Rachael Brown's book, For Fork's Sake, takes readers on a 10-day journey from the SAD diet to the HAPPY Diet – that is, “Healthy and Plant-Powered, YAY!!” 

Rachel discusses her family’s journey and all of her trusted tips for making this transition, including:

• What does this way of eating even entail?
• How do you bring your family along, especially if they’re reluctant?
• How do you handle naysayers and questioners?
• What are some of the common misconceptions and pitfalls you will encounter?
• And, oh my goodness, how do you handle the picky eaters in your family?

This book is easily digestible but packed full of so many tips. As she says on her website,

“Changing your family’s food, health, and life for the better doesn’t have to be drastic. Transition to healthier, happier Whole Food, Plant-Based, No Oil eating with help from a mom who’s done it.”

Episode Resources

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Learn More About Rachael Brown and For Fork’s Sake

Join our PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 9-14, 2023

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our cereals, granolas, pizza kits, broths and soups, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

Theme Music for Episode

What do cruciferous vegetables, tomatoes, soy, and green tea all have in common?

According to hundreds of scientific studies, they all can drastically reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men.

Here are a few facts:

• Prostate cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer in men

• One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their life

• Sadly, one in 40 will succumb to this disease

However, much like heart disease and many other lifestyle diseases, this cancer can mostly be prevented, and today's guests lay out the extensive research and practical solutions in their book, Preventing Prostate Cancer: Reduce Your Risk with Simple, Proactive Choices

Dr. Benny Gavi, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, teamed up with researcher Maya Eylon to compile more than one hundred recent, reliable, and relevant international studies on the effects of diet on prostate health.

As you probably guessed, all signs point to a whole-food, plant-based diet, combined with exercise and screenings, as your best defense against prostate cancer.

Today, we discuss some of their research, along with outlining the biggest cancer-fighting foods to consume on a regular basis.

16:00 Cruciferous Veggies - super fighters for our bodies

20:25 Tomatoes and Lycopene

23:20 Healthy Soy Consumption

27:28 Green Tea

They also share research on foods you should avoid, including meat, dairy, and eggs in excess

This book is a powerful tool to empower men (and those of you who love those men) to make healthy, lifestyle changes that can save thousands of lives.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Order Preventing Prostate Cancer: Reduce Your Risk with Simple, Proactive Choices

Email Maya: maya@interactivewellness.com

Email Dr. Gavi: drgavi@interactivewellness.com

Join us in Black Mountain, NC for a Transformative PLANTSTRONG Retreat - April 16-21, 2023https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2023-black-mountain-retreat

Learn more about the PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 9-14, 2023

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our cereals, granolas, pizza kits, broths and soups, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

Theme Music for Episode

Bonjour, mes amis.

This week, we’re heading to the bayou to celebrate Mardi Gras with Camryn Clements, The Plant-Based Cajun!

Dan Buettner from the Blue Zones was the first to introduce us to Camryn because she’s one of the chefs featured in his new book, The Blue Zones American Kitchen. 

Camryn is a busy Mom and when her young family moved from Louisiana to Texas for her husband’s medical residency, she found herself missing her cajun culture, especially being so isolated and far away from home during the pandemic.

At the same time, she and her family were also trying to improve their own health so she started taking some of her favorite cajun dishes and making them plantstrong. We’re talking about mushroom etouffee, jambalaya, tofu shrimp, red beans and rice, and even king cake. The plant-based cajun knows just the right combination of spices to kick up your taste buds and have you dancing with your friends and family.

And, with Mardi Grad right around the corner, we couldn’t think of a better time to celebrate Camryn and the authentic cajun flair she shares with her audience.

So, no matter where you are on your plantstrong journey, let’s let the good times roll, or as they say down there in Louisiana - “Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

About The Plant-Based Cajun

Camryn grew up in Lake Charles, LA with all the trappings of a true Cajun: Mom made the cuisine, Dad and her siblings studied and spoke French (very rusty at this point in life!), and her Dad played in a Cajun band that we performed in often. Her childhood was full of culture.

Her husband began his residency in Internal Medicine in 2018. At the time, he was battling fatty liver disease along with other health issues related to unhealthy eating (the Standard American Diet). They knew they needed to change, and they knew where the evidence pointed: the plant-based diet.

The plant-based Cajun was born!

Episode Resources

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

The Plant-Based Cajun Instagram: @theplantbasedcajun

The Plant-Based Cajun Website

The Plant-Based Cajun YouTube

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our new granola and teas, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Join us in Black Mountain, NC for a Transformative PLANTSTRONG Retreat - April 16-21, 2023 https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2023-black-mountain-retreat

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

Theme Music for Episode

D. Anthony Evans loves pain. Pain, you might say, is his superpower, which is a good thing because he lives with excruciating pain every second of the day. 

D. Anthony was born with Neurofibromatosis (NF), a rare genetic condition causing multiple tumors to grow on the nerve tissue. He has hundreds of them on and in his body. 

Unfortunately, they can become malignant and turn into an aggressive, mostly terminal, form of cancer. 

In 2012, D. Anthony was diagnosed with this cancer. Doctors removed hundreds of tumors and told him he had six months to live.  

Eleven years later, he’s thriving. 

 

How in the world did he go from a death sentence to the physical specimen and motivational force that he is today?  One word: PLANTS. 

This beautiful soul embraces a daily rigorous physical and spiritual practice where he chooses to celebrate a birthday every day because every day is a renewal of life and one more day he gets to celebrate being alive. 

About D. Anthony Evans

Adidas called D. Anthony Evans one of the world’s most inspirational athletes, and they’re not alone in being amazed at his powerful story. As a plant-based lifestyle transition coach and dynamic advocate, D. Anthony is dedicated to helping people with major health issues defy the odds and learn to thrive - because he knows how to. Despite being diagnosed with terminal bone cancer, being given 6 months to live, and having 385 tumors removed from his body over the course of eleven nine-hour operations, he has not just survived but thrived for 11 years longer than anyone in history with his cancer. He attributes all of his success to adopting an alkaline mindset and lifestyle that rest perpetually on the foundation of a positive mindset, consistent challenging physical fitness, and a whole food plant-based lifestyle.

Through his nonprofit Cheri Inspires which he founded in his mother's name, he aims to bridge the widening access gap that poor and fixed-income patients face should they decide to fight for their life holistically with treatments traditional insurance just doesn't cover. This is where D, identified the need and created a solution. D didn't fight his fight traditionally because he had the help of Chef Dave. This is why this part of his mission is so important to him because understands that unless you are independently wealthy, fighting cancer holistically is really not an option.

Episode Resources

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

D. Anthony Instagram @danthonytrains

D. Anthony Facebook

Cheri-Inspires.org - D’s non-profit dedicated to helping people receive holistic treatment

H.O.P.E. The Project - Cancer Patient Given 6 Months To Live in 2012 | D Anthony Evans Part 1 | Plant Power Stories - Part 1

H.O.P.E. The Project - Cancer Thriver Defies His Prognosis | D Anthony Evans Part 1 | Plant Power Stories - Part 2

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our new granola and teas, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Join us in Black Mountain, NC for a Transformative PLANTSTRONG Retreat - April 16-21, 2023 https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2023-black-mountain-retreat

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

Theme Music for Episode

Let’s cut right to the chase today. A whole food, plant-based diet CAN save your life. 

It sounds like hyperbole, but it isn’t, because today’s guest is living proof. 

John Tanner was out on a run in 2009 and went into cardiac arrest. He collapsed to the ground and his heart stopped beating. Fortunately, the quick action of others to get help saved his life. 

In recovery, John started reading everything he could about the causes of heart disease and how to prevent it. His research, of course, led him to the work of Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr, T. Colin Campbell, and others. He learned what most doctors don’t know:

Heart disease need not exist. It is reversible and, in most cases, preventable. 

John tells his harrowing story and discusses the remarkable advocacy work he is doing now with his non-profit NuSci and food delivery company, Little Green Forks. 

In fact, he’s offered a generous discount code at Little Green Forks: Rip15New to receive $15 off your order. 

A plantstrong diet brought him back to life and it can help you, too.

About John Tanner, PhD

John Tanner earned his M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Caltech. John is the Founder and CEO of Tanner Research, Inc., an advanced R&D company that was named to the "LA Fast 50" five years in a row and that develops software, electronics, and robotics.
Dr. Tanner is also the founder and Director of NuSci, The Nutrition Science Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives through education of nutrition science. More recently he founded the healthy meal delivery company, Little Green Forks.

 

Episode Resources

Watch the Original Episode on YouTube

Episode Webpage

NuSci.org

Little Green Forks - Use code: Rip15New to receive $15 off your order

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our new granola and teas, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Join us in Black Mountain, NC for a Transformative PLANTSTRONG Retreat - April 16-21, 2023 https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2023-black-mountain-retreat

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

Theme Music for Episode

 

Rip welcomes the mover, shaker, and influencer that is Pinky Cole - founder of The Slutty Vegan restaurant chain based in Atlanta. 

In 2018, Pinky started selling her vegan burgers from her kitchen in Atlanta on Instagram. Yes, Instagram!  They immediately became an enormous hit and now, just five years later, she’s gone from her apartment kitchen to nine brick-and-mortar locations in and outside of Georgia– including her newest locations in Brooklyn and Harlem.

Pinky Cole is unapologetic about her brand and you can feel that in the energy she brings to her food, her Pinky Cole Foundation, and her new book, Eat Plants, B*itch - 91 Vegan Recipes that will Blow Your Meat-Lovin Mind.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

The Slutty Vegan Website

Buy Pinky’s Book, Eat Plants, B*itch - 91 Vegan Recipes that will Blow Your Meat-Lovin Mind.

The Pinky Cole Foundation

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our new granola and teas, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Join us in Black Mountain, NC for a Transformative PLANTSTRONG Retreat - April 16-21, 2023 https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2023-black-mountain-retreat

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

Theme Music for Episode

We’re happy to welcome back the popular, Jessica Hegarty, to the podcast! Jess and Rip did this Facebook live event a few weeks ago and the response was so powerful, we wanted to share it with all of you.

Jess is the Director of Food Development and Strategy around all of our PLANTSTRONG food lines. She’s the one who researches every new product and ingredient we look at for our foods and if it doesn’t pass her sniff test, it doesn’t make it into the mix! Needless to say, we trust her implicitly and, if you’ve tasted our PLANTSTRONG foods, you know the rigorous taste and nutritional standards she holds us all to. 

Today, Jess is here to talk coconuts. As you may know, we at PLANTSTRONG aren’t huge fans of it because of the ridiculously high amount of saturated fat. Saturated fat isn’t just detrimental to our arteries and endothelial cells, but it’s also harmful to our brain health. In fact, it’s pretty much the only whole plant food we just can’t endorse and you’ll hear exactly why.

But, Jess doesn’t just look under the hood of the coconut itself.  she also explores other popular coconut-based products:

• Coconut oils

• Coconut waters

• Coconut extract

• Coconut yogurts and milks

• Coconut flours

Can any of these products be considered a plantstrong food? Are all the “supposed” health benefits just marketing hype? Is any of it worth our valuable dollar?

She’ll tell us and even provide some fun and healthy alternatives! It’s a fun and in-depth look at this exotic fruit.

Episode Timestamps

6:25 Why is coconut the one plantstrong food we recommend you stay away from?

6:40 Why is saturated fat so detrimental to our health and endothelial function?

12:30 What is the saturated fat of typical foods in the American diet?

18:44 Coconuts are saturated fat bombs — similar to a Meal from McDonald’s?? Jess talks about the study to prove it.

24:00 Coconut Oil - Are there any health benefits to our body and skin?

28:48 Coconut Extract - Not flavors! 

30:10 How to make your own coconut extract at home

31:10 Coconut Milk and Yogurts - What are some great alternatives to this concentrated saturated fat bomb?

37:08 Coconut Water - Is it really packed with electrolytes?  Alternatives? Green tea and whole foods

40:40 Why was coconut even put on this planet? 

46:00 Coconut Sugar - concentrated sugar with no fiber. Alternatives? Try dates! 

48:55 Coconut Meat and Dried Shredded Coconut

54:30 Coconut Flours - Can you find de-fatted coconut? 

 

Episode Resources

Watch the Original Episode on YouTube

PubMed Study - Impairment of endothelial function--a possible mechanism for atherosclerosis of a high-fat meal intake

Homemade Coconut Extract Recipe

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our new granola and teas, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Join us in Black Mountain, NC for a Transformative PLANTSTRONG Retreat - April 16-21, 2023 https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2023-black-mountain-retreat

Join Team PLANTSTRONG and Run with Rip! https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/team-plantstrong

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

Theme Music for Episode

Dr. Uma Naidoo has been called a “triple threat” for her work and knowledge in food and medicine. Not only is she a psychiatrist, but she’s also a trained professional chef and nutritionist. If there was ever anyone more qualified to talk about the impact that foods have on our brain and well-being, it’s Dr. Naidoo. 

In addition to her work at Harvard and Mass General, Dr, Naidoo is also the author of the best-selling book, This is Your Brain on Food. where she explains the ways in which food can influence our mental health and how a plant-forward diet can improve our mood and help treat and prevent a wide range of psychological and cognitive health issues, from ADHD to anxiety, depression, OCD, and others.

We also go through each of her six pillars of nutritional psychiatry:

• Be Whole, Eat Whole - and why sugar is a problem

• Eat the Rainbow

• The Greener the Better

• Tap Into Your Body’s Intelligence

• Avoid Anxiety Triggering Foods

• This Lifestyle is a Marathon and Not a Sprint

 

In addition, Dr. Naidoo also shares:

• Spices and foods for optimizing brain power

• Tips for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder

• Foods that boost happiness and relaxation

Yes, it’s a marathon, but It’s worth it. In the spirit of “New Year’s Resolutions,” resolve to make your mental and physical health a priority one meal at a time. Every step in the right direction is a step towards a better you.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Episode Webpage

Dr. Naidoo’s Website

Order This is Your Brain on Food

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our new granola and teas, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Join us in Black Mountain, NC for a Transformative PLANTSTRONG Retreat - April 16-21, 2023 https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2023-black-mountain-retreat

Join Team PLANTSTRONG and Run with Rip! https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/team-plantstrong

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

Theme Music for Episode

Rip explains the dangerous impact of a sedentary lifestyle and what sitting too long does to our bodies. He also explains the scientific research advocating for us to get up and moving!

It doesn’t matter if you’re training for a triathlon, a bodybuilding competition, or seeking the energy to enjoy a day with your grandkids, becoming plantstrong is a true game changer.

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active will:

• Improve your brain health

• Help manage weight

• Reduce the risk of disease

• Strengthen bones and muscles

• Improve your ability to do everyday activities.

  Only a few lifestyle choices have as large an impact on your health as physical activity and it’s available to everyone regardless of age, abilities, ethnicity, shape, or size.

Episode Resources

Watch the Original Episode on YouTube

Episode Webpage

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our new granola and teas, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Join us in Black Mountain, NC for a Transformative PLANTSTRONG Retreat - April 16-21, 2023 https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2023-black-mountain-retreat

Join Team PLANTSTRONG and Run with Rip! https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/team-plantstrong

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

Theme Music for Episode

We’re thrilled to share this special bonus episode with you as we head into the New Year and give us all something to look forward to…The Future of Medicine.

Dr. Zach Burns is a 2nd-year family medicine resident who also works with Dr. Michael Klaper’s Initiative, “Moving Medicine Forward,” where they speak to schools and medical students across the globe about whole food, plant-based nutrition. 

Dr. Burns is a bright spot in the medical community and his knowledge, tenacity, social consciousness, and passion for “food as medicine” brings us hope –which is why we want to share it with you on the eve of this new year. 

See it as proof that the needle is moving in the right direction. Medicine is moving forward with people like Zach, Dr. Klaper, and all of the pioneers we feature on the PLANTSTRONG podcast. 

The future is bright, my friends, and we’ll continue to shine that light on those who are paving the way.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Moving Medicine Forward Website - https://www.doctorklaper.com/moving-medicine-forward

Dr. Zach Burns’s Website - www.herbivores.life

 

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our new granola and teas, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Join us in Black Mountain, NC for a Transformative PLANTSTRONG Retreat - April 16-21, 2023 https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2023-black-mountain-retreat

Join Team PLANTSTRONG and Run with Rip! https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/team-plantstrong

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

Theme Music for Episode

We’re honored to welcome Dr. John McDougall back to the podcast for another hearty discussion.

Dr. McDougall was on the podcast on Episode 151, and we took a look at his storied life and career as a pioneering physician and talked about his discoveries that informed his unwavering practice of a starch-based diet.

In this episode, Rip dives in on very specific topics to get his opinions on procedures like mammograms and colonoscopies, bone density scans, blood pressure medications and other pills, as well as treatments for hormone-related diseases like male pattern baldness, endometriosis, body odor, bad breath, and more! 

Dr. McDougall has been in practice for almost 50 years and, if there’s everyone who has earned the right to state their researched opinions, it’s him. Yes, he has strong opinions about modern medicine, but his point is clear and simple. So many of these screenings, procedures and medications can be diminished or even eradicated with PLANTS, and more specifically, a starch-based diet. 

He doesn’t want his patients to undergo treatments that are harmful, painful, and expensive — when so many of the solutions are simple — It’s the FOOD.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/fLoom9Dz99Y 

McDougall Foundation Website

Dr. McDougall Website

Meer.org

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our new granola and teas, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Join us in Black Mountain, NC for a Transformative PLANTSTRONG Retreat - April 16-21, 2023https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2023-black-mountain-retreat

Join Team PLANTSTRONG and Run with Rip! https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/team-plantstrong

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

Theme Music for Episode

Picture this – you’re about to be wheeled into the operating room for triple bypass surgery. One artery is 100 percent blocked and two others are 65 percent blocked. You have an enlarged heart, leaky valves, and a heart murmur, among other issues.

At the eleventh hour, your cardiologist says, “Look, we can do this triple bypass, or you can try whole food, plant-based diet.” You have no idea why, but you choose a plant-based diet. Surely it’s easier than a triple bypass.

Thanks to the work and encouragement of a certain Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr, you make the radical lifestyle change and your angina disappears within three weeks, putting you on a path to health, self-discovery, and a new purpose in life.

Today, we're sharing the remarkable true story of Paul Chatlin. Inspired by the radical shift in his health and the desire to spread the word about plants, in 2014, Paul created the Plant-Based Nutrition Support Group, or PBNSG for short. PBNSG is dedicated to evidence-based education and advocacy of plant-based whole-food nutrition and an active lifestyle to prevent and reverse disease. They provide classes, community, and plenty of support to guide people in this transformation and optimize health.

Paul is a true go-getter, working from the heart (pun intended) to help spread to good word about whole food plant-based nutrition.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Plant-Based Nutrition Support Group

Join us in Black Mountain, NC for a Transformative PLANTSTRONG Retreat - April 16-21, 2023https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2023-black-mountain-retreat

Join Team PLANTSTRONG and Run with Rip! https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/team-plantstrong

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our broths and soups, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, and delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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Mr. Bluezones is back! That’s right, Dan Buettner is back on the PLANTSTRONG podcast to discuss his newest book, The Blue Zones American Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100.

As most of you know, Dan Buettner uncovered the five places around the world where people consistently live past 100 years old. It isn’t the exception. It’s the norm.

Only one of those Blue Zones happens to be in the United States - Loma Linda, California – but, did you realize that our traditional American food is firmly “planted” in a rich abundance of plant-based nutrition?

Our indigenous and Native American brothers and sisters thrived on grains and beans. Immigrants to the US brought with them potatoes, pasta, masa, corn, beans…beautiful nutritious food.

Buettner and his team took a tasty historical tour around the US and worked with contemporary chefs to create some of these traditional dishes and, today, Dan and I talk about many of these recipes and he shares memories and stories of the chefs, cultures, and meals that have shaped the diverse people we are today.

I know we think of American cuisine (if that’s what you want to call it) as hot dogs, hamburgers, and apple pie, but our history is radically more diverse, nutritious, and dare I say – PLANTSTRONG?!

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Join Team PLANTSTRONG and Run with Rip! https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/team-plantstrong

Order The Blue Zones American Kitchen



To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our broths and soups, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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This week, we present a bonus episode from our friends at Switch4Good. If you’re not familiar with the work of Switch4Good, they are an evidence-based nonprofit, advocating passionately for a dairy-free world. For too long, society has accepted the distortion and misinformation Big Dairy feeds us. So Switch4Good exists to set the record straight, for the sake of human health, food justice, and the future of our planet. They work with health experts, athletes, social justice warriors, enlightened policy-makers, and progressive corporations to promote ethical lifestyles and widespread behavioral change related to how we eat.

The Switch4Good podcast is hosted by Olympic medalist, Dotsie Bausch and former Baywatch actress, Alexandra Paul. I believe so much in the work they’re doing that I wanted to share one of their podcast episodes with you today, especially as it relates to athletic performance. 

Ryan Duff is a medical student and a recreational ultra-endurance runner, but more impressive than his academic and athletic achievements is his story of overcoming an eating disorder. Dotsie and Alexandra talk with Ryan about his struggle from anorexia to binge eating, and how he’s overcome those hurdles by shifting to a plant-based diet. 

They discuss the underlying causes of eating disorders, coping mechanisms, and the holistic impact of a whole-goof plant-based diet on your physical and mental health. As he says in the interview, “I don’t run to eat. I eat and run.”  

Episode Resources

Download the Free Plant-Based Playbook from Switch4Good: https://switch4good.org/plant-based-playbook/

Join Team PLANTSTRONG and run with Rip! https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/team-plantstrong 

Original Episode show notes  - https://switch4good.org/from-binge-eater-to-an-ultra-runner-with-ryan-duff/ 

Ryan Duff Instagram - @unleashtheduff

 

Rip welcomes back our cancer-crushing warrior, Dr. Kristi Funk, for her third appearance on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast  

Dr. Funk is a board-certified breast cancer surgeon & physician, bestselling author of the book, Breasts - the Owner’s Manual, and women's health advocate. Simply put, she is an encyclopedia of knowledge and a dynamo personality, which is why she’s the perfect expert to dig into the latest in cancer prevention research.

They catch up on some of that research and discuss four healthy lifestyle habits that will minimize your risk of breast cancer and optimize your health for the long haul: 

• Eating a plant-based diet

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Getting regular exercise

• Putting the kibosh on your alcohol consumption 

One of the big takeaways is learning about easy additions that can have profound benefits - simple things like adding in a little fruit each day or scooping a couple of tablespoons of flax into your food. These little changes can make a huge difference in slowing cancer down and prohibiting it from growing.

Dr. Funk shoots straight.  It doesn’t matter if she’s on Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, or the PLANTSTRONG Podcast, she is always unapologetically promoting the benefits of plants to crush cancer. 

Episode Timestamps

10:45 Dr. Funk describes her four-plan attack to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

11:49 Exactly why is eating plants our best defense against breast cancer? What does the research say?

29:00 What about processed plant-based foods? 

33:20 Does a late-age pregnancy elevate the risk of cancer?

34:40 What is the median age of getting breast cancer and other important stats about breast cancer risk

39:10 Why in the world should people eat mushrooms? 

40:30 Benefits of Exercise - Can it really reduce the chance of breast cancer?

43:00 What is it about alcohol that is a massive contributor to cancer growth?

47:30 Why you should be a Loser when it comes to weight and a quitter when it comes to smoking and drinking 

52:30 Pink Lotus - Dr. Funk’s empowering website 

56:20 What does the research say about coffee and cancer risk?

58:20 What about drinking sparkling water?

 

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/nXrNPE1nnIQ

Pink Lotus Website - https://pinklotus.com/

Dr. Kristi Funk Intstagram - @drkristifunk

Download the Free Holiday Guidebook - https://plantstrongfoods.com/holiday 

Join TEAM PLANTSTRONG and run the Austin Marathon, Half Marathon or 5K with Rip! plantstrongfoods.com/team

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 

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This week in the United States, we’re celebrating Thanksgiving, which is why we decided to drop this BONUS “Friendsgiving”- themed episode featuring my Mother, Ann, and my sister, Jane. 

This recording was taken from a LIVE event we did a few weeks ago where Jane and Ann whipped up two wonderful holiday-themed dishes - Mommy’s Mushroom Gravy and Twice-Baked Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. 

Yes, you can absolutely listen to the show, or you can watch the YouTube broadcast in its entirety. 

Not only will you get two new recipes, but you can also download our FREE Complete Holiday Recipe Guide with 15 holiday-inspired recipes.

And, during the episode, you’ll also hear us mention our Holiday Pantry Bundle, which is also on sale right now at plantstrongfoods.com 

So, whether you’re gathering with family or making it a true “friendsgiving” celebration, we’re here to help make it joyous, delicious, and nutritious for everyone.

…and that’s something we can all be thankful for, right? Enjoy!

 

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/ccL23gbUkog 

Download the Free Holiday Guidebook - https://plantstrongfoods.com/holiday 

Shop for Your PLANTSTRONG favorites - Holiday Food Bundle - https://plantstrongfoods.com/products/holiday-pantry-bundle 

Join TEAM PLANTSTRONG and run the Austin Marathon, Half Marathon or 5K with Rip!

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

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Hellah Sidibe is the first black man to run across America (fueled by plants!) and has been running every day since May 15th, 2017. That’s officially over 2000 days in a row in every weather condition imaginable! This year, he also completed the iconic Leadville 100 Trail Race in Colorado. 

And, it all started with a commitment to run just 10 minutes a day. 

Like many, Hellah hated running but started moving his body to lift himself out of a dark period in his own life. It was his way of taking responsibility for his own happiness.

Five years and thousands of miles later, running is now his primary outlet to raise money for charities, help others find inspiration in their daily lives, and demonstrate the endless power of a plant-based diet.  

On Instagram, he writes,  “Using our energy on what we’re afraid of is wasteful when it can be used on what we want to accomplish. We don’t need everyone to believe in us in order to chase those dreams and goals. Enjoy the process and get after it y’all!” 

Episode Timestamps and Highlights

6:53 Origins of his name, Hellah, and his upbringing in Mali

10:57 How tragedy brought him to the US

17:28 His dream of becoming a professional soccer player

18:40 Did he always love running and what compelled him to even start a run streak?

29:45 When did he decide to run across the country?

33:15 Adventures of running across the country 

36:00 How and why Hellah switched to a plantstrong diet

41:30 His favorite running conditions 

43:29 Does he prefer running alone, or with people?

45:00 What about listening to music or podcasts?

48:24 Favorite athletes, or inspiration?

49:30 What in the world do his parents think about this non-traditional career?

53:40 Low points on his Run Across America

57:20 His experience at the Leadville 100

1:02:23 How did he fuel for a 27-hour race in the mountains of Colorado?

1:11:25 For Hellah, what constitutes a run distance to qualify as a “streak?”

1:14:55 What does he eat in a day?

1:17:30 How does he sleep? 

1:18:00 How does he keep his feet healthy with all of this running? 

1:22:26 What’s next for Hellah?

 

Episode Resources

Join TEAM PLANTSTRONG and run the Austin Marathon, Half Marathon or 5K with Rip!

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Hellah’s Instagram: @hellahgood9

Hellah’s YouTube: @hellahgood

Additional Links and Resources for Hellah Sidibe

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our broths and soups, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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A few weeks ago, we hosted a Facebook live event with Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn to discuss the importance of green leafy vegetables in preventing and reversing heart disease. 
During the broadcast, Essy shared the science behind chewing vs. drinking your leafy greens and he also spent time answering viewer questions. It was packed with so much information and action, that we’ve decided to share the playback in podcast format.

Ann even got in on the action because she was so darn jazzed about it! And you know her, when she’s excited, she just can’t sit still!

Essy answers:

• What do we need to know about endothelial function?

• What is nitric oxide and what functions does it perform?

• What is so magical about green leafy vegetables?

• Why we should chew our greens, as opposed to drinking them? What is the science behind this recommendation?

• Why do greens have to be steamed? Is raw ok?

• Can I use apple cider vinegar on my greens, or is it only balsamic vinegar?

• What does caffeine do to your artery cells?

• If I chew my green leafy ands still have a smoothie, is that ok?

• Should I limit spinach, or should I mix up my greens?

• How long should I chew my greens? Is there an optimum amount of time?

• What effect does wine have on the endothelium?

• What is the best way to store greens?

• Ann and Essy's thoughts on microgreens or baby greens?

• Can we eat the stems from our greens?

• Is insulin resistance the core cause of cardiovascular disease?

• Is hyperthyroidism improved with a whole food plant-based diet?

• If I have a problem with tooth decay, is it ok to use toothpaste with fluoride?

• What are some of Ann’s favorite ways to get greens into her meals?

• Does Menirges Disease have any correlation with heart disease?

• Where does exercise come into play? How important is it to our health?

• I’m wfpb and my cholesterol is still high. Anything I can do?

• What can I do to raise my heart ejection fraction rate?

• How quickly can a plant-based diet improve your arteries?

Episode Resources

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Order Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell B. Esselstyn, MD

Order Be a Plant-Based Woman Warrior by Jane and Ann Esselstyn

Order Rip's Books

Join TEAM PLANTSTRONG and run the Austin Marathon, Half Marathon or 5K with Rip!


To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our broths and soups, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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• Are you on meds for acid reflux and indigestion?

• Do you take antibiotics or birth control?

• Do you enjoy artificial sweeteners in your coffee?

• Do you drink alcohol on a regular basis?

These are all ubiquitous substances in our society at this point, but they are also posing a threat to our immune system.

Multiple studies show that antibiotics, medicines, and substances like alcohol and sweeteners actually reduce the amount of stomach acid in your gut, wreak havoc on your gut microbiome, and actually increase the likelihood of getting hit hard by viral illnesses like COVID-19. 

So what in the world can we do to prevent this? 

Gastroenterologist, Dr. Robynne Chutkan, is back with her latest book, The Anti-Viral Gut: Tackling Pathogens from the Inside Out and that is exactly what she and Rip discuss today.

Why are some people more susceptible to contracting these new viruses, and what practices can we do to minimize that risk and boost our immunity?

Dr. Chutkan is a powerhouse of research and information in this interview, and they start with the basics:

• What exactly are the gut and the digestive tract?

• Why do so many suffer from dysbiosis, which is a damaged gut microbiome?

• What makes some of these commonly-prescribed meds so bad for our gut lining? 

Once we learn “the why,” then we can take action and that’s what the second half of the interview is all about. Dr. Chutkan shares her Top 10 Guidelines to boost your defenses and overall health.

It’s a jam-packed session of research and science, but also hope. Our bodies heal at an enormously rapid rate if we provide the assistance it needs. According to Dr. Chutkan. those key elements include plenty of dirt, sweat, and whole lotta veggies!

Episode Timestamps

17:26 Why write “The Anti-Viral Gut” Now?

26:40 What are PPIs and what percentage of the population is taking these drugs to treat acid reflux and indigestion?

28:30 People believe (because of marketing) that their stomach is producing too much acid and so they need these meds. This isn’t always true. What’s actually the cause of the discomfort?

31:42 Digestion 101 - What are the gut and the digestive tract?

39:22 Short Chain Fatty Acids- What are they and why are they so important?

45:30 What happens when you don’t have enough short-chain fatty acids to provide energy to the cells of the gut lining?

52:55 Disbiosis of the gut -What is it and why is it happening? What did the American Gut Project show us?

