food sources by planting their own food if possible. She also highlights the work of urban gardeners who have transformed vacant lots into community gardens as a potential solution to the lack of fresh produce in certain areas.

  • What is Chef Babette's stance on the connection between diet, health, and the environment?

    -Chef Babette believes there is a strong connection between diet, health, and the environment. She argues that the industrial farming complex is unsustainable and harmful to both human health and the planet. She promotes a plant-based diet as a way to improve individual health, reduce environmental impact, and treat animals ethically.

  • How does Chef Babette handle negative feedback or criticism regarding her lifestyle and advocacy?

    -Chef Babette handles negative feedback by staying true to her message and experiences. She emphasizes the importance of speaking the truth and being a positive example, regardless of others' reactions. She believes in the power of individual responsibility and change, and encourages others to educate themselves and make informed decisions.

  • What is the significance of Chef Babette's age and how does she view the aging process?

    -Chef Babette's age is significant because it serves as a testament to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. She views the aging process as a journey to be embraced, and she uses her own vitality and fitness level as inspiration for others. She encourages people to maintain an active lifestyle, love themselves, and stay youthful in spirit regardless of age.

  • What is Chef Babette's approach to dealing with challenges and setbacks?

    -Chef Babette's approach to dealing with challenges is to take control of her actions and reactions. She emphasizes the importance of self-love, responsibility, and resilience. She uses her past experiences, including overcoming addiction and abuse, as a foundation for understanding the power of personal choice and change.

  • What is the impact of Chef Babette's work on her local community and beyond?

    -Chef Babette's work has a significant impact on her local community by providing healthy, plant-based food options in an area that was previously a food desert. Her restaurant, Stuff I Eat, serves as an educational resource and a place of inspiration for healthier living. Beyond her community, she influences people through her social media, public appearances, and her cookbook, spreading the message of self-love, healthy living, and the importance of taking care of oneself and the planet.

Outlines
00:00
🌟 Introduction and Meeting Chef Babette

The video begins with an introduction to the host's philosophy of living in the moment and controlling one's happiness. The guest is introduced as Chef Babette, a vegan chef and owner of a plant-based restaurant in Los Angeles. She is known for her energy, fitness, and positive outlook on life, despite starting her healthy lifestyle and restaurant business in her 40s and 50s, respectively. Her journey is highlighted, showing that it's never too late to change one's lifestyle for the better.

05:04
πŸ˜” Childhood Trauma and Overcoming Adversity

Chef Babette shares her difficult childhood, including being molested at a young age and enduring physical and emotional abuse. She discusses the impact of these experiences on her trust and perception of the world. However, she emphasizes her decision to embrace love and responsibility for her own healing journey, rather than wallowing in past traumas. Her story serves as a testament to resilience and the power of personal choice.

10:07
πŸ€ Transformation Through Diet and Fitness

Chef Babette talks about her transformation after meeting her husband, who introduced her to a vegan lifestyle. She read two influential books that changed her worldview and led her to adopt a plant-based diet. This shift not only improved her health but also her outlook on life. She emphasizes the importance of self-love and taking control of one's life choices, including diet and exercise.

15:08
🌱 Embracing Veganism and Starting a Business

After embracing veganism, Chef Babette and her husband started a business selling plant-based meals. They began by offering food at Agape Spiritual Center and eventually opened their own restaurant, Stuff I Eat. Despite facing challenges such as the recession and being in a food desert, their business thrived due to their dedication to healthy, plant-based food and their mission to educate the community.

20:10
🌟 The Power of Love and Personal Responsibility

Chef Babette shares her belief in the power of love and personal responsibility. She discusses how understanding and accepting personal responsibility for one's feelings and actions can lead to a more fulfilling life. She also talks about her journey of self-love and how it has positively impacted her life and the lives of those around her.

25:12
πŸ’ͺ Fitness and Ageing Gracefully

Chef Babette talks about her fitness routine, which includes strength training and hiking. She emphasizes the importance of staying active and being able to move well into old age. Despite her age, she continues to challenge herself physically and is an inspiration to others. She also discusses her participation in a docu-series about health and healing through diet and exercise.

30:14
🌿 Spreading the Message of Health and Sustainability

Chef Babette discusses her role in spreading awareness about healthy eating, plant-based diets, and sustainability. She talks about the impact of factory farming on the environment and health, and the need for individuals to make informed choices about their diet. She encourages people to educate themselves and make changes for the betterment of their health and the planet.

