Written By: MIM!—Chef Yoli Ouiya currently runs her own boutique healthy-lifestyle outfit called Ou!ya, which has an online home at www.yoliouiya.com. The website is a must-visit daily digital destination for any vegan interested in learning how to live green on a budget. Find out what the culinary maestro has to say about her green living journey—which includes, catering for various vegan activist organizations, a brief stint at Reboot restaurant, and servicing a cultural array of clients and festivals—in her Q&A with MIM!.MIM!: Tell us, Yoli is ...
A chic geek who enjoys great food and eco-savings.
MIM!: When and why did become a vegan?
Yoli Ouiya: I began eating vegan after making a bet with a guy I wanted to impress. But when I saw the initial benefits showing up, ie reduction in allergies, physical ailments, eczema, increased reproductive health, weight loss etc , I continued with the vegan diet. Soon after, I started making my own food because being healthy in New York can be expensive; eating out is usually more expensive than preparing meals at home.
MIM!: How did you come to be a nutritional consultant?
Yoli Ouiya: I’m not a nutritional consultant; by definition, I don’t even know what that functionally is. I research, design, and produce food and document the memories attached to them. By trade, I am a graphic designer. Along the way, I was mentored by numerous chefs over the last 7+ years. When I saw how my health was improving coupled with love for food and food preparation, combining the two worlds was a natural fit.
MIM!: What is the meaning of the name behind your company, Ou!ya?
Yoli Ouiya: You know I don’t know if there is a meaning. It’s my family name. I love its uniqueness and it’s all vowels! lol
MIM!: What is a normal working day like for you?
Yoli Ouiya: I wake up, check my astrology, make a green smoothie and/or leftovers, check my online accounts, email, twitter, make blog posts to yoliouiya.com, do some design work, forget about lunch, figure out what to make for dinner, work on new recipes.
