Why the Nation’s Largest Health Plan Wants Its Doctors to Recommend a Plant-Based Diet

If physicians know of a treatment that could prevent and reverse disease, then it seems like that treatment should be the first-line method of care prescribed to patients. Researchers at Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest managed care organizations in the country, found that there is, in fact, such a treatment. In theirofficial materials, they now advise the 17,000+ physicians in their network to recommend the most powerful, yet least-used prescription to their patients: a healthy, plant-based diet and active lifestyle.
Click here to read entire article.

Recipe: Apple Cookie Crumble

Every year when summer comes to an end, I'm always sad to see the wonderful summer fruits also come to an end. Thank goodness we have apples to look forward to in the fall! And they are here in full swing in many varieties! I love a good sweet crunchy apple just the way it is. I also love to make salads with apples and apple desserts.  According to Dr. Michael Greger with NutritionFact.org those who consume an apple a day have less oral, breast, colon, kidney, and ovarian cancers. The more apple the less cancer. They stop all stages of tumor growth and clears out all budding tumors. Peelings are anti-oxidant and anti-prolific (stops spreading).  

Just in time for the weekend is a favorite recipe that is published this week in the Independent on-line. This recipe can also be found in my new cookbook Whole Food American Favorites. Give it a try and make a comment under the recipe. I would love to hear from you!

http://www.suindependent.com/news/id_6761/cid_84/Healthy-Recipe-of-the-Week:-Apple-Cookie-Crumble.html

Welcome Whole Food American Favorites

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I'm super excited to introduce my new cookbook Whole Food American Favorites! Whole Food American Favorites is not just American food. It's the food that American's love, including Mexican food, Mediterranean, Asian and more!

My recipes are made with whole natural plant foods that are high in nutrients. No refined foods, no oils, and minimal processed sugars and flours. Nothing artificial!

Whole Food American Favorites takes traditional recipes like enchiladas, sloppy joes, meat loaf, burgers, desserts of all kinds, and changes them into nutrient dense recipes using vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fruits. I use ordinary foods that can be found at most grocery stores. These are the foods that can heal  your body, help you maintain your ideal weight, and bring you greater health for life.

Sickness and disease do not need to be your genetic destiny. You have the ability to enjoy optimal health throughout your entire life. Let Whole Food American Favorites, and my other cookbook Whole Food Goodness, help you to achieve superior health for life.

Order your copy today at www.health4lifecooking.com.

Interview with Susan Leven, RD

What a great testimony of a plant based diet!


https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/education/videos/advanced-study-weekend-experts/susan-levin/

Protein and Muscles by Dr. John McDougall

No one needs to worry about getting enough protein. If you are eating a healthy balanced whole plant food based diet, you are getting enough. The largest and strongest animals on the planet eat green leafy vegetation. They are healthy and free of the diseases that afflict most Americans.
Listen to the words of an excellent doctor.

http://www.drmcdougall.com/health/education/videos/mcdougalls-moments/protein-and-muscles/

How to Reverse Diabetes

 

Dr. Michael Greger explains how fat (not carbs) is the main trigger for type-2 diabetes.

Check out his web site www.nutritionfacts.org and learn what the science says regarding diet and other health related issues.

Thank you Dr. Greger for your endless and unselfish contribution to human health!

Soft Serve Chocolate Banana Ice Cream

It's been way too long since I've posted recipes! Life is busy!
I finally have a night to sit out side and enjoy a wonderful warm spring evening watching my cats play and eating some Chocolate Banana Ice. It has zero fat and is super easy to make and it's like soft serve chocolate ice cream! Yummilicious!

Here is the recipes:
3 cups frozen banana slices
1 t vanilla
2 T water
3 T unsweetened cocoa powder
In a food processor, grind frozen banana slices with vanilla and water until it starts to get creamy. You will need to stop the food processor and use a fork to help break up the chunks. Add in the cocoa power and process until it's all incorporated together. Scoop out into a bowl, grab a spoon and go for it! But you better share some with your significant other so you don't get a tummy ache from eating that many bananas:)

Vegan Meals with Chef AJ

I love cooking videos! But to be honest, there are very few that I've found enjoyable to watch and that keep my interest. This video by Chef AJ is great! Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmXWgBCzdxU&feature=youtu.be

 

Reverse Heart Disease? Absolutely!

Julia is living proof that you can reverse heart disease!

http://www.drfuhrman.com/success/SuccessStory.aspx?id=226

Avoid Cardiovascular Disease with Diet

I have a strong family history of cardiovascular disease. Both sets of grandparents had it, my Dad had a quadruple bypass when he was 60, and many aunts and uncles have suffered the consequences of this life threatening disease. Is this my genetic destiny? I think not!

I'm so grateful for the knowledge I've gained over the last 25 years, which I am implementing into my diet every day, that will greatly reduce, and most likely eliminate my risk of ever having a heart attack.

