Nourish
to sustain with food or nutriment;
supply with what is necessary for life, health and growth.
The power of plants
TBH, I never expected to be living a Whole Food, Plant-Based Lifestyle. But the thing is, the more I researched, I simply couldn’t unlearn what I now know. For starters:
“There’s only one diet that’s ever been proven to reverse heart disease in the majority of patients–a diet centered around whole plant foods? “In fact, if that’s all a plant-based diet cold do–reverse the number one killer of Americans shouldn’t that be the default diet, until proven otherwise? And, the fact that if can also be effective in preventing, arresting, or reversing other leading killers–like type 2 diabetes, and hypertension–would seem to make the case for plant-based eating simply overwhelming.” -Dr. Michael Greger
It can be hard to make lifestyle changes, I know this from experience. It takes time, so give yourself some grace as you try new things. The person I am today is a completely different version of who I was 10 years ago. I am so proud of her! So, let’s get started
Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.
Plant-Based 101
The term plant based diet and whole food plant based diet (WFPB) have become very popular. But what do they mean? Does it mean you never eat any animal products, like a vegan diet? Or consume animal products in moderation?
Resources.
Do your research, I can share some facts and share what I know, but one of the biggest takeaways is it’s up to each of to do the homework. Educate yourself and come to your own conclusions. Weather your eating out eating this way for the planet, the animals, or you–we’re here for it. And have pulled a list together.
Recipes.
Each week we are adding some favorite recipes all in one place. Plus a few of my very own.
Let’s get started.
Eat all the fruits and vegetable.
An easy place to start, is simply adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet daily. Aim to fill half your plate with veggies at lunch and dinner. The more colorful the better. Enjoy fruits and vegetables as a snack with hummus, salsa, guacamole or a smoothie.
Go for green.
Popeye was right about spinach: dark green, leafy vegetables are the healthiest food on the planet. As whole foods go, they offer the most nutrition per calorie.
Try a variety of green leafy vegetables such as kale, collards, Swiss chard, spinach, and other greens each day.
Start reading every labels.
There are foods you probably already eat and love that are already plant-based, peanut butter anyone? Now is the prefect time to start double checking the labels. As an example, peanut butter. The ingredients should simply read “peanuts, salt.” No extra sugar, oils or fillers.
Change the way you think about meat.
Start to think of meat as a side dish, or a condiment to your meal. I suggest investing in the highest quality meat, fish or poultry available in you area. Try to source from a farmers market, local organic farm or butcher.
Eat plant-based for one whole day a week.
Start small, be patient, there is a learning curve. Overnight oats for breakfast, a burrito bowl for lunch maybe a creamy butternut squash pasta for dinner. Sounds delicious right. Check out some of my favorite recipes, here.
Meal Prep.
Meal prep could be your key to success, a few hours in the kitchen one day, saves lots of time during a busy week, cuts back on dishes and you’ll have meals and snacks at your finger tips.
“Remember, it’s not what you eat today that matters, or tomorrow, or next week, but rather what you eat over the next months, years, and decades, so you have to find lifestyle changes that fit into your lifestyle.”
— Dr. Michael Greger in How Not To Diet
