Plant-Powered People Podcast

How do we shift the outlook on the plant-based lifestyle from extreme to mainstream? Kristie Middleton, vice president of business development at Rebellyous Foods is here on the show to tell us how she’s been doing exactly that for the last 20 years! She's the author of MeatLess--Transform the Way You Eat and Live--One Meal at a Time. During her time at Rebellyous, she has launched the successful rebrand of Seattle Food Tech to Rebellyous Foods and commercialized three SKUs for retail and four for foodservice. She and her team have now launched our products from coast to coast. Her work has been covered by national media, including The Los Angeles Times, Civil Eats, San Francisco Chronicle, and Politico. She’s a co-founder and board member of East Bay Animal Political Action Committee and serves as an advisor to Clear Current Capital. She holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies.   Show notes: The impact that people & their communities can have when they commit to meatless Mondays The process of implementing meatless Mondays across school food programs Kristie’s work at Rebellyous foods & animal welfare initiatives How vegan food samples on the street make a huge impact What it’s like to work in the vegan food industry The importance of shifting away from the commonly dogmatic way of veganism Meatless Mondays’ WWI roots Kristie’s work at the humane society The popularization of meatless Mondays in school districts How to have a more pragmatic approach to veganism & seeing people as allies How bringing a vegan dish to an event can trigger a positive impact The power of not demanding perfection from those around us Meatless Mondays as a way to explore foods from around the world How meatless Mondays have impacted students & staff to make healthy food choices Advice for people considering going plant-based The positive health impacts of a plant-based lifestyle Giving yourself permission to be flexible in your food choices Advice for proposing meatless Mondays to your community centers The obstacles of large-scale food service programs & being a positive resource/problem solver Tips and tricks the help meatless Mondays stick Practical tips for making vegan food choices simpler The impact of sharing vegan dishes & recipes Words of encouragement for vegan activists when encountering negative pushback Tips to encourage a vegan lifestyle & being active within your communities  Thank you to our sponsors Caraway Home & Maxine’s Heavenly  Resources: Rebellyous Foods MeatLess by Kristie Middleton Contact Kristie at ​​kristielmiddleton@gmail.com

A pacifist vegan with ties to the mob who fight-fixes, but also would never hurt a fly? Sounds like one big oxymoron, but in fact all of this (and more) is embodied in jazz musician and longtime animal advocate Charles Farrell. Charles shares how he would often take boxing and musician friends and clients to Buddha’s Delight, a vegan restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, to share animal-free cooking with unlikely customers who were always won over by the delicious food. He mentions how he moved tarantulas safely out of his path while walking barefoot through the rainforests of Puerto Rico, and how he often came up against the classic “You don’t eat meat?” incredulous question from hard-boiled Boston and New York mobsters. Enjoy this fascinating episode!   Visit the Plant-Powered People Podcast website and show notes at: plantpoweredpodcast.com Find vegan recipes, guides, and resources at Plant-Based on a Budget and World of Vegan.   Show notes: Navigating being the only vegan/vegetarian among family & friends in Boston Fluctuating between being a working musician & being a gangster Getting out of dangerous situations Ethics & decision making Exercising empathy & connection with others Natural empathy vs. learned empathy Making conscious decisions to avoid harm towards all beings Tips for maintaining kindness & compassion within different social circles Turning bad habits into good ones The plant-based food industry & how it is promoted Dealing with a population who thought the vegan lifestyle is not healthy Charles’ advice for new vegans & those considering the vegan lifestyle Thank you to our sponsors, Better Than Bouillon & Maxine's Heavenly!    Resources: The Friendly Vegan Cookbook (Low)life: A Memoir of Jazz, Fight-Fixing, and The Mob by Charles Farrell

