Plant Trainers Podcast - Plant Based Nutrition & Fitness

I spend a lot of time thinking about where my overall allegiance lies when it comes to the term plant-based or vegan. I personally prefer not to use labels, but when I’m talking to mass groups on the podcast, in Facebook groups or during my presentations it simplifies what’s already a complicated topic. But that’s a whole other question. In short, if I don’t eat a healthy plant-based diet, I will not be the best “me” I can – to raise my children, help animals and the environment. More and more vegans are starting to look into healthier plant-based diets to compliment their already compassionate lifestyles. That’s why I love Crimson’s questions about having a healthier vegan diet.   This week’s question: Crimson asks: “I’ve been vegan for a few years, how can I eat more healthy foods. I just need some ideas & inspiration to get started towards a healthier vegan diet.“   Links to things we mentioned:   Thank you to this month’s Patrons for supporting us on : “Joe” Miriam Selick Millie Pearson Stu Dolnick                 Don’t forget to contact us at  with your question for our “Hey Plant Trainers” segment!   Join our FaceBook Groups:   Do you want to create lifelong healthy eating habits for you or your family? Are you looking to help prevent heart disease, cancer and chronic diseases? Are you looking for guidance with your plant-based nutrition? We can help. If you are serious about getting results, you may be eligible for a FREE 30-minute Skype or phone consultation, where we can help you with your goals NOW. Easily book your session .    Subscribe to Adam’s Journey by clicking .   We hope you enjoyed this podcast! Please take a moment and  – we would be grateful! This will help get our podcast out to others who may enjoy it. We promise to read your reviews and consider your feedback. This show is for you. Please subscribe to The Plant Trainers Podcast on ,  or  so you will know when we release a new episode. Now also available to ! Help us by spreading the news about our totally awesome Podcast!   Click for a list of our services

In today’s episode of The Plant Trainers Podcast we talk to Brian Hart, M.Ed. About how culture influences health. Brian is a highly experienced educator with over twenty-five years in the field as a teacher, administrator, and advocate for school change in both the public and private sectors. He is currently working as an educational consultant and program designer for his own consulting company, EVOLV.ED. Specifically, Brian specializes in working with organizations to help them create immersive, hands-on, experiential programs designed to transform thinking and build problem-solving skills. As well, Brian and his wife, Jane Esselstyn RN, conduct seminars across the nation that help people “wrap their head, heart, and hands” around whole food, plant-based eating. He is a former Outward Bound instructor, wilderness EMT, plant-based chef, teacher, middle school principal, and carpenter. When not carting his kids to and from swim practice or editing their papers, Brian is a committed ultra-endurance athlete with four Ironman finishes to his name, among other run, bike, and ski events. Brian also holds a Rouxbe Cooking School professional certification in plant-based cooking. Today we talk about how culture influences health, why we choose the foods we do and how it inevitably affects our health. It is really quite fascinating to think about why different cultures and religions eat particular foods. Leaving behind the foods you grew up on is hard. Telling your elders you choose not to take part in those traditional dishes is even harder. Today we look at the connection between food, culture and why we make the choices that we do.   In this episode we discussed: Growing up SAD The culture of sports and junk food Religion, culture & socio-economics Why is it so hard to just make good choices Making good choices Training ourselves Culture of excess Just for one day Social and emotional challenges Our genes “But my grandma…” What about the Paleo people?   Links to things we mentioned: Brian Hart: , , , Jane’s – March 11th @ The Cleveland Clinic Wellness Center – P149 – PTP123  by Rip Esselstyn  by Ann Crile Esselstyn and Jane Esselstyn by Greg Easterbrook by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sustein  by Doug J. Lisle and Allan Goldhammer by Marc Shoen and Kristen Loberg   Thank you to this month’s Patrons for supporting us on : “Joe” Miriam Selick Millie Pearson Stu Dolnick               Don’t forget to contact us at  with your question for our “Hey Plant Trainers” segment!   Join our FaceBook Groups:   Do you want to create lifelong healthy eating habits for you or your family? Are you looking to help prevent heart disease, cancer and chronic diseases? Are you looking for guidance with your plant-based nutrition? We can help. If you are serious about getting results, you may be eligible for a FREE 30-minute Skype or phone consultation, where we can help you with your goals NOW. Easily book your session .    Subscribe to Adam’s Journey by clicking .   We hope you enjoyed this podcast! Please take a moment and  – we would be grateful! This will help get our podcast out to others who may enjoy it. We promise to read your reviews and consider your feedback. This show is for you. Please subscribe to The Plant Trainers Podcast on ,  or  so you will know when we release a new episode. Now also available to ! Help us by spreading the news about our totally awesome Podcast!   Click for a list of our services

