MY LIFESTYLE
LOVE For the
of Healthy Living! My name is Izelle Hoffman and I am a lifestyle chef! But what is a lifestyle chef, you may ask? Someone who cooks according to their lifestyle, of course! I was born with congenital hip dysplasia and fourteen operations later, I am passionate about making people aware of the health benefits of eating the right foods and choosing a life of health and wellness. I am differently-abled, NOT disabled … so what’s your excuse? By Izelle Hoffman
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2021 • MY VIRTUAL CHALLENGE MAGAZINE
I
grew up on a farm just outside Bela-Bela, in Limpopo province. With a farmer for a dad and an amazing landscaper for a mom, my environment encouraged an interest in, and understanding of, food sources. Once you are aware of all the time and nurturing that goes into getting the perfect vegetable onto your plate, you will appreciate and enjoy the food so much more; you can almost taste the love and care. Growing vegetables and experimenting with different flavours was a part of my upbringing. With both grandmothers and my mother boasting world-class vegetable gardens, and an aunt who was the moderator of home economics for the North West province, my development into a ‘conscious foodie’ was inevitable! Today I encourage people from all walks of life to rethink what they put into their bodies. Quality over quantity, always. Focus on the quality of your ingredients rather than how many ingredients you use when preparing a meal and always start with the right ingredients. If you do, whatever you make will be a healthy masterpiece. While I never formally trained as a chef, I grew up in a household where the majority of
