My New Year's Wish

So here we are in the future...where we are supposed to be flying around in our spacecars, wearing silver metal sleeksuits, and where robots make our dinner and clean the dishes. We are actually heading in that direction at the rate we are going...but not in the idealized projection. We will be forced to live up in our sky hightower homes because our Earth will be sucked dry and destroyed from all of the damage we have placed on it. We will be eating food that we grew in our hydroponic, indoor planters, depleted of true sun-filled nutrition and popping chemistry lab-made supplements to fulfill our deficiencies...

Oooo...this sort of prediction is eerie in its potential probability. I prefer to live on the planet the way we are now...visiting Farmer's Markets and Trader Joes, cooking my meals at home, and having beaches, mountains, and farmland to visit whenever I feel the desire.

In order to do this, I am making a New Year's Wish...I am wishing that the knowledge of the implications associated with Factory Farming; the overuse of drugs (antibiotics, steroids, and hormones); the abuse of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides; and the abuse of animals due to the high demand for their use as food will be acknowledged and absorbed by millions of people in 2010. I am hoping these millions of people will simultaneously recognize that the healthiest diet for the planet and for the animals just happens to be the same one that will sustain longevity and vitality, prevent disease and enhance energy, beauty and endurance.

To a happy, healthy 2010!!!

Thriving with Brendan Brazier

This afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Brendan Brazier...author of the bestseller Thrive and Thrive Fitness; creator of the award-winning, delicious and superfood-rich product line, Vega; and professional athlete extraordinaire. Brendan was a professional Ironman Triathlete and two-time champion of the Canadian 50Km Ultra Marathon. He was named one of the 25 Most Fascinating Vegetarians by VegNews Magazine and is a guest lecturer for eCornell's Plant-Based Certification Program. Brendan is 100% powered by plants and he has nutrition down to a perfect science and art.

First-hand experience is considered anecdotal research. But Brendan used this concept scientifically as he manipulated the biochemistry of his food to his advantage, studying every nuance and perfecting the precise formula to enhance performance and recovery. He succeeded and is teaching the world what he has learned. His books are full of accurate, provocative information; fantastic recipes that everyone will enjoy; and guidance for maximizing energy, endurance, strength and vitality.

It was truly exciting to meet Brendan and to learn more about his experiences and goals. He has an aura of calm tranquility mixed with wisdom and strength which is rather infectious and inspiring. He has a book coming out in 2011 tying together the environmental implications to the way we eat. I cannot wait to read it. Stay tuned to Brendan and see his interview as Going Veg with the Plant-Based Dietitian progresses!

Another Piece of the Pie

Julieanna's Note:
This is a guest blog from Jon Ham from Fitness On The Run and SUP Trainer. Jon found out about me at a party while talking to one of our mutual neighbors who thought we might be a good fit to bounce health/fitness ideas off of since we both are trainers and Jon also has a strong nutrition background. You will see regular content from Jon and I in the future based around health, fitness, and lifestyle that is meant to help you along in your own personal journey.

By now you have made the decision to embrace a plant based nutritional lifestyle, but there are other important factors when looking at your fitness other than your eating habits. Historically in the “Fitness Industry” there are 3 components of fitness that should be the focus for training – Cardiovascular Training, Strength Training, and Nutrition, although I believe the pie is even LARGER than those three and should include 3 more components – Core Training, Balance Training, and Flexibility Training. Without a focus on all these essential components of training, you will not be at your optimum.

Today I am going to write solely on Core Training. The core consists of all the musculature surrounding the spine. If you cut your arms and legs off, only your core remains. Training your core is vital for your total body strength and injury prevention. Suppose you have a large tree with a small, weak trunk. When a powerful wind blows, it doesn’t matter how strong the branches are, that tree is coming down! The same principle applies to our body!