How did heart disease become the leading cause of death in the west, and how can we prevent and reverse it? Dr. Esselstyn is here to share how we all have the power to prevent and reverse decades of abuse to our endothelial cells from eating the Standard American Diet by eating plant-based foods. Visit the Plant-Powered People Podcast website and show notes at: plantpoweredpodcast.com Find vegan recipes, guides, and resources at Plant-Based on a Budget and World of Vegan.   Show Notes: Dr. Esselstyn’s story & accomplishments Why the prevalence of disease in the USA is higher compared to other countries What heart disease is & how it is caused How early the foundations for heart disease begin The importance of nitric oxide and the endothelium for cardiovascular health The future of heart disease treatment The missing pieces in typical heart disease treatment The foods that cause heart disease & why animal products are bad Whole, plant-based foods that help reverse heart disease Why heart disease is more prevalent as we age How balsamic and rice vinegar with greens can help reverse heart disease The importance of chewing greens vs. using them in smoothies  How fluoride & antacids can contribute to the onset of heart disease Why the Standard American Diet injures our heart & bodies How heart attacks are caused How an 87 year old reversed his heart disease with plant-based food Advice for those recently diagnosed with heart disease Sample plant-based menu for preventing & reversing heart disease Thank you to our sponsor, Caraway Home    Resources: Book: Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Dr. Esselstyn Dr. Esselstyn’s Seminar Dr. Esselstyn’s Website The Plantrician Project The American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Vegan athletes are competing at the highest level in virtually every sport — and winning! Robert Cheeke, longtime vegan bodybuilder and NYT bestselling co-author of The Plant-Based Athlete, shares why plant-based athletes have a competitive advantage. He also shares his experiences thriving as an athlete long-term on a plant-based diet. Visit the Plant-Powered People Podcast website and show notes at: plantpoweredpodcast.com Find vegan recipes, guides, and resources at Plant-Based on a Budget and World of Vegan. SHOW NOTES: Growing up in an animal farming environment Pursuing a plant-based lifestyle despite concerns of coaches, friends, & family Bodybuilding on a vegan diet & putting on 100lbs of healthy weight Some famous professional athletes who are plant-based Inflammation & how food choices impact recovery for athletes The ANDY score and ranking foods on nutrient density Why an athlete can look healthy on the outside but be sick on the inside Athletes who continue competing at a high level later in life thanks to a vegan diet Why some animal protein powders can be dangerous & the benefits of vegan protein Why you don’t need protein powder to build muscle Energy levels & getting enough calories on a plant-based diet Top supplements for vegans that are actually helpful The importance of community Resources: Book: The Plant-Based Athlete by Robert Cheeke and Matt Frazier Robert Cheeke’s website

Meat-loving Italian New Yorker, Danny Costanzo, saves his own life by going plant-based. And then... guess what he did? He went on to open a 100% Vegan Italian Restaurant — Plant-Based Mafia.  Growing up in an Italian family in New York, Danny Costanzo grew up enjoying delicious comforting food and the way it brought his loved ones together. His dietary habits have shifted many times throughout his life — from eating everything, to becoming a raw foodist, to a diet which led him to 3 clogged arteries, and to where he is now with a vegan diet. When you think of Italian food, you probably think of cheesy pizza, parmesan on everything, and deliciously creamy cannolis. Vegan may be the last word that comes to mind. That's why we're so excited to have him on the show to talk about how he got started on a plant-based lifestyle and how it led to the creation of his wildly successful Italian restaurant. Danny shares what led him to change his diet a number of times, and how food has had such a huge impact on his cardiovascular health. You'll definitely want to listen to this if you want to know how a vegan diet can help improve and even reverse heart disease! He also shares his experience of growing up in an Italian family where food is central to bringing everyone together, and how he carried that welcoming philosophy into his restaurant. By the end of the episode, you’ll want to find your way to Florida to eat at Plant-Based Mafia sometime soon! Happy listening, ♡ Michelle & Toni SHOW NOTES Growing up in a food-centric Italian family with rich & decadent recipes Creating delicious vegan versions of popular Italian dishes and making vegan Italian food cool!  How a long recovery from a leg injury led to adopting a vegan diet Dealing with grief and stress & how it can affect the body The importance of listening to your body’s symptoms and cues How a plant-based diet can help reverse clogged arteries and help heart disease Bringing people together and creating community around plant-based food Real Italian culture vs. Italian portrayal in films The history of the name “Plant-Based Mafia & reclaiming the true meaning of the word “mafia” The importance of being your own health advocate Getting through a tough time by dedicating yourself to a cause The exciting next steps for the vegan Italian restaurant Plant-Based Mafia Thank you to our sponsor, Caraway Home  VEGAN ITALIAN FOOD RECIPES & GUIDES 30+ Awesome Vegan Pasta Recipes Vegan Pizza Recipes Homemade Italian Pasta Sauce Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta Caprese Salad Vegan Cheese Guide RELATED EPISODES Ep. 65: Mastering Diabetes Ep. 53: 100 Pound Weight Loss Journey to Conquering Disease RESOURCES Dr. Esselstyn - Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease Dr. Greger - nutritionfacts.org The End of Heart Disease - Dr. Joe Fuhrman The Plant-Based Athlete - Matt Frazier & Robert Cheeke The Game Changers What the Health Guide to Vegan Nutrition

