What's this? No more burgers for Bubba? Ten years ago the thought of Bill Clinton as a poster child for healthy living would have seemed absurd. But oh how the times have changed: and none-too-soon.
After teaching and advocating for a holistic lifestyle for the last forty years, I'm thrilled to see that people are waking up, and that the mainstream is finally listening to what both science and alternative medicine have told us for so long. But I'm even more excited about the cache that Clinton brings to the vegan lifestyle. The message of leading a healthy lifestyle transcends politics and is a vital issue for a former president with 100% name recognition to lend his prestige..
The reality that led up to the president's monumental life change is the reality that faces more and more men and women every day: the seemingly unstoppable downward spiral of coronary heart disease. Even though he had a quadruple bypass in 2004, Clinton's heart required two stents last year, not as a result of the bypass veins collapsing, as is often the case, but because within only five years they had again become completely clogged again.
The president finally got the message that the public needs to get: what we eat is really a matter of life and death. Clinton's decision to adopt a plant-based diet was not so much about losing a few pounds for Chelsea's wedding, but about living long enough to see his grandchildren. Clinton's decision to go vegan was also influenced by the ground breaking research of Dr. T. Colin Campbell, author of the The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health.
There are cases far more extraordinary than Clinton's and in my own clients, I have seen these miraculous transformations through the healing power of food. By eliminating meat, dairy,processed sugars and preservatives, clients have reversed diabetes, high cholesterol, and a host of other chronic illnesses. Several clients have even completely recovered from terminal cancers after embracing a macrobiotic diet. Turns out that the truism "You are what you eat" is spot on. Food creates the body and has a great influence on our mind and spiritual life.
However, the deadly seriousness of diet hasn't been enough to make most people change their ways. The reluctance towards veganism has been less about the medical proof of its effectiveness, and more about social perceptions. How many more studies need to be commissioned to show us that our mothers were right each time they admonished us to "eat your veggies!"
The meaning of food for us goes deeper than simple health and nutrition. The vegan lifestyle is unfortunately associated with self-deprivation. As Dean Ornish, one of Clinton's doctors, joked about healthy living in a recent CNN interview, "Am I going to live longer or is it only going to seem longer.'"
Habit, taste and tradition also create barriers to change. For many, even those facing life risk, it is inconceivable to give up foods that they grew up with and associate with pleasurable events, such as the Sunday barbeque, hot dogs at the ball game or an ice cream cone on a hot summer day.
This is precisely how most people view their food choices - as unhealthy indulgence or unbearable privation - with little grey area in-between. But this view is based on misconceptions and outdated stereotypes.
What we really need is a change in consciousness about our food. People aren't going to embrace a holistic lifestyle as long as it's stigmatized as a punishment. And this is exactly why Clinton's personal awakening is so important for the public at large.
Holistic living is about enjoyment. What people forget is that the current explosion of degenerative diseases has not only led to an increase in premature death, but also to a significantly reduced quality of life. Healthy diet offers so many benefits, but most people never take the time to discover the possibilities.
This lifestyle has come quite a ways in the four decades I have been involved in the natural food movement. This isn't your mother's vegetarianism. It doesn't have to mean tofu: it can mean soul food, or Asian fusion, or even cupcakes. With the proliferation of vegan restaurants and cooking classes, it is easier than ever to maintain health.
Our current venue for spreading the message is Holistic Holiday at Sea. We provide a friendly, supportive and educational environment with like-minded people who have either discovered the health benefits and enjoyment of eating well or are just finding out what it is all about.
President Clinton you are welcome aboard anytime!
Jay Weston: Seed Bistro Is Vegan.. But Wait, It's Delicious!
Dear Mr. Clinton:
A quick thank you, thank you, and again thank you for embracing a plant-based diet and providing an example of a healthier lifestyle choice. I’m willing to bet you are loving the way you feel. I know I am, having been on a plant-based diet for over 35 years.
I am writing with a proposition. I understand you have intentions to extend aid to the jobless here in America. You are quoted as saying “the biggest problem that stands in the way of boosting employment is a skills mismatch.” Perhaps a more accessible domestic training program would help decrease the high unemployment rate.
