Yara Shoemaker - Health On Your Plate

This book is inspired by a love story: mine! It started with a simple Syrian girl who was passionate about healthy living for herself and the people she holds dear. When she moved to America, the girl fell in love with a very special man. She wanted a long, healthy life for both of them and that renewed her interest in wellness.

To achieve her mission of cooking real, wholesome food she researched every ingredient to strip away the colorful packaging and reveal the true nutrition contained therein. She infused cultural traditions with modern twists and compiled all her creative recipes together with essential food facts. Over time they saw improvements in their health, energy and appearance, so her husband encouraged her to share this valuable information to make positive changes in the lives of others.

For my soul mate, David: you are my love and my life. I am grateful to be alive just to know a generous and loving person like you. Thank you for all the special moments you have given me and all the incredible days ahead. You inspire me; you brought the sparkle into my life; you believe in me; youre an amazing husband and I will love you forever.

To my sister-in-law, Brittany, with whom I spent long hours, probably more than I spent with anyone else: we sat facing each other sharing the same desk, the same lunches and the same coffee pot every day for the past three years. Through all the hard work and research you were always so patient and loving. I would never be where I am without you.

To my Mama: you are the one who planted everything in me and made me who I am. You are the giver who doesnt know how to stop. You taught me the first steps for everything in life, including cooking. I remember sitting with you in the kitchen and absorbing your love and passion for food and family. I wish I could show you how much I love you, because I know that whatever I do will never be enough to thank you.

To my Papas soul: you were my first teacher, my hero. I want just one thing: to make you proud.

To my grandmother, Tete, and her 95 years of love, hard work and giving. I see history in your eyes and stories between your wrinkles every time I look at your glowing face. You still cook the best meals in your little kitchen and with your ancient pots you could compete with any professional chef in the world.

To Yamen, Hasson and Karam: you are the three strong brothers every sister would be lucky to have. Each of you has taught me about brotherly love; you show me protection and support every single day; you are my shelter. I love all of you so much and wish you everything you dream of in life.

Thank you to everyone in my life who has taught me a lesson and all my friends who helped me along the way. I am grateful to the chefs who gave me the experience to cook with skill that complements my passion. To my readers, you are appreciated more than you know and it brings me joy to think that this book will lead you to improved health and a better life.

Important note to my readers

Throughout this book, you will find valuable health advice based on my own experience and knowledge. Therefore, any time a product or a brand name is mentioned, it is for your benefit only and not for any sponsored endorsement. All recommendations are based on published research, and I encourage everyone who reads this book to begin his or her own personal pursuit of the best health possible. Please continue to consult a medical professional about your physical health whenever necessary. I wish you a successful journey to a healthier lifestyle for yourself and those you love.

This is not a diet book. This is simply a guidebook from one happy, healthy girl who has combined the best in traditional and contemporary nutritional wisdom to create a lifestyle that will make you thrive! This is going to be easy and youll have fun learning my secrets to scrumptious meals that give your body a boost instead of dragging you down. My book is packed with helpful hints, and you may find yourself so excited that you want to do everything at once! Thats greatI love getting people passionate about health for themselves and their familiesbut this advice is designed to be your fundamental first step on the path to confidence in the kitchen. Your success will come from taking one chapter at a time and mastering each section before you proudly move forward to the next stage of transformation. Before you know it, you and your loved ones will have enjoyed every challenge and arrived at revolutionary health!

Just like many of you, my chase after the optimal healthy lifestyle took me from East to West through all the major diets and cultures. My relationship with food started early, when my mama and grandmother would sit me on a stool in the kitchen and give me a simple task to help them prepare the family meal. I was delighted to spend afternoons there doing most of the talking and little of the cooking, and I absorbed much more of my familys cultural cuisine than I realized. Through culinary training with some of the top chefs in Damascus, I developed my passion for fresh Mediterranean food into a refined skill. After moving to the United States, I began putting my healthy twist on traditional dishes and made the exotic flavors fit my new nutritional goals.

Along the way, I learned the advantages and disadvantages of convenient food and mega-grocery stores. I spent a year following the macrobiotic lifestyle, feeling good but missing some of my favorite foods. Then I completed the intensely challenging Hippocrates Health Institute Life Change program, with great results but still searching for balance. After wading through seas of opinions and contradiction on subjects as diverse as wheatgrass potions and protein worship, I can feel for anyone who has ever tried and failed at a diettoo many cooks in the kitchen really do create a lot of confusion.

To sort things out, I went to the source: my grandmother. I visited her village high in the mountains to discover this vibrant 94-year-olds secret. She and the other elders of the village shared their stories and inspired me with their energy and graceful aging. Through their words, I learned much about the natural, active lifestyle that keeps them looking and feeling young.