Brian and I have decided to embrace the message in the documentary Forks Over Knives. The movie documents how people are able to prevent and cure obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, and even cancer through a plant-based, whole foods diet. We highly recommend the movie to everyone and it's currently available on Netflix instant view.
After the movie, Brian said to me, "I am tired of being overweight." So we made a commitment to adopt this diet/life change of eating plants and whole(unprocessed) foods. Our game plan is to be super strict about eating no animal based foods until Thanksgiving. This will act as a sort of detox period and get us use to not eating dairy and, for Brian, meat. ( I gave up meat almost 3 years ago when I truly discovered in my heart how evil the meat industry is.) After Thanksgiving we will have to evaluate how we feel and whether we think very small/moderate amounts of dairy/meat will just be too slippery a slope still.
Our ultimate goal is to learn how to eat healthy, with a diet mostly of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and legumes. Ideally, we will never eat dairy and meat again on a daily or even weekly basis. We know we are omnivores but just because we can eat everything doesn't mean we always should.
Through this blog I am going to document our weight loss, energy levels, and general feelings of health. I will also include our weekly dinner menus to introduce people to all the wonderful food that doesn't involve animal products! (But in full disclosure I'll also let you know if something was definitely NOT wonderful!)
My motivations for making this life change are two-fold. I am a believer that this diet heals. To me it makes sense that the food we eat has a direct impact on our health. And witnessing the people who were at cancer's death door and are alive 20 years later just because they changed their diet is inspiring! But I also care about animal rights and know that the dairy industry is just as cruel as the meat industry. Brian's main motivation is his health. Like I said earlier, he is tired of being overweight. He knows that if he doesn't loose this weight now he probably never will. Both of us hope to have a family someday and neither of us wants to be overweight parents who have no energy to play with our children. If something as simple as eating well can give us more energy and a healthier future than we are game!
So wish us luck and keep checking in for weekly updates!
Brian: 6'0, 260 pounds
Me: 5'4, 135 pounds
Dinner Menu, Oct 2-6, 2011
Sunday- Whole wheat linguine with a red-lentil lemon sauce, topped with spinach and artichoke hearts.
Monday- Heirloom beans, wild rice, lima beans, and homemade vegan biscuits
Tuesday- Black bean and cilantro-lime rice tacos
Wednesday- Veggie stuffed acorn squash (Brian had a baked potato and veggies) and great northern beans
Thursday- Lentil soup and homemade whole wheat french bread
Sunday, October 2, 2011
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