When I posted the Great NEWS about my liver results the other day I had lots of Facebook friends message and ask if they could share my story. Of course I said yes, because the healing power of plants is for sure a story that should be shared with as many people as possible. I didn’t expect I would actually have people interested and looking for more info. LOL I have been building this blog for the past month or so and wasn’t exactly ready to launch, but decided I better speed things up because people want more info. So my apologies that all of my tabs don’t have content yet.

So lets get started. I will answer the most frequent questions I’m getting and if you have any others, feel free to let me know. You can comment on the blog or send me a direct message.

Question 1: How did I get started?

Answer: I had been on the fence for the last year or two about eating a whole food plant based diet. My first time out the gate, I found it to be soooooo much work. I remember nearly having a break down in the kitchen after 8 hours of batch cooking for the week. The kitchen literally looked like a bomb went off. I had literally used every bowl, spoon, measuring cup, etc that I owned. I finished my cooking and cried because I then had to clean up the huge mess I made. That lasted for a few weeks and I just could not maintain it. I did however start eating less meat and adding in more vegetarian options into my daily meals.

Then about 6 months later I received the news that I had fatty liver disease and it was progressing pretty quickly. The doctors started listing everything I needed to remove from my diet. I was like ok, well this is it. So I knew I couldn’t go back to the nightmare in the kitchen scenario so I started canvasing the internet and found the Produce Section Challenge and Plant Based Gabriel. Both of these guys are whole food plant based and what they are cooking was crazy simple and affordable. So I was in.

For medical reasons, I had to change immediately. I watched the movie Forks Over Knives which gives a really good overview and then I purchased the book How Not To Die.

Questions 2: What did I remove first?

Answer: Since I needed to change NOW, I went cold turkey, I changed my way of eating over night.

However, for those who are not up against the clock, its totally ok to transition over, a bit slower. Remove dairy and meat one day at a time, just make sure you have a goal set. So week one, you remove dairy and meat from your menu 1 day that week, and replace it with non processed vegetarian options. Then week 2 replace 2 days with non processed vegetarian options and so on.

Questions 3: Do you only eat raw fruits and veggies?

Answer: NO…. truth be told this is where I’m still transitioning. The best unaltered nutrients come from raw veggies and fruits, but I prefer my veggies cooked. So I’m working my way into 1/2 raw and 1/2 cooked. I do however eat raw veggies with my homemade hummus for a snack at work and at home. I consume 3 lbs of celery and 4 lbs of carrots a week for snacks. lol

Questions 4: Do you have really bad gas?

Answer:  I always laugh but I totally get it. In the beginning you might experience extra gas and bloating. This is caused because you are finally introducing healthy foods into your digestive system. The foods you eat create or destroy your Gut Health. Gut Health ( a future blog post will talk more about this ) is critical for all people. It helps you in so many ways especially by keeping your immune system at 100%. When you have an unhealthy gut, you experience gas. So after about a week or two of eating healthier, your gut health will begin to improve and the gas will go away. The good fibers in the veggies and beans will create great Gut Health. I promise!!!!

Question 5: What do I eat?

Answer: I eat organic vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, seeds and nuts. The key to what you eat, is to ensure its not processed and when possible, make it organic. The only processed thing I consume is nut or soy milk and tofu on occasion.

Questions 6: Do I have to eat Organic?

Answer: No but it sure it better for you. Organic ver Non- Organic – I eat organic when ever possible simply because my liver could not handle the non-organic. I found out in the beginning around week 2 that I was still having pains in my liver. I was bummed because I was tackling this veraciously but still having pains. When I called the doctor she asked if I was eating organic. I said not 100%. She’s like switch to 100%. Sure enough the pains went away. What was causing the pains? With the huge amount of non-organic produce I was eating, my liver could not handle all of the pesticide residue I was not able to wash off 100%. When you eat as much produce as I do, pesticide residue is a problem.

Question 7: Isn’t it expensive to eat this way and especially organic.

Answer:  Absolutely NOT!!!!!!! I thought the same thing because when you compare organic to non organic, your like um yes, its $1.29 more a lb. for the organic. Whats funny is that we all look at the price in the produce section. But when your roaming the meat counter, we all of a sudden stop noticing and comparing prices. I promise, veggies are cheaper than meat.

The other big chunk of money takes place when you decide to be vegan or eat organic and you buy all processed foods. YES then you are going to see a huge increase in your super market reciept. However, eating a whole food plant based diet, your not eating many if any processed foods, so you don’t have that expense.

Also if you have an Aldi’s near your home, start shopping for produce there. That company has plans to be the largest organic food retailer by 2020. If you have been there recently you will notice that almost all of their product has changed to organic and its crazy affordable. The current #1 organic food retailer is Costco. I will often times buy frozen my frozen fruit there and they have an amazing bag of Stir Fry Veggies that have no preservatives or anything else in the bag but veggies.

