[This post is part of an ongoing series of interviews with cookbook authors, bloggers, women entrepreneurs and home chefs whose work I enjoy and admire. If you’ve got someone in mind you’d like me to approach for an interview, please shoot me an email at dietdessertdogsATgmailDOTcom, or leave a comment here and let me know! And now, enjoy today’s installment!]
It was almost 3 years ago that I first came across The Blissful Chef, aka Christy Morgan. I remember hearing quite a bit of buzz about this classically trained, macrobiotic-leaning vegan chef (who had received glowing reviews from her client, Alicia Silverstone!). Shortly thereafter, Christy and I somehow became friends on Facebook, and a dialogue began. I admired what she was doing and agreed to review one of her ebooks, Cooking with the Seasons: Summer. I recall being pleasantly surprised at how much the recipes focused on real, whole foods, unprocessed and without a lot of added oils or salt. I loved the dishes I tried and was happy to move on to a glowing review of Christy’s first cookbook, Blissful Bites, half a year later. That book remains one of my favorites to this day.
Today, I’m happy to share with you Christy’s latest venture: Wellness Reboot, a healthful, all-in-one online culinary and exercise program that will help you reboot your wellness goals. But Christy says it much better than I can, so take a gander at her answers to my questions, below! And don’t forget to check out the giveaway after the interview!
Q. Can you explain what Wellness Reboot is all about?


Q. Can you tell us which are your three favorite recipes from the program?

And now. . . GIVEAWAY TIME!
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered! We have a winner:
JESSICA BARRINGER!
Congratulations, Jessica! Christy or I will contact you via email for more information.
- Follow WellnessReboot on Facebook, twitter or Pinterest, or subscribe to Christy’s blog;
- Follow DDD on Facebook, twitter, or Pinterest, or subscribe to the blog;
- Tweet about this giveaway.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!
This giveaway is open worldwide. You can enter until midnight EST on Wednesday, January 30th, after which I’ll choose a winner at random. Good luck, all! 😀

No-Fat Carrot Hummus
Reprinted with Permission from Christy Morgan.
Who says you have to use chickpeas to make a hummus dip?! You are going to flip for this white bean version that has added carrots for extra vitamins.
2 cups (480 ml) carrots, large dice
2 cups (480 ml or one 15 ounce can) cooked white beans
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast [I’m still avoiding nooch so used 1 Tbsp/15 ml light miso and it worked beautifully]
2 Tbsp (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp (15 ml) tamari soy sauce [I used Braggs]
1 tsp (5 ml) apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) garlic powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) cumin
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) corianderBoil carrots until tender. Drain and place in blender or food processor with remaining ingredients. Blend until well combined and no chunks remain. Add more seasoning to taste. Makes 3-5 servings.
Suitable for: ACD All Stages, sugar-free, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, egg free, nut free, vegan.
Never miss a recipe–or a comment from The Girls! Click here to subscribe to Diet, Dessert and Dogs via email. (“We love subscribers, Mum. . . almost as much as we love treats!”)
Last Year at this Time: Quick Creamy Caesar Dressing–Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Anti-Candida (gluten free; ACD Stage 2 and beyond)
Two Years Ago: “Smoked Salmon” Sushi Pizza (gluten free; ACD Stage 2 and beyond)
Three Years Ago: All About Stevia
Four Years Ago: Book Review: Go Dairy Free
Five Years Ago: Sweet Potato Pancakes (not gluten free; ACD Maintenance)
Never miss a recipe–or a comment from The Girls! Click here to subscribe to RickiHeller.com via email. You’ll get recipes as soon as they’re posted, plus cookbook updates and news about upcoming events! (“We love subscribers, Mum. . . almost as much as we love treats!”
[Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you buy using these links, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission from the sale.]
I am loving all things carrot right now, Ricki, so this looks perfect. Bring on the beans! 🙂
BTW, have you considered interviewing Tess Challis? I must be her #1 fan. 🙂
GREAT idea!! Will look into it. And yes, I seem to recall that you mention her cookbooks quite a bit. . .!! LOL!
Awesome! 🙂
Can’t wait to try this beautiful hummus!
“quality or state of being healthy in body and mind”
I need the mind part. This isn’t a diet its a lifestyle and sometimes I am feeling alone with it 🙁
Wellness Reboot liked on FB
Wellness Reboot followed on Pinterest
Subscribed to DDD on Google Reader! (was already)
Subscribed to http://theblissfulchef.com!
Pick me pick me! Great giveaway Ricki. I’ve been following Christy’s work for a while now and am even considering heading to the States for the chef training program at the Natural Epicurean where she also trained. The Wellness Reboot sounds like a fabulous program- don’t think I could pick one standout feature as part of the appeal is its completeness.
I’m already following Christy on all platforms! (Do I need to leave separate comments for each?)
Of course I already follow Diet, Dessert and Dogs everywhere too!
…and I tweeted about the giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win.
Hi Ricki, I’m most interested in the recipes, but the whole package sounds great! I also follow DDD on Facebook and Pinterest.