1:05:11 Robynne’s 1-2-3  system for getting more fruits and veggies

1:07:45 Birth control pills, artificial sweeteners, and alcohol -How do those affect the gut?

1:20:55 The cascading effects of stress and lack of sleep on our microbiome and immunity

1:27:30 The OAF - The Open Air Factor - The importance of getting outside

1:29:35 Dr. Chutkan’s Top 10 List for health and longevity

1:49 Robynne’s ‘Ride or Die’  Guidelines for optimized health

 

Episode Resources

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Order The Anti-Viral Gut

Dr. Chutkan’s Website

Follow Dr. Chutkan on Instagram @gutbliss

Download our FREE Holiday Recipe Guide

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our broths and soups, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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It has been said that necessity is the mother of invention and Debbie Adler epitomizes that phrase. In 2006, she opened Sweet Debbie’s Organic Cupcakes bakery, the first to feature vegan and sugar-free treats. 

However, a year later her son was born with many life-threatening allergies, forcing her to take an even deeper dive into nutrition and food-related illnesses. Because of her son's needs, she developed recipes and new baked goods that were not only vegan and sugar-free, but also gluten and allergy free. Her business skyrocketed. 

Her son is now 14 and doing great, thanks in part to her diligence. Debbie has since gone on to write three cookbooks, including her latest, The Mediterranean Plate, which is what we discuss today. 

This book is filled with delicious Moroccan, Greek, Spanish, Italian, French, and Middle Eastern recipes without all of the oils, fish, meats, and cheeses that are so prevalent on the Mediterranean diet. In fact, not only is every recipe whole food plant-based, but also salt, oil, sugar, and gluten-free.

We dig through foods that may be familiar to you, but with Debbie’s special twist - think gnocchi, moussaka, pancakes, her recipe for feta, soups, and so much more. 

Cooking from scratch can be intimidating, which is why most of these dishes are “one-pot” recipes, minimizing mess and clean-up. She even provides her recommended equipment and pantry staples to make this adventure as simple as possible. 

So enjoy this conversation and mouth-watering tour through, “The Mediterranean Plate,” with Debbie Adler.

Episode Highlights:

• Debbie’s reason for starting her vegan and sugar-free bakery

• Why write The Mediterranean Plate?

• Her Top 18 Ingredients for Healthy Aging

• Kitchen must-haves and favorite spices and seasonings

• Gathering grains, flours, and powders - What should you have in your pantry?

• Preferred sweeteners, canned foods, and favorite tools/appliances

• Rip and Debbie’s mouth-watering tour through the book!

As busy families, it’s easy to catch yourself coming and going, shoveling back quick meals without even thinking, and prioritizing convenience over health, especially when you’re constantly pressed for time. 

You know you’re supposed to incorporate healthier eating habits for your whole family, but HOW?

Enter board-certified pediatrician, certified lifestyle medicine physician, health coach, and mother of two, Dr. Yami! 

Dr. Yami’s work and her private practice focus on how families can start to integrate more whole plant-based foods into their diets and adopt other healthy lifestyle habits even when moving a million miles a minute.

Easier said than done, right? 

Well, Dr. Yami literally wrote the book to help families in this transition. A Parent’s Guide to Intuitive Eating: How to Raise Kids Who Love to Eat Healthy, is packed with research and support to help parents and families work together on creating a healthier lifestyle. 

We talk all about body shaming and how to get your kids to eat whole-food plant-based without forcing it down their throats and allowing them to follow their kind of intuitive eating clues. 

Even if you’re not a parent, you’ll love the advice of Dr. Yami, especially if you consider yourself to be a picky eater (spoiler alert: most of us are). 

As Dr. Yami says, we can’t necessarily control what our bodies look like, but we can control how we view them, and her work is all about starting an ongoing conversation with your family about getting healthier TOGETHER.

And that’s what it’s all about!

You'll hear: 

• Dr. Yami’s many credentials and certifications
• Why did she write Intuitive Eating and How to Raise Kids Who Love to Eat Healthy?
• Dr. Yami shares her own personal journey to plants and her TEDx talk inspiration
• Dr. Yami is finally a proud “Super Pooper” after decades of constipation and Miralax
• When and why Dr. Yami decided to open her own private practice, with an emphasis on nutrition health
• What exactly is “Intuitive Eating?”
• What happens when parents start to force kids into specific eating patterns and times? Why can this be a slippery slope?
• What about body image? How can we instill a positive body image in our children?
• Dr. Yami didn’t always have a positive body image. Why did she loathe her body and what has she done to feel better in her body?
• Rejecting weight stigma in kids - why this is such a complex issue and important to understand that poor nutrition and body image can affect anyone.
• How to work with “picky eaters” in the family (and this includes adults!)
• What do you think is the best way for a parent to frame a conversation with their children about starting to eat healthier in the household?
• Eating out! Yes - you can get plant-based meals at places like Taco Bell, Panda Express and Wendy’s! Dr. Yami shares some of her favorite finds in fast food restaurants. 

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Dr. Yami’s TEDx Talk - “From Chicken to Chickpeas”

Dr. Yami’s Website

Veggie Fit Kids

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our broths and soups, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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We’re thrilled to bring you the gravity-defying, jaw-dropping, artistic calisthenic work of Raymond, “The Noodnick.” 

His strength, grace, and skill of his movements shouldn’t come as a surprise because Raymond is PLANTSTRONG, baby!  In fact, his Mom and Uncle were the original founders of the Nasoya Tofu brand that you see today in grocery stores. 

Raymond has fascinating stories and philosophies on life, love, nutrition, and compassion that he shares with his hundreds of thousands of followers and with us today. 

It was a breath of fresh air to chat with someone who seeks love and true fulfillment every second of the day, but the real magic is watching him fly through the air with the greatest of ease.

Episode Resources

Episode Webpage with Videos 

Watch the Episode on YouTube

“The Noodnick” Instagram - @thenoodnick

“The Noodnick” TikTok - @thenoodnick

Vivo Barefoot Shoes

Born Primitive

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our broths and soups, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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Today, we share a modern-day story of David and Goliath with Dr. Baxter Montgomery. 

In 1997, Dr. Montgomery opened Montgomery Heart and Wellness in Houston, Texas right in the shadows of the powerful and world-renowned campus of the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical center.   

As a board-certified cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist, Dr. Montgomery has treated thousands of patients with severe cardiovascular diseases, but he started to notice something. 

Even though he employed state-of-the-art procedures, interventions, ablations, and medications, his patients continued to grow weaker and sicker. 

Montgomery, instead, started researching nutrition’s role in disease reversal and found that - you guessed it- PLANTS were the common denominator in determining wellness. 

Today at Montgomery Heart and Wellness, Dr. Montgomery helps patients achieve optimal health and wellness through various nutrition programs. His goal? To get his patients to think beyond the script, improve their health, and reverse these chronic lifestyle diseases. 

He truly is a modern-day David fighting a giant Goliath medical system, but much like David, he’s ready, willing, and able to slay the dragon of lifestyle disease.

 

Episode Timestamps

6:00 Why he was inspired to take a different approach to medicine 

12:45 His own personal journey back to health that inspired his nutrition protocols 

16:45 Just do this for seven days!

22:50 The results are astounding

24:30 Changing the Health Care Paradigm - “Heart and Souls of a Champion” upcoming program

29:50 Is his facility and in-patient center?

31:20 What’s an LVAT?

32:40 What is Lipoprotein a?

35:00 Are his colleagues on board, or still resistant? 

39:00 Dr. Montgomery’s 3 pillars of optimal health

41:50 How can the human body heal itself so quickly?

45:35 Moderation is like running through quicksand.

47:40 How do his patients respond to his protocols and advice?

49:00 Why does he prescribe raw foods only for his patients? 

57:00 All about the upcoming four-day Open House and Red Carpet Gala 

1:02:00 How he is living his God-given passion

1:05:00 Bonus - Dr. Montgomery’s take on A-Fib and PVCs

Episode Resources

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Montgomery Heart and Wellness Website


Learn More About Montgomery Heart Open House and Gala - October 19th-22nd, 2022

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our broths and soups, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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We are "fired up" to welcome a plantstrong firefighting sister, Cindy Thompson, to the PLANTSTRONG podcast. 

I was so moved by Cindy’s background of why she chose firefighting as a career, but it’s her journey to plants that makes her a true hero in my book.

In this male-dominated, meat-loving profession, she boldly took agency over her own health and, along the way, inspired others (including those macho male firefighters) to take a second look at their own plates and take the plantstrong journey with her.

Today, even though she’s retired from firefighting, she is still extinguishing the flames of disease and illness as a health and lifestyle coach, and, among many other credentials, is a licensed Food for Life Instructor for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Her business is called Tri-Mazing because, yes, she does triathlons for fun now, but when you are making food and lifestyle changes to benefit the health of the planet, the animals, and yourself, you are **Three Times Amazing**! 

And, we get a bonus surprise today because she whips up an amazing queso dip and shares that recipe with us today! 

Enjoy!

Episode Resources

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube

Get Cindy's Recipes and Resources from Today's Episode


To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, including our broths and soups, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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We’re going to introduce you to a word today that may be new but is something many of us unknowingly participate in on a daily basis.

That word is “carnism.”

Melanie Joy coined the word in her work as a Harvard-educated psychologist and author specializing in the psychology of eating animals, social transformation, and relationships.

What exactly is carnism? It’s the Invisible belief system in our culture that conditions us to eat certain animals and not others. Her book title actually sums it up perfectly, Why we Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows. From birth, we’re conditioned to believe that cows, chickens, pigs, and fish are food…and, here in America, dogs and cats are pets. We don’t even question it. The fact that this belief system is so ingrained in our culture is, in fact, carnism. 

But, my friends, the tide is turning as people are waking up and becoming more aware that, 

• We don’t have to consume animals to survive and thrive

• There are better and more humane ways to treat animals – ALL of which deserve respect and dignity

• And, we simply don’t have to act against our core values as empathetic human beings

Awareness is the first step and with awareness, we are better able to think freely and act compassionately, to create healthier and more fulfilling relationships and a more equitable and sustainable world.

Episode Timestamps

11:00 Melanie’s Journey to veganism

15:25 Helping us understand carnism and how we’re a part of this invisible belief system

19:48 Carnism conditions us to act against our core values of compassion and empathy

24:00 In one day, more farm animals are slaughtered than the total number of people killed in all wars throughout history

24:30 Why carnism is a system of oppression and was this a big master plan?

26:00 Examples of carnistic defense mechanisms - 

30:00 The Three “N” - normal, necessary, and natural 

32:40 How do we piece the veil of carnism and start to dismantle the system? When you become aware of the system, you’re much less likely to be hijacked by it.

38:00 Are there classes and resources to learn more and develop effective communication skills around these topics?

38:42 Are we in a “meatocracy?”

41:06 How can this be so invisible if it’s so pervasive?

46:00 Why self-care and self-compassion are so important for change 

50:58 How do we lower the bar for compassion and make it easier for people to make choices that align more with their values?

54:45 Is she hopeful about the future?

59:55 Are there countries around the world that are heading in the right direction?

1:05:15 carism.org truly is a service organization

 

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Episode Webpage

Buy Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows

Carnism.org

Center for Effective Vegan Advocacy

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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Imagine being in the absolute prime of your life - 21 years old, going to school at Stanford to study Mechanical Engineering, playing sports for hours on end…and then, ABRUPTLY, it comes to a screeching halt when you are diagnosed with not one, not two, but three autoimmune diseases within a matter of months.

Today’s guest, Cyrus Khambatta, went from “soccer stud” to “chronic disease patient” in the blink of an eye when he was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, alopecia, and Type 1 diabetes in 2002. 

Determined to understand everything he could about these diagnoses, especially his diabetes, he went back to school to learn the science, earning a Ph.D. in nutritional biochemistry from UC Berkeley. In 2020, he and his business partner, Robby Barbaro, co-authored the book, Mastering Diabetes: The Revolutionary Method to Reverse Insulin Resistance Permanently in Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.

An educated person is an empowered person and that’s our goal for today - to arm you with as much knowledge, research, and hope that you can master your diabetes with a whole foods plant-based diet that, yes, includes plenty of carbohydrates and rich diversity of luscious fruit. 

Rip and Cyrus Discuss:

• 00:00-22:00 Cyrus’s journey - How did he go from student to chronic patient in a matter of months?

• 22:40 Learning a new nutrition perspective from Doug Graham

• 27:00 Why he went back to school to find out if he was, “a freak of nature”

• 29:00 How can the medical establishment be so wrong with its recommendations?

• 33:45 Digging into the science - Let’s go!

• 34:50 What the heck is insulin resistance?

• 42:20 So, if sugar doesn’t always cause insulin resistance, what does?

• 53:20 What are the most dangerous fats and what effect do they have on insulin resistance?

• 57:19 The keto/paleo argument - why does it appear to work?

• 1:05:45 The Mastering Diabetes Way - Low Fat - 10-15% calories, 10-15% from protein, the rest should come from whole food, plant-based carbs

• 1:07:15 Plant-based, eat at least 90% of calories from whole plant foods

• 1:08:15 Keep your foods unprocessed or minimally processed

• 1:10:55 But, don’t I need fat to feed my brain? 

• 1:14:30 Do we need a minimum amount of fat?

• 1:20:00 Is diabetes a disability for Cyrus?

• 1:23:10 What percentage of the population is affected by the different types of diabetes?

• 1:29:30 Why he and Robby Barbara started the Mastering Diabetes Community

• 1:32:10 Is Alzheimer's now Type3 diabetes?

• 1:35:00 The importance of daily movement and exercise

• 1:42:50 What is the Hegsted equation?

• 1:47:10 Cyrus’s thoughts on the Glycemic Index

• 1:53:00 What about gluten?

• 1:57:00 Is he a fan of caffeine?

• 2:01:45 What does Cyrus eat in a day?

• 2:04:22 What is the worst thing about having Type 1 Diabetes?

• 2:04:04 What is the best thing about having Type 1 Diabetes?

• 2:08:00 Join the Mastering Diabetes Challenge!

Cyrus Khambatta may have a Ph.D., but today he’s here to help you master your diabetes.

Episode Resources:

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Mastering Diabetes Website

Join the Mastering Diabetes Challenge

Order the Mastering Diabetes Book 

Join our Sedona Plantstrong Retreat, October 10th-15th, 2022 - only three spots remain!

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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You know how my Mom and Sister just released their new book, Be a Plant-Based Woman Warrior? Well, Jennifer Stojkovic is one of those warriors.

 In 2020, she founded Vegan Women Summit (VWS), a global media and events platform focused on empowering women to build a kinder, more sustainable world. She also recently released the fabulous book, The Future of Food is Female, highlighting fifteen female leaders, innovators, and changemakers in the plant-based food space.

It is rare to find someone as passionate and driven as Jenny is to elevate, showcase, and promote women working in food tech.  As she writes, “Food system reform is the greatest challenge facing humanity today - and women are leading the charge and changing how we approach food.” 

Today, Jenny shares her unconventional route from Canada to Silicon Valley, and we highlight several of the changemakers in her book, along with the many projects she leads - including the Vegan Women’s Summit - her flagship event that returns in 2023 with a three-day event in New York City.

There is no doubt that the work she is doing today will provide a roadmap for future generations on how we approach food.

More About The Future of Food is Female

With exclusive interviews and original insights, The Future of Food is Female features a collection of cross-cultural stories from fifteen CEOs, venture capitalists, scientists, and trailblazers who are reinventing our food system and saving our planet.

From plant-based to cell-based innovation, artificial intelligence, and policymaking, women are leading this impactful industry and changing how we approach food.

This book shares their stories of advocacy within food tech and empowers future generations to learn, innovate, and change the world.

Episode Resources

Order The Future of Food is Female

Watch the Episode on YouTube

2023 Vegan Women’s Summit Details

Jennifer Stojkovic Website

PLANTSTRONG Pizza Guide

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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We’re here to make PLANTSTRONG living as simple as possible and one of the topics we receive a ton of questions about is batch cooking, or prepping food for the week all at once. 

Well, as the kids head back to school and we enter into Fall activities season, I wanted to talk to one of the experts about her game-changer appliance in batch cooking - the Instant Pot®. 

Pam Kropf, known as TrailMomma on Instagram, is a long-time PLANTSTRONG athlete, a busy mother of two active kids, and in between her own training and coaching, she also works a full-time job. 

She is the definition of time-starved, which is why we could think of no better person to have on this episode to talk about how she uses the Instant Pot® to make delicious, easy, and fast meals for her family.

We dish on:

• How to get started with the basics in your Instant Pot®. Not ready to cook a full meal? No problem! Use it to cook oats, rice, or quinoa for the week (3 parts water/liquid to 1 part grain). The “set it and forget it” aspect is great for a busy schedule

• The many benefits of the Instant Pot® vs. Using Your Stove

• How fast does it really cook?

• What are some easy go-to recipes for a family that is also constantly on-the-go?

  We discuss this and more, so if you’ve had your Instant Pot® in a box since the holidays, it’s time to break it out and get cooking!  

  Episode Resources

  Episode Webpage with Pics and Recipes

  Watch the Episode on YouTube

  Follow Pam on Instagram: @trailmomma

  Pam’s Favorite Instant Pot® Recipes

   

  PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Only 8 spots remain! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat. 

  To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

  Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

  We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

  Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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It’s time to live fierce, stay bold, and eat deliciously with my Mom, Ann, and sister, Jane Esselstyn! 

That’s right, we’re celebrating the release of their new book, Be a Plant-Based Woman Warrior, which is out and available now.

It’s always a party with these two and I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to be with them in person just a few weeks ago when we were all together at the Esselstyn Family Farm. You know what that means – it can get a little nutty when the three of us are together because that Esselstyn feistiness is ALIVE and WELL!

Be a Plant-Based Woman Warrior isn’t your typical cookbook. Truly, it’s a peek into our family history with stories, photos, quotes, and recipes from three generations of Esselstyns. Mostly, this book pays homage to the people who started it all - my parents - for forging and navigating that undiscovered path of plant-based nutrition at a time when no one understood how vital it was (including me and my siblings).

Here we all are decades later and I’m so proud to sit with Jane and Ann and share some of the inspiration and recipes with you today. My Mother has been called the “Julia Child of Plant-Based cooking” and you’ll see why after you dig through some of the recipes and photos in this gorgeous book. This truly is a fun and inspiring message of hope for all women to improve their own health so that they remain strong, bold, and fierce in body and mind!

(and let’s face it – there aren’t many people MORE fierce than Jane and Ann!)

More About Be a Plant-Based Woman Warrior

At eighty-six and fifty-six, respectively, Ann and Jane are pictures of ageless health and vibrancy and spend their days hiking, doing yoga, gardening, cooking, and spreading the message that diet is the key to living a happy, strong, and disease-free life. Be a Plant-Based Woman Warrior explains how women everywhere can pass on this important legacy in their own families through the generations, and illuminates how plants powerfully support a woman’s body and mind. This cookbook is a call to action and a message of hope for any and all to be Plant-Based Women Warriors filled with vitality and in control of their own health.

Episode Resources

Order Be a Plant-Based Woman Warrior

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Episode Website

Jane Esselstyn’s Website

Jane and Ann’s YouTube Channel

11th Annual Plant-Stock - Reserve Your Ticket Now!

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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Ocean Robbins, was born a changemaker. Recently, his Dad John Robbins (author of Diet for a New America and other great books) was on the podcast, and the response from that episode was overwhelming. Many of you wrote in to say just how moved you were by John’s authenticity and his willingness to walk away from the Baskin Robbins fortune to forge his own “rocky road” of happiness without the strappings of running a multi-million dollar company that simply didn’t align with his values.

John and his wife built a one-room cabin in Canada and had a son. That son, now 48-year-old, Oceans is “a chocolate chip” off the old block of his father. As co-founder and CEO of The Food Revolution Network, Ocean thrives as an active author, activist, educator, and speaker.

His goal? To educate and inspire people to bring their life and food choices more in alignment with their values to create a more healthy and loving world.

From his very first peace rally at the age of seven, to his own natural bakery business at the age of 10, all the way through his non-profits and speaking tours in high school and beyond, it’s obvious that Ocean is living his purpose to be a beacon of love and kindness - hoping to bridge the gaps that separate us and, instead, shine a bright light on our commonalities as humans and stewards of this wonderful earth.

More About Ocean Robbins

Ocean Robbins is the CEO and co-founder of the 500,000+ member Food Revolution Network — one of the largest communities of healthy eating advocates on the planet. He has held hundreds of live seminars and events that have touched millions of lives from 190 nations.

Ocean is founder and was director of the nonprofit YES!, which has led transformational events for 650,000 leaders in 65 nations. He’s a recipient of the national Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service, the Freedom’s Flame Award, the Harmon Wilkinson Award, and numerous other honors. Ocean has served as adjunct professor for Chapman University, and on the boards of Friends Of The Earth, Creating Our Future, Tipping Point Network, Turning Tide Coalition, and many other organizations.

Ocean’s grandfather founded Baskin-Robbins, and his father, John Robbins, walked away from the family company and ice cream fortune to write bestsellers, including Diet for a New America, and to become a renowned health advocate. Now, Ocean is on a mission to transform the industrialized food culture into one that celebrates and supports healthy people and a healthy planet, and he’s inviting YOU to join the food revolution.

Ocean's been seen by hundreds of millions in TV, radio, online, and in-person appearances.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Ocean Robbins Website - Author, Speaker, Food Revolutionary

Food Revolution Network Website

Order the 31-Day Food Revolution Book 


11th Annual Plant-Stock - Reserve Your Ticket Now!

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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Dr. Dawn Mussallem is a board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician at the Mayo Clinic Jacoby Center for Breast Health where she works with breast cancer patients during and after their diagnosis to heal and thrive using the pillars of lifestyle medicine alongside their conventional cancer treatments.

Dawn has many remarkable stories of patient recovery, but the biggest recovery story of all is her own. You see, in addition to being a physician, teacher, wife, and mother, Mussallem is also a cancer survivor, 2021 heart transplant recipient, and as of February 2022, she's also a marathon finisher!

It's a story you simply have to hear to believe and her passion and positivity will leave a lasting impact. Not only does she acknowledge her family and faith in this decades-long journey, but she also credits her whole foods plant-based diet with her ability to thrive and train with a renewed sense of purpose and boundless energy. It's a life force she brings both to her life and the lives of the patients she works with on a daily basis.

Episode Resources

PLANTSTRONG Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Become an Organ Donor

Mayo Clinic News Network Story on Dawn

Dawn's Journey from Cancer Survivor to Heart Transplant Recipient

Running to a New Beat - Heart transplant recipient to mark 1-year anniversary with marathon

11th Annual Plant-Stock - Reserve Your Ticket Now!

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

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Imagine a world where we can all come together to heal…heal ourselves, heal each other, and heal the planet. I know, it sounds virtually impossible, but it isn’t, and that time is now with the leadership of Sailesh Rao, founder of Climate Healers.

Sailesh Rao is one of the most intelligent, compassionate, and passionate people on the planet. 

Dr. Rao is actually one of the brains behind the high-speed internet and high-def communication we enjoy today. But, in 2006, after hearing Al Gore speak of our climate crisis, he switched careers and became deeply immersed, full-time, in solving the environmental crises affecting humanity.

Through his organization, Climate Healers, he invites us all to become V.E.G.A.N. – that is, Vitally Engaged Guardians of Animals and Nature.

And, here’s something that parents and grandparents can relate to. In 2010, Sailesh made a pinky promise to his granddaughter to do whatever he could to put an end to animal cruelty and to heal the climate – by 2026.  But, he can’t do it alone.

He invites all of us to come together and help spread the message that all life is ONE family, and like a caterpillar emerges from its cocoon as a gorgeous butterfly, it’s time for us to also emerge and evolve into something as beautiful – for the sake of our planet. 

Episode Resources

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Climate Healers Website

Unity Stew Recipe

V-COP Details

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Dr. Doug Lisle - the esteemed evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - is attending our upcoming Sedona Retreat to give three of his paradigm shifting lectures that help us understand all the forces working against us in our quest to live plantstrong. Once you SEE the system we live in - you can’t UNSEE it. And Dr. Lisle is a master in giving us language and tools to set ourselves on a permanent path to success. And great news! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat. 

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We are thrilled to welcome Jessica Hegarty back to PLANTSTRONG Snackables after her maternity leave.

In addition to being a new Mom to her beautiful daughter, Ellie, Jessica leads product innovation for the PLANTSTRONG food line, so she always has the latest trends, food ideas, and tasty tidbits right on the tip of her tongue!

Today, Rip and Jess talk all things asparagus. They dish on this veggie that was once known as, “The aristocrat of veggies” and the “food of kings!”

You’ll learn about:

• The three different types of asparagus

• Why it’s so darn healthy

• Ideas on how to grill and season this nutritious veggie

• Tips for storing and keeping it fresh

• An explanation of why (if you’re one of the lucky ones) it makes your pee smell…well…unique!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Snackables episode without a new recipe and Jessica whips up a delicious PLANTSTRONG hollandaise sauce - perfect as a topper for your next family meal or cookout that features the almighty asparagus.

Episode Timestamps

1:45 Rip welcomes Jess back from maternity Leave

8:50 What’s up with that smell?!

13:15 Rip’s history of asparagus

17:48 How many types of asparagus are there, and what are the differences?!

22:00 Tips for storing asparagus to keep it fresh and crispy

23:45 How to choose the freshest asparagus in the market

25:40 How does Rip grill his asparagus?

26:45 Tips on seasoning your asparagus

30:45 The proper way to eat asparagus

31:20 Jess’s WFPB Holy Cow Hollandaise recipe and demo!

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Episode URL for full recipe and video

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Dr. Doug Lisle - the esteemed evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - is attending our upcoming Sedona Retreat to give three of his paradigm-shifting lectures that help us understand all the forces working against us in our quest to live plantstrong. Once you SEE the system we live in - you can’t UNSEE it. And Dr. Lisle is a master in giving us language and tools to set ourselves on a permanent path to success. And great news! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat.

Theme Music for Episode

We’ve all heard the phrase, “You can’t change others. You can only change yourself.”

It’s really frustrating when the people we care about are behaving in self-defeating ways (especially with their health and well-being), and when we try to talk to them about it, we just make things worse.

Our guest today, Howie Jacobson, is here to tell you, you CAN change people - not by force, shame, or guilt - but by becoming a supportive ally.

You may know Howie as the long-time host of the Plant Yourself podcast, and he’s also the co-author of some groundbreaking books including Whole by T.Colin Campbell, Proteinaholic with Dr. Garth Davis, and Sick to Fit with Josh Lajaunie.

His most recent book, “You CAN Change Other People: The Four Steps to Help Employees, Colleagues—Even Family—Up Their Game,” co-authored with Peter Bregman, outlines four steps to helping people change.

If you care about people around you who are eating poorly, not taking care of themselves, or not reaching their potential, Howie is here to help.

Episode Timestamps

11:22 People don’t resist change. They resist BEING changed.

12:55 What does it mean to really help people change their behavior?

“We can use techniques and approaches to allow people to make different decisions.”

14:05 Step 1: Shift from a Critic to an Ally - "I’m here to help you if you want my help." -empathize -express confidence in them -ask for permission

22:50 Be prepared for them to say, “No thanks.”

25:25 Step 2: Find the Positive Outcome - What would you like to happen? What would it look like?

31:30 Step 3: Find a Golden Opportunity - What can you do right now?

41:06 Step 4: What’s the Plan?

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Episode Web Page

Order You Can Change People: The Four Steps to Help Your Colleagues, Employees—Even Family—Up Their Game

Plant Yourself Podcast

Ask Howie - Business Coaching Website

To stock up on the best-tasting, most convenient, 100% PLANTSTRONG foods, check out all of our PLANTSTRONG products HERE.

Give us a like on the PLANTSTRONG Facebook Page and check out what being PLANSTRONG is all about. We always keep it stocked full of new content and updates, tips for healthy living, delicious recipes, and you can even catch me LIVE on there!

We’ve also got an Instagram! Check us out and share your favorite PLANTSTRONG products and why you love it! Don’t forget to tag us using #goplantstrong 🌱💪

Want to live your best PLANTSTRONG life? Join our exclusive PLANTSTRONG Community of friendly, plant-loving peeps! This is a goldmine of resources, recipes, and incredible support to feed your PLANTSTRONG life.

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Dr. Doug Lisle - the esteemed evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - is attending our upcoming Sedona Retreat to give three of his paradigm shifting lectures that help us understand all the forces working against us in our quest to live plantstrong. Once you SEE the system we live in - you can’t UNSEE it. And Dr. Lisle is a master in giving us language and tools to set ourselves on a permanent path to success. And great news! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat.

Theme Music for Episode

Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0

Dr. John McDougall was drawn to medicine because of his own health “fate.” At 18, he suffered a massive stroke and was an anomaly to the doctors in Michigan who wanted to explore “why” and “how” this could happen to someone so young.

This health scare inspired his own journey to become a doctor, which eventually led McDougall and his wife, Mary, to Hawaii to practice medicine on a sugar plantation in Hawaii and service over 5,000 residents. What he saw there changed the course of his medical practice forever.

The healthiest people on the island, the first-generation elders who had come from China, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines, were the healthiest and most vibrant people…still active, with no medications, and still in bodies fit for movement. It was their children and grandchildren, however, those second and third generations, that were struggling.

Why? They had adopted a western diet of meat, dairy, and processed foods. 

The secret, Dr. McDougall discovered, was STARCH. Those healthy islanders subsisted on a diet comprised mostly of rice, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits and THAT inspired the work he does today through his McDougall programs and education.

Beyond diet, the McDougalls are also dedicated to informing citizens about the positive effects of dietary therapy on chronic disease and our Planet. Animal agriculture, as we’re learning, is also one of the main culprits contributing to climate change and we discuss all of his “four deadly dietary deceptions” outlined at mcdougallfoundation.org.

It’s an inspiring conversation from one of the legends and it was an honor to sit down with Dr. John McDougall.

Episode Timestamps

6:00 Rip introduces Paul

10:04 Dr. Nathan Pritikin - Dr. McDougall’s inspiration

12:05 The health incident that changed his life forever

16:50 We all suffer from food poisoning - animal foods and vegetable oil

19:00 99.9% of humans are “starchivores”

25:30 Why 1980 was a turning point for nutrition, food research, and technology

32:00 Pioneers and mentors of Dr. McDougall in the early days, including Henry Heimlich

34:30 Four Deadly Dietary Deceptions - #1 Protein

35:20 #2 Calcium - Osteoporosis is an excess of protein?!

40:33 #3 Omega 3 fatty acids - Where do the fish get them? Plants!

49:05 #4 Starch - Why has is become so vilified? Starch does NOT make you fat. Here’s why.

1:06:40 Dr. McDougall addresses the myth - As we age, we just get fatter and sicker

1:08:00 Myth #2 - A well-balanced diet is the best

1:10:00 is Dr. McDougall optimistic about the future of our health and planet?

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official unsalted broths- and our growing assortment of other delicious products made without oil, added sugar, or excessive sodium.

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Dr. Doug Lisle - the esteemed evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - is attending our upcoming Sedona Retreat to give three of his paradigm-shifting lectures that help us understand all the forces working against us in our quest to live plantstrong. Once you SEE the system we live in - you can’t UNSEE it. And Dr. Lisle is a master in giving us language and tools to set ourselves on a permanent path to success. And great news! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat. 