In this article, Julianna Hever, the Plant Based Dietitian, tells 5 ways to avoid cardiovascular disease without medication.

http://plantbaseddietitian.com/5waystoavoidcvd/

Organic vs. conventional

In almost every class that I teach, someone asks about organic vs. conventional produce. This is a great question and Julianna Hever addresses it very well!
http://plantbaseddietitian.com/organic/

Eliminate Chronic Pain

I love teaching cooking classes for the Bridge Recovery Center!  My heart goes out to all who are suffering with chronic illness and I hope and pray that they can find recovery at the Bridge. In my classes I emphasize the importance of good quality, high nutrient plant foods and how they can cleanse, detoxify, repair and heal your body. This is a great testimonial from Roberta Joiner who is no longer suffering with chronic pain because she changed her diet.

http://www.drmcdougall.com/health/education/health-science/stars/stars-video/roberta-joiner/

Extremeitis - from Disease Proof

This is such a fantastic post by Disease Proof writer Emily Boller. I know that this is one reason that there are so many who come to my classes, come to the Vegetarian Society programs, so excited and ready to take control of their health ...and after a few months, I never see them again. it's so hard to be different! It's so hard to be labeled "extreme" or "radical." It's so hard to with stand the funny looks, constant sarcastic remarks, criticism, and honest concerns of family and friends. I hope you will take the time to read this post and redefine for yourself what "normal" means in your life.

http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/inspiration-have-you-caught-the-extremeitis-bug.html

Combating Common Diseases - Michael Greger, MD

Another one of my favorite web sites for nutrition education is www.nutritionfacts.org.

Dr. Michael Greger posts a new 3 - 5 minute video every other day about his latest discoveries in nutrition research. Below is his annual nutrition review in an hour long lecture. I hope you will take some time to watch.

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/more-than-an-apple-a-day-preventing-our-most-common-diseases/#

Vegan Education at Your Fingertips

One of my favorite sources for "vegan education" is the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii. They have monthly educational programs where they feature some of the best health experts on plant based nutrition. This is a recent lecture by Mary Clifton MD, who has recently discovered the power of a vegan diet in reversing disease, something that she did not learn in medical school. She is cute and fun to listen to. I hope you will take time to watch.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=One5RrppWT8

Foods That Fight Inflammation.

I'm really excited to see this post from Dr. Michael Greger today on Facebook.
http://nutritionfacts.org/video/anti-inflammatory-antioxidants/ 
In my smoothie class this morning, one of the guests asked which smoothie, out of the 3 smoothies I made, was best for inflammation. I told her the one with the highest anti-oxidants which was the ...Purple Power Smoothie. And here is Dr. Greger to back me up. So this is for my friends at the Bridge Recovery Center (www.thebridgerecoverycenter.com) and anyone else who is fighting inflammation. Be sure to read his blog posts suggested below the video.

Choose To Be Well!

I'm reading another book called Uninformed Consent by Hal A. Huggins, D.D.S., M.S. There is s paragraph that I love and want to share. It might seem a little bold and offend some, but I'm trying to be more outspoken in my old age:)

"If you are on prescription medicines, you are not well, even if you are holding most of the symptoms at bay. Dying in your seventies after spending the last twenty to thirty years of your life with one or more chronic diseases may be the pattern shared by the majority of the population, but it is not good health, and you do not have to settle for it."

When "Vegan" is not Enough by Jeff Novick, RD

Last night I had a great class with a group from the Bridge Recovery Center. One lady asked what the difference was between vegan, vegetarian, and plant based diets. Great question Lisa! I have always avoided using the words "vegan" or "vegetarian" because they don't mean healthy. Jeff Novick RD addresses this "trap" that many fall in so well. Please take the time to read this post and especially the comment at the bottom posted by a man who was eating a "vegan" diet and almost had his 2nd coronary event.
http://www.drmcdougall.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=36550

Things are looking up!

I taught a class last night for my daughters Relief Society (my church women's organization) and am so excited and impressed by their knowledge of plant based nutrition! All in one night I heard "I'm vegan," "my mother is vegan," "my husband is vegan and finished the Iron Man," and two ladies who asked me if I knew of Dr. Fuhrman. And there were so many others who seemed very familiar with the things I was talking about.
20 years ago I felt alone in this journey. Today I am so excited that there are so many others wanting to take control of their health.
A big thank you to my daughter Crystal for arranging this event and for those 30 or so women who took time out of their busy lives to come learn. I wish I had some pictures to share. Next time!

Travel Smart with Healthy Snacks

Going on a trip doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your health. I'm going to Salt lake City this weekend and have gathered all my snacks for the trip so I'm prepared when hunger strikes or when I'm sleepy driving up and need something to keep me awake. There is also enough for back-up in case I get hungry while I'm there. So here it is: Jicama &carrot slices, refried beans (I was going to make humus but this was left over from dinner so it will work),sweet potato fries, nut/seed based ranch style dip, roasted brussle sprout halves(great for dipping), caulflower, sweet peas, and when that sweet tooth strikes I have lemon balls. The greens and oranges are for my breakfast smoothie which will also include some frozen strawberries. Yes, I haul my blender every where I go! Then I've got a container of water and 1/2 an avocado that I don't want to leave behind. I wont have any trouble finding a use for it!
I hope this gives you some ideas for the next time that you travel!