3/22 - A TOAST TO COLOR!: Featuring Muralist & Color Consultant Angela Tirrell and Amy Myrdal Miller of the Culinary Institute of America

Color plays a very important role in our lives, whether it’s the colors that surround us, what we wear or what is on our dinner plates and in our glasses.  In this episode of Slow Living Radio, we’ll explore the realm of color, the impact it has and how to manipulate it to improve our quality of life.

Angela Tirrell, renowned Bay Area muralist and color consultant will explain the effects of color in our home and how it can affect the “emotional ambience," giving us insight into building an environment to suit your lifestyle.

As we all know, America is facing an obesity crisis with rampant chronic health problems.  This has led to a move from the food industry to create more nutritionally sound products and from restaurants to try to meet the growing demand for healthier choices.  The Culinary Institute of America has spearheaded a number of programs to address this need and Program Director, Amy Myrdall Miller, will explain some of these initiatives.  Amy will also help us understand the role of color in our diet, its impact on our bodies and health, what are the best sources and how to use color to gain better health.

So, raise your deep red wine or acai smoothie and let’s toast Color!

Angela Tirrell directing her team
from the scaffold!

Angela Tirrell, Uncommon Muralist & Color Consultant with TIRRELL DECORATIVE PAINTING

After years and years of studio art and art history classes on both coasts, and secret painting at night, at age 27 Angela Tirrell (pronounced "teer- uhl") left a

desk job at a Performing Arts Center in Brooklyn to begin her life!

Six months later, as head of her own mural company and a team of eight international painters, Tirrell won a contract to paint the Lobby and sales office of the Trump Parc Hotel, New York -- and has researched, designed and painted murals for residential, commercial and public spaces throughout the US and abroad for 26 years.  The artist also makes serious studio pieces -- mostly large abstract paintings.

Tirrell's love of color and the needs of various clients caused the creation of full-service color consulting 12 years ago as an adjunct to mural design--and the technical, practical, emotional concerns that color elicits continue to make the work fresh.  Tirrell Decorative Painting uses superb-quality "eco" paints--or paints that do not shed toxins once dry.  Clients end up with beautiful, healthful and practical living and working environments!

Amy Myrdal Miller, MS, RD - Program Director, Strategic Initiatives,
The Culinary Institute of America

Amy Myrdal Miller, MS, RD

Amy Myrdal Miller, MS, RD, is the program director for strategic initiatives at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. A registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition communications from Tufts University School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Amy has focused her career on nutrition research, education, and communications with a focus on promoting the health, flavor, and culinary benefits of whole foods.

An invited presenter at state, national, and international conferences, Amy is also frequently interviewed by national print and online media outlets for stories related to culinary nutrition, trends, and sustainability. Amy’s newest responsibilities at the CIA including leading planning for Healthy Flavors, Healthy Kids, the CIA’s national initiative focused on food education, culinary strategy, and flavor insights that will improve children’s access to fresh, flavorful food in a variety of environments.

Prior to joining the CIA, Amy led domestic marketing and health research efforts for the California Walnut Commission, directed nutrition education and nutrition marketing programs for Dole Food Company, and conducted cardiovascular health research studies at the Rippe Lifestyle Institute in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.

Amy was the 2003 recipient of the Produce for Better Health Foundation Diamond Crystal Award for her leadership in developing an online children’s nutrition education program. Amy is the co-author of The Healthy Heart Cookbook for Dummies and the executive editor of the Dole 5 A Day Kids Cookbook.

Amy is a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), the 2010-2011 Chair of the Food & Culinary Professionals Dietetic Practice Group of the ADA, a member of the Cooking Light Nutrition Advisory Board, and a member of the Northarvest Bean Growers Association Nutrition Editorial Board. She is also a member of Les Dames D’Escoffier, San Francisco Chapter. Amy and her husband, Scott Miller, live in Sacramento.