Nutritional chef Mikaela Reuben has successfully guided stars such as Woody Harrelson and Blake Lively in making fruits and vegetables the focal point of their meals. Her latest cookbook invites you to experience the joy of plant-based cooking at home, aimed at enhancing your family’s overall health.
Inspiring Beginnings
Reuben has always considered food to have a magical quality since childhood. “I was captivated by the transformation of ingredients once they were cooked,” she shares.
Her teenage perspective on food took a significant turn when she witnessed her father changing his eating habits following a heart attack. “He genuinely used food as a means to heal himself,” she reflects. This transformative experience motivated her to explore kinesiology. Yet, during her studies, she felt there was additional knowledge to uncover.
“Our education emphasized food merely as a source of energy,” she notes. “When discussing human performance, shouldn’t we adopt a more holistic view of food’s role?”
At a critical moment post-graduation, she and a friend tapped into a neighbor’s kitchen to experiment with recipes for a heart-healthy cookbook inspired by her father’s journey. To her surprise, a mix-up resulted in both the neighbor—an actor thought to be traveling—and his private chef returning prematurely, discovering her in the kitchen.
Although she experienced initial embarrassment from the culinary chaos (admitting to spreading almond butter everywhere), the unexpected turned favorable as the chef not only tasted her creations but also served them to his guests. This pivotal moment opened doors to a new career trajectory.
Yearning to merge her passions for food and nutrition, Reuben hadn’t recognized a fitting career until she encountered chef Wayne Forman, who traveled with rock bands and catered on film sets. “I was fascinated by this career path,” she recalls with excitement.
After several years of invaluable mentorship under Forman, she has now established herself as a prominent celebrity chef, attending to a clientele that includes stars like Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and Brie Larson, as well as Olympic athletes and even the Dalai Lama.
Emphasizing Plant Power
Whether preparing meals for high-profile clients, friends and family, or even for herself, Reuben’s culinary focus remains constant—plants take center stage.
“I describe my approach as plant-forward because I cater to clients with diverse dietary needs, and working with vegetables lets me create nutritious versions of their meals,” she explains. “In my 15 years as a chef, maintaining a plant-forward philosophy has consistently benefited everyone I cook for, regardless of their specific dietary preferences.”
Recently, she published her cookbook Eat to Love: Where Health Meets Flavor(Appetite by Random House, 2025), featuring recipes complete with nutritional details to meet diverse dietary requirements, along with straightforward suggestions for sauces and protein enhancers, making it accessible to both experienced cooks and novices.
Reuben aims to demonstrate that healthy, plant-oriented cooking is as thrilling and flavorful as traditional meat-based dishes. “When I share abundant plant dishes, showcasing the variety and adaptability of ingredients, I observe significant improvements in various aspects of my clients’ lives,” she notes.
Not only celebrities are exploring plant-rich cooking; there has been a notable rise in plant-based diets, with one study indicating a 500 percent increase in veganism in the U.S. between 2014 and 2018. Another survey revealed that 40 percent of respondents are attempting to lessen their intake of animal products. Much like Reuben’s father, consumers are increasingly recognizing the health benefits of plants, particularly their potential to lower the chances of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
While the health advantages of plants can persuade even the most discerning eaters, Reuben acknowledges a particularly challenging arena—the family dinner table.
The Importance of Family
When it comes to serving balanced meals, few understand the challenges parents face as acutely as Reuben. Convincing children to embrace a varied diet, particularly when it comes to vegetables, often resembles a delicate balancing act that can turn mealtime into a contentious arena rather than a cherished family moment.
Having cooked for numerous clients with children, Reuben’s perspective on mealtime challenges is candid and relatable. “At the end of the day, if you’re preparing meals for your kids, you’re doing incredible work,” she states. “Balancing parenthood is no small feat, and if you’re ensuring your children are well-fed, my respect goes out to you.”
The challenge of getting kids to eat vegetables is one that parents have faced through the ages. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that around 60 percent of kids lack adequate fruit intake, while a staggering 93 percent do not meet vegetable consumption guidelines. While it might be tempting to concede to avoid mealtime conflict, it remains crucial for parents to encourage their children to appreciate greens.
Research shows that diets abundant in fruits and vegetables can lower the likelihood of children developing high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and various cancers. Key nutrients from fruits and vegetables—like fiber, folate, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K—are vital for growth during the early developmental stages and set the stage for lifelong health.
Strategies for Success
Drawing from her extensive experience as a chef, Reuben has acquired several strategies to encourage children to enjoy their vegetables. She suggests using neutral-flavored vegetables. “When preparing family meals,” Reuben notes, “I incorporate steamed zucchini into smoothies, blend spinach into fruity desserts, or mix dark beans and avocado into chocolate mousse.”
Experts highlight that employing a hands-on strategy can yield positive outcomes, such as allowing kids to assist in choosing and preparing meals, utilizing vibrant colors and interesting shapes, and assigning fun or quirky names to dishes.
Reuben has witnessed the effectiveness of these tactics. “The more colorful the plate, the better!” she emphasizes. “While I don’t often see a child grab a whole cauliflower, when I present cauliflower sushi rice, they’re excited to dive in. Encourage them to get hands-on!”
From nutritious dips and crispy tacos to versatile “meal enhancers” like her ginger tahini sauce, Reuben’s recipes nurture both health and happiness. It’s clear that while not everyone may live a celebrity lifestyle, every family can savor the pleasure of dining like one.
This article was first featured in the September 2025 edition of Thewindowsclubs magazine.