Do you live with diabetes, or know someone who does? This episode is a must-listen. NYT bestselling author Dr. Cyrus Khambatta shares his research on how a whole foods, plant-based diet can help Type 1 diabetes, Type 1.5 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes.  Reversing or controlling diabetes through a plant-based diet Why restricting carbs isn’t enough to effectively manage blood glucose How eating lots of fruits & veggies can decrease insulin requirements The differences between the 6 types of diabetes How cognitive decline is related to insulin resistance Saturated fats & the creation of type 2 diabetes  Our organs & how they digest food Insulin and how it works in the body Foods to include and stay away from to control or reverse diabetes The side effects of diabetes & how they can be prevented with plant-based foods Defining your WHY to stay inspired to keep lifestyle changes The importance of community that is aligned with your goals Chronic disease reversal as a emerging branch of medicine  Resources: Mastering Diabetes by Cyrus Khambatta

Do you have kids? Are you thinking of raising vegan kids in the future? If so, this episode is for you! From school lunches to kids’ birthday parties and every meal and snack in between, having plant-based kids can be a challenge. That’s why we had the Vegucated documentary  creator, The Vegucated Family Table co-author, and plant-based mom, Marisa Miller Wolfson on the show! We talk all about how to navigate the challenges and wins of having kids with a vegan lifestyle. You’ll get lots of advice on how you can make the transition to a plant-based lifestyle easier for your family, and tips to keep it going long-term! We also talk about the power of vegan documentaries and what got us onto the vegan path. Enjoy! ♡ Michelle & Toni Show Notes: Thank you to our sponsors, Caraway Home and Gaiam. Special discount code for our listeners: use the code PLANTPOWEREDKITCHEN for 10% off of your Caraway pans. Vegan lifestyle as a parent Growing up eating meat and transitioning into plant-based The power of documentaries on the vegan path Navigating the non-vegan food systems at schools Helping your kids to understand why their food is different How to explain veganism and where meat comes from to children Talking about compassion and respect for other peoples’ choices with your kids Advice for parents who want to transition their family’s lifestyle Planning for a plant-based halloween  How to navigate when your kid is invited to a non-vegan party How being involved in your kids social life can be helpful Being part of a community that is making the world a better place Links: Ep. #57 Plant-Based Pediatrician On Raising Vegan Children Ep. #6 When Your Loved One Is An Omnivore Ep. #34 Eating Vegan in Social Situations Ep #19 Going Vegan When Your Family Isn’t On Board The vegucated family table

Jami Gerke is a midwesterner who is used to buying a whole cow and splitting it with her whole family. When she decided to transition to vegan living (which is still a work in progress), her family had to make a huge adjustment to support her decision. Our Sponsors: Better Than Bouillon, a Life-changer for Soup Lovers Veestro, an Exciting Vegan Meal Delivery Service Living plant based in a community without many vegan options The challenge of being vegan somewhere where it’s politicized Growing up in midwest USA farm culture & switching to plant-based Reversing pre-diabetes with diet changes Joint health & eating plant-based Leading by example to address judgments & challenges about the vegan lifestyle Navigating the restaurants and grocery stores that aren’t vegan friendly How keeping it simple helps the transition to plant-based living Switching to a plant-based lifestyle with kids Tips to clear out your home from non vegan ingredients without wasting Advice on choosing healthy, whole vegan food over pre-packed & processed Using willpower & preparing for non-vegan cravings  Armoring yourself with knowledge to stand up for your food choices How to practice strong & respectful communication about plant-based decisions

