ROLLER SKATING MOM & PLANT BASED CHEF DAD LIVE BY “HEALTH IS WEALTH"
Fuji and Chef Purnell lead their family by example with healthy food, exercise & E3Live superfoods
Fuji Harville and partner Chef Matthew Purnell are living a healthy lifestyle with their 4 kids in Southern California. Fuji is a mother, model, professional rollerskater, medical student, chef, and equal rights advocate. Fuji lives by the motto "Health is Wealth" and purchases organic food, exercises regularly, spends time in nature and starts her day with green juice.
Matthew has been a chef in San Diego for over 20 years, utilizing the beautiful bounty of produce from local farms, and focusing on thoughtfully prepared plant-based cuisine. He loves connecting to the community through catering events, cooking classes, farmer's markets, local vendors, and artisans.
We check in with Fuji and Chef Purnell about their love of food, nature, raising healthy kids and E3Live.
How did you meet each other?
Fuji: Disillusioned with my career in nursing, I took a pay cut to be an entry-level raw food chef at a sports cafe in La Jolla. Matthew was a chef there, making meal plans for fit gym people every morning, when I was introduced to him. He was very confident and I was impressed that he would be at work by 4:30 a.m. and out by 6:30 p.m.
Chef Purnell: This is the day that glimmers in my memories forever. I was working as a head chef in a small café in La Jolla, California. I was standing next to the owner, talking about the daily affairs, when around the corner appeared a beautiful vibrant glow, a captivating smile, and a confident awkwardness that immediately caught my attention. After reaffixing my jaw, I then proceeded to ask the owner who ‘she’ was. He responded with “A new employee.” I answered…”WOW! She is gorgeous!” The owner replied “You’re her supervisor!” as some sort of warning. “Well…she’s still gorgeous.” I rebutted, still dumbfounded at the sight of her. Indeed, it was “Love at first sight!”
What inspired or motivated you to embrace a healthy lifestyle?
Fuji: My first daughter inspired me. I wanted to do my best to help give her a healthy immune system. So, the more I read up on a healthy immune system, the more I realized I couldn’t continue eating fast food, amongst other things. So, I stopped cold turkey.
Chef Purnell: As a youth, I stayed very active, played lots of different sports, with a fondness for basketball and weightlifting. Having a gym membership at the age of 13 years old, I understood that keeping your body physically fit and in a healthy condition was important. I never wanted to lose the athlete in me. I found that there were different levels of health and the world of possibilities and chose “food is thy medicine” as a blueprint for my future career.
Tell us about your kids and how you encourage them to eat healthy foods.
Fuji: I live by example. Kids eat what you eat and eat what you buy. I explain why we choose to eat a little differently than other people so we can keep them healthy and strong. Without a strong healthy body, it’s difficult to enjoy life if you’re tired and sick. And they get it.
Chef Purnell: My children have different eating preferences, but all of them know that the quality of the ingredient is just as crucial as the end product. They ate lots of fresh local produce at farmer’s markets, where they spent a lot of time growing up, learning and experiencing life.
As a parent, I think the best way to showcase the benefits of eating healthy is by setting the example. They know the importance of keeping their body happy by giving it the proper nutrition, exercise, and rest to be the best person they can be. In our home kitchen, we require a full serving of leafy greens or vegetables, prior or during their meal, along with drinking fresh alkaline water upon waking each day. They don’t look at these as rules, because we all do the same, and stay healthy and strong as a family.
Fuji, tell us how you came to be a professional roller skater.
Fuji: I skated my whole life. As a child in my garage, I would dance to Phantom of the Opera and Janet Jackson. I practice and skate every day and submit for roles in commercials, movies, music videos etc. I also teach, which I just picked up organically, because when I am out skating and dancing, people see me and want to learn from me. I am horrible at schedules so I only do privates, because I can teach whenever and wherever I want.
Chef Purnell tell us what inspired you to become a chef?
Chef Purnell: When I was a child, my grandmother (Lola) lived with me, and she was the first ‘chef’ I ever knew, but I didn’t realize her role in the kitchen. Most days I would wake up to loud chopping coming from the kitchen. When I would finally get up to check, she had started and finished cooking breakfast and began preparation for the upcoming meals. The spices and aromatics were pungent. Other ingredients were foreign and obscure for me at the time, but she always had the table set and ready for her friends and family when it was time to eat. I saw the peace it brought my ‘Lola,’ and the smiles from all the people around the table, grateful for the meal that was in front of them. Today, I am inspired by the happiness that each dish may bring, with the opportunity to share, create, and spread joy.
