About five years ago, I stopped eating meat and processed foods. I lost weight, but that was not my motivation.
When I visited my doctor for my annual checkup in 2011, she warned me about my fatty liver, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, the nodules on my thyroid, and noted that my gall bladder would have to come out. I had gallstones.
She wrote prescriptions for three different medications that I would have to take for the rest of my life and made appointments to see two specialists. She was also concerned about my blood sugar since I was now a borderline diabetic.
The flat shoes I wore that day didn't help. My feet still hurt a lot from inflammation because of arthritis. Just walking into her office was painful. I had seven sinus infections that year. At least two migraines per week (sometimes more) were normal for me during that time.
I read the book "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman while recovering from gall bladder surgery. Within a week, I started to lose weight and feel better. When I went back to my surgeon for my six-week checkup, I had lost twenty pounds. He was thrilled with my progress!
Later that day, I ran two miles on the path around that same hospital where the gall bladder surgery had been performed a few weeks before. I must say, I felt a little like Rocky when I did that!
Processed foods are deadly for me. I will not buy them. The only things you will find in my pantry and refrigerator are plant-based foods in the most natural and organic state. The changes I made in my food choices made a major difference in my health and the way I feel every day. I no longer take any medications, and my lab results are similar to those of a teenager. My doctors are amazed and motivated by the changes I have made and maintained over the years.
If we eat in a restaurant, as we sometimes do, I will order a salad, a side order of broccoli or some other steamed vegetable, and a glass of wine. I mostly skip the bread and share an occasional dessert when Mr. Mickey wants to have one. Three small bites are enough to fully enjoy it.
This is normally my breakfast.
The photo above shows what my breakfast looks like about 95% of the time. I use fresh fruit that is always changing with the seasons.
One of my lovely followers shared this with me recently. Emily wrote: "I have suffered from chronic constipation (IBS) for years, and this recipe seems to have reversed this disease. I am very regular with no stomach cramps!!!! PTL!!! Thank you so very much for this wonderful recipe!!!!"
You will find the porridge recipe here when you scroll down to the bottom of the page.
This is normally my late in the day lunch.
A typical late lunch might be steamed veggies over a salad with a baked sweet potato. I often make a meatless chili or vegetable soup for lunch in winter. I use frozen vegetables without any preservatives or salt in my soup.
Two meals per day are enough for me. If I feel hungry later in the day, I may have a piece of fruit or some hot tea. I sleep much better with an empty stomach.
This might be a different late in the day wintertime lunch.
I drink lots of filtered water with lemon every day. Many digestive issues are a result of not being adequately hydrated. I never drink sodas!
Eating highly nutritious plants, seeds, nuts, dried beans, and grains has allowed me to maintain a healthy weight for several years. This is the first time in my life that I have been able to do that. I have struggled with my chubbiness since I was a child.
The best part of all this is that my immune system is powerful. I have not had a cold in years!
The many letters I get from readers who thank me for turning them on to a plant-based diet are so special to me. This one came just this week.
"Susan, when I found you on FB, I decided to follow you because you look so fabulous in skinny jeans. I am 64, and since menopause, I have gained a tremendous amount of weight. Anyhow, I wanted to tell you that I too found "Eat to Live" and started a new life on November 16.
I have lost 25 pounds and have 75 more to go. I will continue to be inspired by you. We are both prolonging our lives. But I have to say what I want to do most right now is look as good as you do in your clothes.
You are lovely, and I think you ought to talk more about your plant-based diet. It would be a great service. I have inspired two male friends to adopt this way of eating, and they cannot thank me enough! They have lost more weight than I have, and now they think I'm the greatest."
Sharing fashion tips and style inspiration with you is fun, but the most important thing I hope to accomplish with this blog is to encourage you to eat for your best health. Never underestimate the power of plants to help you regain your health.
