Beautiful Voices: Bethanne Wanamaker

Beautiful Voices is our ongoing blog series that highlights inspiring, empowering women. Our most recent Beautiful Voice is Bethanne Wanamaker . See what she says when Annmarie asks her some questions about her own personal beauty…

Bethanne Wanamaker is the founder of Edible Goddess, co-author of Superfood Beauty Elixirs, and a featured author in Thank God I: Stories of Inspiration for Every Situation, volume 3. She founded Edible Goddess to teach emerging health enthusiasts how to take their health to the next level, have more core energy, resilience to stress, and everlasting vitality and youth.

Who do you feel you are today? What event has defined your life?

The defining event in my life was the period of time from when my mom was diagnosed with a terminal dis/ease in April 2000, through the entire experience until she transitioned to some other happy dimension in March 2001. I have no doubt about it that this was orchestrated on some universal divine level to allow me to live my life’s destiny. Maybe it sounds a little “woo woo”, but there’s just no question that if I had not been through this deeply wounding time in my life, that I would be on the same path I am today. It’s a long story, but I have come to trust and understand that everything happens for a reason, and as its supposed to. Although it’s odd to some, I am extremely grateful for having lost my parents at a younger age as it helped to define what I am living for. Don’t get me wrong, each time I went through this my life as I knew it was ripped from beneath me and I was held in a dark space for long periods of time that did not show any sign of light. But, as the saying goes – what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and I feel that who I am today is because of the continual adversity I’ve faced. This is just 2 of the wild rides I’ve been on. 🙂 Life is a beautiful journey…

Interestingly, I was asked to be a featured author in a best-selling series of books called, Stories of Inspiration for Every Situation, volume 3. http://bit.ly/inspire3. My story is titled, Thank God My Mom Died. This book is highlighted in the brilliant film, Discover Your Gift, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Jack Canfield, Terry Tillman, David “Avocado” Wolfe, Mark Victor Hansen, and many more.

I write about this defining event and what I learned from this irrevocable experience on my website: http://ediblegoddess.com/about/

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

Is it egotistical to answer with, me? That’s not like me, but it’s relevant here. My stories of tragedy to triumph inspire me. My resilience, ability to bounce back and see the greater perspective, inspires me. Hearing other stories of inspiration deeply inspire me. I read inspirational material all the time (maybe I could find a way to get paid for that?). Seeing others take action to better their lives inspires me. Hearing about people who have overcome insane circumstances inspires me. Success stories of all kinds inspire me.

If money was no object what would you be doing (or, would it be exactly what you are already doing?)

That’s a big question, and I’ve got a big answer! Ultimately, I feel that I am here to inspire people on a massive scale, uplift mankind, and eliminate needless suffering. I plan to travel around the globe and offer orphans, who may not be able to control their unfavorable circumstances or less than the best ever health, immense hope, deep nutrition, and skills for creating it themselves. My Foundation (which has yet to come to fruition) will help me give in the way I want, entirely free to the recipients. Why orphans? Because I know what it’s like to be one and have nutrition and attitude play a role in turning my life around. Basically, I want to show up with a ridiculous amount of goodness that will prove to be a major turning point in their lives, talk with each of them privately and as a group (in each village/town), and see their faces light up with the brightest smiles and hope in their eyes. Give, because I can. That is what I will do when I money is no object for me.

Another vision I plan to make a reality is super healthy yacht voyages: taking groups of people for the adventure of their life combining the absolute best conscious nutrition and travel. I want to create healthy cruising options for people who want to see beautiful, more remote areas of the world, while awakening them to a new level of health and well being. Essentially a raw food / yoga retreat, but on the water and way more cutting edge with Edible Goddess flair. There are more details, but I’ll leave it at that for now!

Where and when do you feel most at peace?

In the forest, in the mountains, in the woods, hiking up the hills, on the beach, anywhere outdoors surrounded in Nature’s beauty, and anytime I’m barefoot touching the earth and connected to its’ energy. I make it a daily habit; it’s that much of a priority to me!

What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so if one truly feels beautiful and comfortable in their own skin, I feel they exude this beautiful essence and others see the same.

What’s your favorite beauty secret or tip?

Softening my skin with organic extra virgin coconut oil in the shower. For super smooth and silky skin, get your face and body wet in the shower, step away from the water or turn it off briefly, apply softened coconut oil liberally everywhere, rinse it off (though you will still see the water pellets on your skin from the oil and water coming together) and proceed as usual. Your skin may feel a bit oily and
you’ll wonder if you should keep rinsing and wiping to get the residue off – leave it as it is! The oil will absorb in as you towel off and there is no excess oil if done this way as opposed to applying oil on dry skin after the shower. It’s great for all skin types, even oily.

What do you do when you want to pamper yourself?

Sleep in, dry skin brush my face & body, hydrate with both a freshly made green juice and a beauty elixir, pick leafy greens & herbs from the garden and make an epic salad with them for dinner, do power yoga in front of the wood-burning stove, rebound on the mini trampoline, enjoy the coconut oil beauty secret listed above, apply multiple skin care products throughout the day because it’s fun, and get an
organic massage from a friend I do trade with (for nutrition coaching), and unplug from all forms of technology – all in the same day J Really, just spend an entire day taking extraordinary care of myself! Hmmm, I could use one of those days!

How does Annmarie’s mission fit into your lifestyle?

What’s amazing about Annmarie’s vision is that she embraces purity and quality equally, and as much as I do. Some would say we’re a bit extreme about it, stopping at nothing to source only the very best organic and wildcrafted ingredients, but every ounce of effort comes back ten-fold in how we feel physically and emotionally knowing that we’ve committed to such a high level of excellence. There’s really no other way to do it; Annmarie has practiced such discernment with what she offers in her skin care brand that it’s easy to place full trust in the entire line – how rare! For someone like me, who coaches health-conscious women around the world how to raise their standards, refuse to compromise, and take their health to the next level no matter where they are currently, this is BIG! It’s a breath of fresh air to be able to wholeheartedly recommend face and body care products that I personally use and believe in. It’s time for the skin care industry to be revolutionized, and I feel with Annmarie’s mission (purity + quality + effectiveness), it will soon become the norm, thank goodness!

What are your words of wisdom to other beauties out there?

One of the key phrases that was always spoken to me by my mom was, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. It seems like just 3 little words, but when you really embrace it, your world changes. Once you believe in yourself, your self-value skyrockets. When self-love and respect are the new standards, health becomes the #1 priority. You realize that your body is a sacred temple and should be treated as such. You are willing to do whatever it takes to keep your body temple at its peak optimal level and nothing less will suffice. No accepting compromise when it comes to YOU.

Isn’t she beautiful? If you want to keep up with Bethanne’s amazing life, follow her blog at EdibleGoddess.com! You can also follow Bethanne on Facebook and Twitter.

Much Love,

Annmarie Gianni
“Teaching People About Beauty From the Inside Out”

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(If you’re interested in being featured as one of our Beautiful Voices, please email us at info [at] annmariegianni.com)