Meet Anne Oh: Creator of Plantbaed Cookbook and Gourmet Seasonings & Alkaline Food Epicure

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anne Oh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anne, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
My mom is by far the best cook in the world! So, it makes perfect sense that I wrote an alkaline plant-based cookbook, Plantbaed. (available only at plantbaed.com this Spring 2021) 

I was born in Washington, DC however I identify as Nigerian-American. Both of my parents were born in Nigeria but made their way to the states for college. My Nigerian culture shaped the woman that I am today because of how intentional my parents are about letting us (my siblings and I) know about our native customs. My mother is very traditional especially when it comes to preparing meals. I didn’t have the “luxury” (or so I thought) of eating Standard American meals like mac and cheese, pizza or hamburgers until I started elementary school. My mom mainly prepared our native meals like fufu, (dough made from pounded and boiled yams or flour paired with a rich vegetable-based soup) tomato stew and other delicious home-cooked meals. My dad, very stern and constantly stresses the importance of education and leaving a behind a legacy. So, with this cookbook, I have made a career out of showing you how to prepare delicious, healthy and fulfilling alkaline plant-based “traditional” meals and leaving behind said legacy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m most excited about the drop of my first, self-published, alkaline plant-based cookbook, Plantbaed! It will be available this Spring 2021 only at plantbaed.com.  The term “alkaline”  refers to people who abstain from eating meat and any foods that are byproducts of animal slaughter or cruelty. Alkaline folks, try not to eat any fruit or veggies that are hybrid or genetically modified.  The focus is trying to maintain a balanced pH level for optimal health.  My cookbook includes over 40 mouthwatering meals and drinks, that are the plant-based versions of many of the American traditional meals like pizza, Asian cuisine, fried chicken, eggs, ice-cream, sushi, sauces and dressings, and believe me– they really taste just like the “not-so-healthful” versions.  The cookbook is for everyone—vegetarians, vegans, plant-based,  “on-the-fencers”,  carnivores, pescatarians—I made it so that anyone who opens the cookbook will see all of their favorites but alkaline plant-based versions. 

By trade, I am a Healthcare Professional, with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from thee illustrious Howard University and a Graduate certificate in Health Informatics from George Washington University.  Appreciatively, I was able to combine my education (healthcare) with my passion (cooking) to create this cookbook so that it’s not just a cookbook but great resource that contains face-based information.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love to cook and it’s a pandemic so, we’re eating at home–the entire time! The best part, you choose (from my cookbook) whatever you want to eat or any of your favorite non-plant-based meals and I will turn it into the plant-based version. Drinks too! In the mornings, we can get up and do some YouTube yoga. (I love Sara Beth’s routines) followed by a homemade fruit smoothie with ginger root of course. If the weather permits, there’s a few bike trails and bike rentals spots that we can take a ride out. Walks, gym, at-home workouts (Nicole Steen workouts on YouTube) are quite eventful and effective. I only shop (if I must) on weekdays. It’s less commotion. There’s a handful of farmers markets that I love going to: Dekalb Farmer’s market– it’s huge and makes you feel like you’re in another country, Sevanada, a community-owned natural foods market that sales so many “hard-to-find” alkaline herbs and a few others. So, if you like to be served delicious healthy food and drinks, stretch and relax, I’m your girl.  

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many to name. My parents, my sisters and my big brother. Everyone who encouraged me to create my own cookbook.

Website: plantbaed.com

Instagram: @plantbaed

Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/plantbaed

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plantbaed

Image Credits
Elena Veselova Food Photography (Food images photographer)