Pamela Anderson, the actress, model, and long-time activist, is no stranger to reinvention. Once the face of Hollywood’s glitz and glamour, she has now settled into a simpler, more grounded lifestyle. At her family’s farm in Ladysmith on Vancouver Island, Anderson has traded in red carpets for raised garden beds, embracing a life filled with fresh air, plant-based cooking, and quiet moments in the kitchen with her beloved sourdough starter, Astrid. Her new cookbook, I Love You: Recipes from the Heart, offers a deeply personal look into this shift, combining her love of wholesome, vegan food with heartwarming anecdotes and family traditions. It’s a love letter not only to her sons but also to the homegrown lifestyle that has allowed her to reconnect with her roots.
A Journey Back to Her Canadian Roots
Long before Pamela Anderson became a household name, she was just a small-town girl from Ladysmith, a picturesque community on Vancouver Island in British Columbia Canada. While she is often remembered as the blonde bombshell who took over television screens in the ’90s, Anderson’s Canadian upbringing shaped her into someone deeply connected to nature. Her early years on Vancouver Island were spent outdoors, exploring the lush forests, foraging for wild fruits, and cultivating a bond with animals—an affinity that would later blossom into her well-known advocacy for animal rights.
But the call of fame eventually pulled her from those quiet roots. After a meteoric rise to stardom, Anderson’s life became synonymous with Hollywood glamour. Yet, even amid the flashing cameras and celebrity culture, a part of her always yearned for the simplicity of home. After decades in the spotlight, Anderson returned to that simplicity, settling back at Arcady, her family’s century-old farm in Ladysmith. The move back to Vancouver Island wasn’t just a physical relocation—it marked a return to her true self, peeling back the layers of fame to focus on the things that matter most: family, nature, and, of course, food.
The Birth of I Love You: A Cookbook Rooted in Family and Tradition
Pamela Anderson’s cookbook, I Love You: Recipes from the Heart, started as a personal project. Initially, it was a box of handwritten recipe cards, a housewarming gift for her sons, Brandon and Dylan, as they set up their own homes. The recipes were deeply rooted in Anderson’s homegrown traditions, reflecting both her plant-based lifestyle and her love of family. However, what began as a thoughtful gift soon blossomed into something bigger, as her sons encouraged her to turn those recipes into a full-fledged cookbook.
In I Love You, Anderson invites readers into her kitchen and into her life. The book is a collection of 80 plant-based recipes that blend family heritage, world travel, and her deep connection to the earth. It’s more than just a vegan cookbook—it’s an intimate look into Anderson’s personal journey, a celebration of the simple, wholesome pleasures of plant-based cooking, and a reflection of her life on Vancouver Island.
From comforting, anti-inflammatory lentil soup to indulgent maple-glazed cinnamon rolls, Anderson’s recipes are designed to nourish both body and soul. Each dish comes with a backstory, offering a glimpse into the family traditions, personal memories, and kitchen experiments that have shaped her culinary style. At its heart, I Love You is about the joy of cooking for the people you love, using fresh, sustainable ingredients that respect the planet and all its inhabitants.
The Soul of Sourdough: The Story of Astrid
Of all the culinary adventures Anderson has embarked on, one of the most meaningful is her foray into sourdough bread baking. For Anderson, baking is not just a practical activity; it’s a deeply meditative practice that connects her to her home and her family. Central to this practice is her beloved sourdough starter, Astrid. Named after a “viking warrior princess,” Astrid is more than just a bubbling culture of wild yeast—she is a symbol of strength, resilience, and the artisanal craft of sourdough baking that Anderson has embraced with enthusiasm.
Pamela’s sourdough journey began about three years ago, and since then, she has nurtured Astrid into a lively, robust starter. Sourdough, unlike quick breads or instant yeasts, demands patience and care. The process of feeding and tending to Astrid, watching her grow and transform into delicious loaves of bread, is symbolic of Anderson’s own life journey. Just as she has reclaimed a quieter, more authentic version of herself, the sourdough starter is a return to the slow, intentional rhythm of nature.
