Ordinary Vegan Podcast

Today, I want to encourage the pursuit of imperfection.  It's called wabi-sabi, and accepting imperfection is the fundamental principal.  That does not mean to embrace failure. It means to embrace learning and to be willing not to get it entirely right.  “Wabi means simplicity, humility, and living in tune with nature." It describes someone content with little and makes the most of whatever they have.  “Sabi” refers to transience, beauty, and authenticity of age." The term has its roots in Buddhism but eventually evolved into a distinctly Japanese ideal. The Japanese tradition of wabi-sabi offers an inspiring new way to look at your entire life. It celebrates cracks, crevices and rot and all other marks that time and weather leave behind. So what does this have to do with a vegan diet? Because eating vegan is not about being perfect. And I never want to perpetuate that.  There is no such thing as a perfect human or a perfect vegan. It is time to celebrate and accept the beauty of imperfection of a vegan diet

Anyone who spends time in the outdoors, in backyards, in the woods, fields and even urban cities should be concerned about Lyme disease. Why? Because according to many reports, Lyme disease caused by ticks, increasingly threaten the health of people all over the world. Most noteworthy, is over the past two decades, seven new tick-borne germs that can cause illness have been identified. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the number of reported cases of Lyme disease in the United States, has tripled. The states with highest incidence of this disease is #1 Maine, followed by Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, West Virginia, New York, and Virginia. Tick-borne and mosquito diseases are also on the rise in other states like Florida. They have seen a 77% increase in tick-borne disease infections. But, it’s not just in the United States. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, say ticks are

Most people don't think about liver health to increase metabolism, but the liver is responsible for helping metabolize fat, produce bile and clean toxins. All of these functions contribute to converting food into energy. In fat metabolism the liver cells break down fats and produces energy. It also helps insure that the level of sugar in your blood (aka blood glucose) stays constant.  Bile is primarily well-known as a digestive secretion that helps to digest fats. Bile also breaks down nutrients from food to produce energy and converts inactive Thyroid Hormone (T4) to active T3 that the cells can use.  And when harmful toxins and substances enter your bloodstream, your liver acts fast to detoxify and destroy them.  So keeping your liver healthy is crucial for overall health. Cleansing your liver can also affect your pancreas and help produce normal levels of insulin. You could also see improved blood pressure and better cholesterol numbers.  In today’s podcast, we discuss 10 ways to cleanse your liver natural

Eating the rainbow is a simple way of reminding yourself to consume different colors of fruits and vegetables. By consuming an array of colorful plants, you provide your body with a powerhouse of nutrients that helps ward off disease.  Today’s podcast will explore why eating a variety of fruits and vegetables helps you and how each color of fruits and vegetables bring their own individual vitamins and nutrients.  Subjects Covered In Eating The Rainbow For Optimal Health & Wellness Include: Blue & Purple Fruits & Vegetables Red Fruits & Vegetables Orange & Yellow Fruits & Vegetables Green Fruits & Vegetables White Fruits & Vegetables Why Colors Matter The Healthiest Fruits & Vegetables Ways To Eat A Rainbow Eating The Rainbow Recipes Hope you enjoy today's podcast on eating the rainbow. Here are today’s recipes:  Red Bell Pepper Soup with Crunchy Garbanzo Beans and Oil-Free Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing. I have a sincere passion for keeping you well, and if you have any question

Whether you're giving up animal products for your health, animal rights or climate change, you may need assistance. Today we discuss some tried and tested vegan tips to help this process go more smoothly. Here are a few problems we explore. Eating out or not knowing what to feed your non-vegan family can be challenging. These vegan tips should help you survive as a vegan in a multi-vore household. Leading a busy lifestyle, eating out and trying to find quick plant-based options are also addressed. As more and more fast food restaurants offer vegan selections, the simpler it becomes. Learn your options in today's podcast. Additionally, it is not always going to be easy, but remember that “straying maps the path.” From the inspiring wisdom of Rumi's poem “The Sight Of A Soul.” My interpretation of that poem is until we stray from the path we will never know what is waiting for us. Furthermore, change is scary. But Rumi also says “when you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you.” And big change