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community 

McDougall Foundation Website

Dr. McDougall Website

Meer.org

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Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0

Paul Young is a hero. He's a husband, father of three, and has been a firefighter in Southern California for 17 years. He LOVES his life and his job.

Imagine his surprise when he had his annual firefighting physical and received results that frightened him: 243 total cholesterol, 173 LDL, and a heart calcium score of 104, which put him in the 90th percentile in his age for a cardiac event.

As Paul says, he thought he was healthy and had dabbled with whole-food plant-based nutrition but, after thoughtful consideration, realized he was still consuming too many processed foods, cheese, and seafood, and wasn't "all-in."

Earlier this year, Paul went ALL IN and, in just a few short weeks, the results astonished even his Doctor. It inspired Paul to reach out to Rip.

Paul graciously shares his story with Rip, his "why" wanting to improve his health, his doctor’s reaction when those follow-up tests came back, and what this means for his life and his family now. I can promise you - there’s no turning back for this firefighting brother who ditched the meat-and-potato firehouse culture for tofu and broccoli!

Episode Timestamps

6:00 Rip introduces Paul

11:14 Almost 90% of his calls are medical calls and not fires!

13:10 What happened at his annual fire department physical?

15:07 Why he didn't want to take statins

16:21 The pitfalls of moderation

17:30 The results speak for themselves!

21:30 Feeling empowered and in control, despite a family history

22:50 A day in the life of Paul's diet

25:00 Reactions from the firehouse and the family

28:45 What happened when he found out his white blood cell count was low

31:15 What's next for this firefighting athlete?

35:40 Paul's advice for fellow firefighters

Episode Resources

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Dr. Doug Lisle - the esteemed evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - is attending our upcoming Sedona Retreat to give three of his paradigm-shifting lectures that help us understand all the forces working against us in our quest to live plantstrong. Once you SEE the system we live in - you can’t UNSEE it. And Dr. Lisle is a master in giving us language and tools to set ourselves on a permanent path to success. And great news! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat.

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official unsalted broths- and our growing assortment of other delicious products made without oil, added sugar, or excessive sodium.

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

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Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0

After practicing medicine for several years and raising two children who were officially off to college, Dr. Melissa Sundermann decided it was time to pursue her own passions and expand her knowledge and scope of practice. 

While she loved being an internal medicine physician in Ann Arbor, Michigan, she wasn’t fulfilled by the revolving door aspect of the system - quick appointments, multiple patients, and prescription-based treatment. 

So, Melissa did what we all do when we’re searching for an answer - she went to Google. Lo and behold, she discovered Lifestyle Medicine and knew instantly that she had found her calling - helping people treat and prevent diseases through the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: movement, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky behaviors, positive social connections, and of course a whole-foods plant predominant diet. 

In this episode, she shares some of the advice and resources she gives to her patients who come in for lifestyle consultations and the great impact she is able to make in her patients’ lives. She also talks in-depth about the benefits of a whole food plant-based diet and the pillars of lifestyle medicine for women in perimenopause and menopause, and how she puts these pillars into practice in her own life. 

Dr. Sundermann helps patients reach their health and longevity potential at any age and I know you’ll love her enthusiasm and zest for life. She is living her dream so that you can live yours.

Episode Timestamps

3:20 Dr. Sundermann’s Introduction and a House Transitioning! 

5:10 Dr. Sundermann’s inspiration for becoming a Doctor

8:30 What exactly does an Internal Medicine do?

13:45 Google to the Rescue!

22:20 The Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine - #1 Nutrition

23:05 #2 Movement 

24:05 #3 Restorative Sleep

28:14 #4 Avoidance of Risky Behaviors - Smoking, Alcohol

29:10 #5 Stress Management - Managing Cortisol with Breathing Exercises

31:25 #6 Social Connection

32:40 Bonus #7 FRESH AIR

33:15 Promising research and advice for treating symptoms related to the perimenopause and menopause transition

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official unsalted broths- and our growing assortment of other delicious products made without oil, added sugar, or excessive sodium .

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Dr. Doug Lisle - the esteemed evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - is attending our upcoming Sedona Retreat to give three of his paradigm shifting lectures that help us understand all the forces working against us in our quest to live plantstrong. Once you SEE the system we live in - you can’t UNSEE it. And Dr. Lisle is a master in giving us language and tools to set ourselves on a permanent path to success. And great news! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat. 

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

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Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0

In honor of Father’s Day, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. back on the podcast to answer YOUR questions.

He answers questions related to cholesterol, exercise, sodium, fat, atrial fibrillation, the best diagnostic tests, and – of course – how to build an ENDOTHELIUM FORTRESS.

The best Father's Day gift is sharing the wisdom and knowledge of this pioneer so let’s get right to it.

Episode Timestamps

4:50 It’s Showtime!

5:55 I’m 100% plant-based, but have high cholesterol. Do I still need statins?

8:30 What is the best diagnostic test to see if my arteries are clogged?

9:52 Question about sodium consumption. The data is so confusing!

12:50 What are the best heart health tests I should take at 50?

14:15 LPa - What is it, and how can I improve it?

16:00 How do I build an endothelial fortress and lower my triglycerides?

18:15 Atrial fibrillation - Can it be reversed via diet?

21:45 Could I potentially have familial hypercholesterolemia?

26:39 Talk about the role of fats in a plant-based diet. Aren't some fats healthy?

31:30 What is your opinion on meds for clotting and atrial fibrillation?

33:30 Could I impact familial hypercholesterolemia with a whole foods plant-based diet?

34:14 Opinions on cardio exercise? Can too much be bad?

37:00 Can my HDL be too high?

44:05 How can I best treat mild atherosclerosis?

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Order Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr.

Dr. Esselstyn’s Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Program Website

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official unsalted broths- and our growing assortment of other delicious products made without oil, added sugar, or excessive sodium.

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Dr. Doug Lisle - the esteemed evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - is attending our upcoming Sedona Retreat to give three of his paradigm-shifting lectures that help us understand all the forces working against us in our quest to live plantstrong. Once you SEE the system we live in - you can’t UNSEE it. And Dr. Lisle is a master in giving us language and tools to set ourselves on a permanent path to success. And great news! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat.

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Save $10 off the annual membership with the code: PLANTSTRONG

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods, and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

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Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0

I’m excited to introduce you to a PLANTSTRONG brother, Shane Martin.

A southern boy through and through, Shane was a football-loving kid, who was born and raised in Mississippi with stints along the way in Nashville, Georgia, Alabama, and other areas as a musician.

Life’s demands and raising five children superseded his health and, over a span of several years, he found himself overweight, desperately out of shape, and miserable. He knew he needed to make changes but just wasn’t ready. Doctors even gave him plenty of warnings, but most went ignored.

All of that changed when he watched “Forks over Knives” and read The Engine 2 Diet book. He went “cold kale,” picked up the plants, and transformed his life and career. Today, he is the founder and creator of recipes at his site shaneandsimple.com. 

As he says, “I’m just your average, ordinary guy who makes plant-based cooking casual, easy, and delicious. I don’t use fancy equipment and I don’t use fancy ‘chef speak.’ I’m a normal dude who loves to cook and eat good food that happens to be completely plant-based.

Well, this “ordinary dude” has done some extraordinary things for the whole-foods, plant-based revolution.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Episode Webpage

Shane and Simple Website

PLANTSTRONG Foods 

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Dr. Doug Lisle - the esteemed evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - is attending our upcoming Sedona Retreat to give three of his paradigm-shifting lectures that help us understand all the forces working against us in our quest to live plantstrong. Once you SEE the system we live in - you can’t UNSEE it. And Dr. Lisle is a master in giving us language and tools to set ourselves on a permanent path to success. And great news! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat. 

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Save $10 off the annual membership with the code: PLANTSTRONG

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

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Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0

We are living in chaotic and challenging times and so much feels out of our control.

This week’s interview also comes at a perfect time because, in the midst of stress and uncertainty, Julieanna Hever invites you to choose yourself again and again, especially if you’re stuck in the cycle of stress eating, yo-yo dieting, and dizzying life schedules.

As the O.G. plant-based dietitian, Julieanna has worked with thousands of clients to lose weight for the last time, and many of these lessons are found in her most recent book, The Choose You Now Diet.

Rip and Julieanna discuss:

• Her ten tenets to sustainable weight loss

• Exactly how to calculate your goal weight and set a realistic timeframe for weight loss

• How to stop counting macros and calories, and start counting "days of deliciousness"

• Her "six daily threes" of must-have daily nutrition

• Why it's important to keep a journal and express gratitude

Julieanna encourages you to be free of shame and guilt and, instead, replace it with joy and gratitude all while enjoying copious amounts of beautiful plant-based nutrition.

We could all use a little more joy.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Julieannaa, the OG plant-based dietitian

6:10 Her lifelong motivation for writing Choose You Now

12:07 The Modern Trifecta of Temptation - There’s nothing sexy about losing weight

15:20 Ten Tenets to Sustainable Weight Loss

15:57 Identifying Your Why

17:00 "Be a lighthouse instead of a tugboat"

19:00 Find your goal weight - Hamwi Calculator

20:54 Set a timeline

24:45 Eat a whole plant-based foods diet, avoid fatphobia, and stop counting macros

29:00 How to recognize true hunger and satiety

38:35 Don’t break the seal - know your triggers and learn how to avoid those tempting foods

42:15 Stop counting!

44:30 Set a schedule and embrace repetition

49:45 Monitor meal volume

51:50 Why Julieanna wants you to get on the scale daily

57:30 Rip digs into some of the mouth-watering recipes

1:03:25 Why Julieanna recommends a break from exercise when you’re trying to lose rapid-fire weight

1:06:09 The benefits of keeping a food journal

1:07:70 Maintenance Phase - getting off the roller coaster for good

1:11:05 Julieanna’s "Six Daily 3s"

1:18:00 How to enjoy a "day of deliciousness" - and stop having “cheat days”

1:20:10 Focus on the things you’re grateful for and write them down. Gratitude makes good things expand

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Julieanna Hever's Website

Order Choose You Now

Hamwi Weightloss Calculator

PLANTSTRONG Foods - Check out our growing assortment of insanely delicious, 100% whole food plant-based products at plantstrongfoods.com. Save 10% off your first order with the code RIP10

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Dr. Doug Lisle - the esteemed evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - is attending our upcoming Sedona Retreat to give three of his paradigm-shifting lectures that help us understand all the forces working against us in our quest to live plantstrong. Once you SEE the system we live in - you can’t UNSEE it. And Dr. Lisle is a master in giving us language and tools to set ourselves on a permanent path to success. And great news! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat.

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Save $10 off the annual membership with the code: PLANTSTRONG

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

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Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0

Raise your hand if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, acid reflux, or other GI issues. Sadly, it seems like it’s just become part of our daily eating routine. Eat crappy (no pun intended) food, feel terrible, take a pill, get some relief, and do it all over again.

You can start to break that painful cycle when you begin consuming more nourishing plant foods with, you guessed it – FIBER. 

In her latest book, Good for Your Gut, registered dietitian, Desiree Nielsen, shares how to fuel gut health with anti-inflammatory plant-based foods and lifestyle strategies— from movement to managing stress—for a truly PLANTSTRONG approach to health and wellness.

From a nutrition perspective, Desiree explains the gut health and mind/body connection and shares some of her favorite (and creative) recipes to help protect, soothe, and heal your gut health.

Desiree even shares her “Big Three” vital foods to include every day for a healthy gut. 

It’s becoming obvious just how important overall gut health is for everyone, even if you don’t suffer from GI issues. A well-functioning gut means a healthy body, a healthy mind, and an iron-clad immune system. 

About Desiree Nielsen

Desiree is a registered dietitian with a focus on plant-based nutrition and gut health, host of The Allsorts Podcast, and author of Good For Your Gut, a cookbook on digestive health. Her practice focus is complex, chronic digestive and inflammatory disease and plant-based approaches to optimal health.

 

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Desiree’s Website

Desiree’s Instagram

Order Good for Your Gut

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official unsalted broths- and our growing assortment of other delicious products made without oil, added sugar, or excessive sodium. Save 10% off your first order with the code RIP10.

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat. 

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Save $10 off the annual membership with the code: PLANTSTRONG

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

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Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0

Dr. B is back! That’s right. Everyone’s favorite fiber-loving broc-star, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, is back to celebrate the release of his latest book, The Fiber Fueled Cookbook: Inspiring Plant-Based Recipes to Turbocharge Your Health.

Dr. B burst onto the scene just a few years ago when his book, Fiber Fueled, hit the New York Times Best Sellers List. This groundbreaking book was a guide to optimizing the gut microbiome and improving your health through a diet rich in diverse fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. 

His new book, The Fiber Fueled Cookbook, goes the extra mile and tells you HOW to train your gut to take on more fabulous fiber with delicious recipes and meal ideas. He even lays out a personalized GROWTH strategy for understanding common gut issues and how to treat them effectively. 

Don’t be one of the 19 out of 20 people who are fiber deficient. Train your gut the right way and stop fearing the foods that could help you the most.

About Dr. Will Bulsiewicz

Will Bulsiewicz, MD MSCI, (a.k.a. Dr. B) is a board certified gastroenterologist and gut health expert. Every day, he helps patients and members of his #plantfed community bounce back from restrictive and over-hyped diets, and into a whole new way of living and eating that produces the results they really want…permanently. At the core of his philosophy is what he calls “lifestyle medicine,” that uses food, exercise, and other lifestyle factors to optimize your gut, get you back in control of your health. Through Fiber Fueled and his free tools, Dr. B breaks it down for you, piece by digestible piece, so you can take the simple steps that will help you create incredible shifts in your digestion, symptoms, and life.

Rip sings, dances, and raps with the legendary Chef AJ as they celebrate the 10th anniversary and re-release of her book, “Unprocessed - Revitalize Your Health with Whole Foods.”

Chef AJ shares:

• Memories of meeting the Esselstyns for the first time

• Her early TV appearances on Johnny Carson and the Gong Show as a comedian

• How she accidentally created a daily YouTube talk show at the start of the pandemic that is now nearing 1000 daily live episodes!

• Her own difficult health journey that is both gut-wrenching and inspiring for anyone seeking lasting change

• Creating sustainable weight loss and why every day should be a "treat day"

• Why calorie density unlocks the key to a healthy weight

• Her favorite kitchen utensils and meals

Through humor, stories, and her gorgeous recipes, she knows how to educate about sustainable weight loss in a way that is both simple and yet so profound. 

Episode Timestamps

10:45 Chef AJ’s Pandemic Pivot into a YouTube Star

13:40 Want to hear AJ's phone message?

15:10 What was it like to appear on Johnny Carson and the Gong Show?

18:50 Why Chef AJ prefers “plant-exclusive” over “plant-based”

20:38 The 10th Anniversary of Unprocessed is now available! What's new? 

25:30 Chef AJ’s emotional backstory

31:20 Does she *really *love to cook?

34:14 Her Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss and Calorie Density Explanation

44:35 Rip and Chef AJ talk about The C’s of Ultimate Weight Loss Success 

46:20 Finding the Why that Makes You Cry

50:22 Consistency - “You don’t need a cheat day because every day is a treat day.”

53:05 Compliance or adherence

54:45 Community - finding a buddy or a coach

1:01:10 What are Chef AJ’s must-haves for the kitchen?

1:04:00 What Chef AJ eats in a day

1:20:00 Her personal favorite recipes

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Episode Webpage

Chef AJ's Website

Chef AJ's YouTube Channel

Order the new edition of "Unprocessed"

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official unsalted broths- and our growing assortment of other delicious products made without oil, added sugar, or excessive sodium.

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Dr. Doug Lisle - the esteemed evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - is attending our upcoming Sedona Retreat to give three of his paradigm-shifting lectures that help us understand all the forces working against us in our quest to live plantstrong. Once you SEE the system we live in - you can’t UNSEE it. And Dr. Lisle is a master in giving us language and tools to set ourselves on a permanent path to success. And great news! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat. 

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Save $10 off the annual membership with the code: PLANTSTRONG

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

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Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0

We’ve created a society that makes everything so simple.

With the push of a button, we can have highly-processed food, entertainment, and all of the excess we can handle (and even some we can’t). This has led to unprecedented levels of disease, despair, and death.

We are caught in the pleasure trap.

But there is good news. We DO have the power to override these temptations and allow our bodies to heal.

In November 1984, Dr. Alan Goldhamer opened the True North Health Center. They create a health-promoting environment through an SOS-Free Diet (that’s salt, oil, and sugar) and water-only fasting.

As you can imagine, this monitored approach to healing was once seen as complete quackery. Today? Because of the data, peer-reviewed studies, and astonishing results, fasting, and fasting-mimicking diets are now considered mainstream.

Today, Dr. Goldhamer explains how and why it really is healthy to give your body a chance to rest, reboot, and break some of those physiological addictive behaviors that are keeping us sick.

Episode Timestamps

00:00-06:45 Introduction to Dr. Alan Goldhamer, founder of True North Health Center

09:00 What exactly is intermittent fasting?

12:15 Origins of True North and Dr. Goldhamer's friendship with Dr. Doug Lisle

19:15 Emerging data showing benefits of fasting in healthy people as disease prevention

19:56 What is an SOS-Free diet?

23:10 93% of our food is WHAT???

24:00 What is the pleasure trap, and why were we born to seek pleasure?

29:24 What is The Law of Satiation and how does it affect our eating habits?

36:15 Promising research of fasting implications on tumor growth

37:10 Is there a special type of water consumed when fasting?

37:56 Unique physiological effects of water-only fasting

40:48 The Motivational Triad and how The Pleasure Trap still holds up today

44:30 Why it's vital to rest when fasting

48:00 Dr. Goldhamer's opinion on keto and paleo diets

50:35 What really motivates people to make a change?

53:00 How do you keep people on plan and remain compliant?

58:00 Recommended supplements from Dr. Goldhamer

1:00:48 Organic vs. Conventional foods?

1:03:04 Does Dr. Goldhamer fast?

1:05:18 Fasting impacts on Autoimmune disease

Episode Resources

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

True North Health Center Website

True North Health Foundation - Advancing knowledge and awareness of therapeutic water-only fasting

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - Dr. Doug Lisle - the esteemed evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - is attending our upcoming Sedona Retreat to give three of his paradigm-shifting lectures that help us understand all the forces working against us in our quest to live plantstrong. Once you SEE the system we live in - you can’t UNSEE it. And Dr. Lisle is a master in giving us language and tools to set ourselves on a permanent path to success. And great news! Our Sedona retreat has been approved for 21.5 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants. And 21.5 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses…. And 2.2 CEUs for other healthcare professionals as part of the registration fee for our PLANTSTRONG Retreat.

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Save $10 off the annual membership with the code: PLANTSTRONG

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis, and broths!

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

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Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0

One of our favorite quotes on the PLANTSTRONG team is, “It’s the Food, It’s the Food. It’s the Food!” 

Well, today, it really is all about the food with guest, Chef Stephanie Michalak White - Lead Chef Instructor of Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Plant-Based Degree Program. 

From an early age, Stephanie was inspired and motivated to make a difference in the food industry. She's worked in a variety of establishments, including small businesses, pop-ups, catering, and farm-to-table restaurants.

Not only is she passionate about cooking plantstrong food, but she’s also equally passionate about sustainability, ending food insecurities, and optimizing self-care - which are things we at PLANTSTRONG care deeply about.

Today, she shares with us some of her favorite grains, green leafies, veggies, must-have tools, and appliances for any kitchen, and she even shares a special recipe for her sweet potato brownies!

It’s a fun foodie chat with one of the most sought-after chefs and culinary instructors in the plant-based space.

Episode Timestamps

04:15 Welcome to Stephanie and the origins of her unique maiden name

06:05 How her love of plants started with her grandparents

09:45 When and why Stephanie was motivated to become vegan

19:08 Chef Stephanie’s area of focus on food insecurities in higher education

24:50 How she landed at Escoffier and the genesis of their plant-based culinary program?

26:55 How are the online courses being received and the many benefits of online education

29:08 Diversity of demographics at Escoffier and the plant-based program

30:11 Who was Auguste Escoffier? Father of Modern Cooking - History of the School of Culinary Arts

32:22 Why do people become chefs?

36:20 Chef Stephanie’s recommendations on basic cooking utensils for every kitchen

39:40 Stephanie gives Rip eggplant-inspired ideas (his least-favorite veg!)

42:41 Favorite squashes, rice, grains, and leafy greens

51:50 How would Chef Stephanie cook for firefighters?

54:00 Stephanie’s Sweet-Potato brownie recipe

56:10 Mango love and how best to cut and peel those tough fruits

59:45 Making Stephanie choose between chicken, cheese, or eggs!

1:01:57 How to keep plant-based food economical

1:05:00 Reducing excessive amounts of sodium in cooking

1:10:10 Favorite sweeteners and sugars for baking and cooking

 

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Email for Chef Stephanie: smichalak@staff.escoffier.edu

Chef Stephanie's Sweet Potato Brownie Recipe

PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - A lifetime and transformative vacation awaits

PLANTSTRONG Coaching - Our PLANTSTRONG Coaching Program is designed to help you to apply the principles of whole food, plant-based nutrition: removing all animal products, oil, refined sugar, and excess sodium from your eating plan. In addition, we will provide dozens of tools to elevate and accelerate your success while surrounding you with one fiercely supportive and nurturing community. 

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis and broths!

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

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License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

John Robbins is an absolute trailblazer whose story and mission really go beyond the kale. Imagine being born into incredible wealth - private schools, country clubs, a 14,000 square foot home with multiple three-car garages, and family yachts at your fingertips. Now, imagine walking away from that extravagant life on purpose and with a purpose.

John Robbins followed the call of his conscience and walked away from the family business, the Baskin Robbins Ice Cream empire, and moved to a remote island seeking greater purpose and meaning in life. He knew he wanted to be in service to mother earth and the planet.

His first book, the 1987 Diet for a New America was truly groundbreaking and decades ahead of its time. It was and is one of the quintessential books that tie together the impact of foods on your health, your happiness, and the planet.

John has gone on to write nine books and, today, he shares stories about a few of those, including, The New Good Life- Living Better Than Ever in an Age of Less. His life stories run the gamut of emotions from heartbreaking and joyful, to educational and inspirational.

John Robbins has chosen compassion over consumption at every turn and, after today’s episode, you’ll be more than inspired to do the same.

Episode Highlights

7:50 John had polio as a child - how he adapted and 'muscled up' for vitality and strength

12:05 John’s Baskin Robbins origin story - how he followed the call of his conscience

15:45 John questions the link between the poor health of his family and the ice cream empire

20:00 How a chance book recommendation from his father's cardiologist changed everything for John’s father’s health and their broken relationship

33:50 Why he headed to a remote island with his wife to start fresh

44:30 How Diet for a New America Launched the modern health food movement

49:59 What happened when “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” wanted to interview John

1:00:00 John’s Book - The New Good Life backstory and how John lost his own money in an investment nightmare

1:08:15 Genesis of the Food Revolution Summit with Ocean and John Robbins - The Largest Gathering of Food Conscious People on the Planet

1:36:10 Why and how John remains hopeful in these tumultuous times

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

Join the FREE Food Revolution Summit - Starting Saturday, April 23rd, 2022

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis and broths!

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, retreats, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

We welcome author, cancer survivor, and healthy-eating coach, Chris Wark, back for his second appearance on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast. 

In 2003 at the age of 26, Chris was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. After surgery, he opted OUT of chemotherapy for treatment and, instead, turned to nutrition to promote his healing.

Instead of pumping chemo drugs into his body, he pumped in as many anti-cancer foods as he could and turned his body into a nutritional powerhouse. It’s been almost 20 years, Chris and his family are doing great, and he's written three books about his journey and life's work.

Today, Chris discusses the science, background, and some of those life-saving recipes from his latest book, Beat Cancer Kitchen, co-written with his wife, Micah.

This gorgeous book features whole-food, plant-based recipes that appeal to the whole family, whether you are healing from cancer, are actively trying to prevent it, or just simply seeking a healthy lifestyle for you and your loved ones.

You’ll learn:

• The dangers and carcinogenic effects of meat and animal products

• The lack of evidence and results for experimental diets, like the carnivore, paleo, and keto diets

• Why weight loss is conflated with health

• Any foods in the plant-based space to avoid?

• Highlights of some of his cancer-fighting recipes

As you'll hear, Chris’s life work is to:

• Inspire you to believe you can get well

• Provide the evidence and science to support it

• Give you the confidence to take action on sustainable change. 

  You have so much personal power over your health and it starts in the kitchen. Episode Resources Watch the Episode on YouTube

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

Chris Beat Cancer Website and Resources

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

 

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including our new multigrain flakes, cereal that is going to knock your socks off. You know I love Rip’s Big Bowl for breakfast, but this new cereal is so crunchy and so satisfying, it just might steal the show! Go check it out - we’re offering two packs for a limited time

Our PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat from October 10th-15th, has just been approved and accredited for 21.25 Continuing Medical Education hours for Physicians and Physician Assistants, AND 21.25 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses! Jointly provided by PLANTSTRONG and the Mountain Area Health Education Center - we are thrilled to offer these CMEs and CEUs as part of our October registration fees. If you are a healthcare provider, please join us in Sedona this fall and learn how you can level up with your nutrition both personally and professionally.

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, retreats, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

 

Dr. Heather Shenkman has known she wanted to be a doctor since she was a young girl and today, she’s one of the top Interventional Cardiologists in the country.

You see, while Heather does perform complex angioplasties and other surgeries to open up clogged coronary arteries, she prefers to help her patients reduce their risk of heart disease through not only medication, but also a healthy lifestyle, including a whole-foods, plant-based diet and regular exercise.

Heather herself has been plantstrong since 2005 and her book, “The Vegan Heart Doctor’s Guide to Reversing Heart Disease, Losing Weight, and Reclaiming Your Life” outlines her simple path to reclaiming and living a full and active lifestyle.

Not only do we discuss facts about blood pressure, heart disease, and statins, but we also discuss specific lifestyle changes to help you become PLANTSTRONG with your whole heart.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

Dr. Heather Shenkman Website

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Perhaps our most powerful tool - the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner is packed with hundreds of our favorite whole foods plant-based recipes and your membership allows you to curate a personal collection of menus so your family favorites are always at your fingertips. The integrated grocery list makes shopping a snap and our meal planning experts are on hand seven days a week to answer questions to chat about food. Save $10 off the annual membership with the code PLANTSTRONG

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis and broths!

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

If you’re new to plant-based cooking and feel overwhelmed because you think it’s complicated, expensive, or maybe even boring, think again.

Registered dietitian, nutritionist, and author, Nisha Melvani makes a whole foods plant-based lifestyle simple, sustainable, and delicious in her debut book, Practically Vegan - More than 100 Easy, Delicious Vegan Dinners on a Budget.

Hundreds of thousands have already flocked to her "Cooking for Peanuts" blog and Instagram because of her relaxed, flavor-focused approach. She also uses easy-to-find ingredients that can be used in the kitchen for multiple meals, making her style budget-friendly for busy families.

Nisha has one of the most colorful and interesting backstories, with a rich diversity of culture, language, career, and education – all of which have influenced her life’s latest chapter as a cookbook author.

She and Rip discuss:

• Growing up in a non-traditional household that included boarding schools, multiple moves, and a diversity of language and culture

• How she initially developed her love of food, flavor, and cooking

• The origin of her "Cooking for Peanuts" blog and Instagram

• Her favorite spices and herbs

• Cooking for three teenage girls

• Her favorite ways to prepare tofu and tempeh dishes

• Her go-to grains and legume dishes - (Hint: Lentils are the bomb!)

Practically Vegan is just that - a practical, approachable, and affordable guide for plantstrong meals.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

Nisha Melvani - Cooking for Peanuts

PLANTSTRONG Coaching - Our PLANTSTRONG Coaching Program is designed to help you to apply the principles of whole food, plant-based nutrition: removing all animal products, oil, refined sugar, and excess sodium from your eating plan. In addition, we will provide dozens of tools to elevate and accelerate your success while surrounding you with one fiercely supportive and nurturing community. Now through April 5th, 2022, our annual program is $60 off

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Perhaps our most powerful tool - the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner is packed with hundreds of our favorite whole foods plant-based recipes and your membership allows you to curate a personal collection of menus so your family favorites are always at your fingertips. The integrated grocery list makes shopping a snap and our meal planning experts are on hand seven days a week to answer questions to chat about food. Save $10 off the annual membership with the code PLANTSTRONG

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis, and broths!

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods, and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

Visit PLANTSTRONG.com for all of our resources including books, coaching, podcast, foods, retreats, and more

Shop for your Favorite Plantstrong Foods

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Rip welcomes playwright, screenwriter, and author, Glen Merzer to the PLANTSTRONG Podcast. Glen has written or co-authored a dozen books alongside plant-based broc-stars like Chef AJ, Howard Lyman, and Forks over Knives chef, Del Srouffe.

Glen discusses his latest book, Food is Climate, zeroing in on the real leading cause of climate change: animal agriculture and consumption. He doesn't hold back because, quite frankly, we are now in a time of urgency. As Merzer writes, "The only thing that's at stake here is, our civilization. It truly is."

My friends, it is one thing to stop eating animals for your health. Indeed, it’s the BEST thing you can do. But, in this case, what’s good for your body is also good for Mother Earth.

Let’s save life as we know it for future generations. Glen Merzer tells us why and how.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Perhaps our most powerful tool - the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner is packed with hundreds of our favorite whole foods plant-based recipes and your membership allows you to curate a personal collection of menus so your family favorites are always at your fingertips. The integrated grocery list makes shopping a snap and our meal planning experts are on hand seven days a week to answer questions to chat about food. Save $10 off the annual membership with the code PLANTSTRONG

PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis, and broths!

Glen Merzer Website

Buy Food is Climate

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods, and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

Visit PLANTSTRONG.com for all of our resources including books, coaching, podcast, foods, retreats, and more

Shop for your Favorite Plantstrong Foods

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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Promo Music: Your Love by Atch
License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Today, we go on a powerful healing journey. Bailey Ruskus was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 11, leaving her in tremendous amounts of chronic pain, while constantly being dosed up on multiple medications. Throughout her young adulthood, she exhausted all standard treatments and turned back to the only thing she really knew – FOOD.

You see, Bailey, who goes by Chef Bai - is also a classically trained chef from San Francisco’s Le Cordon Bleu. She spent years in the grind working 65-70 hours a week until her body just simply collapsed. Nothing about her lifestyle was sustainable, that is until she went back to her food choices and began to study the true healing power of plants. She literally had to “unlearn” what she had learned in culinary school.

Today, at the young age of 30, she is PLANTSTRONG, off all meds, feeling vibrant, and is the author of the best-selling book, Cook. Heal. Go Vegan!

We go behind the scenes on this chef’s life – including her favorite spices, flavors, and meals from her cookbook, as well as tips on how you, too, can start to heal your body.

