PLANTSTRONG Podcast

Getting ready to pop an antacid or a swig of your favorite mouthwash? Wait! Hold up just a moment.

Today, we take a deep dive on the subject of nitric oxide with Dr. Nathan Bryan, the preeminent expert on the subject and author of “The Nitric Oxide Solution.”

It may be new to you, but know this...Our body’s ability to produce nitric oxide is KEY to staving off those killers - stroke, heart disease, and other vascular complications like - well, erectile dysfunction.

• What is nitric oxide and what role does it play in our health? We break it down into interesting and actionable takeaways. You’ll learn:

• What happens to our body’s ability to create nitric oxide as we age?

• What is its role in our heart health? And why do so many common over-the-counter products like mouthwash, antacids and antibiotics crush our body’s ability to produce nitric oxide?

• What foods can we eat to pump up the production of this magic molecule? (spoiler alert: green leafy vegetables and beets, of course)

• And, what are some smart and simple ways to increase production?

As Dr. Bryan says, chronic diseases is caused by two things and two things only: The body missing something that it needs or it’s exposed to something that it doesn’t need.

Today, we want to give you what your body needs, so listen in closely and say “YES” to N.O. - nitric oxide!

Episode Resources:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

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• Photo from Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease written by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr.

In honor of Father’s Day last week, I gathered up your questions and called my Dad, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, affectionately known as Essy to many.

There’s nothing he loves more than helping you understand the importance of what you put on your forks to fight disease and to create and sustain healthy and vibrant endothelial cells.

Essy is the ultimate taskmaster and, much to everyone’s disappointment, he doesn’t prescribe a 90% plan. He’s 100% ALL IN and he expects the rest of us to follow suit. While he may not believe in moderation, he does believe in you and your ability to tackle this head-on and bring heart disease to its knees.

Nobody said this was going to be easy and that’s ok. All of us need a really good challenge in our lives to push outside of our comfort zones, test our limits, and see exactly what we’re made of. You're stronger than you think.

Topics covered? A huge variety, thanks to you, our listeners and fans. Among them:

• Nitric Oxide and why chewing your greens is your best defense against chronic western disease, including COVID-19.

• Why fluoride toothpaste is a no-no for your health

• Dr. Esselstyn's opinions on statins and supplements

• Your fear of not getting enough protein

...and more

Essy speaks the truth and never rounds up to make an argument land in his favor. He simply wants us to live our best and most vibrant lives and, at the young age of 86, I think he's on the right track.

Episode Resources:

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase.

• The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

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Over 65 million households are homes to dogs and cats. In fact, one of the silver linings of the coronavirus quarantine has been a substantial increase in pet adoptions for companionship and, as a member of the family, you want to feed them the best possible diet for long-lasting health and vitality.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths out there when it comes to the best diet for your pet, and today, Rip and renowned veterinarian and author, Dr. Ernie Ward, dispel some of those misconceptions, particularly around meat and protein consumption for pets. What is healthy pet food and what do pets really want.

Ward’s latest book, “The Clean Pet Food Revolution: How Better Pet Food Will Change the World,” explores these questions as well as the significant environmental impact of the animal food industry, largely unknown by the general population - even those of us who are pet lovers.

Just like in humans, over-feeding and under-exercising our pets can cause inflammation, obesity, and disease, BUT, as Dr. Ward explains, also just like humans, it is reversible with the right diet: a plant-strong diet.  

Episode Resources:

• Dr. Ernie Ward Website and Social Media

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG at checkout for 40% order

• Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration

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We were overwhelmed with the positive response of last week’s episode with Chef Ken Rubin, so we decided to keep that momentum going this week with Chef Del Sroufe. If his name isn’t familiar, his work will be. He authored, “Forks Over Knives: the Cookbook,” “The China Study Quick and Easy Cookbook,” and “Better than Vegan,” the story of his struggle with weight loss and gain, and how he managed to lose over 200 pounds on a low fat, plant-based diet. 

Not only does he share some of his favorite practical cooking tips for common staples in your home - beans, potatoes, veggie stock, and even low-fat recipes for delicious cheese substitute sand guacamole (that you won’t want to miss), BUT - he also talks openly about his own struggles with health and weight.

Like many of us, Del has fallen victim to overstress, overeating, and finding comfort in the wrong foods. Sound familiar? He’s in the middle of his own personal reset just like many of you, so let’s do it together with love and empathy. His transparency may just be what you need to help you right now. 

Episode Resources:

• Chef Del Sroufe Website

• Tips and Recipes from the Episode
• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG at checkout for 40% order
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• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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Ken Rubin is the Chief Culinary Officer of Rouxbe Online Culinary School, training people to become more creative, confident, and HEALTHY in kitchens around the world.

A silver lining of the Covid-19 quarantine has been a trend back to rediscovering the joy of a home-cooked meal with the family. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated and, in fact, it can be fun!