Learning how to read a food label can help you make smart food choices. But decoding the nutrition facts can be baffling. Today's podcast will teach you how to build food labeling skills to make it easier for you to use nutrition labels to make quick, informed food choices. Subjects covered in today's podcasts include: Navigating nutrition facts Calories Fat Calories Saturated Fat Carbohydrates Protein Sodium Cholesterol Added Sugars Dietary Fiber Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) References cited: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5537813/ https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/38/3/791/684827 https://medlineplus.gov/magazine/issues/sprsum10/articles/sprsum10pg12-13.html https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/children-sodium/index.html https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/monosodium-glutamate/faq-20058196 https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/10/23/558761819/the-fda-will-decide-if-these-26-ingredients-count-as-fiber US Federal Jury Ruled that Bayer (

Fifty-years-ago, the sugar industry funded research that downplayed the risks of sugar and highlighted the hazards of fat. Forty-years-ago, high fructose corn syrup  (HFCS) started trickling into our food supply. Most people didn't know what HFCS was. So began the confusion about what is sugar and what sugars are healthy. When I decided to tackle the subject of sugar, one of the most surprising statistics I found out is that 99% of  toddlers ages 12 to 18 months are downing 5-7 teaspoons of added sugar a day.  Not only that, the average sugar consumption for adults is 25 teaspoons a day. Well over the recommended amounts.  Since the discovery of high fructose corn syrup, the American consumption of fructose jumped from 37 grams per day in the 1970s to a record high of 62 grams per day in 2000. So where is all this added sugar coming from? Here is an example. A 20 oz soft drink contains about 16 teaspoons of high fructose corn syrup, and an energy drink can hold over 50 grams of high fructose corn syrup. Salad

It's no secret that human activity is changing the climate.  For many, how to protect the environment can seem like a daunting task. In October 2018, the United Nations top climate science panel gathered in South Korea to prepare a new report on climate change. Their report stated the starkest warnings to date of the consequences of climate change. They predicted if significant steps were not taken, global warming could create extreme heat, drought, floods, poverty, and trillions of dollars in debt. Not long after, in December 2018, The EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet and Health was released. This commission brings together more than 30 world-leading scientists from across the globe to reach a scientific consensus that defines a healthy, sustainable diet. Their findings were equally as dire. The report revealed that if we don't make a radical change in diet and food production, we could be facing catastrophic damage to our planet. The good news is you don't have to feel helpless about the future of the

In an effort to lose weight, it's easy to be tempted by various fad diets. The difference between good fats and bad fats can get confusing. In today's podcast, we explore the myths and truths about fat and low carb diets. TOPICS INCLUDED: Fat and cholesterol Saturated Fat Unsaturated Fat Trans Fat Polyunsaturated Fat The Ketogenic Diet The Atkins Diet REFERENCES: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/saturated-fat-is-bad-for-the-heart-despite-the-headlines/ https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/polyunsaturated-fats#.V7jCgGUyf8s https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2360254/ http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/7/1717 https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/saturated-fats#.V7itv2Uyf8s https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1616815 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3024594/ https://ordinaryvegan.net/gut-health/ https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/11/nyregion/just-what-killed-the-diet-doctor-and-what-keeps-the-issue-a

Positive emotions have been linked with better health, longer life,  and a greater sense of well being.  If you are reading this, then you already are seeking to live a healthier lifestyle,  And a healthy lifestyle brings longevity.  We talk so much about living longer but do we ask ourselves enough “why do we want to live longer?” What is our sense of purpose that gets us up every day and brings us pure joy?  Today, we live in a world we can never escape. Our phones are continually pinging us with bad news. Social media is dividing us more than connecting us.  A growing body of evidence shows that this constant barrage of news and sharing on social media can lead to depression and increased feelings of inadequacy.  Many studies have shown that people who are unhappy are three to ten times more likely to get sick and die prematurely compared to those who have a stronger sense of connection, joy, and community. Today we explore the idea of giving up everything that doesn’t bring us joy. We also discuss what is

