Tag Archives: Vegetarianism

The Great American Meatout

Ready to take the pledge?

FARM is asking Americans to “kick the meat habit” for one day — March 20 (first day of spring). All you have to do is sign their pledge to eat vegan for one day! And you can pledge to eat vegan one day per week or for always. It’s up to you!

The pledge, Meatout, is spearheaded by FARM and is (more…)

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The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is in the news. A Spanish study showed that people at risk for heart disease eating a Mediterranean diet were 30% less likely to die of cardio-vascular disease than the control group who ate a standard low-fat diet. It is interesting to note that group who ate the Mediterranean Diet added extra helpings of extra-virgin olive oil or mixed nuts.

The Mediterranean Diet in this study the Mediterranean diet is composed of plant-based foods:  olive oil, fruit, nuts, vegetables, legumes, and cereals. Along with some animal based products like fish and poultry, and limited amounts of dairy products, red meat and processed meats,. And just for fun wine and chocolate are allowed. (more…)

Posted in Caldwell Esselstyn, heart disease, heart disease, Italian, John McDougall, Pasta, plant based diet, T. Colin Campbell, Whole Food Plant-Based nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Year of Being Vegan: 2012 Lessons Learned Part 2

I have always been a plant-based eater; a vegetarian. Over the last year David and I decided to become vegans. It has been an incredible learning experience! Between now and the end of the years I will share some of the things I learned.

About Eggs

egg

I spent a lot of time experimenting with egg replacers this year. It was a truly informative experience. What I discovered is that

there are certain recipes where there is NO substitute for the actual egg. These include pumpkin pie, meringues and waffles. Even Ener-G, the most popular egg replacer on the market, does not work well. (more…)

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The Year of Being Vegan: 2012 Lessons Learned Part 1

I have always been a plant-based eater; a vegetarian. Over the last year David and I decided to become vegans. It has been an incredible learning experience! Between now and the end of the years I will share some of the things I learned.

Dairy effects more than my digestive system

dairyI have known for years that I’m lactose-sensitive; probably lactose-intolerant. My first clue came from eating ice-cream. A food I dearly love! I tried to chalk up my discomfort to the sugar. Unfortunately for my denial, I found that other things with sugar had a much less dramatic effect. Add sugar to milk and cream – instant IBS.

It didn’t take long to figure that cheese was also a problem. I tried to blame it on the type of rennet. In fairness the rennet did make a difference in the severity of the reaction. But even cheese made with vegetable rennet aggravated my IBS. (more…)

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The Journey From the Standard American Diet to a Whole Food Plant-based Diet . . .

Remember that old Alka Seltzer ad with the guy groaning that he couldn’t believe he ate the whole thing? To me it is a most graphic reminder that what we eat directly effects how we feel.

All of us are good at remembering the connection of food and feeling in the short run. The problem is come when remembering to connect the information to our overall dietary habits and quality of life. (more…)

Posted in diabetes, diary-free food, gluten-free food, John McDougall, plant based diet, T. Colin Campbell, vegan, vegetarian, Whole Food Plant-Based Diet and Chronic Disease, Whole Food Plant-Based nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

More Reasons To Eat A Whole Food Plant-Based Diet

In case you’re wondering if eating a plant-based diet is worth it, take a look at a long-term study by the Harvard School of Public Health. The study links eating red meat and the risk of death from cancer and heart disease. Not surprisingly, the more red meat you eat the higher the risk of death from cancer heart disease. (more…)

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What I Learned by Taking Classes for My Certificate In Plant-Based Nutrition

Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition

I finished my certificate course from the T. Colin Campbell Foundation a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I have been reflecting on the things I learned and how it changed my thinking about various aspects of plant-based nutrition. In the end I tally 2 changes and 2 take-aways. (more…)

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October is Vegetarian Awareness Month

Tomorrow, October 1, is World Vegetarian Day and the start of Vegetarian Awareness Month. So in honor of the day and the month here are a list of dietary great reasons to eat more Plant Based meals. (more…)

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Getting Enough Protein?

When people find out that I am a vegetarian, the most usual question is — One of the things I am most often asked is, “How do you get enough protein??” I have been answering this question for over 40 years. My basic answer hasn’t changed a lot, but my thought process and information base has.

When I was in my 20, 30s and 40s I would tell people it was easy, but that the “tricky” part was making sure you got complete protein. The way to do that was to combine grains and nuts with legumes. I would assure them that if you just paid attention, you would be “fine”. That you don’t really need that much protein anyway. (more…)

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Water Scarcity May Force World to Go Vegetarian by 2050

deathvalley_0083A new study by the Stockholm International Water Institute(SIWI) recommends that the world switch to a “mostly vegetarian diet.”

The institute examined land and water use and food production. by the 7 billion (and counting) people who inhabit our earth. Here are the most significant findings

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