Cook. Heal. Go Vegan! is your guide to plant-based cooking for better health and a better world.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Perhaps our most powerful tool - the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner is packed with hundreds of our favorite whole foods plant-based recipes and your membership allows you to curate a personal collection of menus so your family favorites are always at your fingertips. The integrated grocery list makes shopping a snap and our meal planning experts are on hand seven days a week to answer questions to chat about food. Save $10 off the annual membership with the code PLANTSTRONG

Chef Bai Website

Buy Cook. Heal. Go Vegan by Chef Bai

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods, and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

Dr. Anthony Lim is no stranger to helping to inspire change. As Medical Director of the Dr. McDougall Health and Medical Center and former staff physician of True North, Dr. Lim helps his patients prevent and treat their chronic illnesses -such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune conditions, and heart disease - all with a whole foods, plant-based approach. 

Dr. Lim shares his own personal journey to plants (having gone down the paleo and keto route) and how he now works with his own patients to “meet them where they are on their own journeys.”

Every person has a story, he says, and, once you understand where they are coming from, it helps inform how best to help them succeed. 

PLANTSTRONG and Episode Resources:

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Register for our PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022

Shop for your Favorite Plantstrong Foods

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

Dr. McDougall Health and Medical Center

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Welcome to PLANTSTRONG Snackables, a bite-sized podcast where host, Rip Esselstyn dishes on all things plants!

Today's guest is Carrie Barrett, PLANTSTRONG Podcast Producer, longtime PLANSTRONG advocate, and a fellow triathlete. Carrie brings PLANTSTRONG stories and guest transformations to life each week on the podcast using her background in radio, production, and writing to make each episode motivating, inspiring, and actionable.

Today, Rip and Carrie encourage you to have a little fun with your air fryer! If you have an air fryer and are a little scared to use it, this episode is for you. Carrie's goal? Inspire Rip to get his out of the box and use it at home!

Today, they make four simple, delicious, and economic meals that pack a nutritious punch without making a huge mess in the kitchen. Plus, as you'll hear, they clearly have a blast experimenting with new recipes, serving up taste tests, and talking about their own athletic journeys along the way.

And...coming soon...we will be giving you the chance to represent TEAM PLANTSTRONG at future events! That's right, you'll soon be able to show off your PLANTSTRONG prowess at upcoming finish lines around the world.

Recipe 1: Sliced polenta served over a bed of greens and the PLANTSTRONG Thai Carrot Chickpea Stew. You can serve it over a marinara sauce as well for an Italian flair. Air Fryer: 370 degrees for 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your polenta slices and preferred crispiness!

Recipe 2: Mini-chalupa on a corn tortilla, served with refried black beans, greens, and PLANTSTRONG Firehouse Chili. Air Fryer: 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, depending on how many toppings and your preferred level of crispiness. You can also have fun and make mini-pizzas with your favorite toppings.

Recipe 3: Simple potato skins served with nutritional yeast. Air Fryer: 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes. These cook up fast and shrink, so you could go less time, if preferred.

Recipe 4: Hummus and apple crisp on tortilla. Air Fryer: 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

Now Available! PLANTSTRONG Broths and Soups Delivered Directly to You! PLANTSTRONGFOODS.com

Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs

Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members

If you have extra banana peels at home, don’t throw them away! If you have extra pickle juice in the jar, don’t dump it down the sink! The same is true for broccoli stalks, chickpea juice, and potato peels. Hold on to them…Why? In this fun episode, Rip gets scrappy with food blogger, Instagram and TikTok star, and now – new author of the book, PlantYou – Carleigh Bodrug! In her creative video content, she shows her millions of followers how to turn those scraps into simple, delicious, and nutritious foods that people will absolutely adore. Carleigh is a plantstrong ball of light raised in Ontario, Canada on a small family farm. Like so many others, she was raised on the standard western meat and potatoes diet. All of that changed, however, when her Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer.

I remember in 2015, the World Health Organization announced that red and processed meat were now classed as Group 2 and Group 1 carcinogens, and what I remember most about when that news broke was my dad was actually angry because it was like he had had this super invasive surgery and chemotherapy and then gone back to eating the very thing that at least was not helping the situation, right?

This feisty young woman (who really couldn’t cook, by the way) took it upon herself to start experimenting with plants! Her goal? Make this lifestyle approachable, easy to follow, and so, so fun.

You can't force it down people's throat, you kind of have to just lead by example so I try to talk as positively as possible about how many benefits that I've personally experienced from going plant-based rather than kind of shaming or dampering on people's food, because food is emotional and nostalgic, as you know.

Her new book, PlantYou includes, not just photos of the gorgeous finished products, but also photos of every ingredient you need, making it so easy to follow. You know what else I love? It features over 140 recipes that are not only plantstrong, but also OIL-FREE!

Instead of a glug of oil in the pan, why don't you try vegetable broth or water and I can guarantee the finished product of that dish is going to take almost identical if not identical, and you have now reduced the fat and caloric content dramatically.

Rip and Carleigh also dish on:

• The support she receives from her family and fiance

I was super lucky in that I was supported on that journey because I think a lot of people are going it alone, and the social aspect, I always say to people, the social aspect is the hardest I think, and in a way, because I wasn't doing it completely by myself, that was a little easier to swallow. Like you didn't have to explain as much if your parents were going the same route.

• Why she maximizes every ounce of food she can when preparing meals and snacks

So this scrappy cooking concept was all born by this desire to kind of like reduce food waste within our own homes and also reduce the amount of money wasted and I think something like 40 to 50% of edible food in North America goes to waste, so it's a huge issue. And I think a lot of people are going aimlessly to the grocery store each week with really good intentions and buying a lot of fresh produce that ends up in the garbage.

• Tips and tricks with leftover aquafaba, ginger, date seeds, potato skins, pickle juice and more!

• Tools for your plant-based kitchen

• Favorite recipes in her new book

• Leading by example with positive energy

I try to talk as positively as possible about how many benefits that I've personally experienced from going plant-based rather than kind of shaming or dampering on people's food, because food is emotional and nostalgic, as you know.

Trust me, you’ll be hearing a lot more from Carleigh in the coming months because the future is bright for this young broc-star.

Carleigh Bodrug Resources:

• Buy PlantYou: 140+ Ridiculously Easy, Amazingly Delicious Plant-Based Oil-Free Recipes

• PlantYou Website

• Instagram

• TikTok

   

PLANTSTRONG Resources:

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Register for our PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022

Shop for your Favorite Plantstrong Foods

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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For over four decades, Tony Robbins has been encouraging people to take control of their destinies to become, as he says, “the CEO of your own health.”  

Robbins is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, philanthropist, and the nation’s #1 life and business strategist. Over the past four decades, he has empowered more than 50 million people worldwide through his business and personal development coaching programs and events.

This week, he’s on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast to discuss his new book, Life Force: How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life & Those You Love.

As you’ll hear, this book is actually the result of Tony Robbins going on his own life-changing health journey. After being told that his health challenges were irreversible, he experienced firsthand how new regenerative technology, precision medicine, and lifestyle change could not only help him heal, but also make him stronger than ever. 

 Life Force is a true passion project for Tony to aid everyday people searching for answers on how to improve their energy, vitality, and strength that extends and lets them live healthier and longer lives. 

Rip and Tony address:

• The Top 6 killers and health threats most of us face - cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, stroke, and autoimmune disease.

• The groundbreaking new technologies being developed to fight these diseases, but also actionable lifestyle changes we can all make to improve our health right now – I’m talking whole food, plant-based nutrition, quality sleep, and movement.

• Why your DNA is not your destiny when it comes to your long-term health.

• Becoming CEO of your own health - actions to take today to improve your health and extend your healthspan. 

• The breakthrough work and expert insights of more than 150 scientific, medical, and health and wellbeing experts.

• Inspiring comeback stories, and amazing advancements in precision medicine that you can apply today to help extend the length and quality of your lives. 

• Feeding America - 100% of the profits of Life Force are donated to help end hunger today.

TONY ROBBINS and Episode Resources:

• Instagram

• Twitter

• Tony Robbins Website

• Buy Life Force: How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life & Those You Love

• Life Force Website

• Fountain Life Centers

PLANTSTRONG Resources:

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Shop for your Favorite Plantstrong Foods

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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Welcome to our Fourth "Rip's Rescue" Event, where we tackle big topics and arm you with trusted information and the resources you need to take agency of your own health and performance. Speaking of performance, this episode covers the popular topic of "Athletic Performance on a Plant-Based Diet" with Dr. Jim Loomis. Both Rip and Dr. Loomis were featured in The Game Changers documentary and are also both accomplished athletes.

They discuss:

• Why plants are actually a superior source of protein, and what makes animal protein so damaging

• The different fuel systems our bodies use while in motion and why plants provide the cleanest fuel source

• Why beets, tart cherry juice, and other sources of nitric oxide can actually be a performance and recovery enhancer

• A few mistakes and misconceptions that people have about fueling for athletic performance on a plant-based diet

• Supplement and vitamin recommendations

• And, of course, protein requirements and recommendations

After this episode, you'll understand why a plantstrong diet that helps prevent and reverse chronic disease, is also the best diet for long-term performance and recovery.

About Jim Loomis, MD

James F. Loomis Jr., MD, MBA, received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and graduated with honors. He subsequently completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. In addition, Dr. Loomis received an MBA from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis. He is board-certified in internal medicine, has completed the certification program in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University, and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine.

Dr. Loomis has served as team internist for the St. Louis Rams football team and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, as well as tour physician for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Before coming to the Barnard Medical Center, he practiced internal medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis, where he was also the director of prevention and wellness. He was also on the clinical faculty of the department of internal medicine at Washington University School of Medicine.

When not practicing medicine, Dr. Loomis enjoys reading history books, cooking, and teaching plant-based cooking classes. He also enjoys running, biking, and swimming, and has completed numerous half marathons, marathons, and triathlons.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

Download our Free 2022 Big Game Recipe Guide

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Center for Plant-Based Living - "Optimal Diet for Health and Performance" Webinar

Dr. Loomis offers telehealth appointments for residents of D.C., Florida, Maryland, Missouri, and Virginia. Learn More Here.

Shop for your Favorite Plantstrong Foods

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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Dr. Laurie Marbas is - simply put – A FORCE who is on a mission to bring plant-based Lifestyle Medicine available to everyone from the comfort of your own home.

In just two years, Dr. Marbas and her team at Plant Based TeleHealth have amassed nine physicians (including the wonderful Dr. Michael Klaper) to service patients in all 50 states - and Dr. Marbas herself is licensed in ALL 50 States and D.C!

Today, you’ll hear about:

• Laurie's journey to becoming a physician, inspired by her younger sister's illness and recovery

• Her time in the Air Force with her husband and three children while practicing medicine in rural parts of Colorado and New Mexico

• Her own journey to plant-based nutrition, inspired by the astounding health transformations of her own patients

• The genesis of Plant Based TeleHealth and the purpose-driven mission of this company that is now celebrating its second anniversary.

Telehealth is certainly on the rise and, with people like Dr. Laurie Marbas at the helm of plant-based Lifestyle Medicine, this type of compassionate care is here to stay.

About Laurie Marbas, MD

Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA is a double board-certified family medicine and lifestyle medicine physician, who has been utilizing food as medicine since 2012. Previously, she created a new medical model combining the power of nutrient-dense foods and intensive clinical psychological therapy to treat not only food addiction but also chronic disease. As the Managing Editor for the Plantrician Project’s International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention, she works closely with the journal’s Editor in Chief, Dr. Kim Williams. The journal is focused on bringing plant-based research to the forefront of modern medicine and to the general public. She is also co-founder of Healthy Human Revolution, whose mission is to provide resources that will empower individuals with the knowledge, tools, and mindset to successfully adopt and sustain a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Plant Based TeleHealth

Shop for your Favorite Plantstrong Foods

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

Visit PLANTSTRONG.com for all of our resources including books, coaching, podcast, foods, retreats, and more

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Promo Music: Your Love by Atch
License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Harvey Lewis is one of the hottest ultra-distance runners on the planet and, in 2021, was virtually unstoppable. As you'll hear today, this plant-powered school teacher from Cincinnati, Ohio is no stranger to suffering - especially on the racecourse.

Last year, among other events, he won the infamous Badwater 135 Ultra (from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney), and then just a few weeks later, he outlasted every competitor at Big Dog's Backyard Ultra where he ran for 354.16 miles four almost four days - all fueled on a PLANTSTRONG Diet.

In March 2022, he’s set to take on the hardest Ultra on the planet – the Barkley Marathons - where there have only been 15 total finishers in its entire existence.

In today's conversation with Rip, Harvey discusses:

• His first marathon and the profound impact it had on his life

• His motivation for becoming vegetarian at such a young age

• When he connected the dots between his health and his diet

• His mindset when training and racing and his relationship with pain and suffering

• His connection with nature

• Details from his recent races and adventures, including Badwater and Big's

• How he fuels himself during these harsh events and how he varies his fueling based on the conditions and the type of the event

• His training regime and how he incorporates running into his daily life

• Tips for ultra-endurance runners - how to avoid blisters, fuel properly, and manage the pain

• What's next? His thoughts on the Barkley Marathons

We know if anyone can finish the Barkley, it would definitely be Harvey and we’ll be rooting for you every step of the way.

Harvey is doing the impossible, but the simplicity of his life makes it possible. In fact, Ultra Running Magazine just named Harvey one of the Top 5 Ultrarunners of 2021, but there's no question, he's definitely Number One over here at PLANTSTRONG.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

Watch the Episode on YouTube

RunQuest Travel Company

Harvey Lewis Facebook

Badwater 135 Website

Everything You Need to Know About the Barkley Marathons - Runner's World

Your Guide to the 7-Day PLANTSTRONG Challenge

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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“When your body is fit and strong, your mind is fitter and stronger too.” - Nicole DeBoom

 

Today’s episode dives into a topic that is so important for the New Year - mindset and attitude. We're treated to a conversation with long-time PLANTSTRONG ally, Nicole DeBoom.

Like Rip, she’s a former top-level swimmer, turned professional triathlete, turned entrepreneur, who recently sold her popular company Skirt Sports and started a new company called Aesop, where people can book interviews and record their memories for loved ones.

Why will this conversation resonate with you? 

Well, because, like all of us, her journey has not been linear. There have been stops, starts, struggles, and plenty of setbacks along the way. She discusses her battle with alcohol, the tension in her marriage, as well as health and self-image struggles. She. Gets. Real. 

Through it all, though, Nicole has remained relentlessly curious and passionate. She has used her struggles to gain the muscle and confidence to keep going, even though it’s never perfect. 

Today, she is almost 14 years sober, she’s PLANTSTRONG, and as curious as ever! Guess what? She’s still not perfect – and neither are we!

But, as you listen, we hope you’ll be inspired to keep forging ahead and continue to make smart decisions about your body because, as she says, “When your body is fit and strong, your mind is fitter and stronger too.”

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Aesop Nation - Share Your Story. Record Your Memories Now.

Nicole DeBoom Website and Social Channels

Your Guide to the 7-Day PLANTSTRONG Challenge

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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Promo Music:

https://youtu.be/rhV_DIoebmU
Your Love by Atch
SoundCloud: bit.ly/AtchSoundCloud
Instagram: www.instagram.com/atchmusic
License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

“What you will gain is so much more than what you will give up.” - Dr. Dean Ornish

Dean Ornish, M.D. is highly regarded as “The Father of Lifestyle Medicine,” which is the fastest-growing trend in medicine today, and today's discussion with Rip dives deep into the vast body of work and groundbreaking research that Dr. Ornish has conducted for decades.

As the founder and president of the non-profit Preventive Medicine Research Institute (PMRI) for over 40-years, he and his team of researchers have demonstrated time and again how lifestyle medicine can reverse, treat, and prevent chronic disease. 

How is this possible? Eat Well, Love More, Stress Less, and Move More – all of which are outlined in Dr. Ornish’s latest book, “UnDo It - How Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Most Chronic Diseases,” which has just been released in paperback. 

From the beginning, Dr. Ornish was met with criticism and skepticism, which would cause even the strongest of physicians to reverse course. But, because of his conviction and the overwhelming data he has produced, the only thing reversing is YOUR chronic disease including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, early-stage prostate cancer, and now – the evidence is showing - even the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Medicare and many insurance companies are now covering Dr. Ornish’s lifestyle medicine program for reversing chronic diseases because it consistently achieves bigger changes in lifestyle, better clinical outcomes, larger cost savings, and greater adherence than have ever been reported—based on 40 years of clinical research published in the leading peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. Recently, Medicare even agreed to cover Dr. Ornish’s program for reversing heart disease when offered virtually via Zoom.

Our bodies often have a remarkable capacity to begin healing if we treat the underlying lifestyle factors that cause them—and more quickly than we had once believed. All of this is great news because, as Dr. Ornish stresses, "We don't want take hope away. In fact, we want to give people a sense of hope."

He's been giving us hope for over 40 years and, thankfully, he's just getting started. 

About Dr. Dean Ornish

Dean Ornish, M.D., is the founder and president of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute, clinical professor of medicine at the UCSF, and the author of seven books, all national bestsellers. He received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from the University of Texas, Austin, and the National Public Health Hero Award from the University of California, Berkeley. He was recognized as a “TIME 100 Innovator;” by Life magazine as “one of the 50 most influential members of his generation;” by People magazine as “one of the most interesting people of the year;” and by Forbes magazine as “one of the world’s 7 most powerful teachers.”

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Ornish.com Resources

Preventive Medicine Research Institute

Join us for our 2022 PLANTSTRONG Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - March 1st-6th - Healthcare Providers can earn up to 20 hours of CME credits and 2 CEU credits as part of the registration fee! Jointly provided by UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC - we are thrilled to reward professionals for all they learn at our immersive events.

Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Book

Rip’s Rescue with Dr. Brian Asbill - "Make Yourself Heart-Attack Proof"

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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Promo Music:

https://youtu.be/rhV_DIoebmU
Your Love by Atch
SoundCloud: bit.ly/AtchSoundCloud
Instagram: www.instagram.com/atchmusic
License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
Music promoted by Ohzum Beats: https://bit.ly/ohzumbeats

 

“There are two kinds of Cardiologists - those who are vegan and those who haven’t read the data.” - Dr. Kim Williams

Such a bold statement from someone, who, since 2013 has been the Head of Cardiology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, as well as the former president of the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Kim Williams does not mince words.

He shares:

• His personal background and story of what (and who) inspired him to become a doctor at the young age of 11.

• Why, as a poor kid from the Southside of Chicago, he adopted a plant-based diet many years ago.

• How to calculate your 10-year risk of heart disease or stroke using the ASCVD

• Resources and cookbooks from the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc.

• New research proving that vegan junk food is actually worse for your health than eating animals

• The four biggest questions he asks all of his patients who have recently had stents or other surgical interventions.

These four simple magic questions often change the course and long-term outcomes of his patients when they hear the questions and provide their own answers.

Thank you, Dr. Kim Williams, for being an outspoken advocate and example of the future of Medicine. Prevention and education start with people like you and we are grateful that you heeded the call to become a doctor. You were made for Medicine.

About Dr. Kim Williams is an American cardiologist. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and served as its president from 2015 to 2016. He is currently a trustee of the organization.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

YouTube Version

Association of Black Cardiologists

Cardiovascular Risk Calculator

Join us for our 2022 PLANTSTRONG Retreat in Black Mountain, NC

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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As we round the corner on a new year and a fresh start, we can think of no better way to lift you up than with this inspiring talk from J.D. and Chrissy Roth recorded from this year’s Plant-Stock event.

J.D. is an iconic television producer and creator of shows like “The Biggest Loser,” and “The Big Fat Truth,” which helped participants lose weight, fight diabetes, and attain a healthy lifestyle through whole foods, plant-based nutrition. 

Chrissy Roth is a physical therapist, fitness instructor, Mom of two boys, and, of course, wife of J.D. She was the driving force for her family’s habit change and, today, she reads a couple of her personal blog posts that span years as she guided her household of stubborn boys to a new life of vibrant, colorful, whole-food, plant-based living. 

We love the universal takeaways from their presentation - be patient, stay the course, remain resilient, and relentless.

This conviction transformed her household and, together, J.D. and Chrissy are now relentless in their own pursuit of changing the landscape of TV and spreading this message to a broader audience. We know it will take time, but the Roths are unstoppable.   

• Watch the Episode on YouTube

• Visit the Episode Page at plantstrongpodcast.com

• Join the FREE 2022 PLANTSTRONG Seven-Day Challenge - January 5th-11th

• Now Available! PLANTSTRONG Broths and Soups Delivered Directly to You!  PLANTSTRONGFOODS.com 

• Click here for all PLANTSTRONG Resources

• Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

What are the Esselstyns serving up this holiday season?

Well, as always, it includes a hefty dose of laughter and mayhem, along with delicious, mouth-watering plantstrong goodness.

Today, Rip is joined by his mother, Ann, and sister, Jane, to talk about their favorite holiday meals and how they cook together for their entire family.

Even though they discuss their Thanksgiving meal in this episode, the dishes and recipes are great for ANY holiday.

In fact, we’ve created a complimentary holiday guide with eleven mouth-watering recipes to help you prepare an incredibly delicious whole-food, plant-based meal holiday. Hop into our free community at community.plantstrong.com to download the guide today.

You’ll meet thousands of people just like you willing to lend a hand of support and encouragement, especially during the holiday season! 

Episode Resources

• Watch the Episode on YouTube

• Visit the Webpage for Full Transcript

• Get our FREE Holiday Meal Planner

• Use code: Siblings15 to save $15 when you spend $100 or more on plantsonlyshop.com!

• Now Available! PLANTSTRONG Broths and Soups Delivered Directly to You!  PLANTSTRONGFOODS.com 

• Click here for all PLANTSTRONG Resources

• Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

Rip welcomes researcher, friend, and author, Dan Buettner, back to the PLANTSTRONG Podcast to talk about his new book, The Blue Zones Challenge - A Four-Week Plan for a Longer, Better Life.This is the latest in his series of books about the five blue zones, which are locations around the world where people consistently live to 100 and beyond.

The Blue Zones Challenge is all about helping YOU to get set-up for long-term success so that the healthier choice becomes your natural, automatic choice. It's a four-week guidebook and year-long sustainability program for anyone looking to jumpstart their journey to better health, happiness, less stress, and a longer life.

In The Blue Zones Challenge, readers will learn tips, tricks, and nudges from these five blue zones. We’re talking about simple changes and advice for setting up your kitchen, pantry, work environment, and even resources for improving your social network.

It also includes nudges to help you:

• Change Your Diet the Whole-Food Plant-Based Way

• Naturally Increase Your Movement and Activity

• Discover and Live Your Purpose

• Build Your Social Life

No crazy extreme exercise programs and no deprivation diets are necessary! In fact, we know those don't work. What does work? Making small sustainable changes in your everyday environment so that the right choice becomes the automatic choice.

You can bet your life on it!

About Dan Buettner

Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and New York Times bestselling author. He discovered the five places in the world – dubbed blue zones hotspots – where people live the longest, healthiest lives. His articles about these places in The New York Times Magazine and National Geographic are two of the most popular for both publications.

Buettner now works in partnership with municipal governments, large employers, and health insurance companies to implement Blue Zones Projects in communities, workplaces, and universities. Blue Zones Projects are well-being initiatives that apply lessons from the Blue Zones to entire communities by focusing on changes to the local environment, public policy, and social networks. The program has dramatically improved the health of more than 5 million Americans to date.

His new book “The Blue Zones Challenge: A 4-Week Plan for a Longer Better Life” is a four-week guide and year-long sustainability program to jump-start your journey to better health, happiness, less stress, and longer life.

Buettner also holds three Guinness World Records in distance cycling.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

The holidays are here and it’s the perfect time to gift wrap the good news about following a whole-foods, PLANTSTRONG lifestyle. Here are some great gift ideas to help you introduce the science, and inspire a friend or family member to eat more plants!

First, books are often the easiest entry point for people interested in learning more. If you don’t already know, I’ve written four books - the original Engine 2 Diet, then PLANTSTRONG, The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet, and finally - with my sister Jane, The Engine 2 Cookbook. Each title is packed with digestible science and bundled with delicious recipes and powerful success stories. Visit Amazon or plantstrong.com to learn more or to send a book to someone you love. 

Second, a gift membership to the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner is incredibly thoughtful. It includes twelve months of access to curated recipes, live support from our meal planning experts, personalized meal recommendations, adaptive grocery lists, and optional grocery delivery via Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Peapod. And great news! gift cards are on sale for the month of December for $20 off. Visit mealplanner.plantstrong.com

PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Dan Buettner Website and Resources

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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Rip welcomes nutritionist, author, and podcaster, Simon Hill, to the podcast for an in-depth discussion of his new book, The Proof is in the Plants.

It's hard to imagine the life-long impact of seeing your own father have a heart attack, but Hill has taken that harrowing experience as a teenager and turned it into his mission-driven work to help save the lives of countless others. 

Today, Simon is passionate about making nutritional information simple and accessible so that people can make informed decisions about the food they feed themselves and their families.

Inspired by the work of his father, he is also a walking encyclopedia on the research and science that proves beyond the kale that a plant-based diet can save your life –and the planet.

They discuss:

• The Diet of Confusion - Why the food industry is set up against us

• The progress we are making in governments around the world and the work that still needs to be done

• Is chronic lifestyle disease simply "in our genes?" How much control do we really have with the cards we were dealt?

• Simon's largest recommendation for better health - FIBER

• Why is fiber so important to our health and gut microbiome?

• Simon's top foods we should avoid

• Recommendations for helping people make the shift in their own lives

• The vast plant-proof research around - cancer, heart disease, and brain health 

• Research and studies on minerals and supplements like iodine and zinc

  This conversation is jam-packed with all the proof you need because, as you’ll hear loud and clear, the proof is in the plants. 

  About Simon Hill

  Simon Hill is the founder of the hugely popular Plant Proof podcast and blog of the same name, and a nutritionist and qualified physiotherapist. On top of his formal education, Simon spends hours and hours deciphering scientific studies so he can break down how to fuel your body to promote longevity and reduce the chance of developing disease while simultaneously achieving whatever health and fitness goals you may have. He is the plant-based food contributor to Chris Hemsworth’s fitness app, Centr, and in 2019 Simon opened a plant-based restaurant, Eden, in his Sydney neighbourhood of Bondi.

   

  Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

  PLANTSTRONG just announced our 2022 retreats and you’re invited to relax, refresh and recharge with us. Join us March 1st to the 6th in majestic Black Mountain or October 10th to the 15th in stunning Sedona. For details on both, go to plantstrong.com and select the locations from the menu.
  
  

  Also - great news! Our PLANTSTRONG unsalted organic broths and ready-to-eat chilis and stews are now available nationwide thru plantstrongfoods.com. We’ve just unveiled our sampler packs so you can try one of each flavor - and you can enjoy free shipping when you spend $60 or more!

  Simon Hill Website and Resources

  Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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It truly is a wonderful time to celebrate and give thanks with friends and family. Speaking of friends, today is a special episode because we're actually replaying an interview that Rip did earlier this year on Julieanna Hever’s podcast “Choose You Now.” If you don’t know, Julieanna is the original plant-based dietitian and her new book “The Choose You Now Diet” is coming out in early December. You’ll want to check that out for sure.

In this bite-sized episode, Rip shares his personal journey with plants and how he makes this lifestyle simple and fun so that it not only works for him, but also for his entire family, including three young children.

You'll learn:

• Rip's favorite salad dressing recipe

• Rip's Sunday meal ritual that the entire family loves

• His go-to simple meals that ANYONE can assemble in no time

This Thanksgiving, let's express gratitude for PLANTS…I hope you enjoy this special episode.

About Julieanna Hever

Known as The Plant-Based Dietitian, Julieanna has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from UCLA and a Master of Science degree in Nutrition from Cal State Northridge, bridging her three biggest passions for food, performing, and helping people.

As a Registered Dietitian, Julieanna has authored six books, including The Healthspan Solution, Plant-Based Nutrition (Idiots Guide), Vegiterranean Diet, and two peer-reviewed journal articles on plant-based nutrition for healthcare professionals (in Journal of Geriatric Cardiology and Permanente Journal). Julieanna is the host of The Choose You Now Podcast and her new book, The Choose You Now Diet, will be published in December 2021.

Past projects have included being the host of What Would Julieanna Do?; giving a TEDx talk; writing as the nutrition columnist for VegNews Magazine, and teaching the eCornell Plant-Based Nutrition Certification Program. She recently co-hosted Science and Saucery and Facebook Watch’s Home Sweat Home, and has appeared on Harry, The Dr. Oz Show, The Steve Harvey Show, Reluctantly Healthy, The Marie Osmond Show, and E! News.

New adventures include speaking, presenting, traveling, helping a wide variety of clients achieve their goals, and sharing her passion for healing and happiness eating a whole-food, plant-based diet.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

YouTube Link

Episode Page

 

It's our biggest Meal Planner sale of the year! Between now and Cyber Monday, Save $30 off our annual meal planner membership with the code YAMS -and then you’ll enjoy twelve months of delicious recipes, custom menus, adaptive grocery lists, and many more time-saving features! Visit mealplanner.plantstrong.com today for all of the details. PLUS - we’ve added a BRAND NEW benefit for our annual members. PLANTSTRONG PERKS are exclusive discounts on other resources and partner brands, available only for meal planner members. See mealplanner.plantstrong.com for all the great details.

Download our Free PLANTSTRONG Holiday Meal Guide

PLANTSTRONG Website with all of our Resources to live PLANTSTRONG

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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Welcome to this audio presentation of our recent "Rip's Rescue" event which focused exclusively on men's health and dispelling the outdated myth that real men need meat to thrive.

When Rip was a firefighter in Austin, Texas, he spent his days on the rescue squad, responding to fires and medical emergencies. For this presentation, he assembled a brigade of experts to join him in helping people rescue themselves. How? With a fire hose of evidence-based information and simple steps to eating more plants and saving yourself from the flames of chronic lifestyle disease and erectile dysfunction.

Joined by notable physicians, Drs. Aaron Spitz and Brian Asbill, Rip and his crew of experts shared vital intel every man should know to help men rescue their health and learn information that can help avoid the constant care of a physician.

And good news! You don't have to turn in your man card when you swap t-bones for tofu. We're torching that stereotype right now.

Topics covered included:

• Symptoms you should never ignore

• How to avoid needing the little blue pill

• PSA Tests and Numbers- What do I need to know?

• Can too little sex increase my risk of prostate cancer?

• The canary in the coal mine for men's health

• Important screenings every man should have

• How a plant-based lifestyle can strengthen your odds against chronic disease

 

About Dr. Aaron Spitz

Dr. Aaron Spitz is a nationally recognized expert on men's health, a lead delegate of America’s Urologists to the American Medical Association, and the author of The Penis Book. He was also prominently featured in The Game Changers for one of the most eye-popping scenes that left audiences howling and men and women wanting to know more!

Dr. Spitz discusses "the canary in the coal mine" for men, symptoms that must be treated urgently, and how to preserve sexual longevity while warding off taking the little blue pill.

About Dr. Brian Asbill

Dr. Brian Asbill is a cardiologist and the first physician in the world to be certified in lifestyle medicine by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Asbill will discuss how lifestyle can fight back against heart disease, the important screenings every man should request from his provider, and the warning signs that a cardiac event is likely.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

Video Version of this Episode

PLANTSTRONG Episode Page

Dr. Brian Asbill Website - Ruckus Health

Dr. Aaron Spitz - The Penis Book

Download our Free PLANTSTRONG Holiday Meal Guide

PLANTSTRONG Website with all of our Resources to live PLANTSTRONG

Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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Welcome to PLANTSTRONG Snackables, a bite-sized podcast where host, Rip Esselstyn dishes on all things plants!

