Once again I’m the rounds around the internet!  Here’s an interview I recently did with Jen Chaky, the owner of Go Lightly, for her blog:

 

If people are worried about not getting enough protein on an all plant-based diet, what do you say to them?

Unfortunately we live in a protein obsessed society. The idea that we need to get protein from meat is a myth. Most Americans eat a lot more protein from animal-based sources than they actually need, and this can lead to many health problems such as heart disease, diabetes cancer.
Obtaining protein from plant-based sources is ideal because they don’t contain the cholesterol and fat that can be found meat and dairy sources, and eating too many plants doesn’t come with the same health risks that eating too many animal products does. Protein is abundant in plants. Foods like beans, soy, nuts and grains are all high in protein, but it can also be found in vegetables. 100 calories of broccoli has more protein than 100 calories of beef! To determine the amount of protein you need, multiply your weight by .36. The number you get is the amount of protein in grams that you need in a day. Chances are you are eating more protein than you realize.

Is a vegan diet safe for everyone?

Yes, veganism is safe for everyone. In fact, a plant-based diet is really the key to ideal health. Plant based foods are full of all of minerals and vitamins we need to stay healthy. Plants contain things our bodies need for optimal health, such as fiber and phytonutrients, that can’t be found in animal-based foods.

What are three tips you can offer someone getting started on a vegan diet?

1. Don’t be afraid to try new foods. People eating the Standard American Diet often tend to get stuck in a food rut and they rarely eat anything new. Most vegans are more open minded and eat wider variety of foods than omnivores. Once you remove the meat and dairy products from your plate, you’re actually opening yourself up to a whole new world of eating.
2. Don’t rely on processed foods and mock meats. Processed foods are okay every once in a while, but eating whole foods – vegetables, fruits and grains – is the best way to go for optimum health.
3. Surround yourself with supportive people. Not everyone will want to support your new diet and lifestyle. Be patient with them, but also look for like-minded people to spend time with. There are many vegan groups on Meetup.com and there are quite a lot of vegan communities online, such as ThePPK (Post Punk Kitchen).

You help many people make healthier dietary transitions. What do you find are people’s biggest obstacles? And what do you suggest for them to help them overcome them?

I often work with people who want to change everything at once and know everything there is to know immediately. This is an easy way to overwhelm yourself and cause burnout. I always suggest taking things slowly. Add more plants into your diet and slowly remove meat, dairy and cheese. Crowd the old foods out by adding new foods. Don’t beat yourself up for making mistakes. Life is a learning process and change takes time.

Jen posted our interview on Go Lightly’s blog, as well as Circles of Montclair:

http://golightlystore.com/2011/05/551/

http://www.circlesofmontclair.com/profiles/blogs/girl-eats-plants-and-thrives

And I’ve also been featured in not one but two blog posts from The Blooming Platter:

http://www.thebloomingplatter.com/miscellaneous/veggie-girl-give-away-of-the-blooming-platter-vegan-cookbook

http://www.thebloomingplatter.com/vegan-greens/the-blooming-platter-cookbook-featured-again-by-veggie-girl

Once again, the cookbook of the week is The Blooming Platter by Betsy DiJulio. I don’t usually use the same cookbook two weeks in a row, but since this book is new, I wanted to try out more recipes. And I’m not sorry I did!

The main reason I decided to cook from this book for another week was so I could make these carrot cake pancakes. I used spelt flour instead of wheat, and they cooked up perfectly! They were super yummy even though I burnt them a little!

These amazing little shells of deliciousness are packed with even more veggies than you would think! These Stuffed Shells are made with onions, shallots, carrots, red peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower and zucchini!

I mixed up a big batch of white bean cheese in my Vitamix and made Caramelized Onion and Spinach Quesadillas.

I had lots of cheese left over so I made “White Cheese” Pizza with Kale and Sundried Tomatoes. I added shittake mushrooms and red onion because I had them in the fridge and love mushrooms with my leafy greens. I cheated here and used a premade crust. I actually had two premade crusts so I was able to have pizza again for lunch the next day!

And now the moment you’ve been waiting for! The winner of The Blooming Platter giveaway is…

Deana!! Deana was the second person to comment, and number 2 is what the random number generator picked. Congratulations, Deana!!

It’s not too late to join my Spring Cleaning detox group! Contact me today to reserve your spot!

Spring is a time of renewal, so why not cleanse from the inside out?

Detoxification, if done correctly, can bring you:

• An Increase in Energy
• An Increase in Concentration and Clarity
• A Decrease in Digestive Problems
• Clearer Skin
• An Improvement in Vision
• A Reduction of Aches and Pains
• A Reduction or Elimination of Food Cravings
• An Improvement in Sleep Patterns
• A Jump-Start to Weight Loss
• And Can Help You to Spring Forth to Improvement in Overall Health & Wellness

Program includes:

• One Week Detoxification Program
• One Week Menu with Recipes
• One Week Shopping List
• Online Group Support
• Personal Email Support

This is a whole foods based detox program. Each day focuses on detoxing a different organ to give a comprehensive body detox. It’s simple and easy to do. There is no fasting and you will not go hungry. I am running it with my colleague Karen Yagnesak, who is also a holistic health counselor.

Spring Cleaning Detox Program – $59

Sunday, May 15th

Lavage, 24-26 Church Street, Montclair NJ

What people are saying:

Dianne and Karen, thanks for putting together such an effective and enlightening program.  It was particularly good for first timers, like me. It was easy to follow, and despite intense sugar cravings, I remained committed to it. That is largely due to the kindness and support from my on-line group, especially when my carb obsession was at its peak.  The recipes are delicious and easy to prepare and I’ve continued to make many of them even now that I’m not officially on the program any longer.

- Sue