George Mateljan has had a lifelong interest in food. From the time he was five years old, his favorite room in the house was the kitchen, where he watched as his mother lovingly spent hours preparing meals for the family. He still vividly remembers seeing a bowl full of ingredients transformed into dough that rose as if by magic. Then, after the dough went into the oven, he was tantalized by the fragrant aroma of it baking. He loved the wonderful look and taste of golden loaves of warm bread fresh from the oven.
By watching food being prepared for many years, George learned to appreciate the way each season brought forth its own special foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables. In the spring and summer, there were sweet, juicy strawberries, raspberries, apricots and many types of melons. In the fall, there were apples, oranges and sweet potatoes. And in the winter, there were hearty root vegetables such as beets, carrots and potatoes. George’s favorite times were the holidays when he helped prepare special festive dishes.
George’s continued passion for food sent him to the ends of the earth to learn about it. He has spent over 30 years traveling to over 80 countries around the world. He experienced cuisines from many cultures renowned for their health and longevity and appreciated the different foods and ways of preparing them that were unique to each.
George’s education in biochemistry helped his understanding of what he learned through observing, tasting and formal training to create this better and healthier way of cooking. George earned a certificate studying French cuisine at the renowned La Varenne cooking school near Paris. He studied Italian cooking at the Guiliano Bugialli’s cooking school in Florence. He refined his skills at the Gourmet’s Oxford in England.
George was disappointed that he couldn’t find nutritious, tasty and convenient foods for himself and his family, so in 1970 he founded Health Valley Foods, the first company to produce healthy prepared foods in the United States. As time went on, Health Valley produced thousands of convenient, enjoyable products that were packed with nutrition and flavor yet completely free from the white flour, refined sugar, hydrogenated fats, excess salt, chemical preservatives and artificial colors that are standard in highly processed foods.
George not only focused on the preparation of healthy foods, he also led the way in using safe, truthful, environmentally-friendly packaging and encouraged and supported organic farming. Health Valley Foods has since became the gold standard for healthy, tasty, conveniently-prepared foods.
In 1996, George sold Health Valley Foods. He felt that after 26 years he had inspired a number of others to establish companies to produce nutritious, conveniently-prepared foods, and it was time to turn his energies and resources toward the next phase of helping people enjoy eating healthier. Today, he shares, free of charge, his passion to help others, and his experiences and knowledge with everyone who wants to know about the “Healthiest Way of Eating” through the not-for-profit George Mateljan Foundation.
Over the years, George had come to identify which foods were among the World’s Healthiest. And he also knew that in order to eat them on a regular basis the preparation of these foods had to fit the individual tastes and lifestyles of people in today’s busy world. So, George worked to create and develop preparation methods and recipes that allow people to enjoy delicious and exciting flavors in easy and affordable ways. His Foundation supports an extensive website and the publication of books to share this information with you.
George has published five books that have been read and used by millions of people. This book is a culmination of his travels and personal experiences. It contains in-depth information on the techniques, recipes and menus that help make the “Healthiest Way of Eating” enjoyable, practical and personalized. It’s the most recent example of how George’s lifelong love of food can help people enjoy the World’s Healthiest Foods to achieve vibrant health and energy and to live a longer and healthier life.
Thank YOU for walking your talk! Thank YOU for giving back! YOUR efforts to educate and inspire your fellow humans are appreciated. Very few people share their insights, wealth and success with others, so when I see someone like yourself who does, I wanted to take the time to say THANKS! —Mike