Each year, over 50 million Americans experience various types of allergies. Many of these allergic conditions are on the rise.  In medicine, the hygiene hypothesis states a lack of early childhood exposure to germs suppresses the natural development of the immune system.  In other words, living conditions in much of the world might be too clean and being exposed to germs as a child may protect us from allergies.  An additional theory is that the increased antibiotic use parallels the rise in allergies and asthma.  But other research suggests that the rising prevalence of allergies are the result of many factors. Bottom line, no one really knows the why, but there are ways we can protect ourselves.  Today we will explore the most common allergy causes, symptoms, and prevention.  Discover what allergen triggers could be lurking in your home. Learn the difference between cold and allergy symptoms.  Find out some plant-based substitutions for common food allergies.  Last but not least, I will reveal three foods t

Whether you want to improve your memory during exam season or simple stay sharp in your next work meeting, knowing the best brain food to add to your diet can really pay off. Or maybe you are worried about age-related problems like dementia. Although dementia is not a specific disease, it is a general term for a decline in mental ability. Mental decline comes in lots of varieties, Alzheimer's is the most common and the most terrifying especially for older adults. So, no matter who you are or what you do, consuming the best brain food is crucial to a sharp memory. The good news is that new groundbreaking studies are offering compelling evidence that memory can be improved byeating the right foods. Today's podcast is devoted to those studies and the best brain food you can consume. The Best Brain Food Recipe - Link Here Thanks so much for listening and for being part of our healthy community. If you have a chance, please leave a rating and review on iTunes and please subscribe.  The more ratings and reviews the

You may think dream interpretation is an unusual subject for a health and wellness podcast, but dreaming is an important function for our emotional health. Dreams are often the way the brain solves problems and deals with our concerns. Furthermore, some psychologists think that dreams are nothing more than random brain activity. While others like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung believe that dreams can reveal a person's deepest unconscious wishes and desire. In particular, Freud's work on dreams explored the possibility of universal symbols in dreams. However, he was cautious about symbols and believed that symbols are more personal rather than universal. In other words, no one dream interpretation fits all. And why do the same dreams reoccur? Why do you keep dreaming of missing a plane or having to cram for a college exam after you graduated from college? Some people even dream that they are being murdered or murdering someone else. Above all,  lengthy, distressful, or violent nightmares can disrupt our sleep and

The amount of faux meats and processed vegan-friendly products has exploded in the past two years. Subsequently, if you are a full-time or part-time vegan who regularly consumes processed vegan foods, these foods can be as unhealthy as animal products. Bottom line, vegan lifestyles aren’t always healthier if you don’t fill your plate with a balance of whole vegan foods. In today’s podcast, I discuss the 10 ten vegan foods you should include in your diet every day. So even if you are already on a vegan diet, sometimes you need to get back to the basics and eat well-planned vegan foods to make sure you don’t miss out on essential nutrients. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. In brief, no matter where you are on your vegan journey, eating a whole-food, plant-based diet centered on whole, unrefined vegan foods, will drastically improve your health and you will feel better than you have ever felt. I also hope you join us on the 21-day Healthy Vegan Eating Challenge. You can download my Daily Nu

When I saw that September was National Suicide month, a month devoted to inform and engage the general public about suicide prevention, I finally got the courage to do a podcast about this subject.  Suicide is a national health crisis and a serious medical condition like cancer or heart disease, and there should be no stigma attached to suicidal thoughts. Anyone could be struggling and what I hope to accomplish in this podcast is how to recognize the signs and what you can do to help.  If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts yourself, there are immediate confidential options to help you cope and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just call 1-800-273-8255 in the United States. Or text HOME to 741741.  You can also seek out a mental health professional at Mental Health America.  There are also over 30 countries known to have national suicide prevention services and strategies.  Thanks for joining me today. Suicide is a difficult conversation to initiate, but with better education and understa

