Ordinary Vegan Podcast

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.    

Did you know heart disease is the number one killer among women? And women who have heart attacks are twice as likely to die as men because they don't recognize the symptoms of a heart attack. According to the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute, heart disease in not even on the radar of young women even though heart disease is on the rise for women between the ages of 29 and 45.  Women and men's heart attacks are much different. Nearly 50% of women admitted to the hospital for heart attacks don't have chest pain.  Learn how to recognize subtle heart attack symptoms and how to prevent heart disease with some simple strategies that could save your life. This week's plant-based recipe are heart-healthy artichokes loaded with fiber and antioxidants.  Good nutrition is the basis for living a long and healthy life, and education is power. Learn how to apply plant-based nutrition to your life by visiting  Healthy Eating and Living With Plants Read the show notes and get all Ordinary Vegan's recipes at ordinaryvegan.

If you have lower back pain, you are not alone.  31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time and low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide.  Back pain also has wider financial implications to patients and society. In the United States alone $50 billion a year is spent on low back pain treatment.  Most low back pain is short term and lasts few days to a few weeks. Chronic back pain is defined as pain that persists for 12 weeks or longer and can be more than just physical. It can have a profound effect on every aspect of your life.  Erectile Dysfunction can also have a profound effect on someone's life. Many people think ED is just an old person's problem or psychological problem, and roughly 40% of men in their 40s suffer from ED.  Today we discuss underlying conditions that can predispose people to low back pain and erectile dysfunction. The good news is a common underlying condition can be treated with food and nutrition. Learn more on today's podcast. We also shar

Do you want to begin a plant-based diet full or part-time but don't know where to start? Are you tired of all the confusion around what to eat on a plant-based diet? Do you worry about all the planning, hunting and gathering needed to create a vegan grocery list?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are in the right place.  Since becoming vegan in 2011, I have learned a lot about plant-based shopping and cooking. Many hits and many misses. In today's podcast I am providing a vegan grocery list to help you avoid the mistakes I made. My best advice would be to keep it simple, and always have some cooked whole-grains, veggies and beans on hand for easy and delicious meals. I try to stay away from all processed foods, but when I can’t avoid it, I read the ingredients carefully.  While this food list offers substitutes for everything you eat on a standard American diet, I don’t recommend eating a lot of processed food. But often people need substitutes to help them transition, and there is nothing w

If you are one of the 43 million Americans who plan to go on a diet in 2017, there is some very important information you should know. Scientists are now zeroing in on the real reason that yo-yo dieting is not working and you can learn how to implement this important information in your everyday life.  Hot and sour cabbage soup recipe for a healthy gut.  Visit our health and wellness sponsor Khroma Herbs here. 

Telomeres are a DNA sequence at the tip of a cell's chromosome in human beings. Think of them as little caps that protect our chromosomes from deterioration which is associated with aging and disease.  In recent years, shorter telomeres have been associated with a broad range of age-related diseases including some forms of cancer, dementia, stroke, cardiovascular disease, obesity, osteoporosis,and diabetes. So how can we protect and affect the size of our telomeres?  Learn how in today's podcast. Also, we visit Ordinary Vegan's kitchen for a recipe that is my #1 strategy to healthy holiday eating.

What if you could add five healthy foods to your plate and make an improvement in your health and longevity?  Today's podcast explores what ingredients can play a role in controlling blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar, and boost energy. We also provide easy tips and recipes on including these extraordinary ingredients into your diet. Simple and fun ways to spice up your health. This week's podcast recipe is a delicious, easy to prepare authentic Indian cuisine recipe called "Chole" from chef Rema Gopinath's kitchen. There are many different versions of this dish but today's recipe is the perfect blend of chickpeas cooked in a gravy made of tomatoes, onions, cilantro and Indian spices. I like to serve it over rice with fresh lemon wedges. Hope you enjoy today's recipe and podcast. Never forget, every plant-based meal you prepare shows compassion for yourself, the environment and animals. And it is never too late to take back your health! Sign up to receive all of Ordinary Vegan's

We can consume foods that can heal us or we can consume foods that can kill us. Once we know the difference, we are on the road to a healthy, happy, long life. Today's podcast is devoted to longevity and some of the foods that have played a role in the cultures of people around the world who enjoy healthy lives into their 80s, 90s, and some well into their 100s. Listen to today's podcast to unlock the secrets of longevity from the longest-living people in the world: Okinawans. No only do they enjoy the world's highest life expectancy; they stay active well into their 80s and 90s. They also have one of the lowest rates of dementia in the world. Food is the #1 contributor to their longevity, and you may be surprised by what they eat. Next, we visit the Island of Sardinia where scientists have been trying for years to discover the secrets of why Sardinia is the home to the longest-lived men. A study was done called AKeA, an acronym for "A Kent Annos", a traditional toast in the Sardinian culture that means "may

