Ordinary Vegan Podcast

The documentary film, Eating Animals, begins with a simple question: where does our meat, eggs, and dairy come from? It then takes us on a eye-opening journey of today’s industrial animal agriculture. Eating Animals, is a enlightening movie about the environmental, economic and public health consequences of factory farming in America. It is slated to hit theaters across the country this month.  The film is produced and narrated by actress Natalie Portman, based on the best selling book by Jonathan Safran Foer and directed by Christopher Dillon Quinn. It received high praises from film festivals across the country including a standing ovation at the 2017 Telluride Film Festival. Director Christopher Dillon Quinn tells the story of factory farming through intimate narratives of farmers, breeders, and activists dedicated to bringing their trade and the way we eat back to its roots. In today’s podcast, we discuss the making of Eating Animals and the state of industrial farming in America with the director Christo

Can what you eat determine how long and how well you will live? Today we discuss fasting, aging and longevity with Dr. Valter Longo who has devoted his life to answering that very question. Dr. Longo is one of the world's leading scientific authorities on the subject of longevity and fasting. He is an Italian-American cell biologist who is the director of USC's Longevity Institute. He also has a best-selling book called The Longevity Diet which features the 5-Day Fasting-Mimicking Diet. Don't be fooled by the name 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet because Dr. Longo's approach is fasting with food and having all the health benefits of fasting without the hunger. So let's meet Dr. Valter Longo and discuss how we can protect ourselves from aging and chronic disease with the 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet. THE LONGEVITY DIET - Featuring the 5-Day Fasting-Mimicking Diet https://amzn.to/2J20pNJ DR. VALTER LONGO, PhD https://valterlongo.com/ https://prolonfmd.com/ http://twitter.com/prolonfmd https://www.facebook.com/prof

What if I was to tell you that the best home remedies for chronic disease come from Mother Nature and may be sitting in your refrigerator right now?   Though plant-based herbs and foods have been used for hundreds of years to heal, scientists are finally starting to substantiate plant’s abilities to reduce blood pressure, improve skin problems, fight coronary disease, improve symptoms of vertigo, enhance athletic performance and even help with hearing loss.  Find out the foods that have these healing properties and how to include them in your everyday diet. It is easier than you think.  More medicinal foods and their cures can be found here in podcast #14 - Ordinary Foods with Extraordinary Benefits. Hope you enjoy Mother’s Nature’s healthy alternative to conventional medicine. Today’s flavor-packed, hearty, gluten-free, vegan burger recipe made with beets, quinoa, and black beans can be found here.  As discussed in today’s podcast, many people in the wellness world are turning to cannabidiol, commonly referr

Most of my podcasts are centered around nutrition and the value of a plant-based diet to help you live a long, healthy life, but today I want to get back to the basics.  When you first begin experimenting with a plant-based diet, it can be confusing. What are the essentials to buy? How do I  properly cook those essentials? And what foods are needed to keep your family healthy and energized? Those topics are also helpful for anyone who has been practicing a vegan diet for some years because slowing down and re-evaluating how we do things can improve our approach to a plant-based lifestyle. In today’s podcast, we learn what vegan essentials we need to stock and techniques to properly cook those essentials.   We also explore cooking with fresh and dried herbs. Herbs add flavor and brightness to any meal but maximizing that flavor is something that most of us have never been taught. In this podcast, we will learn the difference between delicate and hardy herbs and how to store, prepare, and cook with those herbs.

With the sharp rise in dementia and other brain disorders, it is vital to do everything we can to prevent brain disease. In this week's podcast, we learn brain disease symptoms and how to grow healthy brain cells for extra protection. Many people understand the importance of having a healthy body, but many overlook the value of brain health. The human brain is an exceptional and complex mechanism, and we need to treat it with the utmost respect. Brain scientists in recent years have discovered a number of surprising ways our brain affects our overall health. Some scientists even believe we have the ability to grow healthy neurons. Today, we explore all the possibilities of cranial fitness to help you live a long, healthy, cognitive life. We also go into Ordinary Vegan’s kitchen and make a recipe to keep your brain free of toxins. 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. iTunes works in myst