Questions 8: How do you go out with friends, or family or do social settings.

Answer:  This is a great question and was probably the hardest part of the transition. Im to the point that no longer bothers me at all. Its really the people I’m with that feel bad I can’t eat the fried onions rings that they are eating. First off, sadly, prior to making the change, I eat 90% of my meals at a restaurant or carry out. So that immediately came to a halt until I could figure out my plan of attach. Fast food is out the window. Nothing good comes from food that is prepared quickly or in a deep fryer.

Eating in a restaurant, can be a bit easier. I have about 5 local restaurants where I know I can go and get food prepared the way I need it prepared. And if you ask your server about it, most places are happy to accommodate your needs because they are preparing your meal to order. However the hardest thing is the removal of oil. Most cooks don’t understand that food can be cooked with out oil, so I just tell them nothing can be cooked in oil. Some places they will have a chef come out and talk to you and I just say sauté it with water and my food comes out looking and tasting just as good as everyone else. The chef or cook will often then come out and talk with you because they can’t believe that it worked. Its funny and does strike up lots of amazing conversations.

Going to a friends for dinner? I usally bring my own food. Sometimes you will have amazing friends like I do, and they will prepare a meal that I can eat, but I never expect anyone to do that because it does take some extra work. So I bring my meal. I always ask what they will be serving and then I bring a meal that is similar so everyone feels like we are having the same experience. Its worked out really well. At work, I have some amazing friends who are always creating fun deserts, salads or dishes that I can have. It truly means the world to me. Im fortunate to have an amazing Ikea family who watches out for me and makes sure I feel included. Special thanks to Kim, Mikey, Gie Gie, Joe, Colleen and Cathy whom have all created a delicious creation for me. It truly does mean the world to me. Hugs!!!

Going to a event or wedding? If the event is being held at a hall or restaurant, call the venue a week or two in advance and see what they will be serving and ask if they are able to prepare your meal with out oil. Almost all places have a vegetarian or vegan option, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t loaded with processed foods or oils. So call and find out. If they can’t accommodate you, then eat in advance. There is usually a salad you can eat, just maybe bring your own dressing or ask for a lemon on the side. Squeeze on some lemon and some pepper and you are good to go. This works at pubs as well. Almost all places can whip up a salad. Just tell them to hold the dressing and meat, have them pull some lemons wedges from the bar and you have salad.

Snacks…. I always have snacks ready to go. Long car rides, social events where you can’t eat, you can have a snack before you go in and a snack on your way home.

I know this sounds like a lot, and believe me at first it can at times be overwhelming, but you quickly get the hang of things.

Question 9: What do I drink?

Answer:     I drink a crap ton of water. If I can put a lemon in it, I will. Lemons are great for helping to rid your liver of toxins. I consume about 30 lemons a week between my water and cooking. lol I probably drink about 2 gallons of water a day if not more. If I go out, I might have ice tea. If I’m out and about and need something more than water I might stop at Whole Foods and get a veggie / fruit juice or smoothie as a treat.

Question 10: Don’t you need more protein?

Answer: For those that don’t eat meat, this is the question that is like nails on a chalkboard for us. We have all been brainwashed into believing that we have to have some exsorbanat amount of protein in our diets in order to function. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The average adult needs about 50 or so grams of protein a day. The average women in the US consumes about 70 grams and the average male consumes about 100 grams which is twice the amount needed. If you start to do your research you will quickly find, that the excessive amounts of protein is a major factor in turning cancer cells on and off in our bodies. Protein has been pushed down our throats because the government subsidizes many of the protein sources. The meat and dairy industries are both very heavily subsidised by the government and its in their best interest to sell you more meat and dairy which will give you all the protein you will ever need. I won’t go into this any further, because I don’t want to head down the path of government anything. lol lol. To each is own.

A few amazing plant protein sources are Tofu, Edamame, Lentils, chickpeas, Peanuts ( 20.5 g per 1/2 cup ), Almonds ( 16.5 g per 1/2 cup ) Quinoa , Chia Seeds, Beans, Potatoes ( sweet potatoes are even better ) All leafy greens such as Kale, Collards, Swiss chard, Spinach, Broccoli contains 4 g per stalk, and mushrooms. So as you can see, it isn’t hard at all to consume enough protein by just eating your veggies.

Ok, so I just answered the most asked questions I have received. Hopefully they will answer some of your questions. Like I said, if missed something and you have more questions, please reach out and let me know.

Im an open book and happy to share my journey with you. Since I have changed to a whole food plant based life style, I feel amazing, I have so much energy and my liver has healed itself in a very short amount of time. Im a huge believer that a Plant Life is a Healthy Life and that plants do have the power to heal. So I hope you join me on this journey. Start your journey at whatever pace you feel most comfortable. There is nothing wrong with taking it One Day At a Time!!!

Good luck and keep me updated on your own personal journeys!!!

Until next time…….

Steve