I’m a wife, a mother, an athlete and an eater of food. I care deeply about my family my health and how we live our life and until recently, I did what anyone–everyone does; I ate what I thought was ‘healthy.’ As I began to research and understand food more and more I began to realize that the standard Western diet–moreover–the standard World diet could possibly be flawed: what if the human body could survive, even better, thrive, without animal protein? It may sound crazy, but stay with me.
I’ve started a journey. One that includes a lot of science, years of study by very reputable professionals and academics and a movement that includes some very notable people. I don’t know all of it, nor do I attest to the fact that this is the only way, but the science is unbelievably compelling–and the food is AMAZING! I am a walking testament to the nutrition that a vegan diet can yield awesome physical results. I have more energy, I heal faster, get sick less. I can exercise without fatigue and I can eat as much as I want!
This blog is meant to chronicle that journey and possibly share some insight for those interested. If you don’t agree, that’s okay, I’d love to hear your point of view, if you do, feel free to share your story (or a recipe) with the rest of us!
Jody is a Cornell University graduate of the Plant-Based Nutritionalist Program
Contact Me:
I’ve been studying whole, plant-based nutrition for quite some time and I love to share what I know. If you’d like to talk, one-on-one about your meal prep, your family’s preferences or how to get started, fill out the form below!
Awesome Blog, my friend. So thankful that you are sharing your experiences and your talent with the rest of us! Love ya!!
From the day I met you, you have been an inspiration – keep inspiring…
Sweet Lellani… you are so good to me. Thank you for you kind words.
Jody – I found you through Arjan.. (I also think you’ve probably seen me huffing and puffing on the treadmill at the Y LOL). Just wanted you to know that you are not alone in our small town. I am not vegan. However, I do think that most people have this belief that the food available in the grocery stores and restaurants is safe. Most people honestly believe that. I do not! I’ve been switching over to making most everything from scratch (even my own chocolate syrup), cutting out almost all processed foods, and canning my own fruits, veges, and baking my own bread, bagels, pita, english muffins. Some members of my family think I’ve completely lost my marbles. But, ah well. They love me anyway and always eat whatever I’ve cooked. I cannot believe some people are not reading the labels. Its also concerns me that basic cooking skills are disappearing. One of my main goals has been to pass on my knowledge to others (and especially my daughters). I also advocate line drying my clothes, making my cleaning products, etc. I’ve even made homemade yogurt, soap and my next venture is making cheese.
I look forward to reading your blog. I wanted to share with you that I have a blog. Mostly my blog is to keep all the kazillions of recipes so I don’t have to go searching through my vault of recipes for the one I’m looking for. But, I enjoy blogging. I enjoy writing and reading posts from different “seasons” of my life. I also write an article for my Church newsletter (Evangelical UCC).
I’ve discovered a wealth of information from bloggers just like you and me. Its nice to find kindred spirits in this world – especially in our own little corner of the world.
My blog: http://www.athomemyway.blogspot.com (Some of my recipes are simply frugal. I occasionally use a canned soup, etc. because I figure eating at home always trumps eating out, but for the most part, I make about everything). Let me know if you want a bread baking lesson. I’ve done that at church and it went over really well.
(Sorry, as you can see, once I get started – I write a book!)
Thank you for checking into my blog, I have never done this before and I am truly enjoying it. I have a long way to go, but step by step I’ll get there. Your comment was inspiring and I would love to take you up on that bread lesson.
I don’t want to push my excitement about bread baking on you LOL. I bake both traditional and no knead recipes. The no knead has completely revolutionized how we eat at home. The ingredients are only flour, water, salt & yeast. Let me know whenever you are ready… and/or if a small group of your friends might want to get together to learn. Take care and good luck. Keep up the good work!
I heard about your blog at just the right time in my life! I bought and watched “Forks Over Knives” just a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been thinking about it since… I had already watched “Food, Inc.” and “Food Matters” as well as “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead” and other documentaries that opened my eyes to SO much. We’ve made a lot of changes in our diet already, but we’re considering the Vegan lifestyle. Your blog definitely makes it sound sensible and do-able. I appreciate all the great info you’re posting, and enjoy reading about your journey.
Hi Jody! I’m so excited to follow your blog. I’ve been vegetarian for over a year and have seen huge health benefits. I also read “The China Study” and was astounded by all the scientific evidence favoring a plant-based diet. I’m not totally vegan, but eat minimal dairy products and eggs. I’ll probably end up vegan at some point though
. Looking forward to some great recipes! Miss you!
Kelly!! I miss you too! I love the “The China Study”, I am a little nervous how to blog about it, so much information. I totally agree about the health benefits, everyday I am finding something new and exciting about eating this way. The whole family is doing it, Tanner has blown me out of the water with his support and giving up so many things he loves. It is so good to hear from you, tell the kids I miss them.