One such program could be to teach people to educate Americans on how to select, prepare and eat a plant-based diet. This is a relatively easy skill that could potentially employ thousands and result in HUGE benefits:
· Healthy people
· Reduced health care costs
· Higher employment
· A more peaceful world
America could be a leader in this experiment initiated by you based on your reputation and personal experience.
Being a Macrobiotic Counselor and Chef for over 30 years, I have considerable experience and knowledge regarding a plant-based diet
I look forward to hearing from you with your thoughts.
I continue to eat cheeseburgers apace.
We continue to treat dietary choices in the broadest strokes, rather than looking at important sub-sets of information: industrial meat vs. pastured organic; vegetarian diets without regard for whether they comprise GMO foodstuffs or overly processed products; low-fat traditional cuisines equated all too neatly with low-fat modern cuisines.
One substantive point: most people do not, in fact, "view their food choices - as unhealthy indulgence or unbearable privation - with little grey area in-between." Vegans may, like anorexics, view their food choices this way, but "most people" do not live in a world of dietary Manichaeism.
I won't go off on a lengthy tangent about that, but let's just say there are a few examples.
I think that the answer about HuffPo and editing is "no". I think that anything submitted directly here and published here first is unlikely to have enjoyed much attention from editors.
Hey, but whatever drums up sentiments, insecurities, and fears sufficiently to sell books...
That is bunkum. No science will say that, though maybe psuedos... err "alternative" science may say it.
A person who does not consume animal products can just as easily end up obese or with metabolic syndrome x.
It is not about vegetarianism or veganism or "natural" diet of our opportunistic feeder species. It is about making better choices regardless of the overall theme of the diet. It is about reducing total caloric intake to "healthier" levels and being aware of energy expenditure.
deficiencies. The same study found that less than one half of 1% of the
omnivores (only one person!) had a B12 deficiency.
http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v64/n9/full/ejcn2010142a.html
I've been vegan for ~8 years vegetarian 5 years before that. I get my blood worked up annually for my work. My b12 status last year was 1218pm/L well above normal range and well above the omnivore range.
The point is that just like fortified flour and cereal, vegan foods are now fortified.
For me, eating a purely vegetarianism caused me to gain weight..too much grains for me...adding a little fish, meat, eggs and dairy to my plateful of veggies proved better for me. Different diets make sense for diffterent people's nutritional needs.
And I have to point out that while the author talks about cutting out processed sugar from our diet; he does say "It doesn't have to mean tofu: it can mean soul food, or Asian fusion, or even cupcakes"
While an occas. cupcakes is fine; I'd like to point out that even vegan cupcakes ( and some of them are delicious) have lots of sweetners in them.
It comes down to have a diet that best for the person, yes, but also to being knowledgeable about what one is eating. Eating crap--even vegan crap--is not great for someone if that is all they are going to be eating. A bag of natural vegan cookies is not much better health-wise than a bag of regular cookies. But this article seems to be saying otherwise. It seems to imply that for optimal health everyone should just go veg(etarian/an).
Things are not that simple.
I do wonder though who the vegan in this story is ...
Back then I'd struggled for years with my weight. After starting a plant-based diet (for advanced breast cancer), I too experienced weight loss. But it wasn't from the cancer. I felt great, started sleeping better, I had more energy, calmer moods, my ulcerative colitis also cleared completely and I was able to go off medication for a heart arrythmia. I made the connection that this way of eating is a great way of maintaining a healthy weight as well. I've been eating this way for 12 years and weight is now a non-issue for me.
As Sandy mentioned, plant-based food can be delicious and you don't have to feel deprived. I've never looked back because it makes me feel and look great compared to how I felt and looked before I ate this way. And ... I absolutely love the food!
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Great article, thanks!
Americans need to realize that there is no "kale" lobby nor are there financial interests behind recommending black beans to fill your tacos instead of pork or beef. We all have an opportunity to self-navigate, aware of how propaganda can influence our dietary choices. And hats off to blogger Pukel, too, whose decades of work below the radar brings this message to the public and who is finally receiving the attention he deserves.
Just look at the fortunes Campbell, Ornish, etc. have amassed selling their books.
Animal rights proponents (or, ethicl vegans) utilize questionable health claims to further their psuedo-religious world views.
These are strong bias. Even this author is selling his macrobiotic cruise package.
God! Be quiet, man! There IS such a lobby, and they are cold-blooded kalers!
I know, I know, it was bad, but I had to.