How did each of you learn about E3Live?
Fuji: I was introduced to E3Live at my favorite raw food cafe, The Greenery, and I fell in love. After The Greenery closed, I would find E3Live at places like People’s Co-op so I could stay supplied.
Chef Purnell: The first time I heard about E3Live was the same day I tasted and experienced it. I was working as the chef’s assistant in a Raw Food Café in Encinitas, California, it was about 2008, and the owners had introduced this revolutionary product to its customers, since it was a supplement they took daily.
One day, I witnessed them excitedly pouring ‘shots’ of E3Live before our lunch rush, and they invited me to have one with them. I asked what it was, and they explained how and where it was harvested, and its benefits. I then had my first serving of E3Live, displayed a green smile, and immediately enjoyed its after-effects.
Which E3Live superfoods do you use and what results do you feel?
Fuji: My favorite is the fresh-frozen Apple Lemon flavored BrainON. It helps me focus. I have ADD. I don’t consider it a disorder because I can manage it, and I got great grades in school. E3Live helps me stay focused especially paired with my ginkgo biloba and rhodiola supplements. If I miss a day, I am noticeably overwhelmed.
Chef Purnell: I enjoy BrainON fresh-frozen (Apple Lemon) and the Blue Majik supplement daily. I begin each day with both. The BrainON is a switch for my whole body, and I instantly feel a rush of nutrients activating, like some sort of “superpower.” I feel recharged and ready for the day! I usually add the Blue Majik to my water first thing in the morning with some fresh lemon and I stay energized, focused and lively throughout my day.
Do your kids take E3Live superfoods? If so, which ones, and how do they like them?
Fuji: Meeka, the 9-year-old is our child who has no issues drinking E3Live. She loves it. I sometimes have to coax the other 3 kids. But Meeka would drink it all if we let her.
Share your top tips for raising a healthy family.
Fuji:
- Be consistent. If you flip-flop, your kids will not respect your decisions on anything, including your food choices. If you say it, stick to it. Little people are watching even if you think they are not.
- Keep healthy premade snacks around the house that they can grab for themselves. Always keep cucumbers, celery, carrots, and fruit to eat as well. Dips and veggies are the easiest kid fuel. Olive tapenade, hummus and nut/veggie dips will save you from hungry kids.
Chef Purnell:
- Be the example! If you eat and live healthy, your children will recognize and adapt to what is shown to them.
- Involve them. Ask your family what their favorite foods to eat are and create those with a healthy twist. Have them help in the kitchen, it can be a fun bonding experience!
- Daily routine! Most kids love to have things planned. Knowing what is for lunch and dinner can get them excited about eating, along with healthy eating and exercise charts where they can physically check tasks off with a special marker or sticker, making it more fun.
Tell us what you have planned for the rest of 2021.
Fuji: I am returning to school for my Bachelor's in nursing and more rollerskating adventures!
Chef Purnell: Only looking to the future for the rest of 2021, along with continuing to strengthen my family experience, educate and feed the community my creations, and spread joy and positivity to all I encounter.
Check out their organic plant-based catering business in SoCal
Living on the Veg Website: livingontheveg.com
Fuji: "I live by example. Kids eat what you eat and eat what you buy. I explain why we choose to eat a little differently than other people so we can keep them healthy and strong.”
Fuji: "If you flip flop your kids will not respect your decisions on anything including your food choices.”
Fuji: "E3Live helps me stay focused especially paired with my ginkgo biloba and rhodiola supplements. If I miss a day, I am noticeably overwhelmed.”
Fuji: "Always keep cucumbers, celery, carrots, fruit to eat as well, dips and veggies are the easiest kid fuel. Olive tapenade, hummus, and nut/veggie dips will save you from hungry kids.”
Chef Purnell: "I had my first serving of E3Live, displayed a green smile, and immediately enjoyed its after-effects.”
Chef Purnell: "The BrainON is a switch for my whole body, and I instantly feel a rush of nutrients activating, like some sort of “superpower,” I feel recharged and ready for the day.”
Chef Purnell: "Be the example! If you eat and live healthy, your children will recognize and adapt to what is shown to them as right.”
Chef Purnell: "Today, I am inspired by the happiness that each dish may bring, with the opportunity to share, create, and spread joy.”
Green-a-Colada
You and your kids will love this refreshing, flavorful nutritious beverage with E3Live!
RECIPE by Chef Purnell
GREEN-A-COLADA using the signature superfood E3AFA — dried Aphanizomenon flos-aquae.