To effectively train your core, you must train your spine’s stability by making your spine hold your body weight. This forces your body to stabilize your spine, causing all the muscles around your spine to coordinate an effort to support it. Many of the exercises which are unstable and train the core can be done with your own body weight, holding it in a stable position. Others can be done using the stability ball, Indo Board, and TRX.

Here is a quick example of a core training routine which should be done every other day in addition to other exercises. These exercises don’t require ANY equipment, train your core, can be done anywhere, and will make you feel better if you do them 2-3 days per week. Do 2- 3 sets of each exercise and begin with holding each one 20 seconds, and build up to 1 minute.
Floor Plank, Floor Side Plank, Prone Cobra, 1 Leg Floor Bridge

Pictures demonstrating these exercises can be found at: http://bit.ly/54VeaW

For more information- visit Jon’s Website at http://www.fitnesstrainingbyjon.com/

My Official Logo!

Dr. T. Colin Campbell

I finally had the opportunity to meet the "Father of Modern Nutrition", Dr. T. Colin Campbell, last week in Ithaca, NY. After having him sign my copy of The China Study, the revolutionary book that inspired my career, he obliged me with a brilliant interview describing his book and his decades of extraordinary research on nutritional biochemistry (especially protein and cancer). Much to my excitement, I was also offered a glance into the concepts behind his latest book, which he is actively determined to complete. He exclaimed that his wife refuses to feed him until he works on the book! They are both eager to get this information out in the public. Personally, I cannot wait to read more of the behind-the-scenes nitty-gritty that Dr. Campbell has experienced first-hand. From politics and government to re-defining nutrition, this book has all the makings of a life-changing best-seller!

Dr. Campbell and his wonderful wife then had us in their home for a delicious plant-based potluck where the conversation was fascinating and the food...fabulous! The whole time, I just could not believe I was sitting at the dinner table with Dr. Campbell!!! It was surreal, to say the least!

The evening I returned home, I began instructing my first class for eCornell's Plant-Based Nutrition Certification Program, which is Dr. Campbell's series of courses that delve deeper into his research and its application. It presents a different paradigm, exploring the topic of nutrition both as a science and as a critical component in medicine. http://bit.ly/249Iv. As a graduate, I am thrilled to be able to actively continue to participate. I currently have students in all parts of the world, from Singapore to the Czech Republic, Holland to Istanbul. Dr. Campbell's work is clearly making an impact universally. It is an honor to be a part of this revolution!

The Experience of our First Leg of Tour de Gurus

Going Veg...East Coast Tour de Gurus... http://goingvegtv.wordpress...

Interviewing Dr. Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

This past weekend kickstarted our Tour De Interviews of the Premier Experts in Nutrition for Going Veg with the Plant-Based Dietitian. We started off in New Jersey where we went to Dr. Joel Fuhrman's home. Him and his wife made us a delicious plant-based dinner before we headed off to his awesome office to conduct the interview for film. Here he is whipping up a delicious and nutritious salad dressing.

Dr. Fuhrman, is the best-selling author of Eat to Live, Eat for Health and Disease-Proof your Child, amongst many other critical books. He practices as a Family Physician and not only specializes, but is a Pioneer in Modern Nutritional Medicine. Dr. Fuhrman has appeared in hundreds of magazines, radio, and television shows including: Good Morning America, The Today Show, Good Day New York, America’s Talking, TV Food Network, CNN and the Discovery Channel. In fact, last week, there was an article in People Magazine about how Alanis Morrissette used Dr. Fuhrman's diet to lose lots of weight and get in the best shape ever. This story was featured on the E! Network's "15 Celebrity Body Bouncebacks" this past Wednesday!

Needless to say, he is doing amazing work, having helped thousands of people with varying diseases and conditions in his 20 years of practice. It was so fascinating to see his office, taste his delicious food products in his line, and listen to his genius one-on-one. His website is http://www.drfuhrman.com/ and he has all his books, food products, etc. to order as well as articles and limitless information.