Researchers have found that adopting a vegan diet for diabetes has the potential to prevent and even reverse Type 2 diabetes. A healthy plant-based diet could also help improve symptoms for anyone suffering from the many types of this disease. And one of the best ways to manage diabetes is to learn as much as you can about your condition. Diabetes is now a disease that affects 371 million people worldwide, and 187 million of them do not even know they have the disease, according to the International Diabetes Foundation. People who have diabetes can have numerous challenges. Including not knowing what to eat and conflicting nutrition information. If you don't have diabetes, please note that the US National Library of Medicines predicts that the prevalence of diabetes will increase by 54% between 2015 and 2030, so many people are at risk. It is never too early to protect your body from becoming pre-diabetic. Symptoms of pre-diabetes are easy to miss. This stage is referred to as the "grey area." Without drastic

Americans alone, increased their seafood consumption to 15.5 pounds of fish and shellfish per person in 2015. Up nearly a pound from the previous year, making it the biggest leap in seafood consumption in 20 years. Overfishing has been created by advanced fishing technology and an increased demand for fish. This has caused several marine species to become extinct or endangered.  The seafood business is also valued at billions of dollars, and when that much money is at stake, people can become very greedy.  Fishing vessels as big as cruise ships troll the waters and have the ability to fish four times more fish than ever before. Some scientists are predicting that seafood will eventually run out because of the global loss of seafood species.  In todays podcast, we break down how overfishing impacts human lives, and why it is everyone’s problem.  We also discuss fish toxicity and which high mercury fish to avoid.  Last but not least, is fish a healthy food to consume? Thanks for joining us today. Please subscri

Menopause is a natural period in the life of every woman.  On average, menopause starts after 45 years. It is defined as the point in time when menstrual cycles permanently cease due to the natural depletion of ovarian cells from aging. Many women experience physical and emotional symptoms during menopause, caused by hormonal imbalance.  Today we learn the common symptoms of menopause and key foods to help and even eliminate menopausal symptoms.  The earlier you make sure these foods are staples in your menopause and perimenopause diet, the more manageable menopause and the years beyond will be. Ordinary Vegan also shares one of her favorite plant-based recipes to help manage menopause.  Thanks for joining us today. I am deeply passionate about providing all the information you need to live a long and healthy life. If you enjoyed today’s podcast, please subscribe in iTunes, and if you get a minute, please write a review.  You can find all my recipes and podcasts on Ordinaryvegan.net.  Just getting started on

Flu season is on track to be the worst in nearly a decade. The CDC (Centers For Disease Control & Prevention) has reported that there have been over 56,000 flu-related deaths, 710,000 people hospitalized and 16 million who sought care from a clinician or hospital so far this season.  Many doctors and researchers are scratching their heads about why there are so many viruses and trying to combat the flu involves a fair amount of guesswork.  On today's podcast, we discuss a common food additive called trehalose that has been making headlines because of some recent scientific evidence. What scientists found out is that pathogens like a virus, bacteria or fungus in our body, can be boosted by this additive and might be driving the rise of one of the most aggressive superbugs.  We also discuss the best food to consume during flu season and to fight infections anytime of the year.  Ordinary Vegan also shares her soup recipe that can help combat the flu, common cold and infections.  Join our vibrant, supportive

Many people in the wellness world are turning to cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD, for its powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety effects. But as its popularity grows so doesn’t the confusion and misconceptions about this plant-based oil.  About a year ago I decided to take a long hard look at CBD oil and its health benefits. I must admit in the beginning I was skeptical because I didn’t see enough sound scientific proof.  Well, a lot has changed in a year, and there are now many more studies and compelling personal stories about the health benefits of CBD. In today’s podcast, we break down what exactly is cannabidiol is, the health claims and the vast difference between the hemp plant and the marijuana plant.  You will learn how cannabidiol  (CBD) works in the human body and the surprising ways it affects the human anatomy.  We will also discuss many of the studies linking CBD oil as a potential treatment for epilepsy, inflammation, neuropathic pain, migraines and anxiety disorders like panic di

