A few weeks ago I watched a documentary called "Forks over Knives" on Netflix. Here is summary from the website:
"FORKS OVER KNIVES examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods. The major storyline in the film traces the personal journeys of a pair of pioneering researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn."
I was totally inspired.
As a medical professional I work in a hospital where most of our "curative" efforts consist of giving people a new pill for every new complaint they have. Unfortunately due to lack of time/resources/education most people accept this and go on and generally don't make any lifestyle changes. I find myself getting endlessly frustrated with our medical system (although sometimes it's the individuals or doctors or myself) because of this. In the documentary they feature several doctors that help people with reversible diseases (like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes type II) stop and even reverse the disease itself with diet and exercise.
And last week I finally picked up a book called Anti-Cancer by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber. (It's been on my book list for months & don't worry, you'll get full review when I finish it). The author was diagnosed with a brain tumor and ends up researching ways to help our bodies and modern medicine fight off cancer (and prevent it) with diet, habits and lifestyle changes. I'm about 50 pages in, but I'm also completely inspired by this as well.
I've thought about changes I need to make for awhile. I'm pretty consistent with exercise, I do the gym thing most days a week and try and do some yoga at home, but I've always been challenged when I think about what I eat/put into my body. Bottom line here is I think I'm going to move away from eating processed food and I'm going to cut down on my intake on animal products. At this point I doubt I will ever be 100% vegan (lets be honest, I had bacon on my breakfast burrito today) but I've started drinking soy milk (which is actually really good) and trying to eat less animal products. We'll see how it goes.
There is a lot more I could expound on related to these topics, but I'll leave it at this for now. I'm still processing and learning most of this myself and I'll have to see where this goes from here.
As a medical professional I work in a hospital where most of our "curative" efforts consist of giving people a new pill for every new complaint they have. Unfortunately due to lack of time/resources/education most people accept this and go on and generally don't make any lifestyle changes. I find myself getting endlessly frustrated with our medical system (although sometimes it's the individuals or doctors or myself) because of this. In the documentary they feature several doctors that help people with reversible diseases (like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes type II) stop and even reverse the disease itself with diet and exercise.
And last week I finally picked up a book called Anti-Cancer by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber. (It's been on my book list for months & don't worry, you'll get full review when I finish it). The author was diagnosed with a brain tumor and ends up researching ways to help our bodies and modern medicine fight off cancer (and prevent it) with diet, habits and lifestyle changes. I'm about 50 pages in, but I'm also completely inspired by this as well.
I've thought about changes I need to make for awhile. I'm pretty consistent with exercise, I do the gym thing most days a week and try and do some yoga at home, but I've always been challenged when I think about what I eat/put into my body. Bottom line here is I think I'm going to move away from eating processed food and I'm going to cut down on my intake on animal products. At this point I doubt I will ever be 100% vegan (lets be honest, I had bacon on my breakfast burrito today) but I've started drinking soy milk (which is actually really good) and trying to eat less animal products. We'll see how it goes.
There is a lot more I could expound on related to these topics, but I'll leave it at this for now. I'm still processing and learning most of this myself and I'll have to see where this goes from here.
After watching this documentary last night, I had a really long conversation with Jeff about overall health and well-being and how much control we all actually have of disease and even how we feel day-to-day. We both agreed that cutting out all processed foods would be a major step in the right direction. We (like you) will probably never fully give up meat (especially Jeff). But, I think focusing on cutting out things that make us feel gross and instead bringing in foods that really enrich our lives is a great step...even if you don't keep us all posted on here, keep me in the loop of how these changes make you feel.
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched it. . but lots of people around me have and say that it will change your view of food forever. . . Food, Inc.
ReplyDeleteYou should know that my dad is very worried about you. First, he heard you read a book about eating vegan, and then he noticed this post. He is concerned, to say the least. Now, none of us have watched this documentary, so we will have to before passing judgment, but he does what you to know that buffalo meat is the only source of all 7 essential amino acids in one source. Also, what's wrong with meat done right? Maybe you just need to start ordering from Carlson Meats. Love, your nephew
ReplyDeleteHa! I love Bowman's response :) And I like meat, so I could never really be a vegan/vegetarian, let's be honest...
ReplyDeletePlease come up with some wonderful vegetarian menus for the summer.....
ReplyDeleteI think I could cut out beef and pork.....MAYBE. Need ongoing inspiration.
Bowman, thanks for your concern. tell you're dad I'll still eat the occasional bacon and steak, but only if its organic.
ReplyDeleteLiz, Food, Inc. is on my netflix queue! I'll have to watch that next.
Mom, I am working on it! I'll let you know what I come up with.
Sarah, yes! I'm glad you watched it too.