Getting back into a routine after taking a break can be very challenging. You were on a roll, in a groove, things were progressing nicely and then you went away on vacation or simply took some time off because you felt like it. The truth is that the reason for the break doesn’t really matter (unless it was for an injury of course). You were functioning and moving on a schedule. Everything was set up in your schedule and you were following it so well. It’s quite common to come back from time off and not know where to start or what to do. Getting back into a routine takes guts, takes you being able to put your foot down and get ready to start the grind. Just get started! That’s what we focus on in today’s question.   This week’s question: Ricky asks: “I was away for 2 weeks over the holidays and since I’ve been back, I just can’t seem to get into a routine again. Do you have any tips to help me get back into my fitness routine?”   Links to things we mentioned:   Thank you to this month’s Patrons for supporting us on : “Joe” Miriam Selick Millie Pearson Stu Dolnick               Don’t forget to contact us at  with your question for our “Hey Plant Trainers” segment!   Join our FaceBook Groups:   Do you want to create lifelong healthy eating habits for you or your family? Are you looking to help prevent heart disease, cancer and chronic diseases? Are you looking for guidance with your plant-based nutrition? We can help. If you are serious about getting results, you may be eligible for a FREE 30-minute Skype or phone consultation, where we can help you with your goals NOW. Easily book your session .    Subscribe to Adam’s Journey by clicking .   We hope you enjoyed this podcast! Please take a moment and  – we would be grateful! This will help get our podcast out to others who may enjoy it. We promise to read your reviews and consider your feedback. This show is for you. Please subscribe to The Plant Trainers Podcast on ,  or  so you will know when we release a new episode. Now also available to ! Help us by spreading the news about our totally awesome Podcast!   Click for a list of our services

In today’s episode of The Plant Trainers Podcast we talk to Tim Van Orden about a compassionate approach to life. Tim Van Orden is an elite athlete turned professional coach, speaker, and writer on a mission to bring peak performance to the masses. As the founder of the Running Raw project, Tim has spent the last eleven years demonstrating the athletic potential of a simple, plant-based diet. As a result of his tireless engagement, Tim was named U.S. Masters Runner of the Year 4 times by USA Track & Field. In addition, Tim has won ten U.S. Masters Mountain and Trail Running Championships, including the 10k, 15k, Half Marathon, Marathon and 50k Championships. Tim also excels in some of the world’s most grueling sports, placing 4th at the World Stair Climbing Championships up the Empire State Building, 8th at the World Masters Mountain Running Championships and 12th at the World Snowshoe Championships. This journey to athletic success has not been an easy one. His story now serves as an example of what’s possible when one embraces their shortcomings. and uses them to full effect. To accomplish this, Tim has created powerful, motivational tools that allow him to engage at a high level each day, regardless of his mental or physical state. He now teaches these methods to others looking to rise above their challenges and achieve peak results. As a coach, Tim has enhanced his practice with the latest research in biochemistry, physiology, nutrition, psychology, neuroscience and the importance of the mind/body connection as it relates to performance in any endeavor.   Today we really dive deep into the idea of compassion being the key to change and what drives motivation. We learn more about Tim Van Orden’s journey and how he overcame his challenges in life. We discuss how hard it was for him to embrace his persona and the strength in letting it go. Tim has discovered that it is not your diet that trumps all else in life. If you live a life of compassion all else falls into place, brings you continued motivation and allows you to thrive, moving through the turbulence of life with more ease.   In this episode we discuss: National Championships Chasing your upper limits Dunning Kruger Effect Looking at you Mindset Vegan Fundamentalists It’s not about diet, It’s about compassion The brain Depression Baddest philosophy Biochemistry Actionable steps Kristin Neff   Links to things we mentioned: Tim Van Orden’s , , , , by Tim Van Orden , for a cruelty-free lifestyle!   Tim’s suggested reading list: • – Oliver Burkeman • – Nassim Nicholas Taleb • – The Dalai Lama • – Rick Hanson • – Pema Chödrön • – Paul Gilbert • – Daniel Goleman • – Richard Rohr • – Adam Galinsky • – Angela Duckworth • – Jonah Lehrer • – Walter Mischel • – Daniel M. Wegner • – Carol Dweck • – Daniel Siegel • – Sam Harris • – Chogyam Trungpa • – Daniel Siegel • – Edward O. Wilson • – Barry Schwartz • – Thich Nhat Hanh • – Charles Duhigg • – Dan Ariely • – Tal Ben-Shahar   More of Tim’s Suggested Readings: • – Tara Brach • – Daniel Bor • – Richard O’Connor • – Jonathan Haidt • – Antonio Damasio • – Kristin Neff • – Art Markman • – Chogyam Trungpa • – Daniel Kahneman • – Mark Epstein • – Elisha Goldstein • – Kelly McGonigal • – Michael Gazzaniga • – Roy Baumeister • – Kelly McGonigal • – David Rock   Thank you to this month’s Patrons for supporting us on : “Joe” Miriam Selick Millie Pearson Stu Dolnick Don’t forget to contact us at  with your question for our “Hey Plant Trainers” segment!   We hope you enjoyed this podcast! Please take a moment and  – we would be grateful! This will help get our podcast out to others who may enjoy it. We promise to read your reviews and consider your feedback. This show is for you. Please subscribe to The Plant Trainers Podcast on ,  or  so you will know when we release a new episode. Now also available to ! Help us by spreading the news about our totally awesome Podcast!   Click for a list of our services

