--- title: Creating Clean, Nutrient-Dense Meals description: Origin Active Lifestyle Communities is proud to offer clean, nutrient rich foods to our community members. Read our blog to learn more! image: https://blog.originway.ca/hubfs/chef%20spotlight.png --- [![Origin Active Lifestyle Communities Logo](https://blog.originway.ca/hubfs/August2017/Images/Logo-Copy.png) ![Origin Active Lifestyle Communities Logo](https://blog.originway.ca/hubfs/August2017/Images/origin_logo-copy-v2.png)](https://www.originway.ca/) Menu   [Find Your Community](https://www.originway.ca/communities) [Start Your Career](https://www.originway.ca/senior-living-careers) Give Us a Call Close X - [Origin at Longwood    250-751-7755](tel://1-250-751-7755) - [Origin at Spring Creek    403-678-2288](tel://1-403-678-2288) - [Swan Evergreen Village    587-481-6638](tel://1-587-481-6638) - [Whitehorn Village    403-271-2277](tel://1-403-271-2277) - [Origin Polska    +48 (22) 279 4900](tel://48-22-279-4900) - [Origin at Longwood    250-751-7755](tel://1-250-751-7755) - [Origin at Spring Creek    403-678-2288](tel://1-403-678-2288) - [Swan Evergreen Village    587-481-6638](tel://1-587-481-6638) - [Whitehorn Village    403-271-2277](tel://1-403-271-2277) - [Origin Polska    +48 (22) 279 4900](tel://48-22-279-4900) - [Discover Origin We want to show who we are](https://www.originway.ca/discover-origin-active-lifestyle-communities) - [Careers Make a difference](https://www.originway.ca/senior-living-careers) - [Communities See where we serve](https://www.originway.ca/communities) - [Why Active Living? 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Whole foods can help to decrease the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, as well as certain types of cancer. We are proud to offer clean, nutrient-rich foods to our community members, and that would not be possible without the help of our amazing Executive Chefs, like Tanis Williams. With over 16 years of experience, Tanis is the Executive Chef at Origin at Longwood in Nanaimo and brings her food philosophy to every meal she creates. Chef Tanis grew up cooking with her father, who was also a chef, and eventually went on to study Culinary Arts at the [Vancouver Island University](https://www.viu.ca/). Her passion for cooking can be explained in one simple phrase – “people need to eat”. She truly believes in the power of food and creating nourishing meals from scratch that fuel, not only, the body but the mind. [![LEARN ABOUT THE BEAUTY OF FOOD](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3361170/5b90c148-e625-41fb-b992-5b432529c4d0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3361170/5b90c148-e625-41fb-b992-5b432529c4d0) Chef Tanis describes the idea of “clean eating” as using food as medicine. When we eat foods from nature, closet to the source, we provide our bodies with the natural nutrients it needs to flourish. She understands the benefits food can have on the body and works to incorporate a variety of food groups and nutrients into every meal she creates. Chef Tanis’ favorite part about working at Origin Active Lifestyle Communities is our community members – having the ability to show creativity in what they eat, the menu and food preparation offers her the ability to learn and adjust. She has learned to understand what our community members like and do not like, which is why she incorporates a lot of fruits, vegetables and lean meats in her meals but tends to stay away from “trendy superfoods” like quinoa and kale (not a fan favorite!). Her goal is to always keep it simple – no complicated meals, no fancy names, no meals that need to be overly explained; just simple, clean meals that look and taste amazing. Since she strives to eat clean, whole foods in her personal life, Chef Tanis shares this with our Origin family. She understands the power of food and is using her skills and knowledge to bring beautiful, healthy, home-made meals to our community members each and every day.   Topics: [Active Aging](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/active-aging), [Health & Nutrition](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/health-nutrition), [Chef Spotlight](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/chef-spotlight) ### Written by [Origin Active Lifestyle Communities](https://blog.originway.ca/author/the-origin-team) #### **About Origin Active Lifestyle Blog** Origin’s only business is caring for seniors. We design, develop, and operate innovative, industry-leading, active lifestyle communities across Canada. Through our blog, we hope to share content and resources for aging adults and their families that are interested in active living and senior living resources.  ### Recent Posts ### Topics - [Active Aging (39)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/active-aging) - [Health & Nutrition (35)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/health-nutrition) - [Social Wellness (34)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/social-wellness) - [Health and Wellness (21)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/health-and-wellness) - [Independent Living (16)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/independent-living) - [Senior Care (16)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/senior-care) - [Caregiving (7)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/caregiving) - [Community Member Spotlight (7)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/community-member-spotlight) - [Budgeting & Finances (6)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/budgeting-finances) - [Technology (6)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/technology) - [Memory Care (5)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/memory-care) - [Origin Communities (4)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/origin-communities) - [Alzheimer's & Dementia (3)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/alzheimers-dementia) - [Statistics (3)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/statistics) - [Chef Spotlight (2)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/chef-spotlight) - [Soul Café (2)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/soul-café) - [gardening (2)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/gardening) - [Featured (1)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/featured) - [Guest Interview (1)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/guest-interview) - [Origin Living Green (1)](https://blog.originway.ca/topic/origin-living-green) See all ## Related Posts [Here We Grow Again: Phase 2 Underway at Swan Evergreen Village](https://blog.originway.ca/swan-evergreen-village-by-origin-here-we-grow-again) ![Here We Grow Again: Phase 2 Underway at Swan Evergreen Village](https://blog.originway.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Swan%20Arial%20Shot.png?width=500&height=300&name=Swan%20Arial%20Shot.png) [Origin Way™ Companion Services: Improving Social Wellness and Quality of life for Seniors](https://blog.originway.ca/origin-way-companion-services-improving-social-wellness-and-quality-of-life-for-seniors) ![Origin Way™ Companion Services: Improving Social Wellness and Quality of life for Seniors](https://blog.originway.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Companion-Blog-Image-1200x800.png?width=500&height=300&name=Companion-Blog-Image-1200x800.png) [It’s Never Too Late: Healthy Aging is Only a Step Away](https://blog.originway.ca/healthy-aging-one-step-away) ![It’s Never Too Late: Healthy Aging is Only a Step Away](https://blog.originway.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Origin%20-%20Senior%20Couple%20Exercising.jpg?width=500&height=300&name=Origin%20-%20Senior%20Couple%20Exercising.jpg) [![Origin Way Home Page](https://blog.originway.ca/hubfs/August2017/Images/Logo-Copy.png)](https://www.originway.ca/) [Contact Us](https://www.originway.ca/contact-an-origin-active-lifestyle-community) [FAQ](https://www.originway.ca/frequently-asked-questions) [Find Your Community](https://www.originway.ca/communities) Uncover your local Origin Active Lifestyle community - and discover a new way of life. 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