Today's guest is Brenda Reed, longtime PLANTSTRONG Team Member and in-house culinary expert for PLANTSTRONG foods and events.

Brenda is responsible for many of the recipes at our live events and on the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner. Today, she and Rip talk soups and, specifically, how to elevate your own cooking and flavor profile with our new broths and soups. 

Key Takeaways:

• Origins of the word, “soup”

• 3 Principles of Building Your Soups

• Brenda and Rip's Go-To Soups for Family and Friends

• How Chef Brenda Used our new PLANTSTRONG Broths to Create Recipes for Every Taste and Cuisine

• How to Download Free Recipes on All of our Broth Boxes with the QR Code

• Some of Brenda's Favorite "Sparks" to Level Up the Health and Flavor Profile

• Through November — $1.00

'Tis the season for soups and PLANTSTRONG is here to help you create tasty, nutritious, and filling meals for you and your loved ones.

Episode Resources

• Watch the Episode on YouTube

• Visit the Episode Page at plantstrongpodcast.com

• Register for our November 14th Rip's Rescue - all about Men's Health - "Have a Change of Heart" with Dr. Aaron Spitz and Dr. Brian Asbill

• Get the FREE Recipes from Today's Episode - including Bangin' Bok Choy, Veggie Paella, and more

• Now Available! PLANTSTRONG Broths and Soups Delivered Directly to You!  PLANTSTRONGFOODS.com 

• Click here for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, and Rescue 10x Program

• Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

It has been two years since The Game Changers documentary debuted in the fall of 2019. Since then, an estimated 100 million people in more than 190 countries have watched the film, making it one of the most-watched documentaries of all time. In fact, it even gave birth to a phenomenon dubbed, “The Game Changers Effect” for the way it influenced eating behaviors across the globe.

Today, Rip revisits the film and talks about nutrition and performance with the Chief Science Advisor of The Game Changers, David Goldman. David was born for this role as a sports nutritionist and exercise physiologist because the takeaways of the film fall right at the intersection of performance, health, and the benefits of a plant-based diet.

Goldman was the one who crossed all of the “t’s” and dotted all of the “i’s” on the science and research behind the film, so if you’re looking to gain an edge in your performance while becoming a better steward of the environment, you’ll love this conversation.

It doesn’t matter if you’re training for a triathlon or seeking the energy to enjoy a day with your grandkids, becoming plantstrong is a true game-changer.

Key Takeaways:

• Protein - a plant-based performance conversation wouldn't be complete without a discussion on protein - the amount, need, and best ways of hitting those numbers

• Why David was born for this role as Chief Science Advisor of the film and what that entailed when piecing together the movie

• Supplements and vitamins - what does the average person need?

• Finding the self-discipline to stick with a whole-food, plant-based diet

• Why a diet that is predominantly plant-based is becoming optimal for athletes and those seeking an edge in performance

• The trickle-down effect for better longevity, overall health, and being stewards of the environment

About David Goldman, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS

David Goldman, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS is a sports nutritionist and exercise physiologist whose clients include collegiate, professional, and Olympic athletes. He was the Chief Science Advisor for The Game Changers Documentary

Episode Resources

Join us for the next Rip’s Rescue on Sunday, November 14th from 6:00-7:30 PM Eastern. This free educational event will share vital intel every man should know. (Women are welcome to attend, too!) Dr. Aaron Spitz and Dr. Brian Asbill will join me to discuss the “canary in the coal mine” for men’s health, symptoms that should never be ignored, and important screenings to schedule. Plus, we’ll dish on how eating more plants can help with nearly every health issue. Register for Free Here.

Watch the episode on YouTube

Episode Page

PLANTSTRONG Community

PLANTSTRONG Website and Resources

Game Changers Website and Film Resources

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Promo Music "Your Love" by Atch

Welcome to PLANTSTRONG Snackables, a bite-sized podcast where host, Rip Esselstyn dishws on all things plants!

Today's guest is Ami Mackey, longtime PLANTSTRONG Team Member, Rescue10x Coach, and Curator of Creative Content.

As a health coach, Ami has heard every reason and excuse for not being able to sustain a plantstrong lifestyle: it’s too expensive, it’s too complicated, you can’t cook, you don’t like to follow recipes, you don’t have the time.

Today's episode outlines a lifestyle habit that is faster than a drive-through and, without a doubt, the easiest (and tastiest) way to eat and live PLANTSTRONG.

What is this magic bullet? BOWL BUILDING! If you've ever been to a salad bar, Chipotle, or even Subway, you already know the premise. Gather all of your favorite beans, grains, and greens, toss them in a bowl, add your favorite sparks, and enjoy your favorite meal - no measuring, no recipes, and no hassle. In no time, you'll have a gigantic bowl of your own creative PLANTSTRONG concoctions!

Episode Resources

• Watch the Episode on YouTube
• Visit the Episode Page for Resources and Materials

• Click here for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, and Rescue 10x Program

• Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

Going to the Doctor is no fun, but when patients walk in to see Dr. Columbus Batiste, they are met with compassion, understanding, and genuine empathy.

Not only does he work with his patients with a team-based collaborative approach, but he also meets patients where they are at and explains health in a way that makes sense. As an Interventional Cardiologist (or “Plumber for the Heart” as he affectionately refers to himself), Doctor Batiste naturally treats disease with medical and surgical interventions, but he also works with his patients from a mental and emotional standpoint - emphasizing nutrition, stress reduction, and overall well-being.

Today's episode includes a description of real-life patient case studies and Dr. Batiste provides his initial assessments and recommendations for treatment. Perhaps you recognize yourself or a loved one in one of the patient profiles. If so, appreciate the feedback and advice and, as he says, ask yourself, "What is your want and desire? What are you willing to do or not do in order to improve your health?

The key takeaway from Dr. Batiste? It's OK to be S.E.L.F.I.S.H. in your desire for good health. Ready to feel a little selfish? We hope so!

About Dr. Columbus Batiste, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Columbus Batiste, MD, FACC, FSCAI, is the Chief of Cardiology at Kaiser Permanente Riverside and Moreno Valley Medical Centers. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He is also known as the “Healthy Heart Doc” and he endorses a holistic approach to health care, emphasizing nutrition, stress reduction, and exercise.

Episode Resources

PLANTSTRONG Community

PLANTSTRONG Website and Resources

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - If you’d like to try our meal planner free for 14-days, use the code BACKTOSCHOOL to enjoy two weeks of free access. After the trial ends, membership is just $1.90 a week!

Dr. Batiste Website and Resources

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is why we’re showcasing a “Broc-Star Greatest Hits” presentation from our recent 2021 Plant-Stock Weekend, with board-certified breast cancer surgeon and physician, Dr. Kristi Funk.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and, yes, there are some risk factors that you can't change like age, gender, and family history. However, as Dr. Funk stresses, we have way more power and control than we think - and, this is good news!

One of the biggest factors in our control on a daily basis? The food we eat. Three to six times a day, we choose whether or not to arm ourselves with powerful plant warfare that is our biggest defender-in-battle against this disease.

There's so much research, motivation, and support in this uplifting talk that we simply had to share it and echo Dr. Funk's call-to-action: Eat Like You Mean It! 

You'll hear and learn: 

• An explanation of the breast cancer statistics and your inherent risk factors

• All of the risk factors we CAN control - especially what we eat

• Why has the number of breast cancer cases increased in recent decades? What does the research show?

• What is IGF-1 and what role does it play in the growth of cancer cells? What foods contain IGF-1 and why should I avoid it?

• What is the only diet known to prevent and reverse heart disease, diabetes, cancers, and dementia? You probably have a guess!

• Dr. Funk's Top 12 Breast Super Foods and breast cancer food checklist

Episode Resources

Pink Lotus Website and Resources

2021 Cancer-Kicking Virtual Summit - Details and Registration

Download a copy of all Plant-Stock presentations for just $49

PLANTSTRONG Community

PLANTSTRONG Website and Resources

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Promo Theme Music

About Dr. Kristi Funk

Dr. Kristi Funk, a board-certified breast cancer surgeon and co-founder of the Pink Lotus Breast Center, is an expert in minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment methods for all types of breast disease.  She has helped thousands of women through breast treatment, including well-known celebrities, like Angelina Jolie and Sheryl Crow, who have turned to her for her surgical expertise.

After graduating with distinction from Stanford University in 1991, Dr. Funk received her medical degree from UC Davis, School of Medicine. Following her surgical residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA, she completed a surgical breast fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where she then excelled as a surgeon and breast center director for 7 years. In 2009, Dr. Funk alongside her entrepreneurial husband, Andy Funk, opened the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Beverly Hills. The Pink Lotus Breast Center fuses state-of-the art screening, genetic testing, diagnosis, and treatment with preventive strategies and holistic, compassionate care.

Dr. Funk is also the Founding Ambassador of the Pink Lotus Foundation, whose sole mission is to provide low-income, uninsured and underinsured women 100% free access to breast cancer screening and care.

We all have our proverbial mountains to climb, but today’s guest has climbed some of the highest mountains — on her mountain bike.

Plant-powered pro mountain biker, Sonya Looney, is Rip's guest and, in addition to crushing it as a professional mountain biker, Sonya has also become well-known as a health andd mindset coach, setting clients up for success no matter what they're trying to accomplish.

Rip and Sonya share many commonalities - from being professional athletes, to becoming health coaching entrepreneurs, and raising plant-powered kids. In fact, they spend most of their time today talking about chasing these big dreams, taking risks, remaining resilient, and not quitting even in the face of inevitable setbacks and frustrations.

That's why we've called this episode, "The Power of Picking Yourself."

Whether you're trying to change your diet, develop new habits, or change careers, have the courage to believe that you are worth it and, like Rip and Sonya, you'll be well on your way to winning at the game of life.

About Sonya Looney

Mindset, plant-based nutrition, and sport- three things that have powered Professional Mountain Biker Sonya Looney to the top of her sport. With over 15 stage races wins across the globe and a 24-hour World Champion title to her name, Sonya is no stranger to thriving in challenging and long events. She takes her research and learnings off the bike to her top ranked podcast- The Sonya Looney Show, helps others with nutrition backed by her Cornell Plant-Based Nutrition certification. She is a Health Coach through Vanderbilt University's Integrative Medicine Program and has her Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. Sonya's goal is to help people be better every day and to show people they can find their potential through doing hard things. She believes that curiosity and optimism are the keys to always learning and growing. Sonya has an online course- The Moxy & Grit Mindset Academy that is a mental toughness and positive psychology course for athletes. She has several business projects on the go including her Moxy & Grit apparel line and her Plant-Powered Academy online community.

Episode Resources

PLANTSTRONG Community

PLANTSTRONG Website and Resources

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - If you’d like to try our meal planner free for 14-days, use the code BACKTOSCHOOL to enjoy two weeks of free access. After the trial ends, membership is just $1.90 a week!

Sonya Looney Website and Resources

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Rip has a warm and delightful conversation with chef and plant-based cookbook author extraordinaire, Dreena Burton.

Dreena, who hails from Canada, has just released her sixth book, Dreena's Kind Kitchen, and she and Rip dive deep into some of the thought, love, simplicity, and kindness that went into developing these new recipes.

Dreena’s Kind Kitchen delivers over 100 whole foods/oil-free plant-based recipes that you can turn to time and again. These recipes were developed for real-life dining: meals with family, meals on your own, snacks, and baked goods to fuel your busy days. All the recipes have been photographed and cover all courses from breakfast to dinner to dessert.

They also discuss the evolution of her career, cooking style, and the importance of using the word, "kindness" in the title. By cooking this way, you are being kind to yourself and your loved ones. It is an expression of love to show people that this food is healthy and tastes delicious.

Dreena Burton truly epitomizes what it means to be generous, humble, talented, and kind. And, we think the world could use a little more kindness. 

Episode Resources

PLANTSTRONG Community

PLANTSTRONG Website and Resources

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - If you’d like to try our meal planner free for 14-days, use the code BACKTOSCHOOL to enjoy two weeks of free access. After the trial ends, membership is just $1.90 a week! 

Dreena Burton Website and Resources

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Rip catches up with longtime plantstrong pal, Josh LaJaunie, in a moving conversation about remaining resilient, determined, and focused even when life hands you profoundly difficult situations.

Many know Josh as a former 400+ pound football player-turned-plantstrong ultra runner. He has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and even the cover of Runner's World Magazine celebrating his transformation, as well as his desire to help others. He wrote his book, Sick to Fit and even started the Missing Chins Run Group to motivate others to reclaim their lives with the power and life-saving intervention of plants. 

As a Louisiana bayou native, Josh is a cajun, through-and-through. Unfortunately, his home and the trailer park he manages were obliterated by Hurricane Ida. Today, he speaks with Rip about the ongoing effects, devastation, and rebuilding efforts he, his family, and his community are facing. The media has moved on, but the pain and reality have not.

Josh shares his story with Rip, as well as his hope for remaining buoyant in a time when the hurricanes and floods have sunk nearly everything. There isn’t a more real and raw human than Josh LaJaunie and we appreciate him taking the time to talk on the phone in the middle of his stress and chaos. 

As they said in the interview, “quitting is optional,” and we know Josh won’t quit, but we're also here to spread the word and extend a loving plantstrong hand to a friend in need.

Episode Resources

PLANTSTRONG Community

PLANTSTRONG Website and Resources

Venmo for Josh LaJaunie

Video: More Ida Damage in Grand Isle, Fourchon, and Leeville

Hurricane Ida: The Documentary by Storm Chasers

Josh LaJaunie Website and Resources

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Welcome to our new PLANTSTRONG Snackables podcast series, a bite-sized podcast where host, Rip Esselstyn, and co-host, Jessica Hegarty, dish on all things plants! Jess leads product innovation for the PLANTSTRONG food line and, together with Rip, provides a peek behind the curtain on plant-based food headlines, market research, ingredients, and cooking inspiration. Plus, you'll always walk away with a recipe or two to share with your friends and family.

In this episode, Rip and Jess announce the triumphant return of Rip's Big Bowl cereals available now online at plantstrongfoods.com.

We also invite listeners to submit their best Big Bowl by taking a photo and posting to Facebook or Instagram, tagging @goplantstrong or #ripsbigbowl before October 1st. The most creative contribution will win a Rip’s Big Bowl sampler!

Based on your feedback, Rip and the team made major enhancements and improvements to the three big bowl flavors, including:

• More sustainable packaging, which means you get more cereal in every bag

• Resealable packaging for sustained freshness

• A move to organic oats for better health

• Yummy date pieces in every flavor of Rip's Big Bowl 

• The return of Banana Walnut, along with Date and Raisin (the Original) and Berry Almond

Rip also shares the origin story of his big bowl cereal that has been the anchor of his plantstrong success for over 30 years. This homemade concoction essentially fueled him as a professional triathlete and if it's powerful and nutritious enough to fuel a pro athlete, no doubt it will nourish your endeavors and activities!

Here are More Tasty Bites from Today's Episode:

• Order your Rip's Big Bowl Today!

• Click here for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, and Rescue 10x Program

• Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

• BMJ Nutrition Study on Covid-19 Severity, May 2021

• Rip's Homemade Big Bowl Recipe

• What Rip Eats in a Day 

• The Dirty Dozen and Clean 15

We've had doctors, athletes, and celebrities on this show, but today, we can say for the first time, that we get to welcome a real-life PRINCE to the PLANTSTRONG podcast. Khaled bin Alwaleed is a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family who makes his living as a venture capitalist - supporting and investing in green businesses, changing technologies, and sustainable solutions for our health and the environment.

Khaled spoke in person at Plant-Stock about four years ago and shared his life-changing Galileo moment when he saw his health come full-circle with the health of our planet. It's an empowering story that he shares again in this interview.

Wealth can certainly provide a lot of things, but it can’t buy personal health or compassion. Those come from within and THIS is how Khaled operates - from his desire and obligation to make a positive difference because, as he says, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

It’s this responsibility that drives him to invest in people and companies that align with his values - that is to say - values that protect the planet, animals, and improve personal health because, at the end of the day, health is the REAL wealth.

Episode Resources

It's Not Too Late to Join our Virtual PLANTSTOCK Returns from September 8-12th - Register today

PLANTSTRONGFoods.com - Order our new popcorn and dessert-inspired granolas

Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

Khaled bin Alwaleed Website

KBW Ventures

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We'd be hard-pressed to find someone as authentic and true to herself as Fiona Oakes. Vegan for almost 50 years, she is one of the original game-changers and shining examples of the power of being a plantstrong athlete.

Fiona has made a name for herself as an endurance runner, earning four Guinness World Records. She is also the fastest woman in the world to run a marathon on all seven continents and the North Pole in both cumulative and elapsed time.

She has competed internationally in more than 50 marathons and set five marathon course records around the globe, including The Antarctic Ice Marathon. In 2015, Fiona ran six official marathons in six days on six continents all on a vegan diet.

Fiona’s achievements are made even more astounding due to the fact she was told at age 14 that she would never walk properly, let alone ever run, after undergoing 17 radical knee surgeries which ultimately led to having her entire right kneecap removed.

Her only mission? To raise awareness for the plight of animals and veganism across the globe. Her suffering is intense, but you'll quickly understand that her rewards come from saving the lives of the animals she serves at her own Farm Sanctuary - Tower Hill Stables.

For most of us, this lifestyle may seem extreme or radical. She avoids simple pleasures in life like TV, long baths, or massages because they're a distraction to her life's work.

Truly, as she says, her goal is for all of us to go out there and lead a happy and healthy vegan life, respect all life, and realize that we're all so intricately connected --The planet, the environment, each other. "I just want us to be good to each other." So simple and so beautiful.

The world needs more people like Fiona Oakes who are going the distance for humanity.

Episode Resources

Running for Good - Film Website

Tower Hill Stables Website

Fiona Oakes Foundation Website

Fiona Oakes Instagram

PLANTSTRONGFoods.com - Order our new popcorn and dessert-inspired granolas

Our Virtual PLANTSTOCK Returns September 8-12th - Register today

Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

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Welcome to Episode six of our new PLANTSTRONG Snackables podcast series, a bite-sized podcast where host, Rip Esselstyn, and co-host, Jess Hegarty, dish on all things plants! Jessica leads product innovation for the PlantStrong food line and, together with Rip, provides a peek behind the curtain on plant-based food headlines, market research, ingredients, and cooking inspiration. Plus, you'll always walk away with a recipe or two to share with your friends and family.

In Episode 6, Rip and Jess talk about sauteing and roasting with BROTHS, recommended utensils, our take on natural ingredients, and a look at the all-new PLANTSTRONG broths available now at Whole Foods Market.

Here are Some Tasty Bites from Today's Episode:

• What in the world is lye and why should I be “in the know?”

• The best PLANTSTRONG method of sauteing and roasting your veggies — without using oil!

• What’s in Rip’s Kitchen? He lets you know his favorite pans and utensils for roasting and sauteing veggies in the Esselstyn house.

• Why PLANTSTRONG is so proud of our unsalted broths and why you should be proud to have them in your kitchen.

• Leftover broth and don’t want to pitch it? Find out Rip’s creative tip for saving leftover broth!

• Get a history lesson from Rip and Jess on the inspiration behind this new line of broths — and great ways to use them in your own home cooking.

• Natural ingredients - of course, it can be confusing when you see that listed as an ingredient in your food, but what does that really mean? Jess goes “behind the scenes” (and we mean the word, “behind” in this case).

• Jess answers an audience question about yeast and MSG.

Recommended Products from Rip and Jess:

GreenPan
Cast Iron Skillet
Parchment Paper
Silicone Baking Mats

Download our PLANTSTRONG Broth Recipes

Opium, rat hair, beaver anal secretions – and other surprising things you might find in food

Whole Foods Article on Myths and Misconceptions of MSG

For all PLANTSTRONG Resources, visit plantstrong.com 

Shop PlantStrong Foods Now 

We’re calling this episode, “Miracle at Montefiore" in honor of the herculean work Dr. Robert Ostfeld is doing at this Bronx hospital to move the needle on the life-saving benefits of a plant-based diet, especially for cardiac patients.

Inspired by the legacy of his two young brothers who lost their lives to incurable diseases, Ostfeld attended medical school at Yale and went on to get his Masters of Science in Epidemiology at Harvard. Today, he’s a plantstrong non-invasive cardiologist and Director and Founder of Preventive Cardiology at Montefiore.

Knowing that whole food, plant-based nutrition really is the most powerful form of medicine, Dr. Ostfeld was instrumental in getting Montefiore to start offering plant-based meals for people recovering from heart procedures. The documentary, Forks over Knives, is also made available for viewing to any and all patients thanks to his efforts

Dr. Ostfeld also discusses his upcoming research studies on the parallels between lifestyle and erectile dysfunction and why erectile dysfunction is often “the canary in the coalmine” and a surprising predictor for heart disease.

As he says, his work at Montefiore is “a labor of love wrapped in a pit bull,” but with doctors like Dr. Ostfeld on the front lines, we are optimistic that real change can and will happen in our healthcare system.

About Robert J. Ostfeld, MD, MS

Robert J. Ostfeld, MD, MSc, FACC, is the Director of Preventive Cardiology at Montefiore Health System and a Professor of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Ostfeld treats patients with adult cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and erectile dysfunction with a focus on prevention and treatment through lifestyle change. He works closely with his patients to help them adopt a plant-based diet.

Dr. Ostfeld received his Bachelor of Arts in the Biologic Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa and his Doctor of Medicine from Yale University School of Medicine. He then did his Medical Internship and Residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital and his Cardiology Fellowship and Research Fellowship in Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, both teaching hospitals of Harvard Medical School. During his Cardiology Fellowship, he earned a Master’s of Science in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Dr. Ostfeld’s research focus is on cardiovascular disease prevention and reversal through lifestyle modification. Ongoing topics he investigates include the impact of plant-based nutrition on erectile function, coronary artery disease, angina, and heart failure. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, books, articles, and clinical statements and has been presented nationally.

Dr. Ostfeld is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Echocardiography and he is a member of numerous professional societies, including the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine and the American College of Cardiology.

Episode Resources

PLANTSTRONG.com Episode Page

Montefiore Website

PLANTSTRONGFoods.com - Order our new popcorn and dessert-inspired granolas

Our Virtual PLANTSTOCK Returns September 8-12th - Register today

Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

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Right now, it’s no secret that our population (which is almost 8 billion now) is facing a tremendous amount of collective challenges with our health, our food system, and our planet as a whole.

We all have some work to do and this week’s interview with ECO-Activist, Leilani Münter, will illuminate conversation and elevate the positive impact that something so simple as eating a whole-foods plant-based diet can have on the environment as a WHOLE. 

Leilani has been broadcasting this message for over a decade primarily from behind the wheel of a race car - I know - not exactly where you’d think you’d see these messages, but as she says on her website, “Never Underestimate a vegan hippie chick with a race car!” You’ll never underestimate Leilani after today’s conversation. 

Since retiring from race car driving in 2019, she’s been revving up her advocacy engines even more through documentary films like “Racing Extinction,” keynote speaking, and non-profit work, all in a tireless effort to make a cleaner and kinder world for everyone.

Today, she talks to Rip about:

• Her unique childhood as the daughter of a Japanese/Hawaiian Mother and German Father while growing up in Minnesota

• Her Galileo moment when she learned the truth about our food as a young girl eating a hamburger at a fast-food restaurant

• How her Biology degree from UC San Diego was the foundation of the advocacy work she does today

• Why she loves being behind the wheel of a race car and the intensity, presence, and advocacy voice it provides for causes that are important to her

• Her recent vegan birthday present - a meal at Eleven Madison Park - and her secret for getting reservations!

• Why Leilani and her husband (and cats!) choose to be child-free

• Additional causes that she advocates for the health and longevity of our planet: renewable energy, solar power, electric cars, animal rights, and, of course, a plant-based diet 

As the New York Times wrote, "Steve McQueen probably never lost sleep over his carbon footprint. Not so for racecar driver Leilani Münter - a green racecar driver with a clean conscience."

Rev up your advocacy engines and enjoy this conversation with a true Eco-Hero. 

About Leilani Münter

Leilani Münter is a biology graduate, professional race car driver and environmental activist. Discovery's Planet Green named her the #1 eco athlete in the world, ELLE Magazine awarded her their Genius Award, and Sports Illustrated named her one of the top ten female race car drivers in the world. Leilani is an advocate for solar power, electric cars, plant-based diet and animal rights. Leilani is active in lobbying for these causes in Washington, DC and beyond. She has been a guest at The White House and the United Nations in Geneva.

Since 2007, Leilani has been adopting an acre of rainforest for every race she runs. She uses her race car to get the environmental message in front of the 75 million race fans in the USA. Her race cars have carried messages about renewable energy from wind and solar power in addition to clean energy legislation. Leilani has also been active in the effort to end cetacean captivity and has run the documentaries The Cove and Blackfish on her race cars. She has raced both open-wheel cars (Indy Pro Series) and stock cars (NASCAR, ARCA). Leilani has recorded 9 top-five, 21 top-ten, and 37 top-fifteen finishes in 61 starts. 

Leilani is on the board of the Oceanic Preservation Society, a non-profit that creates film, photography, and media, inspiring people to save the oceans. They won the Academy Award for their first documentary The Cove and Leilani is featured in their 2015 documentary Racing Extinction. Leilani is also an Ambassador for Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project, an organization she has been volunteering for since 2010. She also sits on the board of advisors of The Solutions Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the transition to 100% renewable energy. 

Leilani is vegan. Her personal car is an electric Tesla Model S. Her home features solar panels, a 550-gallon rainwater collection system, solar and LED lighting, and a vegetable garden. 

Leilani’s motto is: Never underestimate a vegan hippie chick with a race car.

Episode Resources

Leilani Münter Website and Resources

PLANTSTRONGFoods.com - Order our new popcorn and dessert-inspired granolas

Our Virtual PLANTSTOCK Returns September 8-12th - Register today

Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

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Welcome to our new PLANTSTRONG Snackables podcast series, a bite-sized podcast where host, Rip Esselstyn, and co-host, Jess Hegarty, dish on all things plants! In Episode 5, Rip and Jess talk about all things chilis, soups, and stews - including a look at the all-new PLANTSTRONG chilis and stews available now at Whole Foods Market.

Here are Some Tasty Bites from Today's Episode:

• Do you struggle to eat beans? Why you should power through!

• Which bean has the most antioxidants?

• Why limes and lemons should always be in your fridge. (Hint: It’s like squeezing a little sunshine on your foods!)

• What the heck is hominy?

• What surprising ingredient can you add to soups to make them creamy?

• Why are black pepper and turmeric such a magical combination?

• Ever heard of the benefits of black cumin?

• An exciting look at the all-new PLANTSTRONG “Chews” - Organic Creamy White Bean Chili, Organic Engine 2 Firehouse Chili, Kitchari Indian Lentil Stew, Thai Carrot Chickpea Stew

Additional Episode Resources

Homemade Kitchari Recipe with Jess and Evan Hegarty

For all PLANTSTRONG Resources, visit plantstrong.com 

Shop PlantStrong Foods Now 

Since 1986, as co-founder and president of Farm Sanctuary, Gene Baur has made it his mission to raise awareness about the abuses of factory farming and the devastation that our agriculture and food system has had on animals, workers, and those of us who consume the food.

It’s not a comfortable topic because no one wants to experience the horrors at these factory farms and slaughterhouses; however, for as driven as he is, you will also never meet someone more gentle, kind, loving, and empathetic as Gene.

He is a special soul and has had a hand in providing refuge, care, and healing for thousands of farm animals who otherwise would not have made it. In fact, TIME Magazine has hailed Gene as “the conscience of the food movement” for his 35-years of dedicated service.

Gene is a beacon of light whose purpose is centered on not just providing sanctuary for these animals, but also - without judgment - getting people back in touch with their humanity and aligning their actions with their values.

You'll hear Gene speak about:

• The early days of Farm Sanctuary and his rescue missions

• Stories about Hilda and other animals who have now become ambassadors for other animals

• Why it's so vital to treat these farm animals as friends and not food

• The three areas of work for the Sanctuary - Rescue, Education, Advocacy

• How you can help support the work of Farm Sanctuary

Today’s conversation is uplifting and heartwarming, as much as it is educational and powerful. Open your hearts to one of the biggest hearts, Gene Baur, Founder of Farm Sanctuary.

About Gene Baur

A pioneer in the field of undercover investigations and farm animal rescue, Gene has visited hundreds of farms, stockyards, and slaughterhouses, documenting the deplorable conditions. His pictures and videos exposing factory farming cruelties have aired nationally and internationally, educating millions about the plight of modern farm animals, and his rescue work inspired an international farm sanctuary movement.

Gene was instrumental in passing the first U.S. laws prohibiting inhumane animal confinement and continues working on systemic food industry reforms. His work has been covered by major media outlets including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, the New York Times, LA Times, and Wall Street Journal among others.

Gene Baur has been hailed as “the conscience of the food movement” by Time magazine and named one of Oprah Winfrey’s SuperSoul 100 Givers.

Episode Resources

Farm Sanctuary Website - The Power of Sanctuary

PLANTSTRONGFoods.com - Order our new popcorn and dessert-inspired granolas

Our Virtual PLANTSTOCK Returns September 8-12th - Register today

Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

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One of the many side benefits of this global plantstrong community -- besides a daily dose of health, motivation, and education -- are the long-lasting friendships developed with people along the way, especially with the pioneers who have long laid the groundwork for those of us out there today.

I’m sure you feel this way too.  When you are so invested and so passionate about something, you can’t help but develop a deep respect and mutual admiration with the people you meet in your journey.

Today’s guest is one of those people. Julianna Hever and I have been contemporaries and friends in the plant-based movement together for well over a decade. In fact, as we discuss today, she was one of the first authors to actually put the phrase, “plant-based” in the title of a book...and now, without a doubt, “plant-based” is having its moment!

Since then, she’s written multiple books including the crafty Vegiterranean Diet, The Healthspan Solution, and the forthcoming, “The Choose You Now Diet” due out in December. 

She also just recently launched her own “Choose You Now” podcast that I guested on just a couple of weeks ago. Today, we turn the tables and I shine the spotlight on the marvelous career and work of THE ORIGINAL plant-based dietitian herself, Julianna Hever. You'll learn:

• Julieanna's "Galileo Moment" when she learned the truth about health and nutrition
• How she fought to use the phrase, "plant-based" in her first book
• The biggest mistakes beginners make when adopting a plant-based diet
• Why and when someone should be gluten-free
• How she has pivoted to teaching her clients about "adding life to your days" in her book, The Healthspan Solution
• The importance of modeling behavior for both parents and children

 

About Julieanna Hever

There is nothing Julieanna loves more than diving into a colossal bowl of salad. Known as The Plant-Based Dietitian,  Julieanna has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from UCLA in and a Master of Science degree in Nutrition from Cal State Northridge, bridging her three biggest passions for food, performing, and helping people.

As a Registered Dietitian, Julieanna has authored six books, including The Healthspan Solution, Plant-Based Nutrition (Idiots Guide), Vegiterranean Diet, and two peer-reviewed journal articles on plant-based nutrition for healthcare professionals (in Journal of Geriatric Cardiology and Permanente Journal). Julieanna is the host of The Choose You Now Podcast and her new book, The Choose You Now Diet, will be published in December 2021.

