Whole-Food, Plant-Based Day 5: Podcasts can be such a powerful tool for learning and growth. The Plantstrong podcast is one of my favorites when it comes to WFPB. Rip Esselstyn is the son of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (who is at the foundation of this movement). At this moment, there are 199 episodes. This seemed daunting to me at first, but I decided to just save the ones that stood out to me and go from there.

Research: I can’t even provide just one fact because I have learned so much on every level: cardiac, mental health, cancer, longevity, recipes, new cooking techniques, kitchen gadgets, etc. I think the episode that really started to hit me was the episode with Adam Sud that focused on a plantstrong diet for addiction recovery. It really got me thinking about how much mental health relies on our diet. That is probably the part that has been the most life-changing for me. I feel different when I eat natural foods that I have put together. I can tell the difference when I eat junk-food vegan.

Resource: Plantstrong Podcast https://www.plantstrongpodcast.com/

Food Tip: I fail when I am not prepared and have junk food on hand. That has led me to do a pantry overhaul. Although I want to make good choices, I sometimes pick convenience and availability first. Here are some pantry staples I’ve tried to keep on hand to help me make better choices.

Grains:

Brown Basmati Rice

Quinoa

Cous Cous

Farro

Barley

Polenta

Ramen Noodles

Pasta

Rolled Oats

Old-Fashioned Oats

Legumes:

Red Lentils

French Lentils

Black Beans

Canned Beans

Canned Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)

Nuts/Seeds:

Flaxseed

Chia Seeds

Hemp Heart Seeds

Sesame Seeds

Cashews

Walnuts

Pine Nuts

Canned Items:

Coconut Milk

Tomato Paste

Crushed Tomatoes

Other:

Miso Paste

Nutritional Yeast

Vegetable Broth

Tahini

I’ll get into spices, fridge staples, and freezer staples in a later post.