Hi! I’m Tonya. Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, I now live in Tokyo, Japan.

Growing up, I followed a typical family diet without paying much attention to what I ate. I wasn’t interested in cooking and indulged daily in tea and sweet desserts. This routine eventually led to a series of health issues. As a teenager, I struggled with acne and anxiety, for which I took medications that put additional stress on my body. I woke up congested, with frequent headaches and PMS symptoms, and regularly used foundation to cover my acne. This was my life until I gave birth to my son.

After he was born, something in me shifted—it felt almost miraculous. Although I was still carrying extra pregnancy weight, I hadn’t yet realized the power of diet. Out of love and concern for my baby, I began researching the best foods for him.

Starting with breast milk and carefully selected baby food, I thought deeply about what to introduce when he began solid foods. I wanted only the best for him, so I researched everything available. This process opened my eyes to the potential harm of many processed foods. I discovered why my son had asthma and found that by changing his diet, he recovered. Horrified by the amount of unhealthy food around us, I started my journey to becoming vegan in 2009, inspired by documentaries like Food Inc. and Forks Over Knives, which completely changed my perspective. I initially embraced veganism for ethical reasons, then discovered the health benefits along the way.

As I continued learning, my approach to food transformed. I became vegan overnight, incorporating mostly raw foods into my diet, while my son had some cooked foods along with a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and greens. I became mindful of ingredients in every food I bought, determined not to put anything into our bodies that involved suffering.

Along the way, I came across amazing resources, like Dr. Douglas Graham’s The 80-10-10 Diet and work by experts like Dr. Michael Greger and Dr. John McDougall, as well as books like The China Study and Wheat Belly. Mimi Kirk, a raw food advocate who looks incredible for her age, inspired me too. I watched YouTube channels by Ka Sundance, Dara, Banana Girl, and Fully Raw Kristina, who all motivated me further. In 2011, I ordered my first raw food recipe book and began experimenting with a raw diet. Though I wasn’t sure how long I’d keep it up, I quickly fell in love with how it made me feel.

Adopting a raw food diet felt like stepping into a whole new world of health and beauty. The healing power of natural foods worked wonders for both my body and mind, helping me detoxify and nourish myself on a cellular level. As I continued practicing yoga and leading an active lifestyle, I felt more vibrant, balanced, and positive than ever. The changes were profound—my emotions, mood, and thoughts transformed. My health is now better than it was two decades ago, and I look and feel younger than I did ten years ago. All my illnesses have vanished!

I ate mostly raw foods and felt fantastic—healthy and full of energy. While everyone’s ideal balance of raw food may vary, I truly believe that a plant-based, whole-food diet with an emphasis on raw foods can bring us closer to vibrant health and longevity.

People often asked me about raw food, so I started this blog and began teaching classes, like “Raw-Yummy-Mommy” for mothers and “Raw-Yummy-Tummy” for kids. In 2013, I completed courses in Raw Cuisine and earned certifications from the Matthew Kenney Academy.

After seven years on a raw vegan diet, I started adding some cooked foods back in, now balancing 50% raw with 50% cooked vegan whole foods. I still believe in the power of a fully raw vegan diet and felt incredible while following it. However, due to life changes and financial constraints, I’m now embracing a more flexible, plant-based approach.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

With Love!
Tonya