I have spoken with three separate families this month who have had illness take a parent out of commission. The ill parent wants to be able to spend time with their children and just can’t show up to the same degree as they can’t leave their beds, lift the children or even walk around long enough to spend quality time. Doctors appointment or hospital stays take up a lot of time too. I personally know what it’s like to have a divider between my family and myself and to feel desperate to make up for that lost time. To be healthy we need to look beyond nutrition. We need to nurture our hearts and that is where my teaching and yoga experiences help mend families. Have a listen for my top 4 suggestions for connecting with your children after chronic illness strikes.   This week’s question: Elizabeth asks: “I have been ill and need to connect more with my daughter. What do you recommend?”   Links to things mentioned: – PTP034  – Blog Thank you to this month’s Patrons for supporting us on : “Joe” Miriam Selick Millie Pearson Stu Dolnick               Don’t forget to contact us at  with your question for our “Hey Plant Trainers” segment!   Join our FaceBook Groups:   Do you want to create lifelong healthy eating habits for you or your family? Are you looking to help prevent heart disease, cancer and chronic diseases? Are you looking for guidance with your plant-based nutrition? We can help. If you are serious about getting results, you may be eligible for a FREE 30-minute Skype or phone consultation, where we can help you with your goals NOW. Easily book your session .    Subscribe to Adam’s Journey by clicking .   We hope you enjoyed this podcast! Please take a moment and  – we would be grateful! This will help get our podcast out to others who may enjoy it. We promise to read your reviews and consider your feedback. This show is for you. Please subscribe to The Plant Trainers Podcast on ,  or  so you will know when we release a new episode. Now also available to ! Help us by spreading the news about our totally awesome Podcast!   Click for a list of our services

In today’s episode of The Plant Trainers Podcast we talk to Kathy Smart about eating for your body type. Kathy certainly lives up to her reputation as a triple threat in the health and wellness space. She is a registered holistic nutritionist who wrote the best-selling cookbook Live The Smart Way; which is a Cordon Blue approved cookbook and Canada’s 2015 Fitness Presenter of the Year (along side her American Counterpart Jillian Michaels). Kathy Smart is best known as North America’s Gluten-Free expert she is a popular speaker, health and fitness presenter and the go-to media expert in all things health and wellness. In 2015, Kathy launched the much-anticipated Live The Smart Way Expo, her personally branded Canada-wide consumer Expo to a rousing success and is now Canada’s Largest Health and Wellness Trade Show. She was recently awarded the Leading Women Award by the Canadian Government for raising health awareness across the country and was also named a 2015 Winner of the Top 40 Under 40 Business Achievement Award (Ottawa Business Journal). Kathy Smart has been featured around the world as the leading expert in Healthy Gluten-Free living and is a Chatelaine Magazine recipe developer. She was recently named one of the Top 50 Most Influential Social Media Tweeters according to the Huffington Post and has been seen on many TV talk shows. Today we talk to Kathy about fruit. Wait…before you say “what? Fruit” hear us out. Kathy describes her system of comparing one’s body type to fruit in order to decide how they should best eat and exercise for optimal health. Find out what kind of body type category Adam and Shoshana fall into and find out a little more about what kind of fruit you are and what may be holding you back from your optimal health!   In this episode we discuss: Friends Dr. Abravanel How to eat for you body type How to exercise for your body type Pears Apples Bananas Papples! Back to the basics Eat vegetables like it’s your job White vegetables…white potatoes Live The Smart Way Expo Vote with your dollars 3 Actionable tips for a healthier you   Links to things we mentioned: Kathy Smart’s , , , Email Kathy for a FREE copy of her cookbook:  – PTP008   Thank you to this month’s Patrons for supporting us on : “Joe” Miriam Selick Millie Pearson Stu Dolnick               Don’t forget to contact us at  with your question for our “Hey Plant Trainers” segment!   Join our FaceBook Groups:   Do you want to create lifelong healthy eating habits for you or your family? Are you looking to help prevent heart disease, cancer and chronic diseases? Are you looking for guidance with your plant-based nutrition? We can help. If you are serious about getting results, you may be eligible for a FREE 30-minute Skype or phone consultation, where we can help you with your goals NOW. Easily book your session .    Subscribe to Adam’s Journey by clicking .   We hope you enjoyed this podcast! Please take a moment and  – we would be grateful! This will help get our podcast out to others who may enjoy it. We promise to read your reviews and consider your feedback. This show is for you. Please subscribe to The Plant Trainers Podcast on ,  or  so you will know when we release a new episode. Now also available to ! Help us by spreading the news about our totally awesome Podcast!   Click for a list of our services

