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We recently interviewed The Veggie Queen, Jill Nussinow, for our program.

Jill Nussinow, aka The Veggie Queen™, is a cookbook author, culinary educator, Registered Dietitian, and freelance writer whose goal is to inspire people to eat more plant foods, especially vegetables. She is the author of The Veggie Queen:  Vegetables Get the Royal Treatment cookbook and stars in the DVD Pressure Cooking:  A Fresh Look, Delicious Dishes in Minutes.  You can read more about her at her website http://www.theveggiequeen.com or on her blog at http://www.theveggiequeen.blogspot.com.

When asked who she is, she replies “I wear many hats but they’re all related to great food that includes vegetables and other plant based cuisine. I’m a vegetable and plant-food cooking expert, in vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free eating. Don’t worry about me turning you into a vegetarian; you have to do that on your own time. I just want to help you get more vegetables and plant foods into your diet, no matter what other foods you choose to eat.”

SO: What’s your definition of “passion”?

I am passionate about teaching people about vegetables, vegetarian, plant foods and pressure cooking, and why eating this way allows you to feel better, look better and gives you more energy.

SO: What are your biggest passions for serving others, and how are you expressing them (also include hobbies and volunteering)?

I pride myself on being a role model for others. I shop at the farmer’s market, I share recipes on the spot (in person), I blog, I volunteer for the Vegetarian Nutrition Practice group of The American Dietetic Association and for SOMA Mushrooms (Sonoma County Mycological Association) and do yoga on a regular basis, which keeps me grounded. I also support local farmers in a variety of ways. I find teaching moments outside of the classroom whenever possible. My goal is to teach people individually or in groups who will pass that knowledge on, in the “teach a man to fish” model.

SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions for serving others, and how you have addressed them?

I want to do “it all” and often that is too much for me to do.  I have learned to say no more often, especially if someone else can do what I don’t feel that I can. It’s like pruning a rose bush – the more I get into it, the clearer it becomes what I need to cut away or say no to.

SO: Your experience of “prosperity,” as you define it, in making the leap?

I believe that doing what you love attracts people to you but if you don’t have business skills you aren’t always able to attract the money to go with it. You have to also realize that what you do is valuable and that charging for your skills and experience is what business people do. There’s nothing wrong with that. So, I have built my abundance-ness counsciousness over time.

SO: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in making the leap?

Clearly define your goals. One of mine is that what I do must be fun for me or feed me in some way. If it doesn’t, then the money isn’t usually worth doing the task. And the more that I’ve said no to the things that don’t work for me allows the more joyous and often lucrative events into my life. And also, you must persevere (and not burn bridges) because events don’t always happen on the timeline that you have in mind.

SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?

I have an assistant who helps me at my classes and she is invaluable. I didn’t create it – she asked if she could help me and I gladly said yes. I could have more support but have not yet found the ideal virtual assistant.

SO:  What are your biggest keys to your success?

The ability to be resilient along with talent, experience, skills and probably most of all humor. I love having fun and the enthusiasm to share it with others. I am also grateful for everything that I have in my life and encourage others to find their passion and become inspiring people.

SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?

Think about the worst that could happen if you don’t move ahead, and what’s the best thing that could happen if you do move ahead. What feels better? Hopefully it’s the best thing and if not, then you need to figure out why you don’t want to be more successful. Just do it, keep your eyes open for learning opportunities and get others who can encourage and support you.

SO: What’s your next big milestone?

I am having my website redesigned and working on my next book. I am also developing my speaking platform in a more serious way and hope to reach more people with my message about how eating affects your life.

Thanks and Happy Passioneering![/private][/private]