Elaina Love is a professional Chef and Instructor, Lifestyle Counselor and Owner/Director of the raw food store and Pure Joy Planet. She authored the raw, vegan, living food recipe book Elaina's Pure Joy Kitchen to share her favorite recipe creations, which have also been published internationally. She is the creator of the Amazing Nut Milk Bag.

Elaina has been teaching raw food courses worldwide since 1998. She is a Chef/Instructor at the renowned Living Light Culinary Arts Institute where she has been on staff since 2000. Elaina has taught classes and provided raw food meals at many raw food events and retreats, including those for David Wolfe of Nature’s First Law, Dr. Gabriel Cousens of The Tree of Life, Living Light Internationals Raw World, The International Raw Foods Festival, The Boutenko Family and many more recognized leaders in the raw food community.

With a passion for sharing the knowledge she has attained through years of experience, Elaina has helped people throughout the country bring about positive changes in their lives. Her teaching and support empowers people to lose weight and gain energy by making positive lifestyle choices and incorporating more living, raw food into their diet.

As a mother to her son Dominic, Elaina also understands how to teach kids to enjoy healthy, delicious foods.

Elaina Answers a Few Common Questions

Why did you adopt a raw foods lifestyle?

In 1996, I found out through blood tests that I had systemic yeast (candida) and many food allergies that were affecting my health. I had low energy and other minor ailments such as excema, hypoglycemia and back problems. I found a book on cleansing and got very excited about the possibility of excellent health. The book also recommended a raw foods diet. So I found some local classes and began pursing a cleansing diet and raw foods.

How has your life changed since you began cleansing and eating raw foods?

Little did I know the amazing transformation I was to undergo. My life completely turned around. I found myself with boundless energy, and felt happier than I ever had in my life. All the little things I didn't even know were problems disappeared. I found myself in the kitchen a lot and began creating new recipes. Because of all my newfound energy, I started a local catering business. After that I put together a recipe book and began teaching classes. My business has grown since then, and I now have a web site, teach classes, conduct and cater for large retreats and events, and sell raw food products on my web site. I also teach and am a chef at The Living Light Culinary Arts Institute with Cherie Soria, Matt Samuelson and an amazing group of people.

What advise would you give to someone just starting out with raw foods?

I would say to take it as slowly as you like. The more raw foods, especially greens, that you add into your diet the better. Let yourself transition naturally. You will find that you won't feel deprived this way, and that your energy will continue to increase. Just start by adding raw foods to each meal. Eventually, you will find you are eating more and more raw foods, and you won't even miss those old comfort foods (if you decide to eliminate them). Cleansing is also a great benefit. It helps to speed up the elimination process and get rid of old mucoid plaque. I like the Ejuva cleanse which can be ordered on my website.