What a pleasure to be writing to you again! Over the past few weeks my mind has been swirling with ideas to share. Thanks for your positive feedback to my October edition…I was very encouraged. I continue to be excited about this journey of promoting a thoughtful approach to how we nourish our bodies.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

While working in Detroit last week I overheard a women say that she was on a 1400 calorie per day diet. I thought of how discouraged (and hungry) people must be who try to lose and keep weight off through caloric restriction. While calories do count, let’s consider the type of food we eat. Whole food plant based immersion programs of 10 day duration consistently show an average weight loss of 7 pounds. The food is generally low in fat and calories and high in water content and fiber, which makes us feel full. There is no need to count calories…just eat plants!

We know there are many health risks associated with being overweight: heart disease, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis and some cancers. While attending a whole food plant based conference in 2013 I recall speaking with three people who had sustained weight losses of 70, 100 and almost 200 pounds while eating this way. As a result they were able to decrease or stop medications and experienced significant improvements in their health. We receive many mixed messages in our society about how to maintain a healthy weight. It helps to be aware of any biases behind the messages. Who funds the research (if it exists) and advertising? Who stands to profit from our choices?

** “Although I have been prevented by outward circumstances from observing a strictly vegetarian diet, I have long been an adherent to the cause in principle. Besides agreeing with the aims of vegetarianism for aesthetic and moral reasons, it is my view that a vegetarian manner of living by its purely physical effect on the human temperament would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind.” Albert Einstein 1930

** It is worth noting that our health will benefit to the extent that we adopt a whole food plant based diet. Simply replacing some animal products in our diet with whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables is a great start. Try “Meatless Mondays” or being “Vegan Before 6”. When options are available, choose a vegan instead of cream soup. Order a vegetable instead of chicken curry. Try fruit salad or sorbet for dessert instead of cheesecake. At some point, diving in and trying an unprocessed vegan diet for a period of time is worthwhile. You’ll then be able to truly judge the effects.

** Check out recipes from these sites:

forksoverknives.com
crazysexylife.com
happyherbivore.com

Cowspiracy

It is hard to believe that animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas omissions, more than all transportation combined. Cowspiracy, a captivating and revealing new documentary about the impact of animal agriculture on the environment is a must see! Go to cowspiracy.com to watch it on-line for $16 USD or to order the DVD. Time and money well invested.

Steel Cut Oats

For a healthy and filling breakfast try steel cut oats. I like these much better than regular oats because they have a great nutty flavour. Go for Bob’s Red Mill brand which you’ll find in most grocery stores. I add raisins and some brown sugar along with chopped walnuts, which are a great source of omega-3s. And no need to restrict them to breakfast…my Aunt Louise likes them for lunch.