Happy 2021 Everyone!
I freaking LOVE this time of year. You know – the time smack before a fresh New Year starts and everything is possible! It’s the time that I set personal & professional Goals and Objectives for the upcoming year, but also reflect and assess where I exceeded or fell short with the past years goals.
Last Year We Tackled Sugar, Sugar
Last year over 2,000 (what!?) of you joined me on the 28-Day California Sugar Cleanse. We said BU-BYE to Added-Sugar in our diet. We Lost Weight, Felt Lighter, Clearer, Happier and More Radiant!
This Year, We’re Kicking It Up a Notch and Going to a Whole Foods Plant Based Diet!
Just Follow the Blog & our YouTube Channel for All Things Whole-Foods Plant Based:
- Easy, Delicious & Filling Recipes!
- Frequently Asked Questions (& Answers!)
- Key Pantry Staples You’ll Want to Have.
- Tips for Success!
- Debunking Common MYTHS!
- How to Get Started – and so much more!
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates
Annie Parker Confidential has officially transitioned to a Whole Food, Plant-Based (WFPB) Diet. We’re getting Back-to-Basics, tapping into the incredible healing power of nutrient-rich, Whole, Plant-Based Foods and ditching Animal Products (that means meat!), Dairy and Eggs.
Oliver and I have been doing it for 3 weeks, and I cannot tell you how amazing we feel. As important – the food I’ve been making is delicious, filling – and we’re both finding that we stay fuller, longer.
I haven’t even wanted to eat my usual “2 snacks a day” – because the combination of protein & fiber from the meals (I will share them all with you!)…. is keeping me full and satisfied.
What We’re Lovin’ So Far:
- We feel lighter and more VIBRANT!
- We’re getting better WORKOUTS with an uptick in ENDURANCE.
- Because of the Protein & Fiber, our meals are keeping us FULLER, LONGER.
- The meals are DELICIOUS!! (follow the Blog for all my favorite recipes!)
What Is a “Whole Foods Plant-Based” Diet?
A Plant-Based Diet Centers Around Eating:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole Grains
- Legumes (Nuts, Seeds & Beans)
It *LIMITS the Consumption of:
- Animal Products (Red Meat, Poultry, Pork, Seafood)
- Dairy
- Eggs
*Note: Whole-Food Plant-Based eating allows for some limited Dairy, Eggs or Meat/Seafood. The objective is to base the majority of your diet around Whole, Plant-Based Foods.
While we DO steer clear of meat, seafood and dairy, we’re ok incorporating an egg or 2 in some of our recipes from time to time. 😉
Far from BORING – there are SO many delectable WFPB Recipes. It’s just a matter of putting in the effort & adjusting to a new way of eating. I’ll be sharing my favorite recipes with you – so be sure to follow the Blog.
Hmmmm…. Why No Meat, Dairy or Eggs?
Marketed as healthy….but science says otherwise
Good question. Like pretty much every living person on the planet – I’ve always thought of lean protein (fish, chicken), egg-whites, dairy etc as part of a healthy, good-for-you diet.
That changed a few weeks ago, when surfing through NETFLIX, I stumbled upon the groundbreaking documentary “What the Health.” If you haven’t yet watched it – YOU MUST! It’s NOT boring, promise. 😉
“What the Health” Spurred Me to Change Our Diet
It’s a documentary hosted by Kip Anderson, on “Whole Food, Plant-Based Eating.” After watching it, I knew that for the health & well-being of myself and my family – we were going to make a change.
It’s a fascinating look at the overwhelming damage that our consumption of animal products and dairy is doing to our bodies, and outlines the science & studies connecting meat & dairy to a myriad of health issues like:
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Cancer
- Obesity / Inflammation
Oh – You can also Stream it on Prime Video!
He interviews multiple health care professionals and experts who show how a Plant Based Diet has been scientifically proven to not only prevent chronic diseases, but actually reverse them. That’s huge!??
Follow the money, honey
More alarming, when he attempts to talk to major trusted Organizations like Susan G Komen, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society & American Diabetes Association – about the scientific evidence linking meat and dairy to the very diseases for which these organizations stand for, they either decline the interview OR in the case of Dr. Ratner of the American Diabetes Association abruptly ends the interview & asks Kip to leave the office. It was a serious Whoa!! moment.
Below, Dr. Robert Ratner, Chief Scientific & Medical Officer for American Diabetes Association….. about 2 minutes before abruptly ending the interview when asked about the link between Diabetes & a Diet including meat and dairy.
The ADA is sponsored in part by Oscar Mayer, Bumble Bee, Dannon & Kraft. Oh – and the ADA also had plenty of “healthy recipes” on their site, using products from their sponsors. So…. There’s that.
“Don’t Bite the Hand That Feeds You…”
According to the documentary, all 4 Organizations are supported in part by either the Beef, Poultry or Dairy Industry – and even offer “healthy recipes” on their respective websites, using you guessed it ….. beef, poultry or dairy.
According to the film – the ADA, ACS, AHA and Susan G Komen are all sponsored in part, by corporations (pic below) selling the very foods said to cause the diseases for which these organizations stand for…
What a Plant-Based Diet Does For You
Here’s the deal. This IS NOT a new way of eating, or some weird Grapefruit Diet fad. It’s really all about getting back to basics. Over the years, we’ve gotten SO far removed from “Real Food” in favor of conveniences like fast-food, pre-packaged meals, snacks and treats – that it’s flat out made us fat and unhealthy.
This is all about getting back to basics, and discovering or rediscovering the power of eating whole, nutrient and vitamin rich foods directly from the source.
Just Do It – Don’t worry about going whole-hog at first (pun intended). Incorporate a few new dishes each week. Some you’ll like, others not so much. That’s OK! Add new ones into your repertoire as you’re ready 😉
Here’s What it Can Do For You…
- SKIN: Our ability to look and age better by eating plant-based is a direct result of the powerful healing properties in these types of foods. Translation – it can have a huge, positive affect on the radiance & glow of your skin. IN!
- GUT HEALTH: It can improve the health of your gut, making it easier for the body to absorb nutrients from foods that support our immune system and reduce inflammation.
- DISEASE: Can not only prevent chronic diseases, but may actually reverse them! Watch the movie – it talks all about it.
- MORE ENERGY: Whole Plant Foods have a powerhouse of nutrients that give us energy! When we eliminate animal products it lightens up the workload for our entire system. Translation: More energy!
Moving Forward:
OK!! So, those are some of the reasons for my decision to go Plant-Based AND to re-focus Annie Parker Confidential towards this paradigm as well. I believe in this lifestyle whole-heartedly, because candidly…. it just makes sense.
Moving forward you can expect:
- Lots of great Plant-Based Recipes
- Guest Chefs
- Nutrition Experts
- Fun & useful info and resources that you can integrate into your own Wellness Journey 😉
Happy New Year!