Today's podcast discusses the benefits of a gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet for children with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. Gut disorders are one of the most common medical conditions associated with autism. The CDC found that children with autism are three to five times more likely to suffer from chronic gastrointestinal disorders.  Researchers also found a link to gut disorders and autism severity in children. Toxins produced by abnormal gut bacteria may trigger or or worsen autism in children. The good news is that some autistic and ADHD children's gut bacteria problems can be helped with diet and eating the right food is essential. Learn in today's podcast what foods and chemicals to avoid for gut disorders, and what foods can help repair the gut lining. We also discuss the role of glyphosate, one of the most commonly digested chemicals and how it can affect your health and the health of your child. wgkw622v   

I'm extremely excited to welcome Gene Baur to the Ordinary Vegan Podcast! Gene is the co-founder and President of Farm Sanctuary, America's leading farm animal protection organization. Gene is an activist and author known for his work in the animal rights and food movement. Gene Baur has been hailed as "the conscience of the food movement" by TIME magazine. For 25 years he has traveled extensively, campaigning to raise awareness about the abuses of industrialized factory farms. What I love most about Gene Baur is his non-judgmental approach. He gently pries our eyes open with his compassionate message and teaches us to be an expression of what lives in our hearts. Gene Baur will take questions from the Ordinary Vegan community on Facebook. We will cover a plethora of topics including his best-selling book "Living The Farm Sanctuary Life: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Mindfully, Living Longer, and Feeling Better Every Day," which has been described as "a beautiful picture of how we can all thrive without eatin

Today's podcast explores the role of vitamin and mineral supplements in a plant-based diet. Find out here the most worrisome vitamin deficiencies and how to make sure you include them in your daily diet.  We will also prepare a delicious plant-based recipe that is centered around the food that is eaten by the people who have a life expectancy among the highest in the world.    

  "Sandy Gooch single handedly pioneered a natural foods revolution for everyday people." ~~~~Whole Foods CEO and co-founder John Mackey Sandy Gooch was experiencing seizures and chest pains at too young of an age. Upon investigation, Sandy Gooch found that what she was eating was making her ill. She made an immediate change in her eating choices.  Little did she know, in her own quest for health she would pioneer the nation’s natural food movement.  Sandy Gooch discusses her illness, her recovery and what it took to open the first Mrs. Gooch’s Natural Food Grocery Store in Los Angeles in 1976.  She discusses how she revamped advertising and the grocery business by offering product knowledge. She believed when you empower people with the knowledge needed to make an educated decision in their food choices, they will learn for themselves that natural foods is a natural choice.  Sandy also shares her thoughts about food safety, Mrs. Gooch's eventual merge with Whole Foods and what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

“Letting go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us” ~~Joseph Campbell I love Joseph Campbell’s quote about life. Is it genuinely possible to have the life that is waiting for you if you have a job, family, and obligations? If you could imagine the perfect life, what would it look like? Do you do what you want or what is expected of you? How can you change your life? Since becoming vegan, I have stepped outside my world and opened myself up to a new community of vegan people who are smart, compassionate, encouraging and enthusiastic. I have learned a lot about nutrition, pesticides, animal abuse, exploitation and having a reverence for life. I will never be a perfect vegan because simply living means I affect the lives of all creatures, but I will do my best.  Today I share my stories of letting go and taking chances, and the rewards I experienced because of those actions. I also share letters from our listeners who have decided to make the plant-based leap and their results. One

Don't feel guilty. Most people don't understand the connection between food and climate change. But how we feel about climate change in the future is very important right now. Because it plays a large part in what's going  to happen to our planet next.  Here are some facts: New research warns that without radical changes to our diets, the food industry alone is likely to cause an 80% increase in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.  These greenhouse gas emissions cause a man-made greenhouse effect that traps us inside and changes the temperature of the earth's surface.  Shifting the temperature of the earth even a couple of degrees can throw an entire ecosystem into chaos and create extreme weather events. Learn how you can fight for our planet's environment beginning today. It is easier than you think! We also share a decadent and delicious plant-based whipped cream topping. You'll never want the whipped can cow's milk stuff again.