A Whole Foods Plant Based Diet for Health

So a friend invited me to a "vegan" luncheon this past weekend to try vegan dishes and also watch the movie, "Forks Over Knives." I'll be honest, I had always kind of avoided this movie because I thought it was going to show animals being harmed, in crates etc. (Horrible) And yes, I think that is horrible, but I did not want that to be what made me change the way I eat. No, this movie is not like that at all! It is an EXCELLENT movie - VERY scientific and clinical and fact based, not an in-your-face kind of movie at all. They follow 2 guys throughout a 13 week diet change from eating animal protein to eating a whole foods plant based diet (very similar to vegan.) Let me just say - extraordinary results! And that's just a small part of the movie.

And can I say that I was amazed at the variety of dishes we came up with at our luncheon! Appetizers, entrees and desserts! Mac n cheese, quinoa patties, chocolate "mousse", fudge brownies, spiced carrot cake.

Now back to the movie. So it really got me thinking. Yes, its a healthier way to eat and to live - a whole foods plant based diet. It will help my fibro and CFS even more for sure and help me feel even better. Now for the game plan. The big thing - cut out meat. Well, to tell you the truth I had not cooked meat at home for years, only ate it out, so that's easy (just stop eating meat at restaurants), milk - again I already replaced cows milk with almond milk. At home I cook and eat a lot with chickpeas, brown rice and veggies already, I am already on the game plan and I didn't know it! I did logon to my Pinterest account and deleted all recipes with meat :) Seems temptations outside of the home will be the biggest challenge. I looked up local vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurants. Even local burger joints have some super yummy looking mushroom and falafel burgers! Friends BBQ? No problem, I'll bring my own patties, and a few extra patties in case others are curious ;) Chicken salad? Um, can they substitute with black beans?!  Sounds like I have an attempt a game plan! Now do I have the discipline.... Though my friend said that the more she ate on the plant based diet the better she felt and less she was tempted to go back to her old way of eating!

Here are a few super helpful links I found for creating veggie patties - really, the sky is the limit here! Who needs meat??

http://engine2diet.com/recipe/plant-strong-burgers/
http://www.veganlunchbox.com/loaf_studio.html
http://rmcrayne.hubpages.com/hub/Vegetarian-Burgers-Vegetarian-Burger-Recipes

If you want to watch the movie I believe you can watch it online here at their website, and their website itself is such a  wealth of information! Also check with your local library, they may have a copy of the movie too:

http://www.forksoverknives.com/

This is also related, and an excellent resource and starting point:

http://engine2diet.com


I'd love to know anyone else's thoughts, experiences?

Herb and Scallion Rice

I also discovered this recipe this past weekend from Martha Stewart Living:

1 2/3 c. water
1/2 c. packed cilantro
1/4 c. fresh packed mint
2 scallions, chopped
1 garlic glove
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup jasmine rice
coarse salt

1. Puree water, cilantro, mint, scallions and garlic in a blender until smooth.
2. Heat oil in a saucepan over high heat. Add rice and stir to coat. Cook until slightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add herb puree and 1 tbsp slt. Bring to  simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook covered for 20 min.
3. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 min. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Delish! Healthy! GLUTEN-FREE!!

It's Spring! East Fresh Fruits & Veggies & Help Your Joint Pains!

AWESOME info! PLUS recipes!

http://www.movefreeadvanced.com/articles.asp?id=410

ASPARAGUS: High-fiber, low-calorie asparagus is rich in Vitamin K, folate, and a variety of B vitamins, which can help alleviate joint discomfort. And asparagus is packed with antioxidant Vitamins C and A – which are both important for joint health. 

ARTICHOKES: Artichokes are low in calories and high in fiber, plus the antioxidant Vitamin C and calcium – critical to bone and joint health. Artichokes are also rich in essential minerals including iron, potassium, magnesium, folate and phosphorus.

STRAWBERRIES: Strawberries have as much Vitamin C as oranges, plus they’re loaded with other powerful antioxidants. They contain folate, which may reduce the risk of bone fractures, and their anti-inflammatory properties are good for your joints.