The founder of popular food blog Be Good Organics, Buffy Ellen, is passionate about plant-based living, which she says is ‘kinder to people, animals and the planet'.

Today, as part of the Flavours of Plenty Festival, she is at the Little Big Markets at Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui, with her newly published and first cookbook ‘Be Good: Plant-based recipes for everybody'.

Her cookbook has launched in tandem with an online plant-based cooking school and natural education hub www.begoodorganics.com.

Buffy's health journey
A serious health setback in her late 20s has been part of the catalyst that has not only set Buffy on her exploration of creating imaginative and delicious recipes, but also finding those foods that will boost and support the immune system.

'In late 2011 I was diagnosed with Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks itself and causes the thyroid to become overactive, or hyperthyroid,” says Buffy.

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly shaped organ in the throat. It is a vital hormone gland, playing a major role in the metabolism, growth and development of the human body. It helps to regulate many body functions by constantly releasing a steady amount of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream.

'I began experiencing a full-blown cocktail of symptoms – anxiety, insomnia, body sweats, tremors, over-activity in the nether region, and a bulging left eye. I also lost a lot of weight, and my reproductive system completely shut up shop.”

Still in her late 20s, Buffy was health and fit.

'There was no genetic history of the disease in my family,” says Buffy.

She says the ‘random chance' argument suggested by specialists didn't seem to tell the full story.

'So while I embarked on the conventional medicine course of treatment - taking up to 12 pills per day - I also began my own research into what could be the true underlying cause of my health issues.”

Coming from a background of investment banking, with a parent who is a medical professional, Buffy's journey eventual journey, switching to a plant-based, whole-food diet was based on sound nutrition, attracting the attention of the likes of chef Simon Gault.

'‘I have always been so impressed with Buffy's impeccable style and incredible passion to share her holistic medical knowledge. Thankfully, Buffy now shares her secrets with her scrumptious plant-based recipes. They are both stylish and imaginative with absolutely no sacrifice on flavour,” says Simon who also co-founded 4Wheels of Health.

'What I discovered was seriously new,” says Buiffy. 'That organic plant-based foods have the ability to heal, while processed animal-heavy foods have the power to harm.

'That a stressful environment can trigger a number of diseases, including autoimmune and cancer. And that there are hundreds of toxic chemicals in our everyday skin care, make-up, body lotions, hair care, perfume, and household cleaning products, that can also cause disease.”

After much thought, she decided to quit her corporate job of eight years as a financial research analyst with Goldman Sachs – 'the only thing I'd done since University, and the only thing I thought I could do”.

She took a few months to focus on her own healing but it wasn't long before her mind began swirling about how she could share these new-found discoveries with others.

'Just 12 months after my diagnosis, I launched this blog – Be Good Organics,' says Buffy.

Wanting to learn even more, and being able to support the advice she was giving others with solid evidence-based science, she went back to university for four years and completed a Bachelor of Nutrition and Natural Medicine.

Significantly, by switching to a plant-based, whole-food diet, reducing her stress, and harnessing the power of natural medicine, Ellen overcame Graves' disease and disordered eating. Now, she shares her journey to wellness and passion for food in her debut cookbook, ‘Be Good: Plant-based recipes for everybody'.

‘Be Good' features 100 simple, quick, and delicious plant-based recipes alongside comprehensive facts about healthy eating and including her top ten list of nutrients and how to incorporate them into balanced meals. Every recipe includes easy swap-outs, helpful notes for dietary requirements, prepping your pantry, filling your fridge and meal planning.

Buffy's book also includes a comprehensive introductory section in which she covers everything from what it means to be plant-based to the nutritional qualities of individual ingredients and eating plant-based on a budget.

Buffy packs an abundance of taste and imagination into her sweet and savoury recipes, as well as staples, sauces, and sprinkles, and puts the fun back into healthy eating. It is impossible to resist her Next-Level Louise Slice, Chocolate Espresso Tart, Golden Morocco Bowl, and Mushroom Melt Quesadillas.

Buffy's social media following now exceeds 180,000 – see her reels on Instagram @begoodorganics. Buffy works to live and lives to work. She resides in Auckland's Westmere with her partner and two young children, and their Burmese cats, Zeus and Luna.

The Flavours of Plenty festival which ends on April 2 is serving up over 40 events celebrating the Bay of Plenty's world-class food scene, from Waihi Beach to Whakatane.

The organisers of Little Big Markets says today's market at Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui has a Flavours of Plenty twist with food specials and a craft food aisle.

Head along to meet Buffy at her stand at Little Big Markets, taste her cooking, and head home with a signed cookbook by the author herself.