Staff Spotlight: Meet OHI San Diego Staff Member, Pauline Vargas

 Food has always been an important part of Pauline Vargas’ life. “I started my career managing health food stores for 10 years,” said Pauline. “I next went to culinary school where I started learning about rustic breads and pastries. 

I opened my own small business with the Cottage Food ACT. I was licensed to operate a bakery from home, selling in farmers markets and delivering my food through Uber Eats. After putting my business on hold while I recovered from carpel tunnel surgery and raised my family, I rented space in downtown San Diego for my own holistic coffee shop where I put my own natural spin on classic Mexican desserts and rustic breads. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit. In transitioning from running my coffee shop to a new phase of my career, I knew I wanted to continue to work in a natural holistic environment. In July 2023 I joined OHI to work in the kitchen doing raw food prep. OHI is a great fit for me because I had adopted a vegan diet in my early 20’s and have been vegan for well over 20 years. I love working here because OHI has expanded my knowledge of fermented food, and I have learned so much about how detoxing the body supports healing. It inspires me to improve my own health, and the education has awakened my interest in my own spirituality.”

Pauline puts her heart into her work at OHI. “I spend my days off researching new vegan food options and creating recipes for interesting side dishes,” said Pauline. “I modify Mexican and Indian recipes, and incorporate fermented foods, seed cheese, legumes, and crackers to give guests a new way to experience a raw vegan diet that meets all the OHI guidelines. I once took an Indian potato recipe and put my own spin on this flavorful dish using dehydrated cauliflower and spices. It makes my heart happy to create food that people enjoy. Delicious food makes guests feel loved.”

Pauline looks forward to meeting new guests each week. “I love what I do,” said Pauline. “I take pride in creating beautiful plating presentations for the food, so guests don’t feel like they are always eating the same thing. It’s hard for some people to do this diet, so I like to come up with different ways for them to be able to enjoy healthy veggies and legumes. And for guests who want ways to change up their wheatgrass juice during the cleanse, I turn can turn it into a smoothie, I can add fresh stevia to it, or sprinkle cinnamon on top. Food is my love language. Input from guests is the inspiration for so many of my new recipes. I share all my recipes with guests to make it easier for them to maintain their motivation to stay on the OHI diet when they go home.”

Pauline genuinely feels at home at OHI. “Almost everyone here is facing a health opportunity,” said Pauline. “There is no judgment, only support. OHI helps each individual to feel at peace with themselves, and that is truly a gift. To find peace among struggle is often unexpected, and it is so moving to see guests find inner peace.”

Pauline has shared some of the holistic healing practices she has learned at OHI with her daughters. “My daughters are 14 and 15 years old, and one thing we do are home facials,” said Pauline. “I taught them how to do facials with fresh wheatgrass, and they love it. We’ll have a Girls Night with our wheatgrass facials, and munch on seed cheese and crackers together. It means so much to me to spend time with them in such a wholesome way. Our Girls Nights bring me so much joy.”

Pauline has one piece of advice for those considering a visit to OHI. “Coming to OHI isn’t just about facing your health challenge. Coming here will help recharge your body, mind, and spirit,” said Pauline. “The food, the classes, and the camaraderie are what helps floss away the stress and worry you’ve been storing for so long and allow you to focus on healing. It is a gift to be able to focus on your health. Give yourself the gift of a stay at OHI and see what blessings come to you.”

Pauline closed the conversation with heartfelt gratitude. “I am so fortunate to work here,” said Pauline. “It is such a privilege to contribute to someone else’s health journey. OHI is a place of love. I have met amazing guests from around the world, and I have received more hugs here than I can count. To all the guests that I have met over the last two years, thank you for letting me be a small part of your OHI experience. Come back and visit us again soon.”

If you have always yearned for a career where you can make a difference by helping and serving others, then contact us today: (800) 588-0809