Celeste Sullivan created The Kitchen Coach, a local business where she teaches Winonans how to cook and eat healthier.  You may follow her food adventures on Instagram @celesteonearth or visit her website.

Why are you passionate about food?
I am passionate about colorful whole food for its healing power! The transformation I have experienced since phasing into a plant-based lifestyle over 6 years ago has given me more passion and energy than I knew was possible. 

Also, I am passionate about food for our health and the health of our planet. Eating a plant-centered diet can dramatically improve your health, give you better protection from chronic illness while simultaneously being one of the greatest ways to reduce your carbon footprint. 

What tips do you give to folks who want to incorporate more vegetables into their diet?
Make it FUN! Start seeing colorful vegetables as OPPORTUNITY to feel more energetic for your life!

We tend to feel overwhelmed with too many options, so start small. Pick one veggie a week to explore and cook in multiple different ways! For example, broccoli that is roasted with a simple sauce will be completely different than steamed broccoli with a squeeze of orange juice and soy sauce in the steaming water. 

If you chose a different vegetable every week for a few months, you would broaden your veggie horizons BIG TIME! 

What tools do you love most in your kitchen?
The nonnegotiable tool every home cook needs is sharp knife. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just make sure it’s sharp.

I also love my blender. It is worth purchasing a high quality blender like Blendtec.  It will give you smooth sauces, banana ice cream, and nut butters. 

If you don’t have a blender, or can’t afford one, they are frequently found at thrift stores. Lucky for cooking nerds a lot of people donate their dust-collecting kitchen gadgets with little to no use!