Kathy in Denise’s Garden of Delight
Happy Summer Friends! It’s 95 degrees on 7-17-17 here in Central PA and I am hot after a quick run up my neighborhood path through the forest! But I am excited to embark on a new journey with you–blogging! I have so much to share, so I thought I’d dive right in and chat about what I’ve been up to, and projects in the works!
I am finally getting back to work projects after my yearly gathering with friends and participants at the North American Vegetarian Society Summerfest on the beautiful University of Johnstown Pitt campus. Highlights included keynote talks by Dr. Kim Williams, former president of the American College of Cardiology. He asserted that since 58% of our Medicare beneficiaries receive medical treatment for hypertension and chronic conditions that can be overcome with a whole food diet, it is a patriotic duty to become vegan!
Dr. Neal Barnard talked about the addictive qualities of cheese (note his new book, The Cheese Trap) and Rae Sikora along with many others shared with us the wisdom, compassion and sensitivities of animals as well as humans. I was also inspired by Carol Adams and her clarity about the interconnection between the status of women and girls in society, and the food we choose to eat. Both center on who is controlling reproduction. Think about it; if women around the world had control of their own reproduction, girls had access to education and opportunity, and cows were not artificially inseminated, populations of both species would be in check.
I gave four talks in four days and learned as much from those who attended as they learned from me. My topics are below. They cover the basics on how to adopt a healthier, plant-based diet, how to do it affordably (as it shouldn’t be expensive!), and of course, the topic I am lately passionate about–eating a sustainable diet for your health and that of our fragile planet. Let me know if you are interested in these talks again next year, or you’d like to invite me to talk at your event.
- Easy Steps to a Sustainable Diet – How to Transition to a Whole Food Plant-based Diet
- Changing habits like eating can be hard in our meat-based world, even though plant-based diets are known to be health-promoting and compassionate. This talk provides a road-map and practical strategies so people can implement to make a plant-based diet sustainable in the long-term, graceful, and easy.
2. Affordable Ways to Incorporate Whole Plant Foods into Your Diet and Budget
- The healthiest diet for everyone and is also the cheapest. We will talk about making meals affordable, as well as the hidden cost of bad food
3. 10 Tips to a Healthy Diet That Will Save The Planet
- Learn the most effective ways to get healthy and save the planet from devastating climate change at the same time, in this top 10 countdown!
4. The Attainable, Sustainable Solution: Combating Climate Change with Your Fork
- The most effective way for you to personally control climate change is through diet. Curb your personal impact by eating a whole food, plant-based diet, and lose weight at the same time, (oh, and also get healthy)
Now on to my projects at hand:
The Book! More on The Sustainable Attainable Climate Solution as I get closer to publishing, but suffice it to say that this book is set to rock the contemporary world, motivating readers, particularly Millennials, to take the most important action of their lives, AND address the biggest challenge in the history of humankind at the same time, which is to curb climate change. Their action? Transitioning to a sustainable diet, and having FUN while doing it! They will also learn some meaningful earth science in the process which will put it all into perspective. Stay tuned!
The Program! SustainableDiet.com is close to launching. Our 3-month online interactive program offers the tools and support needed to transition to a healthier diet. We (with co-founder Micaela Karlsen, author of A Plant-Based Life) are most excited to offer this as a tool for the many doctors interested in helping their patients get healthier through simple dietary change! If you are interested in learning more or joining our Influencers Club, please join us.
Thanks for hanging with me here at my place during the dog days of summer! Next up and coming soon-my Top 10 Dietary Habits That Will Save the Planet!
Climate Cuisine
Picnic Potato Salad
This simple potato dish is filling and light at the same time, without the oil that keeps you from diving for that Frisbee during a playful summertime picnic in the park!
- A bunch of potatoes (6 or so, of any kind)
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 3 or more scallions, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons pickle relish or chopped pickles
- Fresh or dried herbs like parsley, dill, pepper, paprika and/or lemon pepper to taste
- Dash of Salt or Dash (optional)
Dressing:
- 1 cup (approx.) silken tofu
- Juice of a lemon
- ½ tsp dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon light vinegar (white wine, rice or malt)
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
Instructions:
1. Cut potatoes into chunks or cubes and steam or boil in a little water until soft. Cool a bit
2. Combine celery, scallions, pepper, pickle and spices in a big bowl
3. Blend dressing ingredients in a blender or mash by hand and add to bowl
4. Add potatoes and toss
5. Serve warm or chill in fridge