They say the secret to happiness is helping others. If that is true, Dr. Michael Greger must be one of the happiest men in the world. The great lengths that he goes to help people understand the connection between nutrition and chronic disease is unrivaled. If you are not familiar with Dr. Michael Greger, here is some background. A graduate of Cornell and Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. Greger has been published in a vast amount of scientific journals, testified before Congress and lectures at countless symposiums. He was even an expert witness in the infamous Oprah Winfrey meat defamation lawsuit. In his downtime, he can be found constructing policy initiatives as Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture for the Humane Society.  He also wrote a best selling book called “How Not To Die” which explains why the top 15 causes of death in the USA can be treated, prevented and even reversed with plant-based nutrition.  He also runs the popular website NutritionFacts.org, a nonprofit, science-based

Confused about carbohydrates? Well you are not alone and learning what good carbohydrates are is the key to a successful healthy diet. To understand why carbs often get a bad rap, first, we need to be aware of the different types of carbohydrates.   Why is this important? Because carbohydrates are our body’s primary source of energy. If you eat healthy carbs, as part of a balanced diet that includes protein and fat, your body will function the way it should.  If you consume unhealthy carbohydrates, you can develop serious health issues including diabetes, auto-immune disease, and obesity. In today’s podcast, we break it down. Learn which foods are good carbohydrates and how they contribute to weight loss, normal blood sugar and energy. We will also learn where all the bad carbohydrates are hidden and which foods to avoid. If you found this podcast information helpful today, please share on social media and consider writing a review in iTunes. The more reviews we receive, the more visibility and higher ranking

Nathan Runkle is an American animal rights advocate. At the ripe old age of fifteen he founded Mercy For Animals.  Reared on a farm in rural Ohio, Nathan has a deep connection with farmed animals. His advocacy and his organization is responsible for sparing 22 million animals from cages and mutilation, thanks to corporate policy victories. His organization is also responsible for freeing 31 million animals from cages annually, thanks to new laws promoted by Mercy For Animals.  Nathan believes that a world in which all animals are treated with kindness and compassion is coming into view.  Today, we listen to this man’s inspiring story and get his opinion on everything from lab-grown meat to how we can all help animals from inhumane treatment.   Nathan just released a new book called “Mercy For Animals: One Man’s Quest To Inspire Compassion and Improve the Lives of Farm Animals.” You can purchase Nathan's book here on Amazon. If you found this podcast information helpful today, please share on social media and

New research suggests that when to eat a meal plays a significant role in predicting weight loss or gain. I am not a big fan of counting calories on a plant-based diet because I believe a healthy vegan diet is a path to lifelong weight control. But the idea of when to eat your calories could make sense for some people who haven't been able to lose weight on a plant-based diet or have problems sleeping. Today I share with you a lot of research I have been doing on weight loss and weight gain, and it has been fascinating. What I have discovered is that that there is a science behind when to eat to lose weight. Have you ever noticed that you tend to feel energized and drowsy around the same times every day? This is your circadian rhythm at work. Your circadian rhythm is a 24-hour clock that is running in the background of your brain. It is also know as the sleep-wake cycle. In the last 15 years, there's been a wealth of evidence suggesting that abnormal or impaired circadian rhythms can bring an increased risk f

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and one of the most terrifying diseases out there. Polls show that people are more scared of getting dementia in old age than any other disease. Alzheimer’s is not just a disease of old age. Younger-onset also know as early onset Alzheimer’s affects people younger than 65 and 5 million people in the United States alone have younger-onset Alzheimer’s Disease.  Since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased by 89% and in 2015 The Alzheimer’s Disease International  estimated that someone in the world develops a form of dementia every three seconds.   Yet some populations in the world like South Asia and Africa not only live long, healthy lives, but remain cognitively healthy too. So what are they doing right? That is what we are going to discuss today. We are going to discover ways you can protect yourself from Alzheimer’s Disease, memory problems and dementia. And find out the brain's amazing potential to improve cognitive fu

