We are excited to premiere our Food Literacy Heroes that shines a spotlight on people in the community who advocates for and promotes healthy, sustainable food. Our first food literacy hero is Chef Tina Jo.

Tina Jo is a highly respected gourmet raw vegan chef, speaker, author, and animal activist known for her down-to-earth approach to raw veganism. She has made it her life’s mission to bring delicious, simple and affordable raw vegan food to the mainstream.

Through her TV show Splendor in the Raw, which has won numerous awards from 2009 to 2011, her book series Real Life Raw, and coaching programs, Tina Jo is bringing the fun and health of whole live foods back to the dinner table one plate at a time. She and her family live in a small ranch in Baja California where she grows her own organic vegetables to feed her family, friends and neighbors.

In 2012, she created www.TinaJosPromise.org, a nonprofit horse haven that provides a safe and loving home to 14 rescued horses and 32 other animals, including dogs, cats, goats and a mule. Some of these animals are either born with severe physical impairments, were mistreated by previous owners, or are suffering from diseases at an old age. Tina Jo’s love and passion for animals led her to donate a substantial percentage of her income toward rescuing and caring for the animals living at her haven, as well as to other animal charities.

Chef Tina Jo will be contributing her recipes to our blog, and the first recipe is Mango Ice Cream with Tropical Ambrosia. The ice cream is not only delicious, it is also healthy and easy to make. We look forward to many more recipes from this talented chef!

For more information about Chef Tina Jo visit www.ChefTinaJo.com.