27. BECOMING A VEGANIST

Kathy Freston has written a book on the plant-food diet with the title, VEGANIST. Her book tells how to lose weight, get healthy and change the world! Perhaps her ideas will give all of us new incentives for eating plant food.

Kathy grew up eating meat, but when she learned about vegetarianism, she immediately started on the path to a plant-food diet one animal at a time. She told her husband, “I’m not cooking any more steak.” A few days later she said, “I can’t put chicken on the table anymore.” At the same time she cooked so many delicious recipes with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts that her husband nor she missed the meat.

Kathy wants to shine a bright light on the world with her message that plant food leads to weight loss, helps to keep blood sugar in a normal range and prevents and reverses heart disease. Other positives for this kind of diet are the savings in money and the ability it gives to more ably feed the world.

Personal health benefits are just one part of the story. It seems clearer every day that the planet thrives for every person who chooses to eat more plant-based food, because animal agriculture is one of the top culprits in creating very serious environmental problems. All of us have heard about the horrors of animal slaughter and meat processing. It is so rewarding to say, “No, thanks, I’ll take the vegetarian option.”

Kathy has presented ten life-changing promises that are fulfilled as a plant-food diet is incorporated.

Promise 1: Your body will find and maintain its ideal weight effortlessly.

Promise 2: Your risk for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes will be lowered and diseases already diagnosed will be reversed.

Promise 3: You will live longer and better.

Promise 4: You will take yourself out of harm’s way—food poisoning comes from animals.

Promise 5: You will save money.

Promise 6: You will radically reduce your carbon foot print and do the single best thing possible for the environment.

Promise 7: You will be helping provide food to the global poor.

Promise 8: You will reduce animal suffering.

Promise 9: You will be following the wisdom of the great spiritual traditions.

Promise 10: You will evolve and take the world with you.

Kathy presents great ideas for making the change. She says to take one step at a time. Seek out new products and new menu ideas. She promises a whole world of hearty delicious food that does absolutely no harm—not to the planet, nor to our health.

First, be educated on the effects of plant food. Read books about the nutritional benefits. Watch videos of animals being slaughtered. Being informed will jumpstart making the change.

Determine to give up one meat at a time. Kathy recommends chicken because chickens are the most abused animal on the plant. After victory over chicken, move to beef. Continue until all animal products are out of the diet.

Check recipes on the Internet. Try beans instead of hamburger in chili. Use nondairy milk and cheese. Make smoothies. For more motivation, buy Kathy’s book, available at Barnes & Noble. 

As you become a veganist, taste buds will change. Skin will clear. Weight will drop if needed. Overall health will improve. Energy will increase.

A veganist sounds like a cool person! Count me in!

SHEPHERD’S PIE
TOPPING:
4 c diced potatoes
1 c canned coconut milk (I like Thai Kitchens)
1/2 t salt
PIE:
1 c green beans
1 c chopped onions
1 c sliced carrots
1 c chopped cabbage
1 t Italian seasoning
1 1/2 t onion powder
1 t salt
1/2 t garlic powder
2 t chicken seasoning
1 c kidney beans drained and rinsed
1 c canned coconut milk
1 14-oz can tomatoes
Cover potatoes with water and simmer until soft. Drain
potatoes and mash with 1 cup coconut milk and salt.
Place all vegetables in a saucepan with the seasonings
and about 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer
10 minutes. Add beans and simmer 10 more minutes.
Blend tomatoes and remaining one cup milk. Add to the
heated mixture and stir while heating. Place in a 9 x 9
casserole. Spread the mashed potatoes over the top
forming a 1-inch crust. Place under the broiler for 5
to 10 minutes.