My name is: Shauna Faulisi.
I’m known for being: A celebrity wellness chef and holistic nutritionist.
Lately, I’ve been working on: I'm moving back to New York in February 2020! I'm originally from Long Island and lived in Manhattan for six years before moving to Los Angeles to start my nutrition practice. I'm excited to bring my expertise to the city that has always had my heart and to help New Yorkers integrate practical wellness into their everyday lives.
I’m talking about: Magic Carrots! They're such a crowd pleaser.
I created it when: I created these this year while I was cooking for one of my vegetarian clients. We removed grains and beans from her diet and upped her veggies like crazy. Over time, we've learned that she does well with one or two heavier, starchy vegetables each week, amongst her above-ground-leafy vegetables to ensure her hormones stay balanced and energy levels stay up.
One week, I brought carrots to her house and wasn't actually sure how I was preparing them until it hit me that I'd use the white miso I'd purchased for a previous recipe. And then I had this instinct to grab the maple syrup. It was magic.
What makes it special is: Oh my goodness—it’s the flavors! These flavors pop and keep evolving in your mouth. You think you taste one thing, but then something else shows up on your palate. These carrots have turned into a staple in her home and we have to put them away ASAP, otherwise we end up eating them each time we walk by!
One thing you can’t miss is: Pair these with a big bowl of bitter greens and a medium bodied red! I love a salad of radicchio, kale and something sweet—like persimmons. Top with some basil infused olive oil (I love Ojai Olive Oil Company). Light a candle, set the mood and enjoy every minute of it.
For me, this time of year is about: The holidays are a time of hope. Growing up, my parents would seize opportunities to do something nice for strangers while we were out and about holiday shopping. I got to see the joy and hope, and the trickle-effect this gave. Because of this, I've always felt inclined to be better, kinder and more generous to strangers and loved ones. The extra effort inspires in powerful ways.
On a more personal level, the holidays/the end of the year invite a lot of reflection, introspection and eagerness for the future. As we embark on a new year, and a new decade, I can’t help but think of who I want to be and what I want to accomplish. I feel at peace because it’s all ultimately out of my hands, and I feel hopeful because I trust it's going to be better than what I can even imagine.
Your body will thank you because: Eating to support your mood is something I'm very passionate about. I call it mood foods. In today's wellness world, with ever-changing diet trends, new science and influencer culture, we've become so far removed from the nourishing aspect of food. We've forgotten how to eat for our own individuality.
Carrots, a root vegetable, have a grounding effect on the body and mood. When things get crazy, and we're running around, we forget to ground. This is when we feel like we need a big hug or a big bowl of ice cream! Instead, skip the ice cream and go for the warm, grounding carrots—and don't forget that hug.
The sweetness from maple syrup can help elevate your mood because of the profound effect sweetness has on the brain's reward system by releasing dopamine.
The bright hues of the carrots serve as a visual cue to the brain that there's abundance and safety here. From an evolutionary standpoint, bright colors have always signaled to our brains that foods are nutrient-dense and can support our brain development.
When we get curious, tune in and use food as a tool to help support our emotional and holistic well-being, we create a deeper relationship with ourselves, making room for more freedom, fun and a sense of ease when it comes to achieving our goals.
Here’s how to make them:
Gather
2 bunches of heirloom rainbow carrots (or orange carrots!)
White Miso paste
Maple Syrup
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt + pepper
Garlic powder (optional)
Create
1. Heat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Begin to clean and cut your carrots whichever way you prefer them, placing them into your baking sheet as you go.
4. Once all of them are cut, lightly coat them with olive oil in a swift back-and-forth motion.
5. Add two large, heaping tablespoons of Miso Paste.
6. Add your maple syrup, about 2-4 tablespoons depending on your preferred sweetness level (you can always add more at the end).
7. Add a couple of dashes of garlic powder on your carrots.
8. Top with a few dashes of salt and pepper to taste.
9. Begin to mix everything with your hands ensuring that the miso paste gets distributed evenly on each carrot
10. Lay them flat, making sure they're not layered over one another. (If you need another tray to lay them out, grab it.)
11. Place in the top oven rack for approximately 40 minutes. If you like them crispier, feel free to add some more time. I always recommend checking after 40 minutes to see how they did in your oven.
12. Once they're cooked to your preferred way, taste one to see if you want to add any more miso, maple or salt and give them a good toss! This is your recipe to play with—make it your own!
Photographs Gina Sheldon