Julie Morris: Creative Culinary Mind and Superfood Chef

With so many different schools of thought about how and what we should eat, it’s easy to get a bit confused on the quest to wellness and holistic health. One of the things I know to be true, however, is that superfoods (like chia seeds, acai, quinoa) are always a good idea. No one I know is as well versed in their powers as Julie Morris, a Los Angeles–based natural foods chef who has written four books based on superfoods. 

Her latest is Superfood Snacks, which reveals delicious ways to easily incorporate beneficial bites into your routine. As I’ve gotten to know Julie I’ve been inspired by her lifestyle and have gleaned a lot from her openness and love of sharing knowledge. I hope you learn something from our talk, below. XXJKE 

Rip&Tan: Can you tell me about your journey to becoming a chef? How and when did you first discover superfoods? 

Julie Morris: I have seriously always been excited about making food. I used to watch Julia Child instead of cartoons when I was little, and would beg my mom to take me to the grocery store because I thought it was the most fun place in the world to explore. I really started to learn how to cook for myself right around the time I became a vegetarian, at age 14, as it quickly became apparent I needed to figure out what, exactly, a vegetarian ate. I entrenched myself in cookbooks, and learned everything I could through spending countless hours in the kitchen: making, trying, observing, tasting, and making again. I’m very much an all or nothing type of personality, so when it comes to things I love, like cooking, it’s definitely all.

Superfoods came later. I was 20 years old, going to art school, and started to develop some pretty invasive health issues: deep fatigue, trouble feeling rested after sleeping, not being able to recover quickly from exercise, and extremely severe allergies to food and environment—all the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. After being brushed off by doctors and with no remedy in sight, I started to research foods that could help me restore my energy, and came across the subject of superfoods. Once I had experienced superfoods’ truly life-changing results firsthand, it changed everything for me, both personally and professionally. I literally dropped everything else I was doing in life, and started immersing myself in the natural food culture. That was almost 15 years ago, and I haven’t looked back since.

Rip&Tan: What is something you think everyone should know about superfoods?

JM: They are not a black and white deal. By including a few superfoods in your diet you don’t have to be living off of nothing but organic green juice and gold-flaked single-source heirloom cacao to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. You can add in awesome ingredients and methods, and reap the benefits wherever you are personally. I am a big believer in long-term “collective nutrition,” the idea that every effort adds up. It goes beyond just the moderation cliché, and more into the simple mantra of actively doing the best you can and being good to yourself.

Rip&Tan: What are the biggest benefits you get from eating and drinking superfoods regularly? 

JM: Energy—even, consistent, dependable energy. It’s amazing. Coming from an ex-coffee and stimulant junkie, I am so proud to be in a space where I don’t need to have coffee, tea or really anything to get me feeling good. It’s so nice to not have to “need” anything, and just to be able to rely on my body. I’ve certainly experienced the other side of this!

Rip&Tan: Does your focus on natural extend to your beauty routine? What are your favorite natural remedies and products? 

JM: Oh, definitely. I’m a big label reader on everything that goes in me, on me, and around me (in the home). I use a lot of coconut oil for my skin, as well as sea buckthorn oil with rose for my face—I have really sensitive skin, which usually serves as a good litmus test. To be honest, I feel like I go through stages with what I like as far as products go—I’m in an extra minimalist space currently—but I try to do my research on things before I bring them into my life. 

Rip&Tan: What is one thing you do every day for yourself? 

JM: Exercise. I’m supremely dedicated to making time for it; it has to happen at some point. Though it may seem counterintuitive, it’s what I like to do to chill out.

Rip&Tan: Do you have any rituals for relaxing or taking meditative time for yourself? 

JM: Does wine count? Seriously, the best thing for me in terms of relaxation is to get outside into nature. Hiking the trails is something I’m always up for, and I love spending time in the garden, too. If I have my feet in soil or my hands in the dirt, there is no way I’m stressed out about anything.

Rip&Tan: What are your go-to superfood recipes or dishes for when you entertain? 

JM: I like to do things where the guests have the opportunity to pick and make their own things. For example, one of my favorite things to make at dinner parties is DIY superfood tacos with different fillings like a walnut goji “meat,” braised mushrooms, tequila-pickled onions, mango salsa, etc.—basically a bunch of sides people might not make at home, but they feel involved (and less formal) by mixing and matching. In the summer, I’m big on creative popsicles, too. Last year we did some honeydew margarita ones as a pre-app that were infused with wheatgrass. I like to have fun with it and make sure it doesn’t feel too “healthy,” even if it is!

Rip&Tan: What keeps you inspired and motivated to continue writing books and creating recipes? 

JM: Two things. The first is selfish: I love working on creative things, and am happiest when I am engulfed in new projects. That’s just the truth; I’m always thinking about making stuff. The second is the impact. I can’t even begin to express how touched I have been over the past years thanks to the stories, comments, and emails I have received from people who are changing their lives for the better thanks to the inclusion of healthier recipes and ingredients. It means the world to me to hear it, and is profoundly motivating. I wake up every day exceptionally grateful that I’m able to do what I love and make a positive impact in other people’s lives, however big or small. Nothing is more inspiring than that.

Photos: Oliver Barth