Normally on this segment we answer a listener’s question, but today all we want to wish you all a Happy New Year! We are so grateful for all the listeners, the guests we’ve had on the show, our Patreon contributors and all the amazing things we’ve learned from podcasting with each other. This is the first show going into our 3rd year podcasting! Thanks for taking the ride with us. We never need an excuse to take on a new challenge or make a change in our lives, but often new years seems like the perfect time to do that. So…Happy New Year!   Here are 5 tips for a healthier new year: Be forgiving to yourself. We are not giving you permission to skip every meal and eat bags of chips for lunches daily. We are just telling you to be mindful of your actions. See what you need to learn from that experience and then let it go. Holding on will only keep the negative energy flowing. Ramp up your F&V. If you are not eating 5 servings of fruits and veg a day, then aim for that number. This will keep you fighting off nasty viruses. If you are eating 5, find a few places you can add more in. I always add spinach to soups I have in the fridge. Move. It doesn’t matter if you stretch in your living room while listening to this podcast, run a mile a day or simply walk to the corner or back. Find a way to move your body daily. It does not have to be a “workout!” Count your blessing. Take a look at your situation, family and fiends. Find as many amazing things in your life and be grateful for each and everyone of them. Share your knowledge. Find at least one person and without preaching, give them some inspiration for creating healthier habits themselves. Maybe it’s a meme, or a podcast or a conversation. Either way, spread the love.   Happy New Year!   If you’re looking for some more ideas on how to ramp up your healthy lifestyle in 2017 try one of our eBooks or courses: – Get organized, save time, save money and enjoy meal time again.  – A Guide To Making It Easy and Healthy    Get an action based plan by with Adam or Shoshana    Thank you to this month’s Patrons for supporting us on : “Joe” Miriam Selick Millie Pearson Stu Dolnick               Don’t forget to contact us at  with your question for our “Hey Plant Trainers” segment!   Join our FaceBook Groups:   Do you want to create lifelong healthy eating habits for you or your family? Are you looking to help prevent heart disease, cancer and chronic diseases? Are you looking for guidance with your plant-based nutrition? We can help. If you are serious about getting results, you may be eligible for a FREE 30-minute Skype or phone consultation, where we can help you with your goals NOW. Easily book your session .    Subscribe to Adam’s Journey by clicking .   We hope you enjoyed this podcast! Please take a moment and  – we would be grateful! This will help get our podcast out to others who may enjoy it. We promise to read your reviews and consider your feedback. This show is for you. Please subscribe to The Plant Trainers Podcast on ,  or  so you will know when we release a new episode. Now also available to ! Help us by spreading the news about our totally awesome Podcast!   Click for a list of our services

