In one week I celebrate Thanksgiving with family, as is customary in my neck of the woods. The how, the when, the where, and the why we choose to celebrate this holiday has changed dramatically over the years, and for a number of reasons…
I am an empty-nester, my extended family has grown and gone
Each of my grandparents have passed away
My retired parents would prefer to gamble at a nearby casino and dine at a buffet rather than bother with cooking
Some of us work multiple jobs and odd hours
And then there’s me…who has very particular tastes and am the sole person in my circle of family and friends who has adopted a vegan *whole food plant-based oil free diet (*WFPFNO).
My family and friends are accustomed to, and fully support, my dietary preferences. In my resource guide and website I share my experience and failures following trends and fad diets over the course of my adult life. This is not a new story, since many of us struggle to find a diet that is successful. My current meal plan evolved over time. There was plenty of trial and error, time and effort spent educating myself, and ultimately I discovered The McDougall Program while watching the film Forks Over Knives. I learned about the work of Dr. John McDougall (author of books like The Starch Solution) and T. Colin Campbell (author of The China Study). With this introduction I dramatically changed my way of eating and transformed my life on multiple levels.
Today, and in the week ahead, I am expressing heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the aforementioned pioneers, who practice what they preach, and help others understand the science of nutrition. By following their recommendations I sleep well and wake-up refreshed, I manage arthritic and artificial joint pain without prescription medication, and my overall health has improved dramatically. The bottom line is that I can honestly say that I feel good on a regular basis.
As someone who has faced a near death experience, being able to honestly state those realities about my current state of health is something that I am very thankful for.
Below are a few links to plant-based Thanksgiving recipes. They are gathered from a few of my favorite foodies such as Plant Based Gabriel, Brand New Vegan, SpudFit, and of course, my hero…Dr. McDougall. Wherever you are, however you celebrate Thanksgiving (or choose not to), and whatever types of dishes grace your table, dine well! We are each in charge of our own health status and have the ability to improve our current state of health simply by improving our diet, exercising, and better managing stress.
Be Well! ~Tiffany
Vegan Butternut Soup, Brand New Vegan
Thanksgiving/Holiday Menu and Recipes (Soups, salads, dressings, gravy, entree, desserts, and more), Dr. McDougall
A Whole Food Potato Based Guide to Eating and Living, Cookbook by SpudFit
Chocolate Sweet Potato Tart, Plant Based Gabriel