Ollie and Liam are two friends who love meat and never imagined they would one day try dropping meat, dairy, and eggs from their diet.   But here they are. After trying vegan for one month during Veganuary, we brought them on the show to check in about how things are going during this period of big sudden change.  What did their friends think? How have they handled learning to cook? What's been the hardest part? And the question we're ALL asking... are they going to stick with it? Listen and find out in our latest episode!  Show Notes: Thank you to our sponsors, Caraway Home and Gaiam. Special discount code for our listeners: use the code PLANTPOWEREDKITCHEN for 10% off of your Caraway pans The biggest reasons to live a vegan lifestyle (or at least try for a month!) Steps to ease your way into a plant-based diet Making the process of becoming vegan easier Why inclusion and respect are so important when transitioning into a vegan lifestyle Dealing with others’ judgments when you transition to a plant-based diet Navigating events and holidays with your new vegan food requirements The importance of your “why” during moments of temptation Starting small or diving right into vegan lifestyle Expanding a vegan diet to a vegan lifestyle Getting your family on board with a vegan lifestyle Links: How to Go Vegan Two Guys One Topic Podcast on Apple and Spotify Resources for vegan lifestyle: World of Vegan Plant Based on a Budget The Vegan Society website The friendly vegan cookbook Episodes to help you respond to judgments: Ep. #34 Eating Vegan in Social Situations Ep #19 Going Vegan When Your Family Isn’t On Board Ep. #31 Antagonistic Anti-Vegan Goes Vegan! Ep. #6 When Your Loved One Is An Omnivore Resources for vegan lifestyle: World of Vegan Plant Based on a Budget The Vegan Society website The friendly vegan cookbook Oliver Wright and Liam Stacey join Toni and Michelle on the podcast to talk about their journey as newly minted vegans with just a little over a month under their belts. They share how much they've learned, how their families are handling the change, and if they'll be able to stick to it in the longrun.

Isn’t it wonderful how our Earth can take in our food waste and grow new life and so much beauty? When we treat our Earth with care it provides us with an abundance of wonderful things. Sadly, these days humans are getting into some pretty awful habits of trampling all over our planet and completely neglecting the natural flow of its ecosystems.  In this episode, we are so excited to welcome back Colleen Patrick-Goudreau to discuss composting: a beautiful way of making sure our food waste doesn't go to waste! From turning food scraps into a homemade fertilizer, to identifying materials that would benefit our compost, we cover the relevance of composting in its most interesting form. And what about worm composting? Is that even vegan? We'll answer that and more. We love maximizing food as vegans, so if you’re ready to learn more about how you can do that, dive in with us! ♡ Michelle & Toni SHOW NOTES 00:30 Introducing Colleen Patrick-Goudreau 02:15 This episode’s sponsors: Better Than Bouillon, provides major flavor to your dishes 04:15 This episode’s sponsors: Petal Sparkling water, organic, low sugar, caffeine free 06:50 What is composting? Let's simplify the concept.  07:40 Misconceptions of throwing compostable materials in the landfills 07:10 How biodegradable materials actually compost 10:50 Tips and Benefits of composting 15:25 Types of Compost (what compost system is best for you?) 18:30 Benefits of making your own compost 20:54 Composting with Worms 27:00 Toni’s first composting experience – worm bin 32:55 Finding people who share the same practice 35:00 Colleen’s secret composting tool 36:00 When to know if its composting 37:40 Where you can dispose your biodegradable waste to turn into compost 43:25 compostnow.org 47:29 Colleen’s website 47:39 Colleen’s Instagram: @joyfulvegan  49:12 This episode’s first sponsor: Better Than Bouillon, provides major flavor to your dishes 49:18 This episode’s second sponsor: Petal Sparkling water, organic, low sugar, caffeine free 50:15 Support this show on Patreon