Rising Stars: Meet Karine Kuchipudi of Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karine Kuchipudi.

Hi Karine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As far as I can remember, my mom was always in the kitchen. I recall sitting on the countertop, licking bowls and utensils, asking questions. My mom was, and is still an excellent cook. Even though we weren’t anywhere close to being plant-based, we always had vegetables that were nicely prepared and were often times the star of the meal. She knew how to make a kid eat vegetables.

Fast forward to my own kitchen. I’ve always loved eating home-cooked food better than anything else. To me, cooking, plating, it’s all a creative process, and it’s one of the best way I can express myself. I started a catering service in Chicago, which was very meat-centric, and we were throwing dinner parties that would have made a vegan faint. Then, after a few years, a first shift happened, when we moved to Arizona.

The sun brings me a strong creative energy and a powerful feeling of connection to the rest of the world. And since I’ve always been one to marvel at the beauty of Mother Nature, it was only natural for me to establish roots in the form of a garden, in the Valley of the Sun. I started experimenting with different seeds and with the variety of wonderful foods we can grow in the Desert. I started eating simply from the plants and the trees that were so bountiful in my garden and in the various farmers markets around town. It was a simple and natural progression towards the ever living bounty of nature.

I started a blog of the same name, LivityGardens.com, where I share my recipes. I started hosting cooking classes, special wellness events, all geared towards healthy living. But people wanted more! I recently started offering my services as a private/personal chef.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a new life in a new place always presents challenges. But embracing the Desert was easy for me. I trust that I came here for a reason, and I strive to live my mission while embracing my new community. Even though I sometimes loose track of my path, I found wonderful people in the Valley that live through their mission, and it’s truly inspiring.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My love language is food, truly. Feeding people, to me, is the most rewarding and fulfilling act of love. The Livity Gardens creations are healing by nature and help promote a strong immune system. I believe that the future is home-style, plant-based meals, centered on health, immunity, and the support of the community. I create food with love and intention, in honor of my body, the only home I have in this life.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I love observing and studying humans’ patterns and behaviors. Over the last year and a half or so, I noticed a population wanting to do better, to eat better, to connect better. I had many people reach out, wanting to learn how to best care for their body and their health, wanting to make more room for healthy food and a clean lifestyle. I am grateful for all the ones who realized how important immunity is and what we can do to protect ourselves from dis-ease. Now more than ever, we need to strengthen our knowledge, our immunity and our convictions. Nature always heals and provides.

Contact Info:

• Email: LivityGardens@gmail.com
• Website: LivityGardens.com
• Instagram: @LivityGardens
• Facebook: @LivityGardens