35:15
🌈 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

In the concluding part of the conversation, Chef Babette expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to share her story and message. She emphasizes the importance of self-love, embracing life, and being the best version of oneself. She also discusses her upcoming projects, including a potential cookbook and the desire to involve the community in health and fitness activities.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Self-love
Self-love refers to the act of genuinely caring for and valuing oneself. In the context of the video, it is a central theme where the guest emphasizes that taking care of oneself physically, mentally, and emotionally is crucial. It is exemplified by the guest's commitment to a healthy lifestyle, including a vegan diet and regular exercise, as a form of self-respect and self-care.
πŸ’‘Vegan
Vegan refers to a lifestyle and diet that excludes the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. In the video, the guest's vegan lifestyle is highlighted as a key aspect of her health and wellness journey. It is also a significant component of her restaurant, which offers plant-based meals as an alternative to traditional animal-derived foods.
πŸ’‘Fitness Journey
A fitness journey refers to the personal path one takes towards improving their physical health and well-being through exercise and movement. In the video, the guest's fitness journey is marked by her commitment to regular workouts, starting from basic exercises like push-ups and evolving to more complex routines. This journey began in her 40s and continues to be a significant part of her life.
πŸ’‘Plant-Based Diet
A plant-based diet is one that consists mostly or entirely of foods derived from plants, including vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds. In the video, the guest's adoption of a plant-based diet is pivotal to her health transformation and is the foundation of her culinary philosophy at her restaurant, Stuff I Eat.
πŸ’‘Overcoming Adversity
Overcoming adversity refers to the process of surmounting difficulties or challenges in life. The guest's story is a testament to overcoming various forms of adversity, including childhood trauma, abusive relationships, substance abuse, and societal norms. Her resilience and determination to change her life are central to the video's narrative.
πŸ’‘Chef Babette
Chef Babette is the professional name of the guest in the video, who is a vegan chef and the owner of the plant-based restaurant Stuff I Eat in Los Angeles. She is known for her appearances on TV shows and her cookbook, as well as her daily fitness journey on social media.
πŸ’‘Transformation
Transformation refers to a significant change in form, appearance, or character. In the video, the guest's transformation is evident in her physical health, lifestyle, and career. She went from a life of hardship and poor health to becoming a successful vegan chef and fitness enthusiast.
πŸ’‘Stuff I Eat
Stuff I Eat is the name of the plant-based restaurant owned by Chef Babette in Los Angeles. The restaurant serves vegan versions of comfort food and soul food, aiming to introduce and familiarize customers to the benefits and flavors of a plant-based diet.
πŸ’‘Resilience
Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or to withstand and overcome stress and adversity. In the video, the guest's resilience is evident in her ability to bounce back from traumatic experiences and challenging life circumstances, ultimately leading to a healthier and more fulfilling life.
πŸ’‘Healthy Vegan Diet
A healthy vegan diet is a plant-based diet that is well-balanced and provides all the necessary nutrients for optimal health. It excludes all animal products, focusing instead on fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. The video emphasizes the benefits of such a diet for both personal health and the environment.
Highlights

Chef Babette shares her journey from a difficult childhood to becoming a successful vegan chef and fitness enthusiast at the age of 72.

She emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's life and making conscious choices for happiness and health.

Chef Babette's restaurant, Stuff I Eat, in Los Angeles, is a plant-based establishment that has overcome challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic.

She discusses the transformative power of a healthy vegan diet, even starting in one's 40s or 50s, and its impact on vitality and longevity.

Chef Babette shares her experience with overcoming substance abuse and physical abuse, highlighting the importance of self-love and personal responsibility.

She talks about the influence of her book 'Cash in on Cashews' and how it has helped spread her passion for vegan desserts.

Chef Babette's story is a testament to the idea that it's never too late to change one's lifestyle and start reaping the benefits of a plant-based diet.

She emphasizes the importance of educating oneself about food choices and their impact on health and the environment.

Chef Babette discusses her involvement in TV shows and how they have provided platforms to share her journey and promote a healthy lifestyle.

She talks about her participation in docu-series that focus on healing through diet and exercise, and the impact of these practices on chronic illnesses.

Chef Babette shares her daily routine, which includes waking up early, prepping at her restaurant, and maintaining a fitness regimen that keeps her youthful and energetic.

She advocates for the practice of self-love and self-care as a foundation for a positive and fulfilling life.

Chef Babette discusses the challenges of operating a plant-based restaurant in a food desert and the importance of making healthy options accessible to all communities.

She shares her thoughts on the broader issues of health, nutrition, diet, and disease, and their impact on communities, especially communities of color and lower-income neighborhoods.

Chef Babette emphasizes the need for change in the way we produce and consume food, for the sake of our health and the planet.

She talks about her campaign against Starbucks for charging extra for plant-based milk alternatives, advocating for more inclusive and fair food practices.

Chef Babette encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and choices, and to educate themselves about the impact of these decisions on their health and the environment.

Transcripts
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