I am interested in the cooking part of it. I am trying to move to a plant based diet, and while I love beans & most veggies, I have no idea how to make them into meals that aren’t boring. I also have a dislike of certain veggies that are mainstays of a plant based diet, further complicating things.
I’m interested in the pantry stocking and getting started portions of the Reboot. I’m transitioning to a whole-foods plant based diet but I keep faltering with what to prepare to eat.
I am most interested in learning new recipes for a plant-based meal plan. I would describe my current diet as pescetarian. Although, I eat a fair amount of processed vegetarian items. I would like ideas for vegetarian products that are processed as little as possible.
I “liked” WellnessReboot on Facebook.
I also “liked” DDD on Facebook. I see that you have GF recipes – that’s great!
I am subscribed to both blogs. I am not on Twitter.
I have been reading everything under the sun regarding veganism.
I love to cook, and feel that both my husband and I could benefit greatly from a comprehensive program to tie it all together! Thank you for your blog, you have contributed a great deal to our knowledge!
Hi! I met Christy at the Texas State Veggie Fair and was amazed at her demo and bought the book on the spot! Thanks to her I now LOVE kale salad and other items I never thought I would love.
I am struggling with sticking with a program and would love to be a part of this but I cannot afford it at all.
I am interested in cooking classes, recipes and discovering how to regain my overall health!
Please consider me for the free program.
Thanks so much, Lisa! I just want to confirm–the winner is chosen at random. So while you sound like a great candidate, it’s not up to me! 😉
Followed Wellness Reboot liked on Facebook!
Followed Wellness Reboot on Pinterest!
Followed Wellness Reboot on Twitter!
Liked DDD on Facebook!
Followed DDD on Pinterest!
Followed DDD on Twitter!
Tweeted about the giveaway!
I like DDD on Facebook
I like Wellness Reboot on FB
I’m most interested in the cooking aspect. I try my best to follow a healthy, plant-based diet but I get so busy at times that I forgo that for convenience. I’d love some quick and simple recipes to keep me on track.
I’m interested in the recipes! they sound so delicious, and I’m always looking for healthy plant-based meals to make for myself.
I followed Wellness Reboot on Twitter.
I followed DDD on Twitter.
I “liked” WellnessReboot on Facebook.
I “liked” DDD on Facebook.
Either the recipes or workouts! Thanks for the giveaway!
Followed on FB!
Already following DDD on FB and twitter and Subscribed! 🙂
Hmm, I have to pick one thing? The MOST interested, probably the workout videos. But who doesn’t love a little food help from time to time! Very cool.
I already follow and like you everywhere! I followed Christy, but couldn’t seem to get to her blog posts. 🙁
Strange! I’ll ask her to take a look.
Cooking cooking classes
I think all aspects of the program sound wonderful and important to being healthy. As a new(er) vegan (6 months) I think the cooking classes and recipes would be most important for me. I was already subscribed to the DDD blog and FB, but added Pinterest, and all of those for Christy as well. I just don’t have a twitter account!
I subscribed to DDD and Wellness Rebot on pininterest as
Hi
I would be excited to check out some new workouts as well as the cooking classes. Also good to be inspired to try something new.
thanks
The workouts! I’m a fitness fiend. Reboot is a dirty word with me right now (laptop issues, oy!) The hummus looks like my whipped kabocha squash — very yummy.
Tweeted the giveaway: https://twitter.com/Deedeethatsmee/status/295042833432326144
Following Wellness Reboot on twitter @deedeethatsmee.
I now follow DDD on Pinterest. Already follow DDD on Facebook and Twitter.
The Wellness Reboot sounds like a great initiative. And I love the look of this hummus!
Liked Wellness Reboot on Fb
Already Like/LOVE DDd on FB!
I’m already a pretty darn vegan GF cook, why I follow DDD (!), BUT always looking for new, fabulous, exciting GFV recipes! So, I’d love the Wellness Reboot/exercise portion to help tone up my vegan life!
Thanks so much, Marty!:D And your bean dip sounds lovely, too! I almost always add nut butter to my hummus as well. 🙂
Yum! I’ve been using light miso in dips for years, never used nooch. I’ve been making a macrobiotic dip with butternut squash, tahini or sunflower seed butter, a little miso, mix, and yum, great dip or spread on GFV waffles for breakfast! I just wing the proportions to taste, but a whole squash (because I love this so much) and 1-3 T nut butter of choice (could be almond too), miso to taste. The squash is oven raised/baked. I can’t wait to make this carrot hummus tonight. I’ve always made hummus with alternative legumes too, ESP when out of garbanzos. Yum is in the way!
I’d be most excited about the workouts, but I love the combination of all those things to promote wellness. I would love to try this program.
Liked Wellness Reboot on Facebook
already followed you on twitter I now liked wellness reboot on fb too. I’d love to learn more about cooking. It’s barely my 2nd week as a vegan and although I am happy with what I’m eating I don’t want to always cook the same, specially ’cause I have an 11 year old daughter so I have to keep it fun and delicious for her to want to eat the healthy food. Thanks for all the postings they are really helpful for a new vegan like me 🙂
want more of raw food guide, deep breathing exercises, enemas, detox, workouts etc
This program is not like that. Be sure to look over the website to make sure it’s something you would like to do. Thanks!