Today's podcast is entirely devoted to how to save money buying, storing and cooking organic produce. Let's begin with the most important question. Do you need to spend extra money on organic produce? Non-organic fruits and vegetables contain pesticides, but not everyone can afford organic produce. So if you need to save money and can't buy all organic, you need to know about the risk chart. There are 13 domestically grown non-organic fruits and vegetables that pose a higher risk of pesticides. Learn what those fruits and vegetables are and why the Environmental Working Group always recommends that you buy this produce organically. I don't know about you, but once you spend the money on organic produce, the last thing you want is for it to go to waste.  A staggering amount of food is wasted  from farm to table, often just because of how it looks. However, we the people waste the most food, and the most wasteful food category is fruits and vegetables. Has this ever happened to you?  You make a shopping list, g

"We help people begin truly healthful diets, and it is absolutely wonderful to see, not only their success, but also their delight at their ability to break old habits and feel really healthy for a change." ~~Dr. Neal Barnard I could never give up cheese.  Think you can't give up cheese? You're not alone. It is estimated that since 1970, we've gone from 8 pounds of cheese per person per year to 23 pounds. That equals about 60,000 calories of cheese every year. We have cheese on our pizza, burgers, burritos, nachos, and quesadillas. There's cheese in our salads, our sandwiches, and our soups. Some pizza chains like Domino's even has a pizza topped with six different kinds of cheese. So what is it about cheese????? Studies are now suggesting that cheese addiction is a real thing, but how do we break the habit? Today we welcome Dr. Neal Barnard to the podcast to break it down, and reveal things you never knew about cheese. Dr. Barnard is an authority on the impact of diet and nutrition on diabetes, cancer, heart

"During the fasting-mimicking diet, cortisone is produced and that initiates a killing of autoimmune cells. This process also leads to the production of new healthy cells.” Valter Longo, cell biologist and Director of the USC Longevity Institute   New research concludes that a diet mimicking the effects of fasting should be further examined as a treatment for auto-immune diseases like multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, memory, longevity, weight-loss and type-2 diabetes.  I was introduced to intermittent fasting during lectures from some of the leading doctors in plant-based nutrition on the 2017 Holistic Holiday at Sea.  What I learned was intermittent fasting appeared to be a new exciting, healthy approach to eating that could benefit anyone suffering from many chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis and even cancer.  I was skeptical because I dislike any restrictive diets that depend on calorie counting, but don’t let the word fasting fool you. What I discovered is that there are many ways to pract

"The truth be known coronary artery disease is a toothless paper tiger that need never exist and if it does exist it need never progress. The medical profession has at its fingertips, the seismic revolution in health. The seismic revolution is never going to come about from pills or drugs - it is never going to come through a procedure or an operation  The seismic revolution will come about when we in the medical profession have the will, the guts, and the determination to share with the public the nutritional literacy that will empower them as a locus of control to destroy their chronic illness.”                                   ~~Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn Jr.  Heart disease is still America's #1 killer. What if heart disease could be eradicated? Today I delve deep with the one and only Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr. about the truth behind heart disease. Dr. Esselstyn is an internationally known surgeon, researcher and featured expert in the acclaimed documentary "Forks Over Knives." Dr. Esselstyn has single-hand

It’s not always popular to speak negatively about commonly consumed and highly touted foods like cow’s milk and cheese from cows.  But I felt personally bamboozled when I read all the research and discovered the negative effects of drinking dairy on my health, not to mention the planet and the exploitation of the animals who provide the milk. How could I have been so misled? Well, it wasn't my fault.  The United States Department of Agriculture and the milk industry has spent a lot of money over the years touting the importance of milk, and marketing that message to all of us. Learn the frightening facts about cow's milk and join us in Ordinary Vegan's kitchen and create your own healthy cheese alternative. Sign up for all of Ordinary Vegan's healthy recipes here.  Join our health and wellness community on Facebook where we are over 310,000 strong.  Thanks for listening to the Ordinary Vegan's health and wellness podcasts. Please subscribe so you don't miss a podcast.