Happy Herbivore Blog

You've got questions...

Q: Do you limit your fruit servings per day??

A: Personally, I do not. If I want fresh fruit, I eat fresh fruit. I could easily eat my weight in mango, strawberries and watermelon. I do find my fruit consumption changes throughout the year, however. For example, I eat (and crave) more fruits in the summer and spring than I do in the fall and winter. Although I don't make an effort to eat seasonally, I find I do naturally. Even though I love mango and watermelon more than life itself, I don't want them during the snowy cold winter. Dried fruits are another story. I use them as condiments. Sprinkle raisins on a salad, for example. I don't eat dried fruits as a snack. 

That said, I believe Dr. McDougall suggests limiting fruit (fresh fruit) to 2-3 servings per day if you're trying to lose weight and I think Dr. Fuhrman limits fruits as well. You'd need to consult their books/websites for clarification. (I'm in the middle of a move and my books are in storage so I was unable to consult them — sorry!)

Q: I was wondering about caffeine. I have ADD and have always relied on caffeine to help with concentration and attention span (this over synthetic drug concoctions with their adverse side affects).  I know caffeine is one of those touchy subjects. I know you're not a doctor etc. etc., but I was wondering about what you had to say for it. 

A: My personal opinion is that generally speaking, caffeine use is your business :) 

Do I think situations exist where some people should absolutely avoid caffeine? Definitely. A friend of mine has AFib and his cardiologist insists he stay away from caffeine  I have OCD and my doctor feels I should avoid caffeine (and alcohol, for that matter). When I suffered from migraines (my pre-plant-based years), I was told to avoid caffeine by countless doctors, and I'm sure there are a dozen or more other medical situations where abstinence would be ideal or necessary.

I tell my clients their caffeine and alcohol use is their business — to use it at their discretion. Of course, if someone is abusing alcohol or caffeine, then there is a problem, and they should seek help, quit using immediately and abstain for life. I had a client who was drinking 4 to 6 cans of energy drinks per day. I used to drink 8 to 10 cups of coffee per day. These are clear abuses. 

I think the better question is not "can I have coffee," but why do I want it? Why am I drinking it? I always tell my clients to honestly and openly explore why they're using caffeine or alcohol. Many times, my clients stop using it after their soul search. Or they stop doing it every day. Everyone is different. 

One thing to consider: If you're using caffeine to be "awake" and have energy, it's like paying a credit card with a credit card — all the more reason to "get out of debt" during the reboot and/or cleanse.

Q: Recently, my doc advised me to eliminate a dairy and soy due to an intolerance. Do you have a good substitute for miso?

A: Chickpea miso is soy-free :) 

Q: We're going to a family reunion this summer and I'm having a hard time finding food options in the area. We have a condo with a kitchen, so I can certainly prep my own brown bag food for reunion events if I can find a store to buy ingredients. But I was wondering if you have any advice/suggestions for traveling someplace not vegan friendly, and surviving?  :) Even food ideas that would travel well would be great.  

A: I've written dozens of blog posts on this topic :) The "Travel" label should get you headed down the right path. 

Here are some posts on point:

• How To Eat Healthy and Plant-Based (Vegan) On the Road in Fast Food and Chain Restaurants
• How to Travel on a Plant-Based Diet (What to Pack, Snacks, and More!)
• Traveling Herbivore: How I eat Healthy, Low Fat and Vegan in Airports
  
• Vegan Anywhere
• Staying Plant-Based While Traveling

Keep in mind, you're not there for the food ;) That mentality always helps me. I've traveled all over the world and never had problems finding food, even in remote villages :) Sometimes dinner is fruit, or potatoes and bananas. Could be worse! Happycow.net can also be helpful.

Q: Potential Q and A for you, Lindsay...I bet people would love to hear what you eat on a typical day!!

A: The meal plans! I follow them myself.

Well, she did it — Jana cooked every recipe in Happy Herbivore Abroad! Jana shared her family's journey with us along the way at Day 50 and Day 100 of their HHA challenge. Today, she's back with a new set of favorite recipes and her fantastic final thoughts.

"I have completed the entire recipe list of the book. I didn't do this project to just check something off my list. I did it to make a change in our household.  And guess what? Going through the entire book, one recipe every day, caused the biggest diet change ever in my family's life.  

Why? Because every family member got involved and was excited about the recipe of the day. By the end, my 5-year-old was creating his own recipes and my 2-year-old would walk into the kitchen, point at HHA, and ask if that was the recipe of the day. 

