Simplifying Life – Embracing the Joys of Whole Foods

Many of us are seeking a time out from a processed and complicated world. What if we simply start with the food we eat? In a world often dominated by complex culinary trends and elaborate recipes, there is a refreshing joy in embracing the simplicity of whole food plant-based cooking. This approach to nourishment not only promotes health but also celebrates natural ingredients.

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Can you drive to Key West – and back – in ONE DAY?

Just saying the words – KEY WEST – puts a bit of magic in the air. The smells of the briny sea all around, the sounds of laughter and celebration from Duvall Street, the visions of swaying palm trees and Crayola colored bungalows. Even if you’ve never been there in person, many people have it on their bucket list.

But KeyWest is busy. Very busy.

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Two Ingredient Non Dairy Sour Cream – SauerKream Anyone?

Presenting a clean, two ingredient homemade sour cream recipe that’s more about the process than the recipe. You see, it has TWO (normal) ingredients: almond flour (blanched is better) and juicy sauerkraut. When you marry these two foods in your blender it transforms into super thick, creamy spoonfuls of topping for your potato, burrito, pasta (mushroom stroganoff sounds good), and perhaps some over the top sour cream pancakes. The options are endless. PLUS! Not only is it non dairy, it features probiotics, thanks to the sauerkraut. When I first made it, I was so impressed I wanted to run out and start a sour cream stand. Lemonade stands are so last year.

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Plant Based JANuary – Time for a Reset!

A few years ago, I started researching the best types of food for longevity and health. Almost immediately you learn about the Blue Zones people. These are geographic zones on the planet where the people enjoy long, healthy lives. In fact, many people in these communities consistently live over 100 years. When this research began, there were five “blue zones” identified:  Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Icaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California, United States.   The Blue Zones project started as a National Geographic expedition to discover the commonalities of longevity. What the researchers found was evidence-based common denominators of the lifestyles of Blue Zones people. Today, Blue Zones Project Communities have been able to increase life expectancy, reduce obesity for millions more people.

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But my genes?!

Thankfully, you have much more control over disease than we’ve been led to believe. The Danish Twin Study demonstrated that 80% of good health and longevity is determined by lifestyle choices, not fate.

(Herskind AM, McGue M, Holm NV, Sorensen TIA, Harvlad B, Vaupel JW. The heritability of human longevity: a population-based study of 2,872 Danish twin pairs born 1870-1900. Hum Genet. 1996;96:319-323. [PubMed] [Google Scholar])

Did you know the average person will eat about 35 tons of food in their lifetime? Neither did I until I had more free time a few years ago and really started diving into nutrition. If you look at the research from the CDC and other entities you discover that 75% of the (US) population struggles with chronic lifestyle diseases and complications from obesity. Now, think about 35 tons of food and reconcile it with this quote from T. Colin Campbell, author of the groundbreaking published study and book, , The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-term Health

“Everything in food works together to create health or disease. ”

― T. Colin Campbell

What if you’re asked if one should cut back on “carbs” to lose weight? What’s the best answer?

Anthony Vita is an Author, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, and Health Coach. He’s also a success story after having dramatically improved his health through a whole food plant based diet. In the process he dropped 50 pounds. He answers the “carbs” question here. You can find him @ https://www.facebook.com/thevitalblend/about

First of all, what are “carbs”? I’ve never seen a “carb” section at the supermarket. Why do we refer to foods like this?

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One of Oregon’s Top Scenic Drives is Crater Lake

Opening Soon for the Season!

While Crater Lake National Park is open year round, the scenic loop is only open when the snow is manageable enough to clear from West and East Rim Drives.

That time is drawing near! This is a drive that deserves a top spot on your bucket list. It’s easy, completely paved and features some of the most jaw dropping blues and water vistas you’ve (likely) ever seen.

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A Healthy Idea To Fight Inflation – Plate Up More Whole Food Plant Based Dishes

If you pay attention to other customers at the gas pump, you’ll likely see head shaking, eye widening and hand wringing. Yes, inflation in many of our daily expenditure categories is pinching our pocketbooks. We all know that a hard pinch hurts.

One category that may save you in more ways than one is what you put in your grocery cart and on your plate. It’s an action item that is 100% controllable by you – immediately.  No government policy to wade through, no political posturing and no stress.  

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Plant Based Eating Through the Big Island of Hawaii

Hawaii, known for it’s Kings and Queens, easily makes a vegan feel like royalty. Finding colorful meals and snacks on trees and tables around nearly every corner earns Hawaii it’s proper place on the planet for enlightened eaters.

From wild, fruit laden trees to homestead stands offering hand lettered signs to sell papayas, tomatoes and buttery avocados for a buck to Farmer’s Markets, it’s an exciting road trip. It seems that all one really needs in life to survive well in paradise is a cutting board and sharp knife in backseat. And, maybe, a tub of great dressing or dip for good measure?

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