My life as a witchy chef has been a magical journey filled with enchantment and delicious culinary creations. From an early age, I've always been drawn to the mystique of the kitchen and the power of cooking. Little did I know that my passion for food would intertwine with my love for the mystical world of witchcraft. Every day in my kitchen is like casting a spell. I carefully select my ingredients, incorporating herbs and spices with intention and purpose. Through my culinary creations, I am able to infuse each dish with a touch of magic, creating tastes and sensations that are truly extraordinary.
If you can take your eyes off the cookbooks for a second, look up and view the art work. It’s all over the store. I found at least six paintings I wanted to take home.
But it wasn t until I could barely get out of bed from pain and my body rebelling against me, my passion for cooking merged into an urgent necessity to survive. But it wasn t until I could barely get out of bed from pain and my body rebelling against me, my passion for cooking merged into an urgent necessity to survive.
Through my culinary creations, I am able to infuse each dish with a touch of magic, creating tastes and sensations that are truly extraordinary. One of my favorite aspects of being a witchy chef is the ability to use food as a form of healing. By combining herbs and natural remedies, I can create nourishing and soothing meals that not only satisfy the taste buds but also replenish the body and soul.
Culinary Witch
Recipes as enchantments to boost the immune system, alter your mood, induce sleep and calm, give you energy or focus or simply indulgence and pleasure. The craft of potions, brews, medicinal herbs, beauty elixirs and healing concoctions is a distinctly culinary one. The magic that takes place in the kitchen is one of the most ancient forms of witchcraft. Fantastical recipes imbued with healing powers, intentions of comfort, and nourishment… Turning to plants for medicinal needs, brewing up potions for health and naturel beauty cures, combining special ingredients to optimize each other’s benefits. These are the tools of this modern day witch. And she reside in us all. The ingredients and plants we choose can have powerful effects on the body and mind beyond even sustenance and indulgence, and the culinary witch has the potential to manipulate them to her (or his!) desires. After all, sublimation of the natural world is the true art of the witch.
About Lisanna.
My name is Lisanna, and I am a culinary witch. In other words, I am a nutritional chef, clinical herbalist, and cookbook author (and stylist and photographer) with a focus on healing through food, plant, and mushroom medicine.
I came to embody this archetype of the natural healer out of passion, but also out of necessity. I have devoted myself to food, fungi, and flora medicine as a way to take control back over my body and life in the face of an incredibly complex pathologie, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and all its comorbidities.
This hereditary pathologie comes with innumerable co-morbidities. The condition renders my collagen fragile and unstable. Connective tissue is found in every single organ and system in the body, and nothing goes untouched. Given the vast, fluctuating symptoms, I have experienced what feels like every condition possible. Sever chronic pain (dislocations, muscle, nerve, tendon, joint and bone pain), immune dysfunction, autonomic dysfunction, digestive issues, respiratory issues, circulatory, heart complications, adrenal dysfunction… Plants and mushrooms have given me immeasurable relief and helped profoundly calm so many symptoms. Transformation is the ultimate craft of the witch, and my recipes are a sublimation of my own suffering in order to help others.
After graduating from Barnard College of Columbia University in New York with a degree in comparative literature and art history, I moved to Paris to continue pursuing a career in fashion and art. I interned and worked for Vogue, French Vogue, Latin America Vogue, and Marie Claire before my health took a turn for the worse. I had also worked as a private chef throughout and after college and was always deeply connected to medicine. But it wasn’t until I could barely get out of bed from pain and my body rebelling against me, my passion for cooking merged into an urgent necessity to survive.
When western medications reached their limits and my doctors ran out of solutions, I turned to myself. My first cookbook was both the culmination of this journey of self healing and also just the beginning…
Adopting this perspective of the healer has helped me to feel empowered and in control of my body. I have managed to regain control back over my entire life. I will always have this condition, but now I know how to respond to whatever my body throws at me. And even better, I can use my knowledge to help others. My hope is to share the medicinal intelligence of the natural world and show others how to wield its potential in every day recipes. And health shouldn't just be a thing of necessity, but imbued with joy, pleasure, and most of all, a sense of magic.
