Andrea de Michaelis’ Goddess Grub

A guru, a go-to girl, a goddess... & a really good egg

Photo by Debi Buck

A long-running holistic magazine, blogs, a devoted and active Facebook community, clients, life... How would you describe the world you've created and what role does each component play?

It’s definitely been evolutionary, I never planned on doing the work I do, none of it. It’s like spinning plates. First I got one plate/project/component in motion and as I got comfortable and balanced in it, I added another plate, then another, then another. Thirty years later I have an entirely different life, one that I created for myself, brick by brick, plate by plate.

What can you tell us about Goddess Grub? Great name, by the way!

Andrea de Michaelis does it all. And what’s more, she does it with a smile. Today we talk to her about one of her many healthful helpful enterprises, Goddess Grub —

pancreatitis brought on by my formerly fatty and meat laden, lumberjack eating habits. After the second bout, I had my gall bladder removed. The surgeon said to me, "now you can eat anything you want and it won't bother you." It was almost criminal to tell that to a woman over 50 who was 50 pounds overweight. But he was only telling me what he'd been taught. A year after the gall bladder had been removed, I had another pancreatitis attack, again caused by fatty foods. That was when I began my own research into what was causing it. I collected recipes and modified to make them lowfat. Since I already create websites, it was easy to create a site to share what I’d learned.

While so many women are busy expending energies and resources to appear younger, you embrace each new trip around the sun. What have you learned about aging through your work and personal journey?

That you are literally as young as you feel. Age 61 in 2013, I feel younger than I did at 45. I eat healthier and make my food my medicine. I take vitamins and supplements but no medications. I work out now, I’ve done daily yoga and meditation since 1972. My blood pressure is 110/70, heart rate 64, BMI 25. I’ve got 20 pounds I could lose and don’t care if I do. I stay out of the sun but don’t care if I wrinkle or sag. I’ve learned the more I focus on extracting fun from life, no matter where I find it, the more fun projects I’ll fall in to with people I enjoy working and playing with. A by-product of that is time standing still while you’re in the fun Now. Age is never a topic, unless it’s “look what they said couldn’t be done at this age!” A goddess does not define herself by anyone else’s standards, and she celebrates every stage of life.

When people contact you about Goddess Grub, have you found there is a common theme among their motivations?

Usually a health concern has brought them. They need to restrict their diet to healthy foods and want to make sure it’s flavorful yet easy to prepare. A goddess keeps many plates in the air, so cooking should be simple, luscious and quick. She’s got worlds to conquer!

Have you found any differences between how your female and male fans and clients approach your message?

Many of the men who’ve found the site have come due more to overweight than health problems, and many have been turned on to the site by their goddess partners. Goddesses: your men are trainable, at any age and any stage.

You have an incredible love of life and seem to be so open to learning and growing, regardless of all that you know already. Any little kernels you can share concerning what you've learned about yourself recently?

Anyone who reads my personal blog knows I just came out of a lively relationship with a man 20 years younger. It challenged every relationship belief I had and took me into a world far more kinetic than my own. I learned that if I had to survive in the rat race after being out of it 22 years, I’m fit for it and I can keep up with those decades younger. It’s all a mindset, it’s all perception: What do I think is possible? In fact, I’m sitting here typing with hands I was told 20 years ago wouldn’t last me another year without surgery. Good for me for knowing that’s not true.

What excites you most about the prospects of your work?

What excites me most about my work is the people I connect with. I enjoy hearing their stories of what works for them. It excites me when people are excited about nutrition and excited about using the best fuel for their body and getting the most mileage out of their body. A goddess knows to keep herself fully fueled so she can have the most fun for the longest time.

Last, is there anything you'd like to ask our readers?

I’d like them to ask themselves if they are getting the best possible life out of their years. Many health conditions can be prevented and treated with nutrition. I brew a tea or make a soup each day with concentrated veggies and herbs to keep the cells of my body nourished, to keep me vibrant and juicy. Healthy can be easy, quick, fun, luscious and lowfat. I’d like to ask your readers if they feel they are living their most vibrant, their most juicy life? There’s always more fun to be had and a healthy body lets you stay in the party longer.

Thank you, Joy.

Andrea