Tag: Forks Over Knives

I wish I had…

On By Heather O'ConnorIn cookbook, nutrition, plants, vegetablesLeave a comment

Lately, I have thought of all the things I wish I had done. I have the time now. California is in “shelter at home” situation to slow the rate of infection of the Covid-19 viral infection. It’s better to be prepared for the worst and be happy if it eases up sooner. You’d call me a pessimist. That’s OK with me.

To make it through this challenging time, I have to learn to think a bit differently. I am especially interested in immunity for good reason.

Below is what I made from the “Forks Over Knives” App after I searched for my main ingredient, bok choy. It had the high immunity ingredients of garlic, fresh fresh ginger, Shitaki mushrooms, leeks, onions, celery, bok choy, broccoli, edamame, jalapeño peppers and Chinese Five Spice powder and was delicious.

I wish I had changed my lifestyle and eaten plants consistently years ago. I could have skipped the knee and hip replacement, high blood pressure and depression.  I eat plants now. I avoid all animal products. I have since learned that my body functions much better when avoiding all animal products and alcohol ( a Class 1 carcinogen). I am much healthier now! And so will the planet Earth be too! 

Wild Mushroom Pho

As you can tell, I dive into all the information that I can find from the websites that I follow. I feel like a sieve filtering out all the junk and saving the valuable information for you and me.

After watching the movie which is available on Netflix, “Forks Over Knives,” I started following the people that I’ve mentioned in previous posts and on other areas of this blog. Here are a few people to check in on and even sign up for their newsletters to stay healthy. Please do! Especially important at this time. 

Dr. John McDougall is a favorite. Check out his YouTube videos for dealing with the Coronavirus. Very interesting! I’ve gone to his “Advanced Nutrition Weekends” and even a week of nutrition study and travel to Kauai. From there I met others such as Drs. Esselstyn, Greger, Fuhrman, Ornish, Goldhamer,  and many more reputable physicians. I am totally convinced that this will serve me well through this difficult time of Covid-19.

The reason that I’m so convinced and am working so hard is that I’m in the high risk age category, 77, but since I have no chronic diseases of aging (obesity, diabetes, heart condition, cancer, etc.) I plan to be  around for a long time. No reason not to put in my best effort! I expect you will too!

Until the next sketch, Heather

Enthusiasm…

On By Heather O'ConnorIn nutrition, podcastLeave a comment

This morning when the pool was closed, I went for a two mile walk to close my Apple Watch green exercise circle. I always aim to close my red move circle and blue stand circles. It’s just a good way for me to keep track of my daily lifestyle goals lifestyle goals.

The walk around the peninsula across from the Morro Bay State Park Marina

On my walk, I met a friend who I’d met when we were docents at the Friends of the Elephant Seal rookery. We chatted about what we as retired people were doing now. Where I live there are many opportunities for retirees to contribute to the out-of-doors natural science education of visitors. Many travelers from all over the United States and all over the seven continents. California has a unique landscape of ocean, bays, rivers, forests, grasslands and deserts making a healthy lifestyle easy to experience.

As usual the topic of nutrition came up. With me, it usually does because it’s such a big part of my life ever since I watched the movie Forks Over Knives and various other links such as the one I received today. It was a podcast Plant Strong with Rip Esselstyn.

The strange thing was that when my friend went to the doctor’s office with her husband, a conversation began. She told me that all the women in the waiting room said that their husbands, partners or significant others were alive because of what the women were doing. I cannot figure it out why women are usually the ones who care, take responsibility and run the house so that their husbands are the recipients of all their efforts, continuous kindness, health care and generosity.

I have come to the conclusion that men are just as capable to take on their own health and lifestyle needs. Do we want to continually drag an unwilling partner along as we make our best efforts? Or do we just keep doing what we want and set a good example for a healthy lifestyle?

The way I see it, having two partners working on healthy lifestyles and nutritional needs has a much huge benefit for both of them. The biggest gift to our partner is to give them ourselves in our most healthy condition when we take responsibility for ourselves. Now the best gift they can give to us is the excitement, enthusiasm and knowledge to support a whole foods plant based, no oil, salt and sugar, lifestyle too!

Health is a gift we give to our immediate family, children and extended family. Right?

Recipe from T. Colin Campbell’ Center for Nutrition Studies: Loaded Miso Noodle Soup

After I made the soup Last night, I put some away in a pint jar for lunch today. I enjoyed it both days!

Have you looked at the other areas of this website? Websites and podcasts, books and cookbooks are some that I have used and followed. My introductory post is the “Healthy lifestyle.”

My favorite pizza with FieldRoast Italian sausages and NO CHEESE!

Can you identify all the delicious topping for my pizza? If you can, I’ll email you one of my favorite Jane Esselstyn Recipes for veggie burgers.

Until the next sketch…peace and good health, Heather