Past projects have included being the host of What Would Julieanna Do?; giving a TEDx talk; writing as the nutrition columnist for VegNews Magazine; and teaching the eCornell Plant-Based Nutrition Certification Program. She recently co-hosted Science and Saucery and Facebook Watch’s Home Sweat Home, and has appeared on Harry, The Dr. Oz Show, The Steve Harvey Show, Reluctantly Healthy, The Marie Osmond Show, and E! News.

New adventures include speaking, presenting, traveling, helping a wide variety of clients achieve their goals, and sharing her passion for healing and happiness eating a whole food, plant-based diet.

Episode Resources

Julieanna Hever Website and Resources

Test-Drive the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner. Enjoy a free 14-Day trial by using code: STARTFRESH at check-out. You will have to input a credit card, but you won't be charged if you cancel before the end of the trial period. 

Our Virtual PLANTSTOCK Returns September 8-12th - Register today

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Welcome to Episode Four of our new PLANTSTRONG Snackables podcast series, a bite-sized podcast where host, Rip Esselstyn, and co-host, Jess Hegarty, dish on all things plants!

Jessica leads product innovation for the PlantStrong food line and, together with Rip, they provide a peek behind the curtain on plant-based food headlines, market research, ingredients, and cooking inspiration. Plus, you'll always walk away with a recipe or two to share with your friends and family.

In Episode 4, Rip and Jess talk about all things plant-based milk - their tremendous growth, the challenges they face, and tips for how to choose from the incredible variety of options in your local grocery store. 

We wrap up with a simple demonstration of how to make truly whole food, plant-based milk (no filtering or straining required!)

In this episode, we cut the confusion and help you discover:

• The most environmentally friendly plant-based milk

• The healthiest plant-based milk

• The tastiest plant-based milk on the shelves

More Tasty Bites from Today's Episode:

00:00-06:30 Welcome from Rip and Jess - Rip’s current favorite foods (can you say “peaches and creme sweet corn?")

06:30-53:20 An In-depth Dive into Plant-Based Milk Varieties

• Education on plant-based milk politics, headlines, finance, and chemistry (yes, chemistry!)

• Discussions on the most environmentally friendly, healthiest, and tastiest milk in the market

53:20-58:40 Jessica’s Recipe and Demo on a creamy pumpkin and hempseed milk - perfect for cereals

Additional Episode Resources

Homemade Plant-Based Milk Recipes

For all PLANTSTRONG Resources, visit plantstrong.com 

Shop PlantStrong Foods Now 

Darin Olien is the "Superman of Superfoods" and the "Indiana Jones of the Best Ingredients" on the planet. For over 20 years, he has literally roamed the world - and you already know this if you watched Season One of his Netflix docu-series with Zac Efron, “Down to Earth,” where they traveled the planet to explore the secrets of good health, longevity, and sustainability.

Olien is also the author of the NY Times best-selling book, “SuperLife: The five fixes that will keep you healthy, fit and eternally awesome.”

I was stunned to learn just how much we have in common - we’re both from the Midwest, we both are sons of Fathers who grew up around farming and agriculture, we were both collegiate athletes, we’re both NY Times best-selling authors on the subject of health, and today we both spend our days sourcing the best ingredients to bring you healthy, sustainable nutrition in the plantstrong foods we create.

As you’ll hear today, Darin speaks THE TRUTH, but in a way that is filled with purpose and compassion. He discusses:

• How he and Zac propelled the success of "Down to Earth" without being too preachy and off-putting

• How he approaches the subject of climate change, nutrition, and environmental issues, especially with those who may think differently than he does

• His favorite superfoods on the planet

• The life-changing impact of his Father's death

• The abundance and life-giving experience of eating plants

• His perspective on life, particularly after the tragedy of losing his home

• A touch on his fatal conveniences series

This is a man who, through self-motivation and determination, has become a force in the health and nutrition industry. He is living proof that one person can make a global impact.

About Darin Olien

Darin Olien is co-host with Zac Efron on the Emmy™ nominated, #1 Netflix docu-series “Down to Earth with Zac Efron” and host of “The Darin Olien Show” a widely popular podcast curiously exploring people, solutions, and health as well as “Fatal Conveniences™” a segment of the show uncovering modern-day flaws and challenges that may be undermining our health and our environment.

Darin is also a highly recognized exotic superfood hunter, supplement formulator, and author of the New York Times bestseller, “SuperLife: The five fixes that will keep you healthy, fit, and eternally awesome.”

He has traveled the planet discovering new and underutilized exotic foods and medicinal plants. In early 2020 Darin launched 121 Tribe, a health APP created to help people live an optimal and sustainable life. Darin is the formulator of the whole-food supplement, “Shakeology”, as well as the plant-based, “Ultimate Reset” 21-day detoxification program. Darin is one of the founders of Barukas™, a new super nut from the Savannah “Cerrado” of Brazil. Through sustainable business practices, the company is committed to supporting this important biome by planting 20 million Baruzeita trees. In addition, Darin is a partner and advisor to several global environmental and health companies. To learn more about Darin, check out his website and the 121 Tribe program or follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

IG: @darinolien

FB: @DarinOlienOfficial

Twitter: @darinolien

Episode Resources

Darin Olien Website and Resources

Test-Drive the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner. Enjoy a free 14-Day trial by using code: STARTFRESH at check-out. You will have to input credit card, but you won't be charged if you cancel before the end of the trial period.

Our Virtual PLANTSTOCK Returns September 8-12th - Register today

Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

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If you think one person can't make an impact, think again.

In 2016 at the young age of 54, former Brooklyn Borough President and now New York Democratic Mayoral Candidate, Eric Adams, listened as his doctor gave him a grim diagnosis of Type II diabetes. Sadly, he felt it was an inevitable fate because of rampant family history. What didn’t sit with him was relinquishing control of his health and realizing that he was going to be on medication for the rest of his life as his body continued to deteriorate.

Refusing to be buried by this diagnosis, Adams did something that would change the course of his life forever. Instead of googling, “Living with Diabetes,” he typed, “Reversing Diabetes” and a seed was planted. Fortunately, that seed has produced a bountiful harvest of hope and inspiration.

In just three short years since that diagnosis, Eric Adams has made a remarkable personal recovery plus a resounding impact with whole foods plant-based initiatives in New York City. He has lived a rich life committed to public service as an NYC Police Officer, New York State Senator, and Brooklyn Borough President. He recently won the Democratic Mayoral Primary and will be the lead candidate on the ticket this Fall.

But this new chapter may be his most vital act of service yet - improving the lives and vitality of families and children in New York and beyond.

One person can, indeed, create meaningful change and leave a legacy of hope. Will you be the next?

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PlantStrong Website and Resources

Eric Adams Website and Resources

Eric Adams Twitter

Eric Adams Instagram

 

we’re thrilled to bring you today’s guests who are also competing at the top level of professional women’s soccer -Toni Pressley and Ali Riley - of the Orlando Pride! 

Both are using their platforms to promote a PLANTSTRONG diet on and off the field and, in May, they launched their own cooking show called “Girls Gone Veg” on the IAMATHLETE  YouTube Channel that was founded by NFL Legend, Brandon Marshall.

They’ve only been teammates for a short time, but these two soccer legends connected instantly over their mutual love of health, wellness, and, nutrition. The show features weekly cooking demos, interviews with celebrities, and plenty of healthy recipes that are fun, easy, and delicious.

Yes, they are inspiring millions of people of all ages, especially the younger generation, about dreaming big and pursuing their goals, BUT they are also teaching their fans how to live a WHOLE life of health and vitality with foods that will fuel them for peak performance at any age. 

Episode Resources

“Girls Gone Veg” YouTube Channel

Orlando Pride Soccer Schedule

PLANTSTRONG Foods - order our new dessert-inspired granolas and popcorn

PLANT-STOCK 2021 - September 8-12, 2021 - BUNDLE and SAVE: Purchase a bundle of 5 tickets for just $50

Test-Drive the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner. Enjoy a free 14-Day trial by using code: STARTFRESH at check-out. You will have to input credit card, but you won't be charged if you cancel before the end of the trial period. 

Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

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Welcome to Episode Three of our new PLANTSTRONG Snackables podcast series, a bite-sized podcast where host, Rip Esselstyn, and co-host, Jess Hegarty, dish on all things plants!

Jessica leads product innovation for the PlantStrong food line and, together with Rip, will provide a peek behind the curtain on plant-based food headlines, market research, ingredients, and cooking inspiration. Plus, you'll always walk away with a recipe or two to share with your friends and family.

In Episode 3, Rip and Jess challenge you to “think outside the dressing bottle” and offer multiple ways to liven up your summer salads.

They break down the anatomy of the perfect salad dressing - fat, salt, sour and sweet - and provide a list of ingredients you can use to craft your own favorite salad topper. Want that free list to add to your choices and ignite your creativity? Download it HERE!

More Tasty Bites from Today's Episode:

00:00-02:25 Welcome from Rip and Jess

02:-25-04:35 Plant-Based Seafood Company, Good Catch, is making a splash in front of Subway locations

09:50-38:00 Think Outside the Dressing Bottle

Jess and Rip’s Favorite Things: Balsamic Vinegars
PLANTSTRONG Podcast Interview with Dr. Nathan Bryan

Rip’s Favorite Salad Dressing Combination
1/3 Balsalmic Vinegar, 1/3 Maple Syrup, 1/3 Spicy Brown Mustard

Download our “Perfect Salad Dressing Guide" 

Additional Episode Resources

For all PLANTSTRONG Resources, visit plantstrong.com 

Shop PlantStrong Foods Now 

This week, we get into the nitty-gritty of gut health with Part Two of our conversation with Gastroenterologist, Dr. Alan Desmond. If you missed part one with Dr. Desmond’s Top 10 Prescriptions for Better Health, we highly recommend a listen! Let me ask you this -- “Where do you get your fiber?” If your first answer is Metamucil or any other fiber supplement, this episode is for you.

So many of us have what is known as a “carcinogenic microbiome.” It's an unfortunate truth that millions are walking around with a gut filled with cancer-promoting cells. Not only is this leading to so many of the preventable chronic lifestyle diseases, but also debilitating mental and cognitive issues like depression, anxiety, dementia, and Alzheimer's.

BUT, here's the great news. The studies also tell us that the more fruits and vegetables we consume, the higher our levels of optimism and the lower our levels of depressive symptoms.

How is that possible? Dr. Desmond and Rip explain the why and how.

Dr. Desmond explains the history of our gut microbiome, the role that short-chain fatty acids play in a healthy gut, and why a diversity of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds not only positively impacts our physical health, but also improves our overall sense of happiness and joy! 

The saying, “You are what you eat” has never been more true. Well, if you want to be happy and healthy, let’s feed your gut with a diverse diet of fiber-filled happy and healthy whole plantstrong foods.

And, let’s keep the Metamucil on the grocery shelves where it belongs.

If all health begins in the gut, then the United States needs a major overhaul.

One in three adults under the age of 50 have diverticular disease, colorectal cancer will affect more than one in 20 adults in their lifetimes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is off the charts, and millions of others suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and other inflammatory complications in our gut.

These are sobering facts, BUT you can do something about it and, today, along with Gastroenterologist Dr. Alan Desmond, we open up the prescription pad and give you real Doctor's orders - The Top 10 Prescriptions for Better Health - from Dr. Desmond's book, "The Plant-Based Diet Revolution: 28 Days to a Happier Gut and a Healthier You."

But, unlike most prescriptions that simply treat the problem, these prescriptions will get to the root and help you solve these major issues. The best part? They don’t involve taking more pills - just beautiful, nutritious, whole plant-based foods, the optimal diet for health and longevity.

1. 28:50 - Eat a diversity of plants

2. 30:25 - Ditch the Junk - ultra-processed food

3. 34:40 - Eat whole grains every day

4. 39:30 - Embrace whole carbohydrates - fiber, fuel and nutrients

5. 43:23 - Choose your protein wisely - yes, you will get enough protein

6. 49:20 - Take a B12 supplement - 25 mg per day

7. 50:28 - Cut out the sweet stuff

8. 57:46 - Remember, milk is for babies

9. 1:01:00 - Get your sunshine, Vitamin D

10. 1:02:37 - Get help if you need it

We're so thrilled to have you along for this Plant-Based Diet Revolution!

About Dr. Desmond

Doctor Alan Desmond is a Consultant Gastroenterologist who is dedicated to educating the public on the health benefits of a whole-food plant-based diet.  His best-selling book, ‘The Plant-Based Diet Revolution: 28 days to a happier gut and a healthier you’, is available wherever books are sold. Doctor Alan has made evidence-based dietary advice an essential part of his practice as a doctor specializing in gut health problems. He has presented at numerous international medical conferences on the benefits of this approach to food, alongside other renowned advocates including Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Michael Klaper, Dietician Brenda Davis, Dr. Kim Williams, and Dr. Neal Barnard.  He is an Ambassador for Plant-Based Health Professionals UK, a not-for-profit group that educates members of the public, health professionals, and policymakers on the incredible health benefits of a plant-based diet.  

Certified in both Gastroenterology and General Internal Medicine, Doctor Alan completed his medical training in Ireland and Oxford. He has a specialist interest in the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. A fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London, he has published several influential research papers in the field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and is a dedicated advocate for the gut health benefits, and overall health benefits, of a whole-food plant-based approach to nutrition.  He lives in South Devon with his wife and three children.

Episode Resources

Our Virtual PLANTSTOCK Returns September 8-12th and to celebrate, the first 1,000 people to register will get in for just $10.00!

Join the PLANTSTRONG Community

Dr. Alan Desmond Website and Resources

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Everyone loves a great comeback story and, as we head into the 4th of July holiday weekend here in the States, we can't think of any better way to celebrate than with the uplifting story of survival and triumph from one of USA's finest - Dotsie Bausch. 

Dotsie and her track cycling teammates won the Silver medal at the 2012 London games, which is amazing unto itself; however, when you hear Dotsie’s story of what it took to get there, you’ll be even more astonished.

For years, she battled a debilitating eating disorder which left her on the brink of losing her life. Her recovery is nothing short of remarkable and so is her NEW mission in life -- to save the lives of others as Executive Director and tireless advocate at Switch4Good - the non-profit organization and podcast she started to tackle the ridiculous notion that we need cow’s milk for peak health and performance. It was a bill of goods she was sold for years as an elite-level athlete. 

You’ll love hearing about her “underdog” triumph at the Olympics because it’s also how she is approaching her work now. She's most certainly an underdog going up against some powerful organizations out there, but we have no doubt she’ll stand on the podium once again with pride knowing that the power of the Silver medal is saving the lives of millions of children, animals, and our planet.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

Our Virtual PLANTSTOCK Returns September 8-12th and to celebrate, the first 1,000 people to register will get in for just $10.00!

PLANTSTRONG Summer Grilling Guide

Dotsie Bausch Website and Social Media

Switch4Good Website Live Better. Do More. Dairy Free

"Game Changers" Documentary

"Personal Gold" Documentary

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Welcome to Episode Two of our new PLANTSTRONG Snackables podcast series, a bite-sized podcast where host, Rip Esselstyn, and co-host, Jess Hegarty-Pastore, dish on all things plants! Plus, they give you the scoop on all of the upcoming PlantStrong food items.

Jessica leads product innovation for the PlantStrong food line and, together with Rip, will provide a peek behind the curtain on market research, ingredients, and inspiration behind the new PlantStrong foods headed your way. Plus, you'll always walk away with a recipe or two to share with your friends and family.

Tasty Bites from Today's Episode:

00:15 Welcome from Rip and Jess

00:34-02:45 Jess got married at Casa de Luz in Austin

02:49-08:45 Eleven Madison Park in NY goes 100% plant-based! Rip reads the letter from Chef Daniel.

08:50-09:40 Incogmeato commercial in the Olympic Trials

09:50-16:30 Summer Yum! Rip and Jess share their summer activities and fueling favorite fruits! Their favorites include peaches, plums, dark cherries, and strawberries. Plus, you get a little VIP taste of not-so-common favorites: sugarcube melons and champagne mangoes

16:35-18:25 Campfires and S’mores - How should you toast your marshmallows?

18:27-39:40 All things POPCORN, including creative ways to pop up the popcorn flavor! Popcorn is a plantstrong treat that can be enjoyed instead of those unhealthy chips. For all of the recipes visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com at www.plantstrongpodcast.com/blog/snackables-ep2 

Episode Resources

For all of the popcorn recipes in today's episode, visit the Episode Page at plantstrongpodcast.com - www.plantstrongpodcast.com/blog/snackables-ep2

Shop PlantStrong Foods Now - https://plantstrongfoods.com/

Casa de Luz - https://www.casadeluz.org/

Eleven Madison Park - Letter from Chef Daniel Humm

"Help me learn to prepare wonderful meals!"

“I don’t know where to begin in the kitchen!”

Here at PLANTSTRONG, these are requests we get all of the time and we totally understand! It can be overwhelming to learn how to make new meals that taste great, especially when you're new to a plantstrong way of eating. Today, we've got you covered with longtime pal and chef, Derek Sarno.

It's hard to match the passion of Derek, especially in the kitchen. His company, Wicked Healthy Foods, is bringing plenty of plantstrong heat to the world and changing the plant-based retail space across the globe one animal-free meal at a time.

It was COMPASSION, though, that brought Derek to a completely vegan lifestyle when he suffered an unthinkable tragedy - the loss of his fiance. That moment changed the course of his life, career, and ultimately his purpose. He started from the bottom up...and we know that’s where some of you may find yourself right now. 

Today, we’re here to help you turn it around, become a wicked good cook, and bring out the flavor, fun, and creativity in your foods. We talk about:

• Getting organized in the kitchen

• The proper mindset around cooking

• Must-Have Kitchen Tools

• Spices, veggie prep, sauces, gravies

...and it wouldn’t be a talk with Derek Sarno if we weren’t talking mushrooms! He is the leader of the Mushroom Mafia, after all. For all of the details and tips on this episode, make sure to visit the episode page at planstrongpodcast.com. 

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - https://mealplanner.plantstrong.com - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

Get all of Today's Cooking Tips at the Episode Page: Wicked Healthy Food - https://wickedhealthyfood.com/

Purchase The Wicked Healthy Cookbook

 

Plant-based nutrition is definitely having a moment and it's so rewarding to be a key part of the conversation. It's also rewarding to introduce two longtime plantstrong pals who,like those of us at PLANTSTRONG, have been walking the walk and talking the talk for decades.

Matt Frazier is founder and creator of “The No Meat Athlete” and he’s absolutely one of the global authorities on plant-based nutrition for endurance athletes.

Robert Cheeke is the founder and creator of Vegan BodyBuilding and Fitness and has often been referred to as “The Godfather of the Vegan Bodybuilding Movement.” For over 25 years now, he's been out there flexing those biceps and advocating for a vegan lifestyle.

At PLANTSTRONG, we're thrilled to see Matt (“Mr. Endurance”) and Robert (“Mr. Muscle”) cross-pollinate and get together to produce this groundbreaking new book, The Plant-Based Athlete: A Game Changing Approach to Peak Performance.It is poised to be the definitive guide for any athlete looking to optimize and enhance their athletic performance.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone who is just starting to dip your toe into fitness and may harbor some fear or doubt that plant-based nutrition will provide you with everything you need to succeed.

Those fears will be put to rest with this book that is packed with recipes, insights, scientific research, and profiles of athletes who use plants to power their professional careers and daily lives.

Key Takeaways:

• Macronutrient and Micronutrient Breakdowns - How much and, more importantly, what should I be eating before, during and after my training sessions?

• Can I really get enough protein on a plant-based diet?

• Why is plant protein superior to animal protein?

• How does a plantstrong diet help with inflammation and recovery?

• What are some examples of food combinations that will help sustain my performance? What foods do Robert and Matt eat?

• How do I even know how many calories I need on a daily basis?

• Who are some of the top-level athletes fueled by plants and what do they eat on a daily basis?

Even though our platform at PLANTSTRONG has primarily been about preventing and reversing chronic lifestyle disease like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, it’s so exciting to shed light on the fact that the same diet is also a performance enhancer to help athletes of all levels compete at their best.

The game is changing and it is PLANTSTRONG.

Episode Resources

Order our New PlantStrong Dessert-Inspired Granolas! https://plantstrongfoods.com/

Black Mountain, NC PLANTSTRONG Retreat - September 25th-30th, 2021 - https://plantstrong.com/black-mountain/

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - https://mealplanner.plantstrong.com - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

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No Meat Athlete - https://www.nomeatathlete.com/

Vegan BodyBuilding Website - https://www.veganbodybuilding.com/

Welcome to Episode One of our new PLANTSTRONG Snackables podcast series, a bite-sized podcast where host, Rip Esselstyn, and co-host, Jess Pastore, dish on all things plants! Plus, they give you the scoop on all of the upcoming PlantStrong food items. 

Jessica leads product innovation for the PlantStrong foodline and, together with Rip, will provide a peek behind the curtain on market research, ingredients, and inspiration behind the new PlantStrong foods headed your way.

Tasty Bites from Today's Episode:

• New Dating Trends for Plant-Based Singles - Yes, Being Plantstrong is Important in the Dating World!

• Jess is off to Get Married!

• Delicious Substitutes for Cheese and Desserts

• A Preview of the New PlantStrong Granolas - Why We Chose the Flavors and the Ingredients we Chose - YUM!

• Live Recipe Building - “Slugs on a Boat” - Apples, Dates, Nut Butter, Dark Chocolate

We hope you enjoy this personal tour into the PlantStrong kitchen with Rip and Jess.

Episode Resources

Shop PlantStrong Foods Now - https://plantstrongfoods.com/

Bautista Farms Dates - http://7hotdates.com/type-medjool.html

Sherra Aguirre is a vibrant soul who proves that health and vitality have no age limit. Her new book, “Joyful, Delicious, Vegan: Life Without Heart Disease” is testament that we can all learn how to enjoy good health naturally at any age―and it starts in our kitchens by changing how we eat.

Hers is a colorful and rich story that included a 35-year career as founder and CEO of a Houston-based company that had over 1200 employees. Needless to say, it was a life of stress, travel, dinners, and plenty of unhealthy habits.

Sherra shares her own story of reversing her heart disease and high blood pressure after she realized, quite shockingly, that she was eating over 50% fat every day! Her recipe? She adopted a SIMPLE, yet beautiful, whole foods plant-based diet. Her family history was riddled with chronic lifestyle disease and Sherra's goal is to help you re-write your own family history with simple and joyful changes.

"Simple," we know, is the keyword here, and you’ll be inspired and touched by her mindful approach to life now that includes a daily yoga and meditation practice as well. Sherra is aspirational because of her approach to life - that we should all reflect on how available and simple good health can actually be - and how delicious and fun it can be if we take time to appreciate all that we have.

When you live the mantra, “Self-Care is the new Health Care,” it can and will reverse your own lifestyle disease, but by changing yourself from the inside out, it can also have a lasting effect on your families and communities in which you serve. Now that is powerful and so, so simple.

About Sherra Aguirre:

SHERRA AGUIRRE is an articulate health enthusiast, environmentalist, and food security activist. She founded and led a successful business for three decades, winning national awards for entrepreneurship, innovation, and service excellence. She sold the company in 2016 to focus on sharing her passion for a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Aguirre describes herself as high energy, in better overall health, and in many ways more fit than in her thirties or forties. She has practiced meditation and yoga daily for more than twenty-five years, and for many years has researched and read extensively about diet and lifestyle as the most important factors for achieving and maintaining good health. By adopting a whole plant-based diet, she improved her overall heart health and eliminated symptoms of hypertension despite a significant family history of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. She is passionate about empowering others to maintain vibrancy and good health throughout their lifetimes.

One of Aguirre’s main goals with her new book is to make the change to a healthier diet and lifestyle more accessible, particularly to African Americans and other communities who are at high risk for diabetes and heart disease.

Aguirre writes about the healing qualities of compassion, simplicity, and gratitude, and the ripple effect vegan eating can have on individuals, families, and communities. She is married with two daughters—Tembi Locke– actor, speaker, screenwriter, and New New York Times best-selling author; and Attica Locke– multiple award-winning novelist, New York Times best-selling author and screenwriter/producer.

Episode Resources

Black Mountain, NC PLANTSTRONG Retreat - September 25th-30th, 2021 - https://plantstrong.com/black-mountain/

New PlantStrong Foods Coming Soon - Hop on the list and be the first to know when they are available - https://plantstrongfoods.com/apps/coming-soon

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - https://mealplanner.plantstrong.com - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

Sherra Aguirre Website - https://sherraaguirre.com/

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Dig deep into the all-encompassing world of Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Dr. Saray Stancic. Her story has a little of everything that will have you on the edge of your seat -- personal trauma and transformation, redemption, discovery, and a passionate pursuit to change not just her health and the health of her patients, but of the healthcare field as a whole. Not a small task, but as you’ll hear, this plant-armored warrior is more than up to the task! 

In 1995, as a third-year medical resident, Dr. Stancic was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At the time, it may as well have been a death sentence for this young doctor. This unforeseen health challenge changed the course of her life, both professionally and personally, and Rip and Saray talk about the impact that diagnosis had on her life as well as her “galileo” blueberry moment that ultimately changed the way she viewed her prognosis.

Today, over 25 years later, in addition to being a physician, you can also add marathon finisher, filmmaker, and author to her long list of credentials. Her film, “Code Blue” examines the healthcare industry and offers solutions featuring the practice of lifestyle medicine to prevent, treat, and manage disease. And, her new book, What’s Missing From Medicine offers six lifestyle changes to overcome chronic illness, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, autoimmune diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis, and many others.

Prepare to be inspired by the incomparable, Dr. Saray Stancic.

Episode Resources

Black Mountain, NC PLANTSTRONG Retreat - September 25th-30th, 2021 - https://plantstrong.com/black-mountain/

New PlantStrong Foods Coming Soon - Hop on the list and be the first to know when they are available - https://plantstrongfoods.com/apps/coming-soon

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - https://mealplanner.plantstrong.com - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

Dr. Saray Stancic Website - https://drstancic.com/

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Welcome to a BONUS Edition of the PLANTSTRONG Podcast with an encore performance of “How to Lose Weight Without Losing Your Mind,” featuring Dr. Doug Lisle and Rip Esselstyn. In this free livestream event, Dr. Lisle gave a brief talk on the surprising and inspiring truth about how to achieve sustainable weight loss.

The event was so powerful that we want to share it with everyone in hopes of providing some help and reassurance that YOU are not the problem and your genes are not to blame as much as we want to point the finger at someone besides ourselves. So many lightbulb moments took place throughout the evening and we love it when that happens.

Stick around at the end as PLANTSTRONG coaches John Fitzgerald and Ami Mackey also provide a Mindset Mastery talk on how to put the content into action. Thanks so much for listening and do feel free to share this episode with friends or loved ones who may benefit.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Reasons Why We are Gaining Weight

• The Role of Genes in our Weight Destiny

• Calorie Density and How it Factors into our Consumption of Food

• Calorie Estimation Receptors - What are They?

• Dr. Lisle’s Law of Satiety

• How to Avoid Falling into the Pleasure Trap - Avoiding Temptations and Cravings

• Dr. Lisle’s “New Religion” - Salad, Veggies, Carbs

• Mindset Mastery - Now, HOW do We Implement?

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Video Version of this Episode including all of Dr. Lisle’s slides: https://youtu.be/Z96ThwPd4ak 

• Summer Grilling Guide - Join our Free Community to get the Guide to Delicious Summer Foods:  https://community.plantstrong.com/posts/summer-grilling-guide

• Rescue 10X - Our Summer Edition starts June 15th: https://community.plantstrong.com/plans/131498?bundle_token=d5fa00af4802686ed95ec14aaef011a8&utm_source=manual 

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. (Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button.) Enjoy the test drive and get cooking! https://mealplanner.plantstrong.com/ 

• Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community: https://community.plantstrong.com/feed 

• Esteem Dynamics: https://esteemdynamics.com/ 

• Theme Music for Episode: https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/10845 

“Who would be on your wishlists to talk plants?” It was a question for the PLANTSTRONG Podcast team at the beginning of the season and today’s guest was right at the top of that list.

Tig Notaro is a comedian and actress known for her subtle but hilarious deadpan delivery in her TV shows, films, and stand-up. In fact, her new film, “Army of the Dead,” was released on May 21st and it is (at time of publication) the #1 film on Netflix.

What you may not know about Tig is her traumatic health story and subsequent journey to plants. In 2012, in the span of just a few weeks, Tig developed and almost succumbed to C-Diff, a potentially deadly infection. Just days later, her Mom died unexpectedly, her relationship ended, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through treatment and a double mastectomy.

Part of Tig’s journey to recovery was actually getting back on stage to talk about it with vulnerability in her usual candor, but she also started researching how to best take care of herself and improve her health and the health of her family. 

Guess where her research led her? You guessed it. PLANTS. In 2016, Tig, her now-wife Stephanie, and their two sons went all-in on plant-based nutrition and she has been a fierce advocate ever since. She had her Galileo moment and the changes have been profound. 

Even during the pandemic this year, since she couldn’t be on the road, she took the course to become certified in plant-based nutrition and think that’s pretty darrn cool!

What Else Will You Learn from Today’s Conversation?

• Some of Tig’s favorite plant-based meals

• Why Tig finds watermelon a “snooze-fest”

• Her favorite app to find the best vegan restaurants when she travels

• Her conviction to this PlantStrong way-of-life and how she knows she’s not changing

• Whether she views herself as competitive

• How she makes one small habit-change each year to improve her health

• How she has brought her family into the plant-based world, including her father-in-law

• How she came to her new role in “Army of the Dead”

• Family inspiration for her stand-up material

So, yes, Tig is famous for her stand-up, her podcasts, her TV shows, and movies, but we were fortunate enough to talk to Tig because she loves plants, so we hope you, too, will support her work and her PLANTSTRONG journey.

Episode Resources

Black Mountain, NC PLANTSTRONG Retreat - September 25th-30th, 2021 - https://plantstrong.com/black-mountain/

New PlantStrong Foods Coming Soon - Hop on the list and be the first to know when they are available - https://plantstrongfoods.com/apps/coming-soon

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - https://mealplanner.plantstrong.com - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

Tig Notaro Website - https://tignation.com/

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Today's episode is a celebration and looks back at the 10-year-anniversary of the film, Forks over Knives with Brian Wendel, founder and president of Forks Over Knives and creator and executive producer of the Forks Over Knives feature film.

This film examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the chronic diseases that afflict us can be controlled or even reversed by rejecting animal-based and processed foods, has gone on to become one of the most popular and longest-running independent films ever on Netflix. Plus, it is still available to stream for free at www.Forksoverknives.com.

For a decade now, this film has been one of the most popular “entry points” for those who are plant-curious. Why? Because it’s approachable, friendly, and attainable. Today, we relive the making of this film with Brian - How and why did he develop the story? When did he even know he was really onto something? We think you’ll appreciate that so much of the success of Forks over Knives is a result of “happy accidents” and the universe doing its thing -- putting the right people together at just the right time.