In today’s episode of The Plant Trainers Podcast we talk to Jim Morris Hicks about the 4Leaf Program, achieving vibrant health and sustainability for our planet. Back in 2002, after becoming curious about our “optimal diet,” Jim began to study what we eat from a global perspective and discovered many startling issues and opportunities along the way. In addition to an MBA and a BS in Industrial Engineering, he holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies, where he has also been a member of the board of directors since 2012. Having concluded that our food choices hold the key to the sustainability of our civilization, he has made this his #1 priority, exploring all avenues for influencing humans everywhere to move back to the natural plant-based diet for our species. Today we talk to Jim about his book The 4Leaf Guide To Vibrant Health, Using The Power Of Food To Heal Ourselves and Our Planet. We discuss how to easily implement the 4leaf guide and the effects a plant-based diet has on our health. We touch on how to get more people understanding the urgency of our planet’s future and how some of the small things we do everyday may not be enough.   In this episode we discuss: Getting into the White House 4leaf Survey 80% WFPB Doctors Heal Thyself, Then Others Sustainability of our ecosystem Who can this planet support and for how long? Getting people to understand Recycling is not enough Big environmental groups who ignore the impact of our food choices when it comes to climate change Actionable tips to start with today   Links to things we mentioned: Jim’s , ,  by Kerry Graff M.D. and J. Morris Hicks by J. Morris Hicks The online The online   (charity) Proteinaholic with Dr. Garth Davis – Food Choice and Sustainability with Dr. Richard Oppenlander –   by John Robbins by Howard F. Lyman Glen Merzer               Don’t forget to contact us at  with your question for our “Hey Plant Trainers” segment!     Do you want to create lifelong healthy eating habits for you or your family? Are you looking to help prevent heart disease, cancer and chronic diseases? Are you looking for guidance with your plant-based nutrition? We can help. If you are serious about getting results, you may be eligible for a FREE 30-minute Skype or phone consultation, where we can help you with your goals NOW. Easily book your session .    Subscribe to Adam’s Journey by clicking .   We hope you enjoyed this podcast! Please take a moment and  – we would be grateful! This will help get our podcast out to others who may enjoy it. We promise to read your reviews and consider your feedback. This show is for you. Please subscribe to The Plant Trainers Podcast on ,  or  so you will know when we release a new episode. Now also available to ! Help us by spreading the news about our totally awesome Podcast!   Click for a list of our services

The question of hiding ingredients in kids’ foods is one that comes up a lot in our Facebook group, Healthy Plant-Based Families. A healthy family is more than just people who don’t get plagued by illness or who eat well. There is knowledge and life skills that go along with it. I know there have been tons of cookbooks written about being a sneaky parent and getting those greens in places the kids would never look. Give a listen and find out what I really think about hiding ingredients in kids’ foods. Jessica asks “Should I hide ingredients in foods I make so my kids will eat them?   Links to things mentioned:                     Don’t forget to contact us at  with your question for our “Hey Plant Trainers” segment!     Do you want to create lifelong healthy eating habits for you or your family? Are you looking to help prevent heart disease, cancer and chronic diseases? Are you looking for guidance with your plant-based nutrition? We can help. If you are serious about getting results, you may be eligible for a FREE 30-minute Skype or phone consultation, where we can help you with your goals NOW. Easily book your session .    Subscribe to Adam’s Journey by clicking .   We hope you enjoyed this podcast! Please take a moment and  – we would be grateful! This will help get our podcast out to others who may enjoy it. We promise to read your reviews and consider your feedback. This show is for you. Please subscribe to The Plant Trainers Podcast on ,  or  so you will know when we release a new episode. Now also available to ! Help us by spreading the news about our totally awesome Podcast!   Click for a list of our services

In today’s episode of The Plant Trainers Podcast we talk about the secrets to traveling on a plant-based diet. People think we are nuts when we tell them we Travel 25 hours south on the highway with two young children. That may not seem like a holiday to some people, but for our plant powered family it’s a fun and healthy one! Sticking to our plant-based way of eating and exercise regimes are challenging, but completely possible on a winter vacation of this kind. So today we are going to share our secrets to traveling on a plant-based diet that will help you as an individual or as a healthy plant-based family whose traveling on a plant-based diet, be ready for everything. If you aren’t fully plant-based, that’s ok! You’ll be able to pick up some great tips in this episode to help make your vacation a healthier and safer one. It’s hard enough packing for vacation, but making sure you stick to your values and health regime is a whole other thing! Hopefully these ideas will give you something you can take away (literally) with you. Let us know what works for you in the comment section below.   In this episode we discuss: Our quote of the day: “I’m not perfect, but what’s wonderful about eating a plant-based diet is I don’t have to be.” ~ Victoria Moran Preparation Let go of imperfection Food Snack Car ideas Flight ideas Restaurants Making your own food Hotels Fitness exploration   Links to things we mentioned: – Recipe     Thank you to this month’s Patrons for supporting us on : “Joe” Millie Pearson Stu Dolnick Mary Lou Fusi Don’t forget to contact us at  with your question for our Plant Trainers Facebook Lives!   We hope you enjoyed this podcast! Please take a moment and  – we would be grateful! This will help get our podcast out to others who may enjoy it. We promise to read your reviews and consider your feedback. This show is for you. Please subscribe to The Plant Trainers Podcast on , ,  or  so you will know when we release a new episode. We’re also available to ! Help us by spreading the news about our totally awesome Podcast!   Click for a list of our services