IT ALL BEGAN WITH AN IDEA…
COVID hit the world in a dramatic way. Within the daily briefs of information (and misinformation), there seemed to be little discussion about health and wellness as it related to the virus. Many of us adhered to the CDC guidelines: masking, isolating, testing, tracking, and finally vaccinating. I heard lots of reports about the elderly, obese, and immunocompromised as being at higher risk of severe illness, but next to no information about health, how the body works, and how it is designed to protect itself from viruses. Being on “lockdown” provided me with time to research, plan, experiment, write, revise, edit and expand on the idea that health matters. What goes into the body matters. The everyday food choices we make will help nourish and support each and every system, or conversely, tear down these mechanisms. Therefore, food matters.
Launching a campaign to inspire healthy dietary choices started with this idea. I had a story to tell, and I wanted to share this story with the people who are near and dear to me hoping that they would first, heed the message, and secondly, share the story with others.
In reading the Winter 2022 Forks over Knives magazine, I discovered an article, “5 Healthy Ways to Plant Seeds of Change”. Each step resonated with me and personally have used it as a guide. I decided to share these additional thoughts:
SHARE YOUR OWN STORY
The ABOUT section is my story. As I approach 70 years of age there are those typical aches and pains (a Tylenol now and then helps), but overall, I feel pretty good. I believe a plant-based nutrition plan has contributed to my overall wellness.
GIVE A GOOD BOOK
A book that I found to be influential is entitled Eat to Beat Disease (the New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself) by Dr. William Li. Not only did I download this book on Audible, but I purchased the hard-cover as a reference tool. This “life-changing guide to the hundreds of healing foods that support the body’s defense systems” was a motivational tool in purchasing specific groceries, meal planning, and preparation.
BUILD A SENSE OF COMMUNITY
When I decided to create a blog, my intention was to simplify the process of making dietary changes for interested individuals. Perhaps people were curious about what a Whole Foods, Plant-Based lifestyle looks like. Actually, I knew that a WFPB diet doesn’t include any meat, poultry, fish, dairy, or eggs. However, what I did not know is that a WFPB choice is not the same as a vegan diet, which is defined only by what it eliminates. A WFPB diet is defined by a large variety of whole foods. The term “whole” in WFPB describes foods that are minimally processed. This includes as many whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes as you want. It also includes, in moderation: nuts, seeds, avocados, natural sweeteners, and certain soy or wheat products that don’t contain added fat (e.g., tofu).
CELEBRATE SMALL WINS
Beginning the process with small changes like meatless Mondays that can lead to beneficial changes, and AT LEAST one win a week!
CHECK IN PERIODICALLY
Through the weekly posting of recipes, inspirational quotes, sample meal plans, and more, I hope to continue the messaging of healthier lifestyle choices.
This blog is my attempt at planting seeds. I am not a professional blogger, nor am I a nutritionist. I’m a retired teacher who has lots of time to share what I have gleaned over the past six years. I want this blog to represent who I am, and for those who know me, I want you to hear my voice. There are millions of websites out there, but my story, my voice, is what’s going to separate this one from the rest.
Maybe you are here because you want to incorporate more WFPB alternatives into your recipes. Perhaps you’re looking for simplified meals, or a pre-set meal plan, or the recipes to add to your own meal plan. Whatever it is, I hope to inspire the idea in you that what we eat can heal or hurt. “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” My goal is to make this idea feel right for right now!