Ordinary Vegan Podcast

Every November, we commemorate World Vegan Month. What better way to celebrate than welcoming long-time animal advocate, author, and all-around inspiring vegan, Colleen Patrick Goudreau. In addition, she is an acclaimed speaker, and her award-winning Food for Thought podcast has been changing hearts and minds for over 14 years.  Colleen is also a recognized expert and leader on the culinary, social, ethical, and practical aspects of living compassionately. She is the author of seven books, including her newest book, The Joyful Vegan: Everything You Need to Stay Vegan in a World That Wants You to Keep Eating Meat, Dairy, and Eggs.  I was first introduced to Colleen back in 2011 when she was a speaker at Vida Vegan Bloggers Conference in Portland, Oregon. At the time, I was only plant-based for three months, and I was pretty clueless about what embracing a vegan diet really meant. After hearing Colleen speak about the bigger picture, the true meaning, and spiritual journey of not eating animals, I knew there

Combined drug intoxication (CDI), also known as multiple drug intake, is an unnatural cause of human death. This shouldn’t be confused with drug overdose because CDI is due to the simultaneous use of multiple drugs.  CDI is becoming more common in recent years because mental health problems are on the rise, and many people are taking some kind of anti-anxiety or depression medication. What many of these people don’t know is that these prescribed medications can interact badly with common over-the-counter medications or other prescribed drugs.  Not only that, cough syrups, antihistamines, cold, and flu medications can be utterly confusing. Often people are using the same ingredients just in different packaging, thinking they’re different when in reality they have the same ingredients. Today’s podcast is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of mixing medications and thinking twice about what you put in your body.  We are also heading into flu season so before you reach for your go-to medication, mak

In Podcast #63 "How Not To Diet", Dr. Greger discussed fat burning foods to help lose weight. Today's podcast is a follow-up to a few of the foods he mentioned. First, we discuss which foods contribute to weight loss and why it works. For example, there are certain foods that increase energy expenditure. Meaning, they have metabolic boosting properties. Metabolism is the process by which our body converts what we eat and drink into energy. Often when we diet, our metabolism slows down because we need less energy to maintain our body. Having a high metabolic rate not only burns calories but also gives us more energy. There are also ingredients in foods that increase fat oxidation, which can increase fat burning by as much as 10-15%. Furthermore, many scientific studies now show when a person adds these fat burning foods to their diet, they can lose weight permanently. You can learn more information in Dr. Michael Greger's new book "How Not To Diet." Thanks for listening. Please support today's sponsor Osea Mal

The primary cause of weight gain and disease is what we eat. Dr. Greger's new book "How Not To Diet" empowers us with the knowledge on how to live a healthy, obesity-free life without dieting. If you are not familiar with Dr. Michael Greger, you should be. He is a physician, best selling author, and internationally recognized professional speaker on a number of important health issues. He is the founder of the non-profit NutritionFacts.org and the author of the New York Times bestseller "How Not To Die." In a nutshell, Dr. Greger relies on the gold standard of medical research and devotes his life to the science of nutrition so we can live a long and healthy life. It is a great honor to have him on my podcast. Today, Dr. Greger discusses his new book "How Not To Diet," being released on December 10, 2019. "How Not To Diet; The Groundbreaking Science of Healthy, Permanent Weight Loss" explores all the cutting-edge science behind long-term weight loss success. In addition, Dr. Greger hones in on the optimal cri

Today's podcast explores the root of all disease, chronic inflammation. Also, the anti-inflammatory foods that can help reduce and fight inflammation.  Inflammation is part of the body's response to infection and tissue damage, and it is crucial to the healing process. But over the last 15 years, studies show that when chronic inflammation lingers, it leaves your body in a constant state of alert. This can lead to chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and even Alzheimer's disease. Preventing chronic inflammation and knowing the signs is crucial. Inflammation may be associated with general flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, headaches, loss of energy, and muscle stiffness. Inflammation can also cause redness, joint pain, joint stiffness, or a swollen joint. It can also affect organs like the heart and cause shortness of breath or fluid retention. Chronic inflammation can also lead to weight gain. Protect yourself by learning the causes, symptoms, and treatment of inflam

Is your tap water safe to drink?  Contaminated water has become an alarming issue not only in the United States but all over the world.  Uncontaminated water is essential for human survival, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable development.  The tap water we drink isn’t just coming from your local stream. It comes from lakes, rivers, reservoirs, or underground sources like aquifers. And any kind of water can become polluted with chemicals, regardless of its size or location.  According to a new report by the non-profit Environmental Working Group, as many as 43 states expose millions of people to dangerous chemicals in their tap water.  Residents of Newark, New Jersey recently faced a lead water crisis which put 30,000 residents at risk of lead poisoning.  And in 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan, switched its water source to the Flint River which led to tainted drinking water that contained lead and other chemicals.  Children are particularly vulnerable to unsafe tap water. Lead exposure in children can impac

In today's podcast we focus on the healthiest beans you can eat from my legumes list. Legumes provide a magnitude of essential nutrients that can help you live a longer and healthier life. And science proves that beans contribute to longevity because they cool down systemic inflammation. Inflammation contributes to many long-term diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Chances are legumes, such as beans and lentils are not part of your regular diet. This legumes list provides you with my favorite legumes, and some easy ways to make them part of your regular diet. Legumes List includes: Chickpeas- Also known as garbanzo beans are low in calories, rich in protein, and contain 71% of the RDI for folate. Folate is one of the B-vitamins that is needed to make red and white blood cells. Folate also converts carbohydrates into energy (metabolism) and maintains the genetic building blocks of the body. Chickpeas are an excellent base for sandwiches like this Vegan Chickpea Sandwich with Sun-Dried Tomatoe

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