About Farsighted Foodie
Helping people and businesses make compassionate choices today for a healthier tomorrow.
The Story Behind Farsighted Foodie
Protecting our eyesight is fundamental to our well-being – a truth I cherished during my decades-long career as a professional pilot, where acute vision was paramount. While I once boasted 20/15 vision, I now rely on “cheaters,” yet retain my sharp farsightedness.
In aviation, the adage “Always think ahead of the aircraft” is a guiding principle. The stakes are high, and things happen fast — you have to plan ahead or risk ending up somewhere you never intended. I see wellness the same way. If you neglect your health today, you could lose energy and run out of steam; ending up at an unwelcome destination — a hospital or nursing home — or worse, unintentionally shortening your life. Short-sighted choices today compromise tomorrow’s vitality.
That belief inspired the vision behind Farsighted Foodie: helping people and businesses think ahead, make compassionate choices, and create a healthier tomorrow.
Plant-Based Education
Hi, I’m Elaine
After witnessing the rise of diet-related illnesses in my community, I found my calling in food education. As a licensed Food for Life Instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), I lead cooking classes, host community events, and offer evidence-based nutrition education that empowers people to take control of their health through simple, delicious changes in their diet.
My approachable style — grounded in research and real-life success stories — helps make plant-based living feel possible and personal for people at any stage of their journey.
Join me in my Food for Life classes to discover the transformative power of affordable, plant-based living.
Opt for prevention over pills, procedures, and pain.
(Adjective) Having or showing foresight or good judgment
(Noun): A person with a special interest in or knowledge of food
When applied to health and wellness, it means one who adopts, promotes, and takes the mystery out of a Whole Food / Plant-based (WFPB) way of eating.
This easily involves eating foods that are minimally processed. This includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), tubers (potatoes, yams, root veggies), nuts, and seeds. It limits or avoids animal products (meat, fowl, fish, eggs, and dairy), and refined foods like sugar, white flour, and processed oils.
What is a farsighted foodie?
What it’s not:
It’s not a diet.
It’s not a fad.
It’s not about restriction.
It’s not about skipping meals.
It’s not about calorie counting.
It’s not about carefully measuring or weighing portions.
It’s not about giving up flavor.
It’s not about going hungry or starving oneself.
It’s about: Joy, Abundance, Health, Wealth, and Well-being.
What is KIND Cooking?
K - Kind: on your time, body, and budget. Moreover, Kind-hearted on the environment, animals, and the planet.
I - Inviting: This intriguing lifestyle pulls people in with its numerous health benefits and results.
N - Nutritious: Eating plant-based is packed with nutrients and flavor. You give up nothing, but gain so much more!
D - Doable: Anyone can do this, anywhere, on any budget: On the road, traveling, ordering at restaurants, or in tiny efficiency apartments.
It's that easy.
creator of KIND Cooking
Vegan Hospitality Consulting
My work doesn’t stop at the kitchen table. Through my training in Vegan Hospitality Consulting, I’ve expanded my mission to support restaurants and cafés in the Midwest and beyond.
By helping food service teams add crave-worthy vegan options, train staff with confidence, and strategize menus, I help businesses stay relevant, inclusive, and ahead of growing demand — while boosting revenue and guest satisfaction. My goal is to make it easier for individuals and families in my community to enjoy plant-based dining wherever they go.
My Credentials
Certified Vegan Hospitality Consultant – Vegan Hospitality Consultant Training (2025)
PCRM Food for Life Certified Instructor – Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (2022)
Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate – T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies (CNS) and eCornell (2021)
Food & Sustainability Certificate – T. Colin Campbell CNS & eCornell (2021)
Certified Wellness Counselor – Cornell College of Human Ecology, eCornell (2021)
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Certification – Institute for Integrative Nutrition, NY State Education Dept. (2020)
B.A. in Radio, Television, & Film; Creative Writing Minor – San Jose State University (1996); Cum Laude Graduate, Dean’s Scholar
Airline Transport Pilot Rating (1999) & Certified Flight Instructor -Instrument - Single & Multi-engine - Land (1987)
Life Beyond the Kitchen
When I’m not in the classroom or collaborating with chefs, you might find me hiking Wisconsin farmland with my dog Greta Garbo, practicing yoga, rock climbing, or reading John Sanford and Lee Child novels.
Despite the cultural mantra of “living in the moment,” I believe our choices today profoundly shape our future. Transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle over 20 years ago spared me from many of the ailments I’ve seen affect others, and I’ve seen firsthand how food can change — and save — lives.
Ready to think ahead and transform your health — or your menu? Let’s start today.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”
— Maya Angelou