My 13-year-old Man Boy is a veggie loving fool. I cannot get over it. He was my meatloaf loving, meat grilling boy. Now, he loves the lentil loaf even more and is all over the grill with the veg.  Currently, he is touring the UK and Europe with his grandparents for the next month and is choosing to eat plant-based. 

My Kitchen Shadow was so inspired that we are getting a recipe from Everyday Happy Herbivore served via his hands every day. So awesome to have another person cooking in the kitchen next to me and even providing full meals a few nights a week. To watch this 11-year-old boy know his way around the kitchen and even experiment and come up with brilliant recipes is incredible. Ladies, line up, his wife will be blessed. And so will his friends. 

My 19-year-old Artist gets angry if there isn't a a plate left for her because she wants to taste the new recipe. If you were here at my house right now, you would see the plate on the stove waiting for her. I want her to get in on the daily goodness as well.

My 2-year-old craves asparagus. She is in the garden with me every morning cutting and cleaning it. She eats it nightly. Doesn't have to be forced.

My 5-year-old eats Kale Sandwiches. Raw Kale Sandwiches. That is, if it makes it into the house before he eats it.  He cleans it and spins it in the salad spinner and then makes every one a sandwich. All by himself. All because he wants to be a part of this.

My hubby and mom have been dreamy and encouraging. Enjoying each recipe and happy to see the changes in the family. 

And what about me? What have I learned through this?  

1. I can whip up a FRESH dish in minutes!  Seriously. I would set the timer and challenge myself. 
   
2. Things don't have to be fancy to be good. Time saved in the kitchen has been a blessing and guess what? More time elsewhere!!
   
3. Happy Herbivore rocks!! Her site, her blog, her books. All of it. What a great community. Thank you, Lindsay!
   

If you don't have this book, get it. It is not expensive. It is brilliant. Affordable plant-based recipes that you can whip up in minutes that have beautiful flavor. Even my meat lover friends have been happy with the recipes!

So... on to my faves from the last recipes I prepared:

No-Chicken Broth Powder (p. 236): This is magic in a jar. I use it in so many things. Splendid flavor.

Tostada Con Tomate (p. 123): Wow!! My new favorite breakfast, snack, lunch and dinner. For real. And my little Garden Shadow cannot get enough.  She is two.

Orange Teriyaki Rice (p. 130): Whips up in minutes and has fantastic fresh flavor. Man Boy ate 3 bowls. Seriously beautiful and light. Mmmmm mmmmm Good!

Chermoula (p. 197): Knocked my socks off. Such a surprise. One of those dishes you make that you find is good on everything. Even a spoon alone.

Date Bread (p. 157): "So yummy in my tummy" is what the two-year-old said. I couldn't agree more.

Gazpacho (p. 30): Makes me smile. Fresh yum. What more would you want?

Cherry Clafoutis (p. 152): Simple. Delicious. The entire home gave it a "thumbs up!"

Cheater Satay (p. 196): Coconut, nut butter and heat? How can you not be in love?

Spring Rolls (p. 77): I am in love with these. Fast and fresh. And dipped in the Satay sauce? Oh my!

Mediterranean Chard (p. 67): Two words that go together so well! This dish is de-lish!

The journey of HHA has come to an end. Kind of bittersweet. I'm sad that it is over but so thrilled for what it has done for our family. So what's next?

I plan to do the 3-Day Reboot and the 10 Day Cleanse & Immersion that Happy Herbivore has put together.  Three friends will be taking that journey with me. Sweet! And I will tweet and blog through it all. Join me and let me know what you think!  

Cheers!"

I think my heart grew two sizes reading about Jana and her family's experience — I hope it inspires you to share the joys of plant-based cooking and healthy eating with someone close to you.

Don't worry, you haven't seen the last of this awesome family! Next week, we'll be sharing the first part of Kitchen Shadow's EHH fun — he's already tried more than 65 recipes!

Meet our Herbie of the Week, Rhanda, who is an excellent reminder that diet-related health problems aren't always visible on the outside. I immediately identifed with Rhanda's story, because I too have suffered from debilitating migraines and menstrual cramps in the past. Transitioning to a whole foods, plant-based diet has significantly helped both of us — all hail the power of plants!

Here is Rhanda's Herbie success story, in her own words:

"It’s been 7 and a half months since I’ve been a herbivore, and I want to share my story with you. Although I was never overweight, I’ve always been quite small — I was still experiencing health scares. These health scares started when I was a teenager and different problems kept popping up. My diet included chicken patties, beef as a main ingredient in most meals, processed cereals and snacks, milk, dairy, and everything in between! As a child, our family could not afford expensive produce, so we ate foods that were convenient and cheap. Unfortunately, these are also the unhealthiest foods on the market. Like most people, my parents thought the beef and milk were healthy, just like any other American. Anyway, as I reached my later teenage years, I had gained a little weight but that wasn’t the main concern. 

