I had been at the top of women’s canoe. I was undefeated in the U.S. since 2000 and ranked with the world’s best. However, in 2004, I was 36 and burned out. I was suffering from debilitating health issues and dealing with several life stresses, all of which left me with little desire to ever race again.
As a medical doctor, once only interested in my patient’s welfare, I was slow to see the bigger picture. I now understand that we must also consider our impact on the animals and the environment. Fortunately, these are not mutually exclusive goals.
~John McDougall, M.D.
Many people embark on the journey of following a whole-food, plant-based diet with the sole intention of improving their heath and enhancing their quality of life. And while improved physical wellbeing is a worthy goal in-and-of itself and its benefits are indisputable, it is by no means the only benefit of eating “plant-strong.” We cannot reduce eating to nothing more than what we put in our bodies any more than we can reduce foods to nothing more than their chemical properties (a whole apple, for instance, is not simply an aggregate of fiber, calories, and vitamins). Whether intentional or not, following a whole-food, plant-based diet is about much more than simply what we do – or do not – eat, and it therefore impacts much more than simply our physical health.
An easy, warm stew full of flavor is just what I crave when I get home from work on a cold, snowy night. This recipe keeps well, so it’s great to pack for healthy lunches or to enjoy as left-overs on those nights when you just don’t have time to cook dinner. Serve it over brown rice and it will seem like a new dish entirely!
Aloo Mattar is a very common dish in India. Many households have their own original recipe. This is my mother’s recipe, which is my favorite! Enjoy!
These rolls make a convenient meal for kids or adults on the run. The combination of avocados, hummus, nuts, and vegetables is very satisfying.
These are rich and delicious chocolate cupcakes—what more do you need to know? The frosting is made with dates and gets surprisingly fudgy. You can top each cupcake with a berry to make them extra special.
For over seven years, I saw gastroenterologists to try to diagnose a digestive condition but never had any luck. I was so sick that, one year in high school, I missed 45 out of 180 school days from severe stomach pain. Nothing I tried worked and all my test results came back clean. It got to the point where I had to change doctors since my doctor thought I was faking my pain. I had tried every diet including dairy free, gluten free, avoiding trigger foods – but I was still in great discomfort.
The face of fitness is changing. Yes, we still need solid challenge to those muscles to keep muscle shape and some semblance of strength. Yet if you’ve been discouraged by the idea of hours of slugging it out at the gym, there’s good news. It’s called the 5 minute fitness break.
Five months ago, my life was extremely different. After having had two heart attacks and two stents inserted, I was on high doses of blood pressure medicine and struggling with daily tasks. For example, I would go to the grocery or retail store and look for the closest parking spot to ensure the shortest walk possible to the store’s entrance. I would then use a scooter to get around while shopping if I could find one. If not, I would lean on the shopping cart to act as a walker in order to reduce the pain I felt in my knees from carrying all of this weight.
Super Bowl Sunday is for football and food fans alike. I look forward to really good comfort food as I watch the game with friends and family. But I like knowing that whatever I eat is going to be healthy too. These five dishes are perfect game day foods that won’t leave you with that “I ate too much” hangover. Enjoy!
