Since you're just getting to know me, let's get this out of the way early on. I eat a whole food plant-based diet. What does that mean?
It means that the source of what I eat is whole, mostly unprocessed plant foods, and that means plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. I do not eat any meat, fish, or dairy, including eggs, and I do not eat any refined sugar or flour. And although I always considered myself a carnivore and never imagined myself saying this (and honestly meaning it): I don't miss meat, fish, or dairy at all. Well, maybe sushi, just a little.
Processed foods are stripped of most, if not all, of their nutrients. By eating whole plant-based foods that are not processed, I am getting loads of nutrients in every bite that keep my 100 trillion cells nourished, happy, and humming. That's what gives me so much energy and makes me feel great! Plus, each and every nutrient is delivered as part of a whole network of nutrients that occur together in nature (more on that in a later post). Because of that, with the exception of vitamin b12, my body gets everything it needs (yes, it gets enough protein too - more on that in a later post) without the need for supplements.
I am a "foodie", and my transition to a whole food plant-based diet has been an on-going journey in which I've learned many, many ways to be creative with the ingredients that fit the bill of my lifestyle. For example, did you know that you can use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of ground raw cashews to thicken a sauce? That's the equivalent to only about a handful or two of cashews added to the whole sauce, and the richness rivals that of dairy (and I think tastes better!). My biggest lesson is that contrary to what I used to believe, a meal does not have to include meat or dairy in order to be delicious, filling, and satisfying. Plus, by skipping the meat and dairy, I get to eat lots more without worrying about portions or calories! My body never looked or felt this great when I ate meat and dairy.
Finally, I'm not a freak. I'm no different than anyone else who chooses not to eat certain foods. I can eat in restaurants. I can eat at other people's houses, including yours. You don't need to sanitize or sterilize your home in order for me to eat there. As long as you have a salad or some other vegetables, if nothing else, I can throw any vegetables between two slices of bread and have a great sandwich, or just eat the vegetables plain! And if you don't have any vegetables, just tell me and I will be happy to bring my own and even happier to share!
Processed foods are stripped of most, if not all, of their nutrients. By eating whole plant-based foods that are not processed, I am getting loads of nutrients in every bite that keep my 100 trillion cells nourished, happy, and humming. That's what gives me so much energy and makes me feel great! Plus, each and every nutrient is delivered as part of a whole network of nutrients that occur together in nature (more on that in a later post). Because of that, with the exception of vitamin b12, my body gets everything it needs (yes, it gets enough protein too - more on that in a later post) without the need for supplements.
I am a "foodie", and my transition to a whole food plant-based diet has been an on-going journey in which I've learned many, many ways to be creative with the ingredients that fit the bill of my lifestyle. For example, did you know that you can use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of ground raw cashews to thicken a sauce? That's the equivalent to only about a handful or two of cashews added to the whole sauce, and the richness rivals that of dairy (and I think tastes better!). My biggest lesson is that contrary to what I used to believe, a meal does not have to include meat or dairy in order to be delicious, filling, and satisfying. Plus, by skipping the meat and dairy, I get to eat lots more without worrying about portions or calories! My body never looked or felt this great when I ate meat and dairy.
Finally, I'm not a freak. I'm no different than anyone else who chooses not to eat certain foods. I can eat in restaurants. I can eat at other people's houses, including yours. You don't need to sanitize or sterilize your home in order for me to eat there. As long as you have a salad or some other vegetables, if nothing else, I can throw any vegetables between two slices of bread and have a great sandwich, or just eat the vegetables plain! And if you don't have any vegetables, just tell me and I will be happy to bring my own and even happier to share!
RSS Feed