Do you often feel the pain of others? Do you feel drained after being around certain people for too long? Do you find yourself caring for or taking care of others more than yourself sometimes? Do you feel feelings deeper, harder, and longer than others. Are you sensitive to smells, crowds or excessive talking. Do you have a strong connection to nature or the animal kingdom? If so, you may be an empath. The trademark of an empath is that they feel and absorb other people's emotions and/or physical symptoms because of their high sensitivities. Empaths are often targeted by emotional vampires due to the strength of the empath's emotions and vibrant energy. So being an empath can be exhausting, especially if you don't understand this characteristic of yourself, and don't know how to protect yourself. In today's podcast, we will explore the traits of an empath with Dr. Judith Orloff, the leading voice in the field of empaths, psychiatry, and intuitive development. Dr. Orloff is the author of the best selling Book

Cooking with plants is a lifestyle that can be enjoyed full or part-time. Even adding two or three plant-based meals to your diet every week can have significant health benefits. A recent study published in the Journal of The American Heart Association revealed that swapping one or two servings of animal protein for plant protein could lead to a reduction in three main cholesterol markers for cardiovascular disease.  Another study suggests that eating only one cup of leafy greens a day could slow the rate of memory decline in older adults.  Today's podcast is devoted to getting back to the basics of cooking with plants. It doesn't have to be complicated. The methods of cooking that we discuss today provide maximum nutrition and satiate without a lot of time or energy. The kind of nutrition that makes you want to run up a mountain and not take a nap. So please join me today and learn how to create delicious nutritious one-pot meals and easy steps to building a vegan burger.  You can find today's recipes, One P

Health and wellness are not merely about diet and exercise, but also about limiting our exposure to toxic chemicals. For the past two decades, toxic chemicals have been added to everything from make-up, household cleaning supplies, clothing, pots, pans, building materials, mattresses, and even perfume. And scientific studies are now showing us that chemicals found in a wide array of household goods are more toxic than we thought. Today's podcast is devoted to unveiling the most common toxic chemicals that could unknowingly be harming your health and how to avoid them. We will also discuss chemical toxicants that can induce autoimmune disease and the potential for environmental substances to worsen an autoimmune condition. Toxic Chemicals cited: Phthalates Perchloroethylene (PERC) Triclosan Asbestos Book cited: Sick: A Memoir by Porochista Khakpour If you found this podcast information helpful today, please share on social media and consider writing a review on iTunes. The more reviews we receive, the more vis

"The Starch Solution is a diet based on starch. Yes, let me say that again, it is a diet based on starch"                              --Dr. John McDougall “Dr. John McDougall is the dean of medical practitioners in nutrition-centered medicine- because of his incredible accomplishments, knowledge, and courage to stand up for what he believes. Thousands of his patients know him as an icon. When you read this book, you will too.” — T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., coauthor of The China Study These days, you mainly hear people recommending reducing carbs, particularly starchy carbohydrates. But Dr. John McDougall has experienced tremendous success with his chronically ill patients by emphasizing a vegan starch based diet. If you have never heard of Dr. John McDougall, he has been a pioneer in the plant-based wellness world for many years. As far back as the 1970s, Dr. McDougall began developing the starch based diet. It all began when he was practicing medicine on a sugar plantation in Hawaii. He observed the declining

For those of you who are new to eating vegan, shopping for food can be daunting. Today we take a look at what staples go into a vegan refrigerator, and we prepare a very versatile, rich, savory, creamy vegan white sauce. It is the perfect replacement for a traditional cream-based sauce and has many uses. Filling your refrigerator with healthy, whole plant-based food makes cooking delicious vegan dishes a pleasure and not a chore. And planning ahead not only saves time and money, but it also allows a lot of flexibility and variation in your weekly meals. In This Podcast We Learn: How To Maximize Flavors with Cooking Methods The Benefits of Batch Cooking Which Foods Belong In The Refrigerator - Which Don't How To Make a Fruit Paste As a Healthy Alternative to Refined Sugar Must-Have Vegan Condiments How To Prepare a Creamy Vegan White Sauce You can find the creamy vegan white sauce recipe and fruit paste recipe at Ordinary Vegan.  If you found this podcast information helpful today, please share on social med