We’re big fans of Nadja Pinnavaia at justBobbi. Not only do we love Plantable, her plant-based wellness program, but we can’t get enough of her food and wellness wisdom. She’s helped us with resetting our habits, gut health and what we can do to look (and feel) our best. We caught up with the PhD to hear more about her wellness journey and her self-care essentials.

How did you first get into wellness and nutrition? Tell us about your journey…

My mother-in-law was diagnosed with stage 3b kidney cancer. I lost both my parents at a young age and I was not willing to take the backseat to my mother-in-law's diagnosis. When I received the devastating news, I threw myself into wellness and nutrition looking for a silver bullet that would work alongside the pending chemotherapy.

And what led you to start Plantable?

I realized that today’s modern diet provokes inflammation, and in turn, compromises our immune system which is the first line of defense against cancer and chronic disease. I learned that good health is not about calorie restriction but rather about switching what we eat. We need to reduce added sugar, refined grains, processed food and animal-based protein and move toward a real, whole food diet that is loaded with plants. But change is hard, especially when we are addicted to today’s modern diet. That’s why I started Plantable. To make change easy.

What do you love most about the work you’re doing today?

I love how we change people’s lives. I love how we reverse disease. I love how aches and pains go away, how people effortlessly shed 10, 20, 50 pounds. I love how we restore self-esteem, the glow, energy and just make life so much better.

Ah-ha! Moment:

That moment occurred when I understood “The Crappy Food Cycle” and that today’s modern diet actually fuels hunger. With that knowledge I also realized that the conventional wisdom of “Eat Less. Move More.” was doomed to fail if the brain was actually telling us to eat more. I couldn’t let it go. We were being fed a lie. So, I wanted to change the way we think about food and health.

Current Mission:

We are in clinical trials with Memorial Sloan Kettering to prove that Plantable reduces breast cancer risk. The goal is to eventually have insurance cover that cost, and cost of reversing and preventing the epidemic of diet-related chronic disease.

Wellness Philosophy:

Eat more plants. Keep it real. Cut the crap.

Morning Routine:

Ezekiel toast, avocado, hemp seeds, topped with organic baby spinach leaves. It fuels me and keeps me going until my Plantable lunch!

Bedtime Routine:

Pre-bedtime shower to wash away the stress of the day. I do my daily squats in the shower. I take a cup of chamomile tea to bed and fall asleep listening to my favorite podcast.

Fuel:

My power breakfast and my Plantable lunches (seriously, not just saying that – I beat the afternoon crash).

Your Biggest Wellness Struggle:

Drinking enough water. At work we motivate one another to drink at least 4 flasks of water per day. The peer to peer motivation is helpful!

Self-Care Essentials:

I meditate when I can – but not often enough. I love running. I think about work and have my best ideas when the sun is out and my running shoes are on. However, my favorite moment of each day is snuggling up with my kids each evening and talking about their day.

Product Obsessions:

My Nespresso machine.

Best Advice You Ever Received:

Get your Ph.D. You’ll never regret it, and no one will ever take it away from you. They were right!