I was lucky enough to hear several amazing speakers this past weekend at Dr. John McDougall's Advanced Study Weekend, including the renowned Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn Jr., and Dr. Michael Greger, to name a few. Their contributions over the last several decades have been absolutely unparalleled and so important to get us to where we are today.
I was also introduced to Dr. Scott Stoll, a physician whose vision for the future of healthcare is exactly the prescription America needs. This young doctor has already made waves sharing the scientific evidence and the undeniable goodness of a plant-based diet in his many varied roles, including as the co-founder of the Plantrician Project, an internationally known group teaching healthcare practitioners about the health benefits of a plant-based diet; as the physician for the US Bobsled team, in his week long immersion programs for patients, and as a husband and father for six children. Talk about busy!
He went on to explain that a plant-based lifestyle can literally affect every level of life, and optimize it! When we eat plants, our epigenome is affected and stabilized, and we can actually influence our genetic expression for good, which has a profound effect on our children and even our grandchildren's genes! At the organ level, sooo much research has been done, proving we can eradicate heart disease, eliminate constipation, diverticulosis, reflux, we can influence cancer's expression, we can elevate our mood, our bone density, and much much more. We know that at the individual level, when we take care of our bodies, we have fewer sick days, increasing productivity, activity levels and bettering our relationships. And when many of us are working together, embracing eating whole, plant-based foods, we can literally change our communities and ultimately influence a much bigger piece of land than the one we reside on. Our food choices affect the health of our planet as well. From each individual cell to the best use of resources to sustain our planet, a plant-based diet optimizes life on earth. It is truly amazing!!
Food is meant to be enjoyable, delicious, and fulfilling. The problem is that people are afraid those things will be compromised eating a plant-based diet. Luckily, that is far from the truth! Try any of my recipes and you will soon see that I only share what is absolutely delicious and satisfying!! Trust me, I've made plenty of mistakes along the way and so these are the tried and true recipes that will keep you begging for more plants!
"Bite by bite" we are deciding our health. Take a look at this quick video of a hospital in Michigan that is leading the paradigm shift for hospitals to take preventative care seriously. I have been saying for years now that I hope one day to change the menus that are being served at hospitals, and here they are producing the very nutritious foods that make the most healthful, healing meals for patients. This is nothing short of inspiring.