The Natural Witch’s Cookbook, was first published (and written) in French by Editions Solar under the French title Mes secrets de sorcière, and was also translated into English (Skyhorse– distributed by S&S), German (Riva) and Russian (AST). The book sold out multiple printings within the first year of publication and consistently ranked amongst the best sellers at major distributors across France and the United States. The book received press in publications such as multiple international Elle magazines, Madame Figaro, Femme Actuelle, Medium, etc. (see press page: https://culinarywitch.com/the-natural-witchs-cookbook-press ).
I hope to share my recipes and knowledge to help you feel a little more empowered, healthy, Liberated, and happy, and your life imbued with more magic.
Shelves like this are all over the store. Dinty Moore Stew optional.
From calming lavender-infused teas to rejuvenating elixirs made from fresh fruits and herbs, each creation is a conduit for positive energy and holistic well-being. However, being a witchy chef is not just about the magic in the food; it's also about the ambiance and the experience. When I host dinners or gatherings, I transform my space into a cozy and enchanting nook. Candles flicker, crystals sparkle, and the aroma of simmering herbs fills the air. I believe that the energy and environment in which food is prepared and consumed can greatly enhance the overall dining experience. In my practice as a witchy chef, I also incorporate rituals and traditions that have been passed down through generations. From celebrating the turning of the seasons with elaborate feasts to casting spells for abundance and prosperity, I honor the ancient wisdom and customs of magical cooking. These rituals not only add depth and meaning to my culinary creations but also connect me to my heritage and roots. Being a witchy chef is not just a career for me; it is a way of life. It is a constant exploration and discovery of the interplay between food and magic. I'm continually experimenting with new ingredients, techniques, and potions, seeking to push the boundaries of what is possible in the kitchen. Each day brings new inspiration and opportunities for growth, allowing me to express my creativity and share my love for witchcraft and food with the world. In summary, my life as a witchy chef is a harmonious blend of culinary expertise and magical exploration. Through the infusion of herbs, spices, and intention, I am able to create dishes that nourish the body, mind, and spirit. The ambiance and rituals surrounding food preparation further enhance the overall experience, taking diners on a journey of enchantment and delight. It is a calling that allows me to express my creativity, connect with my heritage, and share the joys of magic and food with others..
Reviews for "The Witch's Vegan Kitchen: Incorporating Magick into Plant-Based Cooking"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "My Life as a Witchy Chef" as it combined two of my favorite things - witches and cooking. However, I was highly disappointed with the execution of this book. The plot was all over the place, and it felt like the author was trying to fit too many elements into one story. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. Overall, "My Life as a Witchy Chef" failed to deliver on its promising concept, leaving me disappointed and uninterested.
2. Emily - 1/5 - I am a big fan of culinary-themed novels, so I was excited to try "My Life as a Witchy Chef." Unfortunately, it fell far below my expectations. The writing style was choppy and lacked cohesion, making it hard to follow the story. The protagonist was unlikable and inconsistent, which made it even more challenging to engage with the plot. Furthermore, the magical elements felt forced and unnecessary, taking away from the main focus of the book, which was supposed to be about cooking. I would not recommend "My Life as a Witchy Chef" to anyone looking for a well-crafted culinary novel.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - As an avid reader, I was truly disappointed by "My Life as a Witchy Chef." The storyline was predictable and lacked originality. The incorporation of witchcraft felt forced and cliché, failing to bring any depth to the narrative. The pacing was slow, and the plot dragged on without any significant developments. Consequently, I found it difficult to invest in the characters or the outcome of their story. Overall, "My Life as a Witchy Chef" was a lackluster read that failed to captivate and entertain me.
4. Michael - 2/5 - I picked up "My Life as a Witchy Chef" with high expectations, but unfortunately, it fell short. The writing style was overly simplistic and lacking in detail, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The protagonist was one-dimensional, and the supporting characters were forgettable, which made it challenging to connect with any of them. The magical elements felt forced and out of place within the culinary setting, leaving me disappointed and uninterested. Overall, "My Life as a Witchy Chef" lacked depth and failed to deliver an engaging and compelling story.