I would love to win this. I have been recovering from an eating disorder for the last year and transitioning my family of six over to a whole foods diet and am just now considering becoming vegan. We are currently gluten free and mostly vegetarian and dairy free although the kids still enjoy the occasional glass of milk or bit of cheese. I love cooking and would really like to learn more about stocking my kitchen and the exercise component would be helpful too.
I love the holistic (food/workout/more) approach of this program so I’d LOVE a chance to win a spot!
I’ve subscribed to DDD via my RSS feed
I’ve liked the Wellness Reboot on FB
I find that a meal plan is really helpful for me since I’m relatively new to being vegan. However, I think that the support offered through the online support group and the individual phone consultations would be awesome.
I already follow both DDD and Wellness Reboot on FB, and I tweeted the message above.
Thanks!
I would LOVE to win something like the Wellness Reboot program. I struggle with trying to figure out how to put dieting, cooking, and exercise all together into something I will maintain. This program looks perfect!!
I think the exercise component sounds the best–I would love to win!
Courtney
I subscribe to your blog, Ricki!
I follow you on pinterest 🙂
I subscribed to Christy’s blog
I follow the reboot on pinterst too!
I would love to win the Wellness Reboot to take advantage of the cooking classes–I’m rather new to anti-Candida, gluten free cooking, so I’d love to expand my horizons & share new ideas with my husband. But, the other aspects of the Wellness Reboot sound equally appealing–so excited I found this page!!
And I now follow Wellness Reboot on Facebook!
Wow, great post. I think my favorite part is that it’s a well-rounded program that focuses on so many different aspects – mind and body. I think I really need them both right now! Would love to win!
I’m just LIKEd Wellness Reboot on Facebook.
I’m now following Wellness Reboot on Twitter @Nomyumfree
I already follow you on Twitter 🙂
And I already like Diet, Dessert, and Dogs on Facebook! 🙂
Would love the recipes. Also, changing up the exercise is always good.
Interested in recipes and workouts.
Liked DDD on FB
Following Wellness Reboot on FB
Following DDD on Pinterest
Following Wellness Reboot on Pinterest
I would be most interested in the cooking class. Thank you for the contest!
Following DDD on Pinterest!
The eating plan and cooking tips. I am disabled and about 4 months ago started eating vegan and have lost about 40 pounds and that is with NO exercise as I can’t. My key to losing the 40 pounds has been to cut out the sugar but I don’t feel my diet is very balanced and am craving a plan to get me there! Gratefully!
Liked all FB pages. Would LOVE LOVE LOVE the recipe component of this program 🙂
The workouts sound fabulous too, I think I need more help in the kitchen tho 😉
I’m in it for the recipes! Any healthy substitutions or updates to recipes are welcome.
Hi! I am actually interested in all aspects of Christy’s plan. It sounds like exactly what I need to meet my goal of putting myself back on my priority list this year!
I am following Wellness Reboot now, too!
I am following DDD, as well.
AND! I Tweeted the giveaway! TWEET!
As a triathlete & runner, I am unsure how to fuel the body totally vegan. Would love to become more knowledgeable.
I love that this program features a multifaceted approach to wellness, but I am especially excited about the recipes since I do not use oil in my cooking and am always on the lookout for more oil-free recipes.
I tweeted about the giveaway.
I follow DDD on Facebook and Pinterest.
I follow Christy/Wellness Reboot on Pinterest.
I am always looking for new recipes to try. Exciting new foods keep me from falling off of the healthy eating wagon!
I liked DDD on Facebook. 🙂
I liked Wellness Reboot on Facebook. 🙂
I also tweeted about the giveaway!
The recipes!
I followed WellnessReboot on Facebook. Thanks for hosting this contest. I would really benefit from the tips.
I also followed DDD on Facebook. Again, thank so much for hosting this contest. I would really benefit from the tips.
I have Christy’s book, and it’s one of my favorite go-tos when cooking, but I would find the prep tips for cooking invaluable since I’m a novice and I have never had any personal training so I think the workout videos would help me meet my health goals, too. Thanks for hosting the contest.
Interested in learning how to cook good and exercise well
(in the least amount of time possible 😉
BTW, that’s an awesome pic of y’all doing handstands!
I am subscribed to the Blissful Chef blog.
Subscribed to “Diet, Dessert and Dogs” blog.
Interesting article. I am really interested in a Complete Wellness Program. Right now I am concentrating on upping my exercise and eating well, with a goal of becoming wheat free and gluten free. Lowering my intake of Carbs is also on the radar !
So, I would say that Recipes are what I would like to take away here.
I have liked you on Facebook and followed you on Twitter & Pinterest.
Regards…
Was there a winner announced? This giveaway is for the reboot program that starts in February, right?
I believe it starts on February 4th (Monday)–it’s a 28-day program. Winner will be announced tonight! 🙂
I would love the cooking classes!