The Hero’s Journey: A Plant Based Adventure

Everyone has a story, and a path.  You’re the hero of your journey, and I’m hoping you will join me on a Plant Based Adventure, on a road less travelled.  We all want to feel our best, reach our full potential and enjoy the ride. So let’s do it!
 
These past few years, my journey has led me to the social impact film space, I’ve had an opportunity to work with some amazing visionaries, gurus and industry leaders.  I’ve produced a few documentaries and curate quality fare at Cause Cinema.  The point is, in my work, I’ve seen my share of this tidal wave of food related movies.  And yes, I do believe seeing these movies can make a difference, and inspire change.  More on that later.
 
During this period, my diet has fluctuated.  I dropped red meat many years ago, then chicken and was living mostly as a Pescetarian, eating fish occasionally.  I’d done a few juice fasts, the annual master cleanse and have recently eliminated gluten.  I wanted to see if I would feel better, stronger and have more energy.  Even still, I kept reading, seeing, and hearing about Plant Based diets, and the many reasons we should give this a go.
 
Of course, there are two major camps, those who avoid meat for ethical reasons, believing we should not killing animals for our food. Then there are those who simply embrace the general health benefits.  I wanted to take a deeper dive, embark on a quest to learn more.  It didn’t take long to see just how many other benefits there are to a Plant Based diet.  Let’s set the table with some basic facts.
 
The Ordinary World
It’s important to get the lay of the land.  There are many nutrition experts, doctors and scientists who have been studying these elements for years.  Each has their own perspective, and some with specific agendas, but here are 10 reasons, that seem to be a consensus among trusted, leading experts.

1. Studies show that following a plant based diet prevents heart and other chronic disease (and in many cases can reverse heart disease).  On the other hand, eating red meat and processed foods can cause cancer and increases risk of diabetes.  
   
2. There are typically less calories in plant based diet, which can help to lose weight, or prevent obesity.  
3. This diet is better for environment.  Did you know it takes about 15 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of beef and about 5 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of chicken. We grow a lot of grain to feed animals, but we would use less water and other energy resources if we ate the grain ourselves. An article in Scientific American reveals that the amount of beef the average American eats in a year creates as much greenhouse gas as driving a car over 1,800 miles!  
4. Buying these foods saves you money, on average.  Yes, if you buy purely organic, it can get a little more expensive, but in general plant based diet costs less.  
5. You would not want to support animal cruelty.  As you will see when you experience some of the film footage, the conditions in which these animals are kept, fed and slaughtered are deplorable.  
6. This diet conserves water. Did you know that more than half of all water consumed in the U.S. is used for animal agriculture.  It takes about 460 gallons of water to produce just one quarter pound hamburger. Dairy isn’t much better, requiring 1,000 gallons of water to produce just one gallon of milk. This is not only wasteful and inefficient; this is a broken system of food production that is certainly unsustainable.  
7. It cuts greenhouse gas emissions.  In fact, a plant-based diet will cut your carbon footprint by a full 50%.  
8. Reduces waste pollution Every minute, 7 million pounds of excrement are produced by animals raised for food in the U.S. In fact, a farm with 2,500 dairy cows produces the same amount of waste as a city of 41,000 people.   
9. ​It helps prevent marine life destruction.  As many as 40% (63 billion pounds) of fish caught globally every year are thrown out, and some scientists say we could see fishless oceans by 2048. 
10. Studies show that people on plant based diets typically show more sustained energy levels, sleep better and are more productive.  Many of the traditional food combinations are simply more challenging to digest, cause energy drain and “food coma”.  

The Call to Adventure
Hopefully, when you digest all these reasons, enough of them will resonate enough to give it a try.  What do you have to lose?  Why not try it for 30 days and see if you feel any different.  Most people sense some changes to their energy levels within a week.  Others can take a bit longer, and we will be including links along the way, to help you with transitions into this new world.
 
It can sometimes make us feel more comfortable to hear recognizable names, from professional athletes to past presidents, from artists to industry leaders.  Below, you will find a small sampling. 
 
Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs Ellen Degeneres, Leonardo Da Vinci, Kafka, George Bernard Shaw, Ashley Judd, Rosa Parks, Tom Brady, Giselle, Moby, Sir Paul McCartney, Natalie Portman, Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Albert Einstein.  You can see more here:
 
Refusal of the Call
Okay, many of you are thinking, how can I stop eating cheese?!  First of all, you can stay the vegetarian path and still eat cheese.  That only applies to the true Vegan diet.  Here is some feedback on that very question.
 
Some of you may really enjoy a good hamburger.  I’ve got good news for you.  First of all, there are many terrific vegan alternatives out there, from Morningstar Fams to 365 (Whole Foods) And for you true diehards, I came across a burger you will love, and it has been scientifically engineered to have same smells, texture and taste as a traditionally grilled hamburger patty.  Amazing.  Ironically, the brand is Impossible Foods.  Click here and find the locations where they are serving this amazing burger.
 
Yes, there can be a bit of a withdrawal system if you are cutting out sugars or caffeine, but it’s worth a day or two of hell to get to heaven. Trust me.  Learn more about that here.
 
Agreed, there are few reasons to avoid taking the plunge, but many more reasons to take that leap.  See above list again, before you talk yourself out of it.
 
Meeting the Mentor
There are many different resources to lean on, from blog articles to movies, books to gurus.  Everyone has a personal comfort level, and choice of educational path.  There are many resources and links contained in this article, and more to come each week.
 
One of the best, and most engaging, resources is the documentary film.  As promised above, I wanted to share a few examples that demonstrate the power of film to create change.  One of the strongest is the Ted Talk by Johanna Blakely, of the Norman Lear Center.  You see her explain how the documentary Food Inc, produced by Participant Media, has proven to be affective.
 
Another great resource is FMTV.com, a subscription platform founded by the producing team behind, you guessed it, Food Matters.  There are some wonderful movies on this subject, as well as guided clinics, expert interviews and projects related to fitness.
 
Here are a few of the more successful films from their site in this category.

1. What’s with Wheat
2. Raw Food for Life
3. Unsupersize Me
4. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead
5. 100 Days in the Raw

 
Here are a few others, found on other platforms, still worth consideration:

1. Forks Over Knives
2. What the Health
3. Food, Inc.
4. Cowspiracy
5. Wasted: The Story of Food Waste
   
   

I’m going to make the bold assumption, if you’re still reading, that you are game to accept this challenge and take this journey.  Again, there is only upside.
 
Being Part I of this adventure, I thought I would include a few Breakfast menu items I came across, as well as top rated books with recipes for other meals.  This can be as basic or as adventurous as you want it. Have a look at the options below, as well as the resources for more background and recipes.
 
Thanks for joining us.  This will be fun.  And tasty.  And improve your health.  Talk to you next week, when we will be Crossing the Threshold!
 
Breakfast Options
Quinoa Porridge
Gluten Free Coconut Pancakes
Peanut Butter Crunch Balls
 
Smoothies
Salted Caramel Banana
Sweet Potato Smoothie
Almond Butter & Strawberry
Golden Goddess Anitoxidant
More Smoothies
 
Vegan Cookbooks
10 Best Vegan Cookbooks
 
Related Articles:

• http://www.foodmatters.com/article/top-6-plant-based-proteins

 

• http://www.foodmatters.com/article/4-reasons-to-eat-more-plant-based-foods

 

• http://www.foodmatters.com/article/plant-based-what-do-you-eat