After Nashville we drove to Greenville, SC where my parents live, and Scott's parents also drove up from Hilton Head to meet us. It was a wonderful family reunion and the first time I've seen my parents since they went plant-based in January!
The grub: My mom made one of their favorite HH dishes for dinner: Andrea’s Puttanesca (pg. 201, EHH ) with salad and whole-wheat Italian bread.
Then for dessert she made HH Cheesecake (pg. 219, HHC ) and topped it with fresh strawberries. It was incredible.
The next morning she served fruit (mango, banana, pineapple and strawberries) with HH Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins (pg. 24, HHC).
That afternoon we had a "cookout" with my in-laws, HH Baked Beans represent! (pg. 199, HHC)
Our last morning there I finally got in the kitchen (and with Scott's help) made the Tempeh Sausage Crumbles , White Bean Gravy and Whole-Wheat Drop Biscuits from EHH (pgs. 35, 36, and 37, respectively). Everyone loved it and my mom also had another fruit plate for us.
Upon my arrival, I also did an “investigation” of my parents fridge and pantry on camera:
I’m so proud of my plant-based parents!!!
To date, my mom has lost 14lbs and my dad has lost 1 7lbs (and this was after being unable to lose 5lbs, which they tried to do with dieting for an entire year). My Dad said he feels so good, he can’t remember the last time he felt this good. In fact, that's all he said all weekend was how good he felt but how he can't explain the feeling he has to anyone else. My parents are now ambassadors of this lifestyle and try to convince their family and friends to just give it a try and see how amazing they will feel.
Both of my parents love eating plant-based and are believers in their new diet. My mom also said they’re both looking forward to going back to the doctor to see their blood work and show off their figures. I suspect they will be dazzled with their results and will get to go off some or hopefully, all, of their medications.
I think my parents look the youngest they have in years and I cannot get over how thin they both look. My mom is so slender and my father has lost years on his face. They look amazing. I couldn’t be happier or more proud.