JDCMustReadBooks

Listing of Books

Personal Experience:
As a vegan for a number of years, and a number of food allergies, I love discovering new and creative ways to enhance my menu, versus the same spinach everyday. When I began eliminating all processed foods, trans fats, sugar, additives and preservatives in foods, sulfites, wine and alcoholic beverages, salad dressings, dairy, eggs, milk, meats, and even fish, I began almost immediately seeing a huge dramatic difference. Sulfites are a group of sulfur-based compounds that may occur naturally, or may be added to food as an enhancer and preservative.

Previously, I was experiencing all sorts of heart issues with tachycardia, severe insomnia, headaches, stomach problems, intense allergies, continuous sinus infections, thyroid issues, and life threatening, severe analyphaxis (equipped with an Epi-Pen at all times). All these issues began when I started menopause at age 53. Before this time, my body had hormones to protect me. As we age, the protection is no longer there. We have to pay attention to our food as if medicine.

For years, I kept a food journal of everything I ate-- exercise, heart rate, blood pressure, and my symptoms. Sometimes these symptoms did not occur until up to 1-8 hrs. afterwards – same as medications. Even a topical cream would do the same. After monitoring this closely for years, I was able to determine my problems were related to the foods. I thought I was on a pretty healthy diet with no fast foods. However, it is the hidden things: additives and preservatives, causing most of the issues - chemicals in foods.

For the past five years, I have been on an all plant-based organic vegan diet of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. At age 63, I take no medications of any kind. Spinach, Kale, Chickpeas and Quinoa have become my new best friends. My issues went away with the plant-based diet. In addition, am fit, and maintain my size 4. In a family with a history of cancer, and Alzheimer’s, I continue to be conscious of my diet, and the need for a healthy diet-critical for ultimate health.

I have to be extremely careful, when dining out, which I seldom do-- as you do not know what hidden additives or preservatives are included in the foods and preparation. With one single additive, it will send my body and heart into havoc and will take up to a week to subside. In addition, the same thing happens with environmental, medications, and other toxins.

For this reason, I do my own cooking with fresh vegetables, and love finding new ways to prepare my foods. I love cooking even for myself, as single with grown children and hitting the local green markets downtown where I reside. With my food allergies, I have learned to substitute items and recipes, where needed.

For this reason, cookbooks such as BenBella's an excellent way to get a wide selection of recipes to fit your respective lifestyle and a fabulous resource - in one place.

A huge advocate for the plant based diet, I enjoy finding books which educate those who are still stuck in the old way of thinking (some continue to complain) with ongoing health issues, and yet they have still not taken the plunge (my own family members included). Our children and grandchildren cannot continue eating this crap. Your body matters, and only you can control what you put into it and how it performs. Like a car, you have to maintain it.

I also work with the hospitality industry --hotels, inns, andB&Bs, with their marketing and websites. Foods are top on the list. The properties I work with cater to a wide variety of diets, from the plant-based and vegan diets, while staying abreast of the industry, with alternative menus for guest travelers. When traveling guests do not have to give up, or compromise: their preferences, food choices, and lifestyle. It is comforting to know prior to guest arrival, they inquire about dietary preference or restrictions and plan accordingly for Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten, Lactose, or Paleo.

Join the Plant-Based Journey!