LOL! Mark is not on board, maybe Tanner needs to talk to him
Jody, this is fabulous. I don’t eat a lot of meat. Its because I can’t chew it easily and I end up eating pasta a ton….not healthy. I really love all of this. Some sounds scary but I need to start trying new things and my health and families health matters to me. Help. I am gonna follow this. Love it. ~January
Hey January, I am working on a list of some good, healthy, vegan snacks that my kids love that might help you out a little bit. I would love to help you with this, if you ever have a free lunch time we could sit and go over some things.
Jody, I love, love that you’re doing this–both the plant based diet and the blog. It’s very inspiring! I’ve paid pretty close attention to my diet for the last few years, and all the work I did in grad school just reinforced my passion for nutrition and health. I haven’t gone strictly vegetarian, but I am a HUGE proponent of the local food movement (know your farmer, know your food!) and that has changed the way we eat drastically. Our diet tends to be composed of more seasonal fruits and veggies and much less meat–grass fed, grass finished beef tends to cost quite a bit more than the beef at Hy-vee! I am inspired to give this a try thanks to you (and some of your biggest fans)…I’m following ya!
Thank you Sarah, I can’t wait till the farmers market starts back up here in Boonville. They had some really good stuff last year and it keeps getting better. I haven’t ever been to the one in Columbia, have you? I really do appreciate you checking out my blog and hope that I can keep things out there you will enjoy reading.
Hi Jody! This is a great thing you’re doing here, not only changing the way you and your family eat, but sharing it with the rest of us. I made the quinoa and veggies last night and we both loved it (in fact, I have some in my lunch today). While we might not all go vegan as you guys have, we can all eat less processed foods and more fruit and vegetables. These recipes will help! Love you!
Judy, I totally agree, it’s about taking time out to give attention to what you are putting in your body. The results of doing so to me are amazing not just how I feel but the fun of cooking, preparing and finding new ways of adding nutritious foods into our diets. I also wanted to thank you for all the fun recipes you’ve been sending our way, I love it.
Hi Jody…..found your blog through Tracy Crowe. Anyway, I love what you are doing here! I’ve been a mostly vegetarian for years (I will eat fish once in a while), but am now more interested in local food, trying more vegan recipes, and cooking from scratch. I’m originally from Boonville, so you’re not alone! Love your blog already!
Jody, My husband I watched “Fat, Sick and Almost dead” a month ago…I have been Juicing and eating vegan about 95% of the time…For my husband who is a truck driver the movie really hit home for him…as he is about 125lbs overweight….as much as he can he eats “healthy” while on the road…He has been vegetarian for about 7 yrs…his body stopped processing meat and he almost died when he was 35….I enjoy eating all of the veggies etc…my biggest problem is I don’t seem to have the energy that I had…I was lifting weight 5 days a week and now I feel like a weakling…I have been doing cardio…lost almost 10lbs in 3 weeks so I was happy about that…:)…I am always looking for new things to try as well!! Keep up the good work!!!
I will watch that movie, it sounds like it made in impact on your family and 10lbs in 3 weeks is amazing. To get my energy I start my day with exercise, I warm up for about 5 minutes then I start raising my heart rate to get a maximum workout. The days I don’t get out of bed and get that workout in I can tell that I am not up to the speed of other days. Changing up is very important, I go to the gym and do low weights on my arms, abs on the ball and 45 mins on cardio. Then the days I do not go to the gym I do Insanity here at home. I started doing Insanity in August of last year and I saw immediate results, it has to be my favorite at home workout in my 18 years of working out. Thank you for commenting, it is nice to know there are others out there that care about changing their life to make it the fullest everyday
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Jody – This is awesome. I didn’t realize you were doing this until someone forwarded your site to me and then I saw Tanner’s comment via FB. I have to say that I’m a little intrigued. I’ve never thought about cutting out meat totally (or, like Tanner, cheese!). I love cheese but I actually would like to try a few recipes to see what it’s all about. Not sure if I could work this into Greg’s diet or the boys (they LOVE their dad’s grilled steaks and my fried chicken). But we definitely need to have a healthier diet. I do try to watch what I eat and I always cook good healthy meals for the fam but if this food is as good as you say it is AND it gives you energy and makes you healthy, I’m up for, at least, trying it. I loved Tanner’s post. I’ve got to hand it to you, girl. I’m impressed. I always knew you were special and had it together.
I printed off some of your recipes. Any insights you could give me would be great. I look forward to reading and learning more. Thanks Jody!
Thank you Linda for all your kind words, eating like this has changed my life in so many different ways: consistency in mood, energy levels stay high all day, quick recovery, more patience and I could go on and on. Right now one of my friends has offered to host a night at her house where we could try some different foods and talk about how this lifestyle change can work. I will let you know as soon as I have a date so you can join us. Jody