Happy Herbivore Blog

Cam. F. Awesome (yes that's his real name!) is indeed awesome. I met Cam through former Herbie of the week, Ami. Cam is such an inspiration and living proof that plants mean power. Cam is an amateur boxer and taking names!

1. How long have you been an athlete? Plant-based? How'd you hear about a plant-based diet and what motivated you to make the switch?
I have been a plant-based athlete since June of 2012. Bill Mackey became my client at my boxing gym and started training for a fight. His wife is part of the Engine 2 Team. At 45, he was 225 lbs. and due to his plant-based diet, he put on muscle and dropped fat at an amazing pace with little recovery time needed. He attributed it to his plant-based diet.

2. What moved you to a plant-based diet?
I was in a dark place in my life and decided to change my life around, starting with my diet. The Mackeys were a big influence on this decision and helped me learn all about it.

3. Have you noticed a difference in your performance since being plant-based?
Yes, I've noticed a great difference. I was at 260 lbs. and over 36% body fat working out my hardest and boxing. I have dropped 40-plus pounds, and now I am faster in the ring. I had more energy to add more strength and conditioning to my regimen and became leaner, faster, and stronger. I couldn't do this before because it is impossible to outwork a bad diet!

4. What challenges (if any) have you noticed since plant-based eating is not too popular in sports?
There is never any healthy food at the gyms and it's hard to find oil-free plant-based food sometimes, but I am always prepared and bring snacks with me everywhere.

5. What advice do you have for someone interested in getting into boxing?
I would say it is never too late to start boxing. I started at 17 and was ranked number 1 in the country by the age of 19. Bill Mackey started boxing at 45; he has had a couple fights and is turning into a great coach. I would say your heart has to be in it 100% though.

6. Have you had to dispel the "protein is king" myth?
I get it at the gym a lot...which is funny because I am there working out and sparring constantly. When a crowd develops to watch me spar, I am pretty sure it’s not due to my lack of protein :)

7.What is your favorite boxing memory?
Being in England as captain of the U.S. national team and carrying the U.S. flag out as I led my team to the ring while they played the national anthem.

8. What is your favorite Happy Herbivore recipe?
Easy! HH Italian Sausage! Love it!

9. Frequently, I get a lot of guys saying they're worried how other guys will perceive them, like they are less manly for not eating meat.  Any thoughts or advice?
Yeah, I am guilty of making fun of a guy for eating carrots or something not so "manly." No one will say that, because I am a Super Heavyweight 8-time national champion boxer and I dare anyone to challenge my manhood. When people think vegan, they think skinny hippie — I would like to dispel that myth.

10. What's a meal look like for you?
A big plate of brown rice pasta with oil-free tomato sauce, onions, peppers, garlic, HH Italian sausage, and a HUGE bag of steamed spinach. I burn a ton of calories, so I eat a lot!

p.s. Cam heads to the USA National Amateur Boxing Tournament on March 30th in Spokane, WA boxing for a chance to win the national title and represent the USA on the International boxing team!!

This week's menu is bursting with new meals like Toasted Oatmeal (both plans), Pear-Ginger Green Smoothie (both plans), Vanilla Sweet Brown Rice Breakfast (both plans), Moroccan Vegetable Ragout (family), Chili-Lime Veggie Noodles (family), and Vegetable Chili Rice (individual) — PLUS some recurring favorites such as Chickpea Noodle Soup, Cajun Bean Dip, and so much MORE!

Individual Highlights

• Ginger-Pear Green Smoothie (NEW!)
• Creamy Carrot Soup
• Chickpea Noodle Soup
• Toasted Oatmeal (NEW!)
• Black Olive Hummus Salad
  
• Moroccan Lentil Soup
  
• Vanilla Sweet Brown Rice Breakfast (NEW!)
• Burrito Bowl
  
• Vegetable Chili Rice (NEW!)
• Mexican Salad

Get this plan now.

People are often surprised when they hear me say, "if you can only give up one animal product: Get off dairy." I find most people think dairy is the "best of the worst" — it's not nearly as "bad" as other animal products. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Although I could list hundreds of reasons why you should get off dairy, I'll narrow it down to some of the biggest motivators. Why? Because knowing your motivation — knowing why you're getting off dairy — and keeping that in focus, will help you give up cheese and dairy.

Why:

As we learned in The China Study, casein — the protein in dairy — is the biggest known carcinogen, bar none. It literally turns on cancer. 

Casein is also physically addictive. When our bodies break down casein during the digestion process, casomorphins (yes, as in "morphine") are created. These guys then have an opiate effect on our body, making us feel happy and relaxed...and addicted.  

Every time you eat dairy, you fuel an addiction, both mentally and physically. Like a cigarette or a drug addiction, your body will physically crave dairy and go into withdrawal without it. Meanwhile, your mind is racing, wanting another happy fix. The only way to stop this vicious cycle is to stop getting high on dairy. Cheese, by the way, has the greatest concentration of casein of any other dairy product, which is why so many people are cheese fanatics. They’re literally hooked on cheese.

Dairy (and cheese) are also linked to a long list of health problems, including osteoporosis. (Yep!)  Dairy cows also have it the worst. Tortured, painful, and miserable lives followed by horrific deaths, all the while supporting the veal industry. It is perhaps the worst in terms of cruelty.

More reading: Dr. Hyman's 6 Reasons You Should Avoid Dairy 

Dr. McDougall: When Friends Ask: "Why Don't You Drink Milk?"

How to Give Up Cheese, Yogurt, etc.

1. Know your motivation. Keep in mind why you're dumping dairy (see above).

2. Willpower. Know that you're going to have to fight off an addiction. There will be a withdrawal — stay strong and break the cycle.

3. Find substitutes. Find vegan cheese and dairy substitutes to help make the transition easier. Find a non-dairy milk you like. If you liked whole milk, try almond milk. If you liked skim milk, try rice milk. Try different brands and different milks — soy, almond, rice, sweetened, unsweetened. You will find one you like. 

Try different cheese substitutes (just make sure it's vegan. Some rice, soy, and almond-based cheeses contain casein or whey, milk proteins). The most popular brand is Daiya. Other brands include Tofutti and Follow Your Heart. Also try recipes for "cheese" such as my Nacho Cheese recipe, Alfredo, Feta, Mac n' Cheese, or any of the recipes in my cookbooks — such as the Grilled Cheese recipe in EHH, the Pizza Cheese in HHC, or the Mexican Queso in HHA. 

There are also two amazing vegan cheese cookbooks, The Uncheese Cookbook and Artisan Vegan Cheese. 

You can also find dozens of recipes by Googling. 

If you miss the creamy texture, try substituting other foods with similar consistencies: Avocado, cashew creams, walnuts, hummus! I can't recommend all my cheese "sauces" in my cookbooks enough either. 

Related video: 

What is non-dairy milk?

Related post: 

"Food Cravings & Addictions"