THE WHOLE FOOD PLANT BASED BASICS!

There's much to learn on the subject of properly executing a whole food plant based diet, and I've noticed that the number of people who have developed interest in the approach has SKYROCKETED since recent documentaries that have proven the many benefits of the diet, the physical hazards associated with the standard American diet (S.A.D.), and the countless proposed environmental damages that the meat industry is attached to.

Four legged hooved animals, ungulates, carry parasites that the human body was not ever designed to consume. Most meats consumed in the S.A.D. are of female flesh: cows, chickens and sows are generally ALL females and have taken many hormones and antibiotics that create INCREDIBLE hormone imbalances with regular frequent consumption. All animal flesh is covered with, and saturated with, living bacteria. Nature created a natural "barrier" that prevents us from being able to eat much flesh without being cooked (food poisoning, something that carnivores don't acquire), as 100% of all carnivores do regularly in order to live. When that bacteria is cooked and presumed "dead" the consumption is not without negatives. The subject of cancer is that of toxicity, primarily. The buildup of foreign animal bacteria contributes to overall human toxicity, and the vast majority of cancer patients are strongly urged to stay away from the consumption of all meats.

I've practiced the diet for 9 years and was raised primarily vegetarian. If there's one thing misconception that needs rectifying, it's that it's NOT JUST ABOUT AVOIDING THE CONSUMPTION OF FLESH!

Fresh produce is of utmost importance. The body requires a great deal of fresh, unprocessed whole plants. Fresh, living plants are rich in phytochemicals, or phytonutrients, which are chemicals produced by plants to stay healthy. Some protect plants from insect attacks, while others protect against radiation from UV rays.

Phytochemichals have been proven to have medicinal properties including defense to many cancers, balancing blood pressure and sugar, genetic damage repair, reduction of inflammation, ADHD support, and many more. Phytochemicals are mostly found in a vast spectrum of hues in plants.

Greens: Kale, spinach, romaine, iceberg lettuce, asparagus, broccoli, green onions, parsley, green grapes, lime and cilantro.

Reds: Beets, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, pomegranate, watermelon, skin of apples, red grapes and blood oranges.

Yellow: Bananas, mango, pineapple, lemon, yellow peppers, squash, spaghetti squash and corn.

Orange: Oranges, orange peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, papaya and turmeric

Purple/Blue: Eggplant skin, Concord grapes, black grapes, blueberries and black berries.

Brown: Dates, figs, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, portobello mushrooms, ginger.

Lift weights and exercise while one this diet: Food is fuel and the calories need to be burned.

Stay away from the processed fake meats as much as you can, but there are some good ones that are made up of vegetables. Try your local farmer's market for locally sourced veggie burgers, and the like. Quinoa, lentils, black beans, chickpeas, and organic soybeans are all great meat-replacement bases. Learn how to enjoy a half cup of beans 2-3 times daily and you'll dominate at this diet. Bean and quinoa chili makes it easier.

Black beans:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/289934.php

Get creative and use great flavors like bay leaves, sweet peppers, garlic, turmeric, cumin, papriks, smoked paprika, oregano, cilantro, chili powder, celery, red onions and many others. Create flavors that you appreciate.

KIDNEY BEANS!

When in doubt, find a way to learn how to make it yourself. Accepting a whole food plant based diet reshapes the view of foods. Take the time to try foods with flavors that you enjoy. Take it one step at a time. If you need a sauce, find one that is considered organic, without preservatives, high fructose corn syrup and/or monosodium glutamate.

HYDRATE! Regardless of what diet you practice, it will struggle without ample water. Give your body the best opportunity for success by aiming to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water daily. 8-24oz first thing in the morning gives the body a chance to process nutrients and improve digestion. This diet is rich in fiber and requires hydration.

TRY NOT TO USE OILS too often. There's no good reason to add fat to your body if you don't have to. Baking, boiling, broiling, steaming, blending, juicing, roasting and sauteeing (1 teaspoon: 5-6g saturated fat or less per sitting). Of you're very consistent in this practice, the occasional fried veggie wouldn't do nearly as much damage to your health. The consumption of fresh parsley helps greatly reduce the cancer-causing effects of fried foods, when consumed after fried foods. Juiced parsley works effectively as well.

If you're worried about getting enough B vitamins, simply use one tablespoon of nutritional yeast in a good recipe once every other day or so. You can find it online or at some local grocers. I like it mixed into hot grits with sea salt and pepper topped with gravy and sauteed vegetables. The taste is "cheesy" and works well in soups and salads.

Other whole foods of great benefit: Oatmeal Millet Chia seeds Ground flaxseeds Oat milk Spirulina White mushrooms DHA from microalgae Apples

Feel free to comment here while on your journey! And remember, simply because you fall off the wagon doesn't mean that you can't get back on; after all, you're the only one it's moving forward for.

#iamkalmesewell