The lives of all of these people, including the entire Esselstyn family, have been changed for the better and it was an honor being a part of such a powerful film that created a tidal wave of change and acceptance for living PlantStrong.

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to Forks over Knives.

About Brian Wendel

In 2001, Brian Wendel attended a conference on nutrition. There, a plant-based expert made a compelling enough argument that a Staten Island boy raised on pizza and roast beef decided to go all in on plant foods. He had no idea it would forever alter the course of his life.

Over the next eight years, Brian immersed himself in the lifestyle, learning about the disease-reversing power of a plant-based diet. The evidence was strong, yet the overwhelming majority of the population had no idea that this simple change could have such a drastic impact. Brian wanted to reach as many people as possible with this information, so in 2009, he began work on a documentary film.

Forks Over Knives became a spark for national change. The film was a hit. The accompanying book became a New York Times No. 1 bestseller. And most importantly, Brian saw legions of people—including his own father and members of the film’s cast and crew—adopting a plant-based diet and regaining control of their health and their lives. It was obvious that Forks Over Knives was no longer just a side project, so Brian quit his day job in real estate and took on the movement full time.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

Enjoy our New Limited Edition PLANTSTRONG Spring Culinary Experience boxes! This is the second in a series of at-home cooking classes in partnership with our friends at The Chef’s Garden, a regenerative farm near the shores of Lake Erie. You can sign up today and then make a date with mom - or with anyone who will appreciate this fun activity - to come together to make a four-course spring dinner that is out of sight. Boxes will begin to ship on May 17th and they include premium hand-picked produce, a full library of videos, and beautifully printed recipe cards. Visit plantstrong.com/garden today for more details.

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - https://mealplanner.plantstrong.com - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

Links to Episode Music:

https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/10845 - theme music

https://youtu.be/rhV_DIoebm - promo theme music

We keep the Mother’s Day celebration going with two of the up-and-coming broc-stars, The Plant-Based Juniors, Whitney English and Alexandra Caspero. Together, these two have created a robust community and a haven of support for raising healthy plant-strong babies and toddlers. 

In fact, their new book, The Plant-Based Baby and Toddler is coming out on May 18th, 2021 and it is the topic of much of the discussion in today’s episode. The PBJs are packed with knowledge, research, and enthusiasm for providing such accurate and evidence-based information because, as we know, there is just so much misinformation out there. They cut through the noise with a refreshing and welcoming vibe that we love here at PlantStrong.

Both Alex and Whitney are Registered Dietitians, Certified Personal Trainers, and Moms to toddlers, so they are, of course, personally invested in the health of not just your children, but theirs as well.  Even if you’re not a parent, we encourage you to share this episode with those who are. They are a wonderful source for encouragement and affirmation that shines a light on the fact that raising plant-based babies and toddlers is not only safe, but it’s also health-promoting. 

We cover so many issues that new parents face, especially the many fears and misconceptions of raising plant-strong babies. We also talk about how to have productive conversations with your children and with the naysayers who express their concerns about your parenting choices. We dive into soy, gluten, the whole grain paradox...and making sure your child gets plenty of Vitamin P. What in the world is Vitamin P? You’ll find out and, believe us, you don’t want to live without it.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources: The Plant-Based Juniors Website Enjoy our New Limited Edition PLANTSTRONG Spring Culinary Experience boxes! This is the second in a series of at-home cooking classes in partnership with our friends at The Chef’s Garden, a regenerative farm near the shores of Lake Erie. You can sign up today and then make a date with mom - or with anyone who will appreciate this fun activity - to come together to make a four-course spring dinner that is out of sight. Boxes will begin to ship on May 17th and they include premium hand-picked produce, a full library of videos, and beautifully printed recipe cards. Visit plantstrong.com/garden today for more details.

Visit the new PlantStrong website

PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

Links to episode music:

Theme Music

Promo Music

Today, we welcome and invite you into the magical and whimsical world of The Happy Pear, David and Stephen Flynn.

For the past 16-years, these Irish twin brothers have been on an exploration of health, vitality, and happiness and we guarantee it's a journey you'll want to join when you hear them speak.

We talked about how these two former tough-guy meat lovin’ rugby players transformed into plantstrong powerhouses. We talk yoga, handstands, meditation, cooking, building community, spreading joy...and so much more.

They've been making waves in the plant-based world and jumping in them with their daily sunrise swims. That's how I knew we'd get along so well. I’ve been wanting to talk to these lads for a while now and I hope you love the conversation as much as I did because, when you interview the Happy Pear, you just kick back and let them go!

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

Enjoy our New Limited Edition PLANTSTRONG Spring Culinary Experience boxes! This is the second in a series of at-home cooking classes in partnership with our friends at The Chef’s Garden, a regenerative farm near the shores of Lake Erie. You can sign up today and then make a date with mom - or with anyone who will appreciate this fun activity - to come together to make a four-course spring dinner that is out of sight. Boxes will begin to ship on May 17th and they include premium hand-picked produce, a full library of videos, and beautifully printed recipe cards. Visit plantstrong.com/garden today for more details.

Join our life-altering PLANTSTRONG Retreat in Sedona, AZ from October 11th-16th. Visit plantstrong.com/sedona for details and registration.

Links to episode music:

https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/10845 - theme music

https://youtu.be/rhV_DIoebm - promo theme music

If there’s one person who has put a face on the vegan lifestyle, it would have to be Kathy Freston. Kathy has written nine books including the popular Veganist, The Lean, and Clean Protein, and she’s been an outspoken plant-based proponent in the mainstream media for many years - including popular appearances on Ellen, Oprah, Good Morning America, and The View.

Her new book written with last week’s podcast guest, Gene Stone, is called 72 Reasons to Be Vegan and we continue this conversation in her usual approachable and attainable way. And, that’s what we love about Kathy. Her philosophy is ‘progress over perfection’ because, let’s face it, no one is perfect -  and we’re all on a journey towards making ourselves better humans.

72 Reasons to Be Vegan is an extension of the work that she has been doing for years and, judging by her enthusiasm, and her inner and outer beauty, she won’t be stopping anytime soon.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• 72 Reasons to Be Vegan

• Kathy Freston Website and Resources

• Join our Life-Altering PlantStrong Retreat in Sedona, AZ - October 11th-16th, 2021

• Visit the new PlantStrong website

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• Theme Music for Episode

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Have you ever come across a person in your life who just brings out the best in you? They challenge you, ask the right questions, they’re present, and recognize a gift that maybe YOU didn’t even know you had?

Author, Gene Stone, is one of those people for Rip and, if his name doesn't sound familiar, his writing surely will.

Gene is the author or co-author of over 50 books including two of Rip's books - “The Engine 2 Diet” and “Plant Strong.” Other familiar titles include Dr. Michael Greger’s book, “How Not to Die,” the first “Forks over Knives,” or “Living the Farm Sanctuary Life” by Gene Bauer. The list of his books on health, wellness, and nutrition is certainly impressive and, today, we dig into his latest project, “72 Reasons to Be Vegan” that he co-wrote with vegan rockstar, Kathy Freston.

Here’s the cool thing about Gene. When Rip first met him back in 2006, he wasn’t plantstrong at all, but he did have an open mind, allowing him to have a Galileo moment while writing "The Engine 2 Diet." Today, he eats, sleeps, breathes and writes the lifestyle, which is how his new book, “72 Reasons to Be Vegan” came to be.

This new book answers the inevitable question that we all get - "WHY would you do that?!”

Let’s catch up and start answering these questions with Gene Stone.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Join our Life-Altering PlantStrong Retreat in Sedona, AZ - October 11th-16th, 2021

• 72 Reasons to Be Vegan 
• Gene Stone's Website and Resources

• Visit the new PlantStrong website

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• Theme Music for Episode

• Promo Theme Music

Do you have a love affair with the salt shaker? Having trouble breaking yourself of the pre-packaged food addiction? Do you have a ballpark guess for the recommended amount of sodium you should be consuming on a daily basis? What about the devastating consequences of too much salt in your diet? 

Don’t be alarmed or ashamed with any of your answers if you just don’t know. It’s not your fault. We all fall prey to marketing and the lure of salty foods and today Rip speaks with researcher and author, Michael Jacobson, about his recent book, “Salt Wars - The Battle over the Biggest Killer in the American Diet.” 

Michael Jacobson is one of the preeminent scientists who has been fighting on the front lines in Washington DC - literally going to political battle for our health for more than 50 years.

He is co-founder of the Center for Science and the Public Interest, which was developed in 1971 as a Health Advocacy Group for Food Safety and Nutrition. The CSPI may not sound familiar to you, but their work will - they are responsible for nutrition facts labeling on food products, getting junk foods out of schools, and removing trans fat out of the food supply -- to name a few of their landmark efforts. 

Today, though, he speaks with Rip about our love affair with salt. Why has it become so prevalent in our diet (much of it without us even realizing!)? What are the impacts on our health? And, most importantly, how can we ditch the desire for that extra dash at every meal? 

Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D. is a co-founder and long-time Executive Director of Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI), now serving as a Senior Scientist. Jacobson has written numerous books and reports, including Salt Wars: The Battle Over the Biggest Killer in the American Diet; Eater’s Digest: the Consumer’s Fact Book of Food Additives, Nutrition Scoreboard; Salt: the Forgotten Killer; and Liquid Candy: How Soft Drinks are Harming Americans’ Health. He has also been honored with such awards as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Hero Award (2010), the American Public Health Association’s David P. Rall award for advocacy in public health (2011), and the Food Marketing Institute’s Esther Peterson Consumer Service Award (1992). His Ph.D. in microbiology is from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• Learn More About our In-Person Sedona Retreat - October 11th-16th, 2021

• Center for Science in the Public Interest Website

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Welcome to a special BONUS episode of the PLANTSTRONG Podcast. A few weeks ago, we hosted our first of many Live “Rip’s Rescue'' events. The theme of this first presentation? “Make Yourself Heart-Attack Proof” with Dr. Brian Asbill, my parents- Ann and Essy, and special guest Jim McNamara - one of my father’s patients. The response to that event has been so overwhelming and positive that we wanted to share this audio version with all of our podcast listeners.

If you or a loved one has had a cardiac event, or if you’ve been told that you’re at high risk, think of this episode as your own two-hour appointment with some of the best medical providers on the planet. Cardiologist Dr. Brian Asbill was on the podcast for a solo interview just a few episodes ago and my parents, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn and Ann Crile Esselstyn, really need no introduction! This special episode is a crash course on how adopting a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle can help you avoid a heart attack, stent, or even bypass surgery.

Some of the topics we cover? 

• Dr. Asbill talks about cholesterol and helps unpack your lipid panel numbers

• He also gives his take on lifestyle intervention vs. surgery

• My Dad talks about Nitric Oxide - what is it and how can we all get more of it

• And, in only the way she can, my Mother digs into the foods you need to fight back against heart disease

• Plus, you’ll definitely want to hear an inspiring plantstrong success story from Jim

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Video Version of this Episode

• Dr. Brian Asbill Podcast Episode

• PLANTSTRONG Website with all of our Resources

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

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Rip welcomes his sister, Jane Esselstyn, back to the PLANTSTRONG Podcast.

Many know Jane as a charismatic and energetic voice in the whole food, plant-based space, especially alongside her mother, Ann, in their fun YouTube Cooking Channel.

What you may not know is that she is also a registered nurse who uses her charisma and passion to teach Sex Education to middle schoolers! Jane is an advocate for helping both kids and adults to understand that part of being a healthy grown-up should include a healthy sex life.

It can be awkward to talk about these things and that’s why Jane really shines. She uses a healthy dose of empathy, compassion, and humor to talk about these subjects that both teens and adults are often too embarrassed to talk about.

Listener Note: We do use many of the clinical anatomical words because, as you’ll find out today, one of the components of a healthy sex life is communication. So, let’s start talking about it!

A plantstrong life has many benefits above AND below the belt - and a strong sex life should be one of them.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community

• Jane Esselstyn YouTube Channel

• Jane Esselstyn Website

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Rip heads across the pond to talk to a true plant-based gem -- Dr. Gemma Newman. Gemma is a senior partner in a family medical practice in the UK and author of the new book, “The Plant-Power Doctor - A Simple Prescription for a Healthier You.”

Like many of us, Dr. Newman was stuck in all of the popular diet wars and tried them all to get rid of the weight she gained during medical school. However, even though she was the doctor in the family, it was her husband’s marathon training that ultimately changed the course of Gemma’s life and medical practice forever.

Today, she is passionate about plant-based nutrition, holistic health, and lifestyle medicine. In fact, it is the most powerful instrument in her medical toolbox. In this episode, Rip and Gemma dig into some of the highlights and patient stories from her new book “The Plant-Power Doctor,” including:

• Her Own Testament to the Power of Plants

• Inflammation in the body - causes and benefits of a plant-based diet to combat inflammation

• The Power of Antioxidants

• Hormonal Health for Women

• And we even talk a little Harry and Meghan gossip and British slang along the way!

It’s undeniable that medical practices both here and in the UK are burdened with so much competing information, lack of time, and a fast-paced ‘fix-it-now’ society - BUT, with doctors like Gemma Newman fighting for long-term health and vitality, we are on the RIGHT PATH and we hope you’ll stay right here with us because the proof is in the plants!

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Buy The Plant Power Doctor Book by Dr. Gemma Newman

• Gemma Newman MD Website

• PLANTSTRONGFOODS.com Want to be the first to hear about new PLANTSTRONG foods? Text the word, FOODS to 77174 and we’ll add you to the VIP list for early access. We have a couple of our heritage products available on our website - including the crowd favorite - our stone-baked, 100% whole grain, oil-free pizza crusts.

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

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This week, we’re digging into inspiration and exploring your personal limits with a major dose of true grit!

In March 2019, Robbie Balenger set sail with his sneakers from Huntington Beach, California to run across America all the way to Central Park, New York in just 75 days. He was relatively new to running as well as to a PlantStrong lifestyle. So, why on earth would he do something like this? Well, as it turns out, the earth had EVERYTHING to do with it.

Environmental issues, fitness, and plant-based nutrition had become so important to him that he wanted to spark more conversation and spread his message across the country. And what better way to do that than by setting the physical example for what can be done. And - spoiler alert- He DID IT!

Today, we look back at this incredible “feat” and dig into his value-driven life, which has only grown stronger since his successful trip across the country just two years ago.

In fact, just this past weekend, Robbie did it again! He broke the record for the most number of consecutive loops run in Central Park during open hours with 16 loops and over 100 miles. Now THAT is some PLANTSTRONG peak performance.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Visit the site to register for the upcoming Spring session

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• Robbie Balenger Instagram

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• Promo Theme Music

If you want to know what service and passion look like, look no further than today’s guests - Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, affectionately known as ‘Team Sherzai.’ Dean and Ayesha make a return visit to the PLANTSTRONG Podcast to dig into their new book, The 30-Day Alzheimers Solution - The Definitive Food and Lifestyle Guide to Preventing Cognitive Decline, which is being released March 23rd. 

Undoubtedly, everyone has been affected or knows someone who has been affected by the devastating effects of dementia and Alzheimers. Whether you are at risk, or if a loved one is suffering from cognitive decline, Team Sherzai lay out actionable, research-based solutions to this rapidly growing issue in our society. 

They recall their own personal galileo moment as physicians- when one public event influenced and changed the course of their area of study - to develop education and support around preventative neurology and brain health through behavior and lifestyle change. Today, these world-renowned neurologists are co-Directors of the Alzheimers Prevention Clinic at Loma Linda University and founders of the NEURO Plan.

What is the NEURO plan, and what are those factors that can drastically improve your brain health? That's what they dish in this beautiful conversation that will inspire you to build your cognitive connectivity, find purpose in every activity, and "rewire, don't retire" your brain. 

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Visit the site to register for the upcoming Spring session

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• Team Sherzai - Season 1 Episode 3: Who Needs Sleep?

• Team Sherzai Website and Book Pre-Order

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It’s not often that a doctor is inspired to make a lifestyle change because of a patient, but this is exactly the incredible Galileo moment that Dr. Brian Asbill shares today on the PLANTSTRONG podcast.

As a cardiologist for 19 years, Dr. Brian Asbill had become adept at diagnosing and treating patients with medications and procedures, a variety of chronic diseases, and yet many of his “optimally managed” patients continued to suffer from recurrent cardiovascular events.  

A couple of years later, a patient gave him a copy of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and, shortly after finishing reading it, he met with a patient who was having daily angina and had been told that he would require a third open-heart surgery. Instead of immediate surgery, Asbill gave him the book and told him to come back and see him in three months unless his symptoms worsened.

Three months later, that patient returned and both of their lives were irrevocably changed.  He had lost 27 pounds, dropped his cholesterol by 100 points, and, within a week of changing his diet, had started walking on a treadmill thirty minutes daily while requiring NO nitroglycerin tablets for relief of chest pain. 

Procedures and prescriptions would not have matched the difference that he had made by simply changing to a whole-food, plant-based diet. 

Why was this not routinely taught in medical school?

Because of this new truth, in August 2018, Dr. Asbill made the decision to fully transition from cardiology to lifestyle medicine, becoming the first in the world to do so.  It was time to leave the “sickcare” system behind and begin building a true “healthcare” system founded upon optimal nutrition, physical activity and stress management. 

He is now part of Ruckus Health and committed to helping clients prevent, treat, and even reverse their chronic medical conditions through permanent lifestyle change. Today, Dr. Asbill shares his personal journey and the inspiring stories of his patients. "

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Rip's Rescue - "Make Yourself Heart-Attack Proof - LIVE on March 18th with Dr. Asbill and the Esselstyns. Register for FREE

• Ruckus Health with Dr. Brian Asbill

• PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Hop on the waitlist for our next session.

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• PLANTSTRONG Foods - Pizza Crust is Back in Stock. Bookmark this page for upcoming food announcements!

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It’s always wonderful to catch up with friends and fellow plantstrong powerhouses! Today, we're thrilled to welcome Paul de Gelder back to the podcast. You can catch his first interview here in season one.

In 2009, Paul was a Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver on a training exercise in Sydney Harbor when he was viciously attacked by a nine-foot bull shark. He came precariously close to death, as you’ll hear him recount today.

As a man who faced death face-on, he knows a thing or two about fear. How do you handle fear and uncertainty? How do you navigate dark times and turbulent waters? You double-down on structure, routine, and strength, as Paul emphasizes today.

From the start, instead of anger or depression, Paul committed his recovery and new life to one of conservation, compassion, and commitment - not just to our planet, but to the animals that nearly killed him.

He's a regular host of Sharkweek on the Discovery Channel where he takes celebrities like Will Smith and Mike Tyson on shark dives to raise awareness of the beauty and importance of these creatures that humans fear most.

It’s so easy to be inspired by Paul and, as he says, “Once you get past the fear of dying, life becomes more refreshing and free."

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Paul de Gelder Instagram

• Rip's Rescue - "Make Yourself Heart-Attack Proof - LIVE on March 18th - Register for FREE

• PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Hop on the waitlist for our next session.

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• PLANTSTRONG Foods - Pizza Crust is Back in Stock. Bookmark this page for upcoming food announcements!

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Last week, we spoke with registered dietitian and author, Brenda Davis, about her latest work called, Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families--With Tips & Recipes for Bringing Health, Joy, & Connection to Your Dinner Table.

This week, we continue with part two of this important topic with co-author, Dr. Reshma Shah. Dr. Shah is a board-certified pediatrician, mother, plant-based home-cook, teacher, and student. She has nearly two decades of experience caring for children and families, and currently sees patients at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and serves as an affiliate clinical instructor at Stanford University School of Medicine.

We know it’s hard to bring an entire family on board the plant-based journey with you because there is a real fear around community, judgment, and nutrition requirements. We also know that you want what’s best for your families and it’s time we have positive conversations around food — with your doctors, friends, and especially your family.

Dr. Shah reveals some of the tools, resources, and recipes from the book that will bring joy, abundance, and nutrition back to the family table. It will also instill confidence in knowing that you’re making powerful and positive decisions for the benefit of your entire family for years to come. It's never too late to make changes and bring the family along the adventure with you.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Dr. Reshma Shah Website

• Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families

• PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Hop on the waitlist for our next session.

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• PLANTSTRONG Foods - Pizza Crust is Back in Stock. Bookmark this page for upcoming food announcements!

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She has been called the "Godmother of Vegan Dietitians" and the "High Priestess of Vegan Nutrition" and today, we're proud to welcome friend, author, and plantstrong pioneer, Brenda Davis, to the podcast.

Brenda is the author of 12 books and she’s been a speaker at our Plant-Stock events for years. Not only does she captivate with the energy of a teenager, but her evidence-based research leaves folks inspired regardless of where they are on their own journey to health.

That’s why we're excited to discuss topics in her latest book, “Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families” that she co-wrote with Pediatrician, Dr. Reshma Shah.

We're often asked about how we do it in the Esselstyn house. People want to know how to feed their children healthy foods in a fast-paced, junk food society without sacrificing the nutrients needed in order to grow and thrive.

Today, Brenda addresses some of these common concerns that parents may have...Things like - of course- protein...iodine, calcium, iron, zinc, B-12...you know...all the same things we worry about as adults!

The goal of this book is not to just provide confidence in plant-based nutrition for health at any age, but also build a life-affirming connection within your family. “Nourish” offers the solution parents have been waiting for when it comes to deciding what and how to feed their families.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Brenda Davis Website and Resources

• PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Hop on the waitlist for our next session.

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• PLANTSTRONG Foods - Pizza Crust is Back in Stock. Bookmark this page for upcoming food announcements!

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What do nitric oxide, turmeric, sulforaphane, and humming all have in common? Your health and longevity, of course!

You’re going to be humming with joy after you listen to this episode today with Dr. Irminne Van Dyken. Dr. Van Dyken is a general surgeon based in Hawaii, and she is also a cutting-edge researcher and plant-based advocate who teaches others how to optimize their own health and microbiome through diet and lifestyle.

Get ready to have fun and think a little outside the box because this interview is packed with quick hits on topics that she is most excited about these days.

If you enjoyed Episode 5 with Doug Evans on sprouting a couple of weeks ago, you’ll definitely love our continued talk around this new word - Sulforaphane. It seems to be everywhere these days! What is it, what are the benefits, and where can I get it?

Dr. Van Dyken also shares her expertise on the importance of nitric oxide and why it’s a good thing that our tongues are textured like a shag carpet! And speaking of tongues, she also discusses the health benefits of humming...yes...humming for health! So simple, right?

Finally, she touches on her favorite spices: Curcumin and Turmeric - and the vast health benefits of each.

This is a jam-packed episode of helpful advice from one of our favorite doctors. Dr. Iminne Van Dyken may have gotten into surgery to fix things, but as you’ll hear, she’s more interested in helping you achieve optimal health long before you ever need to go under the knife!

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking!

• Order Your Chef's Garden "Repair and Rescue Leafy Green Box"

• PLANTSTRONG Foods - Pizza Crust is Back in Stock. Bookmark this page for upcoming food announcements!

• Theme Music for Episode

• Promo Theme Music

Your Love by Atch SoundCloud: bit.ly/AtchSoundCloud Instagram: www.instagram.com/atchmusic License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Music promoted by Ohzum Beats: https://bit.ly/ohzumbeats

Meet Rodney and Jennifer Barrett of Barrett Family Farm.

Jennifer and Rodney have been poultry and cattle farmers in rural Arkansas for almost 20 years. But, after a series of major health setbacks, financial hardships, and moral crises, they finally decided to give it up. No longer could they reconcile their work with a greater purpose and as Rodney says, “You wouldn’t think we’d be doing something for so long that was detrimental to our own health.”

But, like most of us, they just didn’t know...until they sought the real truth.

Today - those chicken houses that would breed over 100,000 chickens every 52 days? They’re now giving birth to thousands of nourishing mushrooms. And the cattle? They’re like children.

This is their courageous, ethical, and compassionate journey from poultry to plants.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Join our Mystery Valentines Day Dinner with Chef's Garden - All the Ingredients Delivered Directly to Your Door

• Barrett Family Farm Facebook

• Barrett Family Farm Instagram

• PLANTSTRONG Foods - Pizza Crust is Back in Stock

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Discover the easy way to eat PLANTSTRONG

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Doug Evans is the Sprout Wizard.

After decades of living, eating, and working to excess and burn-out, Doug Evans had his "come to plants" moment. In 1999, he literally went from eating a greasy, fatty duck in New York's Chinatown, to eating a raw vegan diet overnight.

This personal galileo moment came as he considered his devastating family history of western disease that included heart attacks, stroke, and diabetes. Was he destined to this same fate, or could he break the cycle? He chose to break the cycle "cold cucumber," and has since set his sights on exploring and sharing the world's most nutritious superfoods.

In April 2020, Doug Evans released The Sprout Book: Tap into the Power of the World's Most Nutritious Food. Almost instantly, everyone started talking about the simplicity and fun of sprouting your own foods.

I’m sure many of you had the same questions I had. Aren't sprouts the hippy-dippy garnish you throw on a salad or in a wrap? Is it complicated, time-consuming, and expensive? And, really, how nutritious can sprouts be? 

Well, as you’ll hear today, this conversation opened my eyes to the possibilities of sprouts. They aren’t just an afterthought to add flavor or crunch. They are powerhouses of nutrition and the best part is that you can begin sprouting right away on your kitchen countertop with just a few seeds, water, and a mason jar. 

Get the whole family involved in this beautiful nature experiment and learn how to sprout a new hobby with life-long benefits for everyone

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• The Sprout Book: Tap into the Power of the Planet's Most Nutritious Food

• Join our Mystery Valentines Day Dinner with Chef's Garden - All the Ingredients Delivered Directly to Your Door. 

• PLANTSTRONG Foods - Pizza Crust is Back in Stock

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Discover the easy way to eat PLANTSTRONG

• Theme Music for Episode

Sprouting Companies Mentioned By Doug:

Sproutman

True Leaf Market

What happens when the confident doctor becomes the desperate patient who, like the rest of us, feels powerless when we get sick?

This is the moment that board-certified cardiologist, Dr. Monica Aggarwal, describes as her moment of truth when she was diagnosed with a devastating form of rheumatoid arthritis shortly after the birth of her third child.

In an instant, she went from being an avid runner, busy doctor, and engaging parent to someone who could barely move.

Anger, blame, denial...you name it...she had it.

She also had the answer -- a radical change to her diet and lifestyle.

Our bodies have miraculous ways to heal and Dr. Aggarwal shares her prescriptions for joy, vitality and health from her book, “Body on Fire: How Inflammation Triggers Chronic Illness and the Tools We Have to Fight It.”

We know this is one prescription you’ll love to take.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Dr. Monica Aggarwal Website and Book Information

• Join our Mystery Valentines Day Dinner with Chef's Garden - All the Ingredients Delivered Directly to Your Door.

• PLANTSTRONG Foods - Order your favorites!

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Discover the easy way to eat PLANTSTRONG

• Rescue 10X Program

• Theme Music for Episode

Recently, we were introduced to a produce farm just outside Cleveland, Ohio, and quickly learned that this longstanding family-run business is as passionate about growing vegetables as we are about eating them. So we flew to the Chef's Garden farm, so we could film this magical visit and let you experience it firsthand with us.

The Chef's Garden has been delivering specialty products with optimum shelf life, quality, flavor, and nutrition direct from the farm to the world's most discriminating chefs for over 30 years. 

This vast playground of vegetables is also host to the Culinary Vegetable Institute, which provides the world’s most forward-thinking and creative chefs with a place to exchange knowledge, experiment with new ideas, and discover cooking and growing techniques using the canvas of the most flavorful, colorful and nutritious vegetables on the planet.

While there, we learned so much about regenerative farming—what it is, what it means for our future, and why we should care. Farmer Lee and Bob's passion was contagious and we are excited to share it with you.

Their mission, through their beautiful growing techniques, is to deliver the freshest, most nutrient-dense, tasty vegetables directly to your door, and as Farmer Lee says, "Healthy soil makes healthy vegetables, which makes healthy people."

We're proud to support this family farm and hope you will too. Join us for our Mystery Valentines Day Dinner for two complete with fresh produce delivered directly to your door from The Chef's Garden. 

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Chef's Garden Website and Social Channels

• Join our Mystery Valentines Day Dinner with Chef's Garden - All the Ingredients Delivered Directly to Your Door. 

• PLANTSTRONG Challenge Starts January 9th, 2021

• PLANTSTRONG Foods - Order your favorites!

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Discover the easy way to eat PLANTSTRONG

• Rescue 10X Program

• Theme Music for Episode

Dr. Kristi Funk is a Board Certified Breast Cancer surgeon and physician, a bestselling author of the book, Breasts: The Owner's Manual, an outspoken women's health advocate, a regular feature on shows like Good Morning America, and best-known as the breast surgeon who treated both Sheryl Crow and Angelina Jolie. This passionate doctor's mantra is "God, family and kill cancer," which she wrote to empower women to understand the role they play in their own health.

For the majority of her career, she thought she was doing all she could to help women fight the battle against breast cancer, but 18 years into her practice, she found herself confronted with a new truth. She learned that nutrition, specifically plant-based nutrition, undisputedly plays a huge role both in a person's predisposition to get breast cancer and in their ability to fight it. And once she discovered the truth, she wasn't afraid to do an about 180, both personally and professionally, and she literally emptied her fridge and changed her patient protocols to advise a whole food plant-based diet as the best means to live optimal lives and to thrive.

This interview will empower you with facts and research, and it will debunk so many of the myths that we hear all the time, like what about soy or alcohol or underwire bras.

Dr. Funk not only embraced the truth, but she has also been on a mission to share it with the world. Please share today's episode with one of the millions of people that you know that have been touched by breast cancer.

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Pink Lotus - Dr. Funk's website and resource library

• PLANTSTRONG Challenge Starts January 9th, 2021

• PLANTSTRONG Foods - Order your favorites!

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Discover the easy way to eat PLANTSTRONG

• Rescue 10X Program

• Theme Music for Episode

I can empathize with Galileo of knowing how when you know a truth and you know it to be true, you can't turn your back on it. It just won't let you sleep with good conscience. You just can't pretend. They say once you look behind the curtain, you can't pretend you don't know what's behind the curtain. And, those of us in plant-based nutrition, we've seen these diseases go away with a plant-based diet. We know. We've looked behind the curtain. So now it's a matter of getting that word out and helping our colleagues wake up. - Dr. Michael Klaper

Season 3 of the PLANTSTRONG Podcast explores those Galileo Moments, when you seek the real truth about your health and dare to see the world through a different lens. This season, we honor those courageous seekers who have paved the way for all of us, which is why there could be no more perfect guest to kick off this season than Dr. Michael Klaper.

Dr. Klaper, of course, went to Medical school, but also minored in Astronomy, marrying his lifetime fascination with the nighttime sky and the world according to natural law.

His own Galileo moment came in 1981 when he was an anesthesiology resident in Vancouver. He would put patients to sleep so that surgeons could open up their patients' chests. What he saw inside those arteries was unforgettable - yellow gunky atherosclerosis caused by the foods and the high-cholesterol diets they were consuming.

He could no longer deny the truth. He looked through the lens. Not only did Dr. Klaper change his diet to a whole-foods plant-based diet right away, but he also changed his own area of focus in medicine, from anesthesia to plant-based lifestyle medicine. That was almost 40 years ago and he's been going strong ever since, helping to clear those arteries and get his patients off medicine rather than performing these massive avoidable surgeries.

