16. JOHN SALLEY CHAMPION VEGAN

It thrills me to learn about another famous name who has embraced a plant food diet! John Salley is a 51-year-old highly successful NBA basketball player. He retired in 2000, after playing basketball on three NBA championship teams. He became vegan ten years ago, and regrets that he didn’t know about the plant-food diet sooner because he says it would have kept him playing basketball even today.

After seeing his own family members suffer from cancer and diabetes, John began to make a connection between foods and health.

Then he learned a lesson from a teammate, Adrian Dantley. The two of them had gone out to eat before a game. John ordered a burger, French fries and a shake. He didn’t play well in the competition, and Adrian asked, “Do you remember what you just ate?” Soon after he adopted a totally vegan lifestyle. Because plant food made such a difference in his health, he became a passionate promoter of his new diet. He also began to speak against the animal abuse that takes place in factory farming.

 When he is asked about his meatless meals, he responds, “’Would you cut a rat open and eat his flesh?’ The answer is always, ‘No.’” Then he continues, “A possum? A squirrel? A parakeet? A pigeon? The Bible says ‘Thou shalt not kill,’ period, and it doesn’t say man!”

This last year brought the deaths of three young NBA players—Christian Welp, Jack Haley and Anthony Mason—who had each developed heart trouble. Their untimely passing spurned John to action. Instead of considering their deaths the byproduct of professional basketball, which is the way most people like to think, John says the players need to learn and the NBA needs to teach them to treat their bodies well. He says that animal products have been proven to be a problem with cholesterol and fat in the blood.

Veganism has become a passion in John’s life. He claims that eating plant food has transformed his life and he wants to share that message with the world. He has developed his own 22-day vegan detox program. He has lobbied Congress to include more healthy vegetarian options in school lunches to help combat childhood diabetes and other diet-related diseases.

In an article on VegNews.com, John has launched a 22-day vegan challenge program called the BettaLifeChallenge. Those who join will be eligible for vegan meal delivery service, discounts on vegan products, daily email support and access to John’s Wellness Retreat. (BETTA is an acronym for better eating today, tomorrow and always.)

John recently wrote a letter to Michelle Obama to encourage her to join with others in committing to going vegan for 30 days in 2016. He reminded her that by taking this pledge during her final year of serving as First Lady, she could “send a clear message to Americans that going vegan is one of the best things a person can do for their health, for animals, and for the environment.” Read his letter on hngn.com.

John has a host of interests, but the one that is closest to his heart is wellness and veganism. He wants to ensure that the NBA takes a refreshed look at how their players eat, train and live.

We hope John Salley inspires the NBA players to adopt his vegan diet; however, each of us needs to focus our attention on our own wellness. LET’S TAKE THE CHALLENGE JOHN SENT TO MICHELLE OBAMA AND GO VEGAN FOR OUR HEALTH, FOR ANIMALS AND FOR THE ENVIRONMENT! 

John’s favorite breakfast meal (with a link of Field-Roast grain-meat sausage added) from the website: armstrong.com

JOHN SALLEY’S BREAKFAST GRITS
3 c water
1 c organic grits
1/2 t sweet paprika
Dash of black pepper
Bring water to a boil. Add the grits and stir to mix.
Simmer until done checking to make sure the grits
don’t burn.
JOHN SALLEY’S BREAKFAST TOAST
1 slice toasted sprouted Ezekiel bread
1/2 organic avocado
Balsamic vinegar
Dashes of turmeric
Toast bread. Spoon the avocado on toast and gently
mash with a fork. Drizzle with vinegar and sprinkle
with turmeric.
JOHN SALLEY’S OH SO GREEN KALE DRINK
2 c chopped kale
1 c frozen spinach
1 organic banana
1 organic Fuji apple
1 organic orange
5 parsley stalks
1 T ginger
8 oz water
Blend all ingredients and drink.