I began to have headaches on a daily basis, and migraines would occur about 2 times a month. My menstrual cycle was extremely irregular, sometimes it would take months before I would get it. When I did get my menstrual cycle, it was so bad that I would be lying in bed for days in pain. I always felt tired and never refreshed in the morning. When the migraines and headaches occurred, I would miss several school days and my grades fell behind. It got to the point that I always had Excedrin Migraine with me, no matter where I went because it would always sneak in. It was really a disappointment when I would go on vacation or a family event and I would have to lie down in a quiet, dark room until the migraine had passed. I also experienced IBS, depression, and anxiety. When the doctor tried to put me on medication, I knew this could start a never ending spiral on medication — so I went home and threw it in the garbage. 

By this time, I had spent the last 8 years of my life living with these intrusive headaches, migraines, and an overall feeling of anxiety (worrying about when the next migraine would strike). I was ultimately sick and tired of being sick and tired. This was when I started researching and tried every natural remedy out there including yoga, chiropractic, aromatherapy, herbal supplements, exercise… everything! Although it seemed to help a little, nothing really changed too much. I knew at this point that my health wasn’t the best; I looked healthy and fit — but my body was trying to tell me something from the inside. 

I tried to go vegetarian a few years ago (for the animals) and I didn’t do enough research beforehand, so it didn’t last long. I actually ended up even more sick because I was replacing all the meat with dairy. Randomly I would throw up, feel nauseous, weak, and my brain felt foggy.  After watching Forks Over Knives, I realized that dairy was even worse than the meat! My life changed on August 1st, 2012 when I quit meat and dairy, the day after watching Forks over Knives. The Engine 2 Diet helped me to get started, and then I discovered Happy Herbivore! My husband thought I was crazy, but he is starting to really enjoy this new lifestyle as well — even though he hasn’t completely given up the meat or dairy, he has cut back. 

Some of the benefits I have noticed are clear and glowing skin, more energy, no more 'brain fog' or 'cloudiness,' recovering faster from cold/flu, decrease in anxiety, headaches, and migraines, and now I’m happier than I was before! My menstrual cycle is regular now and the IBS is gone. I really feel like I’ve been transformed into a completely new body. 

Before, I didn’t know how to cook, and the very little skills I had needed a lot of work. I’ve gotten really good at cooking and your books have made it so much fun! My husband loves it because he loves to try all the new foods and flavors. He has also mentioned than he has been feeling more energetic than usual. Keep in mind that he was against the whole herbivore thing at the beginning, and when I heard him say he likes the new way of cooking and how he is feeling better — my jaw about dropped to the floor. He eats whatever I cook at home, and then he is free to eat what he wants elsewhere. I’m not going to push him; I just want to live by example. There are still times when I still get headaches (I think they are more tension-related than diet-related), but nothing compared to what they were before my plant-based journey started. If it’s only been seven and half months and I already feel this much better, then I can’t imagine what I will feel like a year from now.

I want to thank you for your tremendous inspiration, courage, and knowledge! You have changed my life in so many ways  I can’t thank you enough! I’m so inspired that I talk about your recipes on a regular basis at work, and my manager called me a 'cooking maniac' the other day.  I’ve upgraded all my kitchen appliances, and I’m always chopping, blending, mincing, and sautéing! I’m not sure what I would have done without you or your cookbooks. Again, thank you so much for changing my life in such a positive way." 

Migraines, be gone! For more information, check out what Dr. McDougall and the PCRM have to say about migraines/headaches related to diet. Thanks so much, Rhanda, for sharing your inspiring story!

UPDATE (May 21): "I still feel just as wonderful but I also wanted to mention a few things. I've noticed that my teeth are whiter, I don't feel sluggish after I eat, and I no longer have strong cravings for cheese or junk food, food in general tastes so much better, I feel clean from the inside out, and I also feel like my body requires less sleep now. The benefits of this lifestyle are beyond anything I can list in this e-mail. This lifestyle has changed my perspective on life and has changed me to become more compassionate for all living beings. It is also helping me with my current goal, which is working on becoming a minimalist. If I can do this, then I believe anyone can. Thank you so much expanding my knowledge and allowing me to share my story with other Herbies."