His goal now? Help others, including aspiring physicians, to peel back the curtain and seek the truth about the real cause of illness in our society. "It's the food, it's the food, it's the food."

Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources:

• Dr. Michael Klaper Website- Moving Medicine Forward

• PLANTSTRONG Challenge Starts January 9th

• PLANTSTRONG Foods - Order your favorites!

• PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Discover the easy way to eat PLANTSTRONG

• Rescue 10X Program

• Have you had your own ‘Galileo moment’ that you’d like to share? What happened when you stepped into the arena and shed the beliefs you thought to be true? We’d love to hear about it! Email us at hello@plantstrong.com to submit your story

• Theme Music for Episode

Season three of the PLANTSTRONG Podcast explores those Galileo moments - when you seek the real truth about your health - and dare to see the world through a different lens. This season, we honor those courageous seekers who have paved the way for all of us. So, grab your telescope, point it towards your future, and let’s get PLANTSTRONG…together.

The PLANTSTRONG podcast is hosted by Healthy Eating Advocate and Author, Rip Esselstyn. To learn more, visit: plantstrong.com

The tale of how Ken Lander and Rip met is nothing short of astounding. In 2017, at 430 pounds, Ken was diagnosed with a battery of lifestyle diseases, including major heart disease. When he found out, the first thing he did was Google “reverse heart disease.” Of the 200+ books that came up, he randomly picked “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease” by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn. Literally, at the exact same time, and unbeknownst to everyone, Ken had a mutual friend who was trying to connect him to resources at Engine 2. It’s FATE - wouldn’t you agree? 

The rest...as they say...is history in the making. Ken is now three years into his new life and has a new beautiful heart -- without the need for surgery. 

From his coffee farm in beautiful Costa Rica, Ken shared his transformation story at the recent Kitchen Rescue Primer Event. Today, we share it with you.  

Episode Resources:

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Take Advantage of our Free 14-Day Trial Period! Redeem your free two week trial with the code: TWOWEEKS

• Theme music for episode

We know that when you’re seeking inspiration and motivation, it often comes directly from those who are living this lifestyle with passion and newfound purpose.

Who better to feature than our Plant-Strong/Engine 2 advocate, Karen Drexler?!

Karen started her plant-strong journey three years ago and, in the process, has lost over 80 pounds, recruited her family to get on board, and has even become an official advocate on the Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue groups, serving as speaker and moderator. 

Today, this busy mom of three shares her seven tips for starting and maintaining a plant-strong life.

Episode Resources:

• Register for the Plant-Strong Kitchen Primer on October 23rd-24th, 2020

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• Theme music for episode

Daniel Shuman has been on his own plant-strong journey since April of 2017 when he started at 355 pounds.

But, he actually reached out to us on behalf of a friend who was also struggling with their health. As he says, “If they can see that someone like me can do something like this - and the positive impact it has on every aspect of my life - medically, socially, emotionally, my relationship with my children and wife, my intimacy...It’s really unbelievable.”

Daniel is obviously on a journey. He’s not perfect. None of us are. Remember, adopting a whole-food plant-based diet isn’t an “all or nothing.”  I can be all or something because it really does check every box.

That’s what this episode is all about - sharing his story to propel others and getting people to reimagine what’s possible when you get out of your own way.

He’s living proof that the possibilities are endless. 

Episode Resources:

Register for the Plant-Strong Kitchen Primer on October 23rd-24th, 2020

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• Theme music for episode

In 2019, Mark Papa begrudgingly joined an Engine 2 Seven Day Immersions, which catapulted this former meat-eating triathlete back to fitness. 

Mark and his wife, Amy, are the quintessential “normal” family from Pennsylvania. Mark is a Type 1 diabetic, he’s in the restaurant business, and he and his wife have five kids. So, if there was ever a family that had excuses NOT to change, this is it. And yet, they did and, as you can predict, the results have been remarkable. 

We caught up with Mark and Amy last year at their home in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and we talked about what life was like before and after the immersion. It’s been quite an adventure and they are more than happy to share their success.

Episode Resources:

• Register for the Plant-Strong Kitchen Primer on October 23rd-24th, 2020

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• Theme music for episode

Welcome to a BONUS "Transformation Tuesday" edition of the Plant-Strong Podcast! Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to share this inspirational series dedicated to showcasing some of my new friends and their remarkable, plant-strong stories.

It’s our hope that these bonus clips inspire and motivate you because, as you’ll hear, cutting out all the meat and dairy and adopting a whole food plant-based diet may not be easy at first, is massively life-changing from the inside out. Believe me when I say these people are just like you.

You may recognize Nick Berman from one of the climactic scenes in The Game Changers. He, along with other members of the FDNY, had just completed the Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Challenge and Nick was blown away by how far his cholesterol had tumbled. These results ARE typical.

Today, you won't believe how far he's come! I hope you enjoy this episode—and the surprise cameo by the one-and-only Jon Stewart!

 

Episode Resources:

• Register for the Plant-Strong Kitchen Primer on October 23rd-24th, 2020

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• Theme music for episode

Today, the Plant-Strong Podcast wraps-up Season Two with a special 'Heart of a Hero' finale featuring three of New York’s bravest firefighting heroes.

Keith Mitchell was listening to Season One of the Plant-Strong podcast back in 2019, and following the transformation of fellow firefighter Joe Inga like thousands of others.

As a triathlete, Keith already worked hard to keep himself healthy and in shape, but after listening to Joe's story, decided to go all-in and embrace the Engine 2 plant-strong way of life.

Like Joe, the hurdles during mealtime at Keith’s fire station were difficult to overcome. Despite having seniority, Keith’s decision to eat differently shook the firehouse and created unforeseen tension. But then Keith heard Kevin Duffy’s story in Episode 19 of Season One. Kevin is another NYC firefighter, Ironman triathlete, and a true hero for his own health. Having the testimonials of Joe and Kevin only strengthened his resolve. 

Today, this finale brings together all three of these heroes for a candid conversation about their jobs and the challenges they face within the firehouse culture. Despite the ridicule and pushback, they press on and continue to thrive against the status quo and they optimize their own health for the health and well-being of those they serve...That's what heroes do. 

Thank you to Joe, Kevin, and Keith. At this time when firefighters across our nation are battling multiple blazes, we can think of no more appropriate way to wrap up our season than to honor you, our firefighting heroes. 

Episode Resources:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• Register for the Plant-Strong Kitchen Primer on October 23rd-24th, 2020

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Theme music for episode

Today is 9/11, a day that none of us will forget. As we wind down Season Two of The Plant-Strong podcast, which is dedicated to those with the heart of a hero, we want to honor those who serve on the front lines when we call for help. To commemorate this special day, I want to share an open letter to first responders.

We all remember where we were that day when time stood still and the events that transpired across the United States imprinted on each and every one of us. I remember like it was yesterday, as I'm sure you all do. On this day every year, we think of you, emergency first-responders, and the sacrifice you make for others.

Lately, with the endless firefighting in California and Oregon, first responders are being put to the test once again and I want to remind everyone that the #1 cause of death for in-the-line-of duty deaths among firefighters is heart disease...not fires or smoke inhalation, not accidents…...heart attacks. Think about that. In a job that faces potential risk and personal harm every time a call comes in, it’s the effects of the standard American Diet that are more dangerous to these everyday heroes.

It’s our mission at Plant-Strong to educate and empower people to take back their health, to get in the driver seat and be their own hero. We want everyone to experience the benefits of living plant-strong and to learn that you do NOT have to accept type II diabetes, or high blood pressure, or high cholesterol as your fate. You can turn it around.

We want this for everyone, but I especially want this for firefighters and emergency first-responders.

So my letter to all of you is to be brave, take the plunge, and don’t wait until you are having chest pains to see the light. Make the change to put YOURSELF FIRST - you will be able to rescue so many more people when your own internal engine is in order.

We honor you today and always. We will never forget.

Peace, Engine 2, Keep it Plant-Strong.

Here at the Plant-Strong Podcast, as you can tell from all of our guests this season, having “the heart of a hero” means throwing your whole being behind a mission. It means putting health before everything else -- and not just OUR own health, but the health of animals, the planet, and...perhaps most importantly...our children’s health.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bigger advocate in this work than Suzy Amis Cameron. For over 30 years, she has dedicated herself to caring for the health and sustainability of our planet and Suzy is unapologetically passionate about plant-based foods as a solution to so many of these issues we face today. 

She’s the author of THE OMD PLAN: Swap One Meal a Day to Save Your Health and Save the Planet. This book was so powerful that she was even featured as a guest with Oprah on “Super Soul Sunday.” Suzy, along with her sister, also founded the MUSE School in 2005, the first school in the country to be 100% solar powered, zero waste, and with a 100% organic, plant-based lunch program.

And, perhaps most importantly, Suzy is also responsible for initiating her husband, film director, James Cameron, into a whole-foods plant-based lifestyle after watching “Forks Over Knives” together a few years ago. If not for this life-changing moment, the documentary, “The Game Changers,” Executive Produced by James and Suzy Amis Cameron, may never have had the global impact it’s having right now.

In fact, it is the most-watched documentary of all time with almost 100 million downloads...and counting.

So, thank you, Suzy, for your tireless efforts on these and all of your plant-based ventures that you’ll learn about in this episode.

Episode Resources:

• Suzy Amis Cameron Website and Resources

• The Game Changers Documentary

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Theme music for episode

Victoria Moran is a veritable lighthouse in this plant-strong movement and a true matriarch. She's been in the trenches for well over 35-years and, at age 70, she’s just getting started!

Her mission? To share the joys and rewards of living a whole-foods vegan lifestyle with the entire world. She’s written 13 books, hosts her own radio show and podcast called, “Main Street Vegan” and most recently produced a documentary called “A Prayer for Compassion” that asks the question, "Can people who identify as religious or spiritual come to embrace the call to include all human and nonhuman beings in our circle of respect, caring and love?” Powerful, indeed.

She also runs The Main Street Vegan Academy - a program for training and certifying vegan lifestyle coaches and entrepreneurs around the world.

Did we mention that she’s 70? Whew!

As you’ll hear in our conversation, one of her goals is to help others age in slow motion and I think you’ll agree, she’s doing just that! And, that’s a wonderful thing because the world needs Victoria Moran and others like her who have the heart of a hero and the compassion to change the world.

Episode Resources:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Theme music for episode

Victoria Moran Resources:

Main Street Vegan

A Prayer for Compassion Film

Main Street Vegan Instagram

We say it all the time here at Plant-Strong - “Real Men Eat Plants.” With the smashing success of The Game Changers documentary, we proved, through science, that it is optimal to build muscle on a plant-based diet. If you still have to see it to believe it, then you’ll want to feast your eyes and ears on today’s guest.

Nimai Delgado is a professional bodybuilder who has never eaten meat his entire life. That’s right, Nimai was raised vegetarian since birth and, in 2015, even while in peak training for bodybuilding competitions, went all in and became 100% plant-based. You know what? He’s been out-muscling his competition ever since.

What started as Nimai’s personal mission to stay fit and healthy, has quickly turned into a career and a powerful myth-busting fitness and nutrition platform of spreading the benefits and possibilities of a plant-based lifestyle.

Episode Resources:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• Theme music for episode

Nimai Delgado Resources:

Instagram

VeganFitness.com

This week's episode was recorded from the Esselstyn Family Farm as the entire family prepares for the kick-off of our 9th Annual Plant-Stock event starting August 14th, 2020.

We affectionately coined the event “Plant-Stock” back in 2011 because the farm is located a scant 21 miles from the famed 1969 Woodstock event at which Grandpa Esselstyn served as the medical director.

This farm, as you’ll learn, has been in the Esselstyn family since 1685, and in fact, is one of only two family farms in New York state that has been owned and operated by the same family for over 335 years!

There’s a certain magic in bringing Plant-Stock back to its original home. The event may be virtual this year, but, serendipitously, it also allows us to open our doors to thousands of you to this special place. 

Today, I’m sitting on the front porch with Ann and Essy as we reminisce about the early days on the land. You’ll even get a detailed play-by-play of my Dad’s 1956 Olympic Gold Medal race in rowing! I still get excited hearing about this special moment in my Dad’s life again - even after all these years. And, his Olympic berth started right here on the Esselstyn Family Farm while his Dad treated patients (including a few famous ones you’ll hear about). 

So, enjoy this visit with my parents this week and join us, if you can, for our virtual Plant-Stock immersive weekend that starts tomorrow. We’re saving you a seat right next to us on the porch.

Episode Resources:

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• Theme music for episode

• Footage from the 1956 Olympic Rowing Gold Medal Race

This is a special episode because, instead of looking forward, we actually take a look back and shine the light on the heart of a true hero, Rich Roll.

Rich and I both abandoned our steady and stable “normal” careers about 10 years ago to release books and venture into uncharted career territories that didn’t even really exist at the time. We both had young families and, let me tell you, it was scary.

BUT, when you believe in something so much and when you’re being pulled so strongly into a direction that resonates with your whole being, you have to act...and fortunately, we both did.

This interview was recorded last Fall so, while you won’t hear any dialogue around the current issues we’re all facing, you will hear a thoughtful conversation on fear, vulnerability, suffering, epiphanies in life, learning to give and receive love, meditation, and the bravery it takes to shed our old skin and start over.

So even though we look back this week, as you’re listening to both of us reminisce, ask yourself:

• Are there changes in my own life that I want to make?

• Is there a cause I believe in so much that I’m willing to give up virtually everything?

• What are my own fears that might be prohibiting me from going after these goals?

• How can I get out of my comfort zone?

I hope that you, like Rich and myself, recognize and act on those unique moments in your life - those epiphanies - that can ultimately alter the course of your life for the better.

Episode Resources:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• Theme music for episode

• Rich Roll Website

Rip welcomes human resources consultant, intercultural sensitivity expert, author, and plant-based advocate, Dr. Jarik Conrad, to the podcast to discuss his book, "The Fragile Mind" and many other timely cultural and health issues.

As Dr. Conrad suggests, when you rid your body and mind of unnecessary toxins and processed junk food, it will have a direct positive impact on your emotional IQ and leadership style both at work and in the home. It’s also Conrad’s belief that changing what we eat will also help us forge deeper and more meaningful connections with each other right here in our own communities.

His life’s work is to help others find common ground through shared experience to develop deep and meaningful relationships, both in the workplace and in society.

Rip and Dr. Conrad explore many questions in this eye-opening episode.

• Despite our vast differences, how can we all come together to make our lives better and more fulfilled through shared experiences?

• How can we, regardless of our backgrounds, foster empathy and understanding with each other?

• How do we move the needle for others on a global understanding of health and plant-based nutrition?

The conversation is rich with lessons about human behavior because, regardless of where you come from, we are the same in our desire to live a more full, happy, and healthy life.

Episode Resources:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• Theme music for episode

Additional Episode Resources:

Twitter: @DrJarikConrad
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/cornellians/

Tracye McQuirter is, without question, one of the trailblazers of the plant-based movement who has spent the last 30 years coaching people to go vegan for life. She’s the author of the book, By Any Greens Necessary, as well as her most recent book, The Ageless Vegan, written with her own mother.

Today, Rip and Tracye reminisce about her journey to veganism all because of one inspirational lecture she heard almost 35 years ago back in college from civil rights activist, Dick Gregory. We also dive into her role as author and nutrition coach from the perspective of a black female, and her own world-wide initiative, “The 10,000 Black Vegan Women” Movement. Her goal? Empower people of color to improve their health. 

Everyone has their own motivational and inspirational MOMENT - that THING that finally lights the spark to inspire real change. Tracye's epiphany inspired her life’s work to help others fall in love with the vegan lifestyle. Perhaps this episode with Trayce will be YOUR spark for lasting action.

 

Episode Resources:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

Additional Episode Resources:

• Tracye McQuirter Website and Contact Information
• By Any Greens Necessary
• Ageless Vegan
• Sign Up for the 10,000 Black Vegan Women Movement
• Theme music for episode

We welcome one of our all-time favorite plant-strong BROC-STARS back to the podcast, Dr. Michael Greger!

You know him from his website nutritionfacts.org or even his wildly popular books - How Not to Die and How Not to Diet, in which he lays out, in much detail, the science behind the benefits of whole food plant-based diet.

Today, Rip talks with Dr. Greger in-depth about his new book - How to Survive a Pandemic. Most people may not realize that Dr. Greger’s medical background is actually in infectious disease and he even wrote a book back on pandemic planning and preparedness way back in 2006. Well, his time in quarantine was spent revisiting that material and presenting the latest science amidst the noise and nonsense that surrounds us.

When it comes to the global health of our planet, your choices do have a profound impact. Dr. Greger and Rip discuss measures to protect yourself now and in the future - and - ways we can stop the emergence of pandemics in the first place. This, of course, includes the disastrous implications of our current animal agriculture practices.

It wouldn’t be a conversation with Dr. Greger if he didn’t dig into other nutrition facts as well, so buckle your seat-belts for this one! He is a man who walks the walk and talks the talk.

Episode Resources:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

• NutritionFacts.org - All Things Dr. Greger

• Theme music for episode

Adam Sud and Tara Kemp, two rising stars in the plant-based movement, have been enveloped in a groundbreaking research study into the far-reaching impacts that plant-based nutrition can have on addiction and recovery; not just to help people stay sober, but in all facets of recovery - resilience, self-compassion, physical health, and spirituality.

Believe it or not, this study is the first of its kind and is backed and supported by an enthusiastic and reputable team of physicians and experts, including Team Sherzai.

They call their study the INFINITE study, which is wildly appropriate because these two have an infinite level of passion, commitment, and dedication to helping people reconnect with their true selves and rediscover their self-worth. 

Today, they share the details and some of their encouraging results with Rip. 

Episode Promos:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

• Engine 2 Meal Planner Use code: HEALTHNOW for $20 off yearly membership

Additional Episode Resources:

• Plant Based For Positive Change - Website with details on the INFINITE study. Learn more or make a donation.

• Healthy Food, Happy Family - Book by Tara Kemp

• Adam Sud Instagram

• Tara Kemp Instagram

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Getting ready to pop an antacid or a swig of your favorite mouthwash? Wait! Hold up just a moment.

Today, we take a deep dive on the subject of nitric oxide with Dr. Nathan Bryan, the preeminent expert on the subject and author of “The Nitric Oxide Solution.”

It may be new to you, but know this...Our body’s ability to produce nitric oxide is KEY to staving off those killers - stroke, heart disease, and other vascular complications like - well, erectile dysfunction.

• What is nitric oxide and what role does it play in our health? We break it down into interesting and actionable takeaways. You’ll learn:

• What happens to our body’s ability to create nitric oxide as we age?

• What is its role in our heart health? And why do so many common over-the-counter products like mouthwash, antacids and antibiotics crush our body’s ability to produce nitric oxide?

• What foods can we eat to pump up the production of this magic molecule? (spoiler alert: green leafy vegetables and beets, of course)

• And, what are some smart and simple ways to increase production?

As Dr. Bryan says, chronic diseases is caused by two things and two things only: The body missing something that it needs or it’s exposed to something that it doesn’t need.

Today, we want to give you what your body needs, so listen in closely and say “YES” to N.O. - nitric oxide!

Episode Resources:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

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• Photo from Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease written by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr.

In honor of Father’s Day last week, I gathered up your questions and called my Dad, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, affectionately known as Essy to many.

There’s nothing he loves more than helping you understand the importance of what you put on your forks to fight disease and to create and sustain healthy and vibrant endothelial cells.

Essy is the ultimate taskmaster and, much to everyone’s disappointment, he doesn’t prescribe a 90% plan. He’s 100% ALL IN and he expects the rest of us to follow suit. While he may not believe in moderation, he does believe in you and your ability to tackle this head-on and bring heart disease to its knees.

Nobody said this was going to be easy and that’s ok. All of us need a really good challenge in our lives to push outside of our comfort zones, test our limits, and see exactly what we’re made of. You're stronger than you think.

Topics covered? A huge variety, thanks to you, our listeners and fans. Among them:

• Nitric Oxide and why chewing your greens is your best defense against chronic western disease, including COVID-19.

• Why fluoride toothpaste is a no-no for your health

• Dr. Esselstyn's opinions on statins and supplements

• Your fear of not getting enough protein

...and more

Essy speaks the truth and never rounds up to make an argument land in his favor. He simply wants us to live our best and most vibrant lives and, at the young age of 86, I think he's on the right track.

Episode Resources:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

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Over 65 million households are homes to dogs and cats. In fact, one of the silver linings of the coronavirus quarantine has been a substantial increase in pet adoptions for companionship and, as a member of the family, you want to feed them the best possible diet for long-lasting health and vitality.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths out there when it comes to the best diet for your pet, and today, Rip and renowned veterinarian and author, Dr. Ernie Ward, dispel some of those misconceptions, particularly around meat and protein consumption for pets. What is healthy pet food and what do pets really want.

Ward’s latest book, “The Clean Pet Food Revolution: How Better Pet Food Will Change the World,” explores these questions as well as the significant environmental impact of the animal food industry, largely unknown by the general population - even those of us who are pet lovers.

Just like in humans, over-feeding and under-exercising our pets can cause inflammation, obesity, and disease, BUT, as Dr. Ward explains, also just like humans, it is reversible with the right diet: a plant-strong diet.  

Episode Resources:

• Dr. Ernie Ward Website and Social Media

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG at checkout for 40% order

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

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We were overwhelmed with the positive response of last week’s episode with Chef Ken Rubin, so we decided to keep that momentum going this week with Chef Del Sroufe. If his name isn’t familiar, his work will be. He authored, “Forks Over Knives: the Cookbook,” “The China Study Quick and Easy Cookbook,” and “Better than Vegan,” the story of his struggle with weight loss and gain, and how he managed to lose over 200 pounds on a low fat, plant-based diet. 

Not only does he share some of his favorite practical cooking tips for common staples in your home - beans, potatoes, veggie stock, and even low-fat recipes for delicious cheese substitute sand guacamole (that you won’t want to miss), BUT - he also talks openly about his own struggles with health and weight.

Like many of us, Del has fallen victim to overstress, overeating, and finding comfort in the wrong foods. Sound familiar? He’s in the middle of his own personal reset just like many of you, so let’s do it together with love and empathy. His transparency may just be what you need to help you right now. 

Episode Resources:

• Chef Del Sroufe Website

• Tips and Recipes from the Episode
• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG at checkout for 40% order
•  

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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Ken Rubin is the Chief Culinary Officer of Rouxbe Online Culinary School, training people to become more creative, confident, and HEALTHY in kitchens around the world.

A silver lining of the Covid-19 quarantine has been a trend back to rediscovering the joy of a home-cooked meal with the family. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated and, in fact, it can be fun!

Rip and Ken introduce simple ways to level up your cooking with tips on roasting, sauteing, and boosting the flavor of pastas, sauces, soups, and more.

If you’re on a quest to do more cooking at home, or if you want to increase the depth of flavor in the meals you’re already cooking, this episode will definitely wet your appetite!

Episode Resources:

• Rouxbe Online Culinary School
• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG at checkout for 40% order

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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Ethan Brown is the Founder and CEO of Beyond Meat, a disruptive and innovative plant-based meat company.

This interview was recorded pre-Covid 19 so, while we don’t discuss it, the episode is so timely since one of the areas most affected by this horrific disease is our food supply chain; namely, the animal food supply chain. Conditions are deplorable for both the animals and the humans at these meat processing plants, and the health of both is compromised daily.

Ethan discusses in detail how his company is improving the efficiency, safety, health, and environmental impact of his Beyond Meat production and the benefits are staggering.

We know that the average consumer, even those who eat animal meat, are aware and very concerned about these health and social issues. As Ethan has says, “I believe there is a new dawn for American agriculture and this conversation is our awakening hour.”

Here’s to having the heart of a hero and not being afraid to challenge the status quo. In fact, instead of being divisive, it’s time we come together and work together to solve these problems on behalf of the animals, the longevity of our planet, and our own health.

Episode Resources:

• Beyond Meat Website

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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Recent News Articles:

Cramer: Coronavirus could propel Beyond Meat into a Amazon or Facebook — CNBC

Perspective | Wet markets breed contagions like the coronavirus. The U.S. has thousands of them.

Trump orders meat plants to stay open in pandemic — The Washington Post

The Milk Situation

For 65-years, Dr. T. Colin Campbell has been a courageous truth-seeker and unapologetic truth-teller in the scientific research and study of nutrition. 

Of course, most know his work from The China Study,  Whole, Forks over Knives, and his repeat visits to Plant Stock, but recently, Dr. Campbell released two articles that speak to this “revolutionary idea” that the best defense against Covid-19 is whole food plant-based diet. In fact, not only is it the best cautionary measure you can take, but it’s also the most responsible to protect the strain on the hospital system, our global environment, and the food supply chain, which has been severely compromised.

Dr. Campbell and Rip discuss his body of work over the last six decades and explore the contents of his recent essays on his ideal prescription for optimal health - a whole-food, plant-based diet.

Episode Resources:

• Register Now for the Plant-Strong Primer

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• T.Colin Campbell Center for Nutritional Studies

• Recovery From the COVID-19 Pandemic: Testing, Tracing, & Nutrition

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list, and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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In 2018, after an interview about building a healthy gut on a plant-based diet went viral, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz knew he needed to do something. He wanted to continue to spread this message to a wider audience. The result almost two years later? His brand new book Fiber Fueled: The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome.

Fiber Fueled is the playbook to optimize and restore your gut health on a plant-based diet, and this entire episode is dedicated to the one nutrient that has the most positive impact on your gut health - FIBER.

Dr. B dishes on:

• His F-GOALS: Those super plant-foods to optimize gut health

• Straight talk on paleo, keto, lectins, and other misinformation floating around

• Honest dialogue on probiotics and prebiotics

• And, yes, a topic like fiber wouldn't be complete without a discussion on poop!

It's empowering to know that you're not born to have disease. You're born for health and it all starts with the relationship between your microbes and fiber - fiber from plants.

Fiber really is sexy!

Episode Resources:

• Plant-Strong Primer

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list, and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

• Dr. B Website

• Fiber Fueled Book Page

• Fiber Fueled on Book Shop (Buy local! Support your local bookstore!)

• Fiber Fueled on B&N

• Fiber Fueled on Amazon

• Dr. B Facebook

• Dr. B Instagram

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Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and a New York Times bestselling author. He discovered the five places in the world—dubbed Blue Zones—where people live the longest, healthiest lives.

Today, Dan and Rip discuss the Power 9, those nine mutually supporting characteristics that these Blue Zones areas have in common to promote health, happiness, and longevity. They include:

• Move Naturally
• Purpose
• Downshift
• 80% Rule
• Plant Slant
• Wine at 5
• Right Tribe
• Loved Ones First
• Belong

I encourage you to explore ways to adopt and implement as many of these as possible into your own lives - especially now - when the entire planet is on the precipice of change. We can use these uncertain times for our own good - and the good of the world. It starts now and it starts with you.

Episode Resources:

• Plant-Strong Primer

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• Blue Zones Website, Books and Resources

• Blue Zones Power 9

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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“I just couldn’t wrap my head around this idea that you can poison your way back to health.”

In 2003, Chris Wark received a grim colon cancer diagnosis at the young age of 26. And, as most of us know, when it comes to cancer treatment, much of the decision-making is based around FEAR. Who wouldn’t be afraid if you were told you basically had a 50-50 shot at surviving?

Chris, however, took a different approach. Instead of using fear to drive his decision on chemotherapy, he turned to facts and his faith. Instead of pumping chemo drugs into his body, he pumped in as many anti-cancer foods as he could and turned his body into a nutritional powerhouse. He built his body up instead of tearing it down.

That was 13 years ago. Today, Chris is the best selling author of the book Chris Beat Cancer, and a robust website of the same name, ChrisBeatCancer.com. He’s also the father of two beautiful girls and public speaker.

Episode Resources:

• ChrisBeatCancer.com

• Chris Beat Cancer - A Comprehensive Plan for Healing Naturally

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• Thank you podcast listeners! Join our Million Downloads giveaway - enter here to win one of the following great prizes, no purchase necessary! Winners announced on April 27th.

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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• Plant-Strong Podcast Website

Damien Mander is founder and CEO of The International Anti-Poaching Foundation and, if you’ve seen “The Game Changers” documentary, you’ll also, no doubt, remember his powerful contribution to the film as a former hunter-turned-conservationist.

In this candid interview, Mander describes his former self - the alpha male who used to take aim at the vulnerable through the hunting, killing, and eating of animals.

A chance meeting with an elephant transformed him from a meat-loving Aussie to a plant-strong crusader with a personal mission to protect animals and the world’s natural heritage for future generations. You’ll hear all about the initiatives of the IAPF and their valiant efforts to protect over 20 million acres of the African wilderness.

In 2017 Damien founded ‘Akashinga – Nature Protected by Women’, an IAPF program that has already grown to over 170 employees, becoming the only group of nature reserves in the world to be protected by women. Their goal is to employ 1000 women by 2025, protecting a network of 20 nature reserves, all managed by the IAPF.

We’ve recently seen first-hand just how delicate our ecosystems are and, thanks to people like Damien, we are fighting valiantly, with thought-provoking conversations just like these that inspire us to action.

Episode Resources:

• International Anti-Poaching Foundation

• Damien's Mander's TEDx Talk

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• Help us improve access to the Engine 2 Food Line! Survey closed 4/20/20 Thanks!

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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Dr. Doug Lisle returns to the podcast and, together with his colleague Dr. Jen Howk, they provide an uplifting perspective on the coronavirus coverage that has enveloped us for the last several weeks.

Yes, there is much cause for concern in this time of uncertainty, but this interview provides a much-welcomed voice of reason and a huge breath of fresh air as it cuts through the biases and the chaos.

Dr. Lisle and Dr. Howk talk numbers, timelines, and the reality of the situation in a pragmatic and hopeful way. 

Covid-19 is our ultimate fire drill, forcing quick action and extreme safety measures, but we will be back to normal, possibly sooner than any of us would've imagined. 

Please share with your family—or anyone who needs a calming lighthouse amidst all the noise.

Episode Resources:

• Esteem Dynamics with Dr. Doug Lisle and Dr. Jen Howk

• Beat Your Genes Podcast with Dr. Doug Lisle and Dr. Jen Howk

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• Know your numbers! Plant-Strong has partnered with the nation’s leader in direct-to-consumer lab testing. For a list of recommended tests and a money-saving bundle, visit our website.

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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Dr. Michael Klaper is a friend, a philosopher, and a humanitarian. Today, he returns to the podcast for the third time to talk about the coronavirus and to answer your health questions.

In this ever-changing landscape, we are dedicated to providing you with a compass - pointing you towards facts, science, and the world’s most well-trusted medical authorities on health and nutrition.

In addition to talking through the origins of the COVID-19 virus, as well as tips on how you can maximize your health and minimize risk, Dr. Klaper also provides HOPE!

In fact, as he says, there is room for magic in this “pandemic of possibilities.” Hopefully, we will all emerge with a renewed sense of awareness and appreciation for our planet, our animals, and each other.

Episode Resources:

• Dr. Michael Klaper Website and Social Links

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• Know your numbers! Plant-Strong has partnered with the nation’s leader in direct-to-consumer lab testing. For a list of recommended tests and a money-saving bundle, visit our website.

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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