Dr. Andrew Weil
1. What character in a movie or book do you most identify with?
I’d like to think that that I identify with Gandalf the wizard. [A character from J. R. R. Tolkien's novels “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings”.]
2. Cause that you’re most interested/involved in?
Changing medicine. That’s been my life’s work. And training new doctors at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.
3. Favorite vacation spot?
I love to go to Hawaii, the Big Island, but I don’t get there as often as I would like to. I also love to go to British Columbia; it’s a great retreat.
4. Where haven't you been that you're dying to go?
I’ve always wanted to go to Vietnam and Laos. And I’d love to go to Bali; I’m planning a trip to Batam.
5. What’s your next major goal in life?
I haven’t finished my first goal, transforming medicine and healthcare. I also have another book coming out in November; called “Spontaneous Happiness.” It’s about happiness, depression and integrative health. I also want to help change eating habits for adults and children, and that’s why I’m involved with True Food Kitchen. I hope that True Food will influence other restaurants by setting an example for a different way of eating, that’s automatically healthy.
6. Who had the biggest influence on your life?
Few people have influenced me more than Richard Schultes, the ‘Father of Ethnobotany.’
7. Favorite drink?
Good water, pure water. At home I have a distiller. I also like iced tea and organic red wine.
8. What can’t you live without?
Dark chocolate and my dogs. My favorites are Green & Black’s Organic chocolate, Valrhona, Dagoba, and Côte d'Or.
9. What are some of your favorite healthy foods/ingredients?
Extra virgin olive oil, quinoa—it’s a gluten free grain, and red yeast rice is a natural remedy that can lower bad LDL cholesterol levels. I also think that fresh sardines are fantastic, sustainable black cod from Alaska, and wild salmon are all excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.
10. Dumbest investment?
Well, I was talked into putting money into a speakers lecture series that didn’t work out, but that was a long time ago.
11. What’s your most prized possession?
My health.
12. Biggest accomplishment?
Really the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, it’s a powerful institution, and my legacy.
13. What's your biggest fear?
Not having enough energy to do all of the things that I want to do.
14. Who is your favorite artist?
Vermeer. His paintings and the fantastic quality of light—I just love his works.
15. If you had to begin a different career, what would you do?
I’d always thought that I would have liked to be a musician, or a gymnast---to have that expertise would be something.
16. Secret most people don’t know about you?
I’m shy, and an introvert.
17. Your dream day?
My idea of a nice day is not lying around on a beach. I would become bored. I feel best when I’m doing something. I like to be engaged, and involved so that I’m not conscious of time.
18. Your biggest extravagance?
I have a really nice ornamental garden with succulents in Arizona, and in British Columbia at my other home, I have a garden where I can grow everything.
19. Last concert that you went to?
It’s not really a concert, but I saw “Wicked” and it was a great performance.
20. What was the best day in your life?
That’s too hard. I’ve had too many wonderful days. I can’t say.
Best-selling author and health guru, Dr. Andrew Weil helped create the menu at True Food Kitchen at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. The globally inspired cuisine at True Food is both delicious and nutritious and it follows his renowned Anti -Inflammatory Diet & Food Pyramid. Find out more about Dr. Andrew Weil here.
