" Let me introduce myself: I am ORGANIC Bella and all my food is "chemical, hormone and pesticide free" All healthy and homemade... I live in the USA and I spend my time between New York and New Jersey. Hope that you are enjoying my food and stay tuned because I am writing a healthy organic cookbook. I have traveled to 5 continents and 40+ countries and still counting, so my recipes are worldwide, but I will also be teaching you the HEALTH benefits of your fruits, herbs, spices and vegetables - so you can use them as your medicine too! " ~ ORGANIC Bella
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- PopImpressKA Journal: How did you grow up?
Bella: I grew up in a family of many restaurants; around food, shopping for produce, meats and seafood, etc, but also watching my uncle the chef prep, prepare and cook the meals in New York.
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- PJ: What inspired you to become an organic chef?
Bella: The need for great tasty food that I was experiencing every time I went away and then the disappointment when I would return back to the USA, as NOTHING tasted good. I would always be in tears and complaining about the terrible produce and products that all my local supermarket offer and MOST restaurants… Frankly it all always look very bad/disgusting, sad and not too fresh in most cases.
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- PJ: What would be your advice for parents as far as preparing meals and lunches when they have limited time and busy at work?
Bella: As most parents already know, planning ahead and being organized, is the only way to get all of it done. We also have to have a system in place, as making a food list. cooking and shopping in bulk when we have free time, (many foods can be frozen too after cooking) planning our meals ahead of time, also helps. I always took out my meat or seafood the night before from the freezer and still do and toss it in a glass Pyrex storage container. I throw in all of my seasonings (which are the medicinal herbs and spices) and leave it to thaw out in the refrigerator, until dinner time. My mornings, I always got up a little bit earlier to make a fresh hot breakfast and also pack my Daughter her lunches.
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- PJ: Being a mom and having career as a chef what is the best advice you gave to your daughter?
Bella; I tell my Daughter to eat healthy, to take care of her health and to make smart choices NOW that she is young and healthy to prevent any illness and or diseases in the future. I also tell her that I wish that I knew about the “harmful damage” that food in this country is doing to people- 24 years ago; as we would have been organic 2 decades ago!
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- PJ: What inspires you to create new recipes?
Bella: My many trips to five continents and 40 plus countries always gave and still gives’ me inspiration to create, modify and reinvent new dishes. I also base it on my instincts of food paring for the many health benefits.
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- PJ: The biggest influence in your life?
Bella: My Family: Mom and Uncle
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- PJ: If you would have a choice to make a dinner for someone who would it is?
Bella: My Daughter, as I always want her to eat clean and very healthy. if it needs to be a celebrity... I would invite Sandra Bullock
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- PJ: What is the biggest meal you ever made?
Bella: Thanksgiving- I pride myself in making the turkey and surround it with 12 courses; dessert included.
- PJ: What cuisine is your favorite and what is your most favorite recipe from that region?
Bella: Italian and Chicken Pasta Light Carbonara Deluxe - al la Bella Style
- PJ: As the organic Chef what would you recommend for people in order to stay healthy?
Bella; In restaurants: I order any fish or seafood that is “wild caught”, hard cheeses, grass fed meats, oysters… and that is about it. I have a hard time these days myself eating out.
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- PJ: What is your favorite time of the year, holiday, book, film, and season?
Bella: Year: April. Holiday: Christmas. Book: Love by Leo Buscaglia.
Film: Kate & Leopold. Season: Summer.
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- PJ: What are your three wishes? Bella: 1. That this country would change the rules about what they approve and or see fit to eat, as in Europe. 2. My Own Healthy and Organic Cooking T,V. show. 3. To live until I am 100 plus years old.
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- Bella Antipasti e Vino / (YouTube)
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- Vinoantipastidibella / (Instagram)
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