Anderson speaks fondly of the early mornings she spends in her farmhouse kitchen, kneading dough, shaping loaves, and waiting for them to rise. The act of baking, particularly with a sourdough starter, is one that requires attention to detail and a deep connection to the ingredients. It’s a process that, in many ways, mirrors her own journey—returning to something elemental, something pure, and letting it flourish.
For Pamela, Astrid is a companion in the kitchen, much like a family member. She brings Astrid to life in her cookbook, where readers will find recipes for rustic sourdough loaves, fougasse dipped in herby pistou, and even maple-glazed cinnamon rolls made from sourdough. In many ways, Astrid is the beating heart of Anderson’s culinary transformation—a symbol of growth, nourishment, and the quiet joy of creation.
A Plant-Based Lifestyle That Reflects Compassion
Anderson’s cookbook is not just a collection of recipes—it’s a manifesto for living with intention and compassion. As a long-time vegan and animal rights activist, her plant-based recipes reflect her deep commitment to ethical eating and sustainability. But despite her strong convictions, Anderson approaches plant-based cooking with inclusivity and warmth. She’s quick to emphasize that I Love You is not meant to be a rigid, “typical vegan cookbook.” Instead, it’s a celebration of vegetables, a way of cooking that invites everyone to experience the beauty of fresh, seasonal produce.
Her garden on Vancouver Island plays a starring role in the book. Anderson often speaks of the joy she finds in watching her plants grow—from cucumbers and tomatoes to herbs and flowers. The bounty of her garden provides the foundation for many of the dishes in her cookbook, and the process of growing, harvesting, and preparing food from her own land is one that brings her immense satisfaction.
Her recipes, whether it’s a green goddess mason jar salad, tomato galette, or whipped cranberry porridge, are infused with the flavors and textures of nature. They are comforting yet elegant, showcasing the versatility and beauty of plant-based ingredients. Anderson’s love for cooking is rooted in her belief that food should be nourishing, not just for the body but also for the soul. She writes with the same warmth and authenticity that defines her approach to life—inviting readers to cook with care, to savor each ingredient, and to share their creations with loved ones.
Finding Fulfillment on the Family Farm in Canada
For Pamela Anderson, the decision to retire from Hollywood and return to her family farm wasn’t just a retreat from the spotlight—it was a way to reconnect with her true self. Life on the farm offers her the peace and fulfillment that fame and fortune could never provide. Anderson often describes her farmhouse as a “fairy kingdom,” a place where nature and magic meet. It’s here, among the wildflowers and vegetable beds, that she has found a sense of purpose and contentment.
Living in Ladysmith has allowed Anderson to fully embrace the simple pleasures of rural life. She spends her days walking her dogs, tending to her garden, and, of course, baking with Astrid. Her farmhouse kitchen, with its large wooden tables and French cutting boards, is the heart of her home. It’s where she bakes bread, experiments with new recipes, and hosts family gatherings. For Anderson, the kitchen is more than just a place to cook—it’s a space where memories are made, where love is shared, and where life’s simple joys are celebrated.
A New Chapter, Rooted in Love
Pamela Anderson’s I Love You: Recipes from the Heart is more than just a cookbook—it’s a reflection of her journey from Hollywood to home. It’s a testament to the power of food to connect us to our roots, to nourish our bodies, and to bring joy to those we love. Anderson’s life on her family farm in Ladysmith is a reminder that true fulfillment doesn’t come from fame or fortune, but from living in harmony with nature, with the people we care about, and with ourselves.
Through her plant-based recipes, her love of sourdough, and her deep connection to her garden, Pamela Anderson has created something truly special. I Love You is a celebration of life’s simple pleasures, a love letter to family, and a call to embrace a more mindful, compassionate way of living. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan, a sourdough enthusiast, or simply someone who loves good food, Anderson’s cookbook offers something for everyone—nourishment for both the body and the soul.
Related Reads
Mandatory Magazine
Good Morning America
Architectural Digest
Vogue Magazine
Washington Post