Rip and Ken introduce simple ways to level up your cooking with tips on roasting, sauteing, and boosting the flavor of pastas, sauces, soups, and more.

If you’re on a quest to do more cooking at home, or if you want to increase the depth of flavor in the meals you’re already cooking, this episode will definitely wet your appetite!

Episode Resources:

• Rouxbe Online Culinary School
• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG at checkout for 40% order

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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Ethan Brown is the Founder and CEO of Beyond Meat, a disruptive and innovative plant-based meat company.

This interview was recorded pre-Covid 19 so, while we don’t discuss it, the episode is so timely since one of the areas most affected by this horrific disease is our food supply chain; namely, the animal food supply chain. Conditions are deplorable for both the animals and the humans at these meat processing plants, and the health of both is compromised daily.

Ethan discusses in detail how his company is improving the efficiency, safety, health, and environmental impact of his Beyond Meat production and the benefits are staggering.

We know that the average consumer, even those who eat animal meat, are aware and very concerned about these health and social issues. As Ethan has says, “I believe there is a new dawn for American agriculture and this conversation is our awakening hour.”

Here’s to having the heart of a hero and not being afraid to challenge the status quo. In fact, instead of being divisive, it’s time we come together and work together to solve these problems on behalf of the animals, the longevity of our planet, and our own health.

Episode Resources:

• Beyond Meat Website

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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Recent News Articles:

Cramer: Coronavirus could propel Beyond Meat into a Amazon or Facebook — CNBC

Perspective | Wet markets breed contagions like the coronavirus. The U.S. has thousands of them.

Trump orders meat plants to stay open in pandemic — The Washington Post

The Milk Situation

For 65-years, Dr. T. Colin Campbell has been a courageous truth-seeker and unapologetic truth-teller in the scientific research and study of nutrition. 

Of course, most know his work from The China Study,  Whole, Forks over Knives, and his repeat visits to Plant Stock, but recently, Dr. Campbell released two articles that speak to this “revolutionary idea” that the best defense against Covid-19 is whole food plant-based diet. In fact, not only is it the best cautionary measure you can take, but it’s also the most responsible to protect the strain on the hospital system, our global environment, and the food supply chain, which has been severely compromised.

Dr. Campbell and Rip discuss his body of work over the last six decades and explore the contents of his recent essays on his ideal prescription for optimal health - a whole-food, plant-based diet.

Episode Resources:

• Register Now for the Plant-Strong Primer

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• T.Colin Campbell Center for Nutritional Studies

• Recovery From the COVID-19 Pandemic: Testing, Tracing, & Nutrition

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list, and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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In 2018, after an interview about building a healthy gut on a plant-based diet went viral, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz knew he needed to do something. He wanted to continue to spread this message to a wider audience. The result almost two years later? His brand new book Fiber Fueled: The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome.

Fiber Fueled is the playbook to optimize and restore your gut health on a plant-based diet, and this entire episode is dedicated to the one nutrient that has the most positive impact on your gut health - FIBER.

Dr. B dishes on:

• His F-GOALS: Those super plant-foods to optimize gut health

• Straight talk on paleo, keto, lectins, and other misinformation floating around

• Honest dialogue on probiotics and prebiotics

• And, yes, a topic like fiber wouldn't be complete without a discussion on poop!

It's empowering to know that you're not born to have disease. You're born for health and it all starts with the relationship between your microbes and fiber - fiber from plants.

Fiber really is sexy!

Episode Resources:

• Plant-Strong Primer

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list, and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

• Dr. B Website

• Fiber Fueled Book Page

• Fiber Fueled on Book Shop (Buy local! Support your local bookstore!)

• Fiber Fueled on B&N

• Fiber Fueled on Amazon

• Dr. B Facebook

• Dr. B Instagram

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Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and a New York Times bestselling author. He discovered the five places in the world—dubbed Blue Zones—where people live the longest, healthiest lives.

Today, Dan and Rip discuss the Power 9, those nine mutually supporting characteristics that these Blue Zones areas have in common to promote health, happiness, and longevity. They include:

• Move Naturally
• Purpose
• Downshift
• 80% Rule
• Plant Slant
• Wine at 5
• Right Tribe
• Loved Ones First
• Belong

I encourage you to explore ways to adopt and implement as many of these as possible into your own lives - especially now - when the entire planet is on the precipice of change. We can use these uncertain times for our own good - and the good of the world. It starts now and it starts with you.

Episode Resources:

• Plant-Strong Primer

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• Blue Zones Website, Books and Resources

• Blue Zones Power 9

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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“I just couldn’t wrap my head around this idea that you can poison your way back to health.”

In 2003, Chris Wark received a grim colon cancer diagnosis at the young age of 26. And, as most of us know, when it comes to cancer treatment, much of the decision-making is based around FEAR. Who wouldn’t be afraid if you were told you basically had a 50-50 shot at surviving?

Chris, however, took a different approach. Instead of using fear to drive his decision on chemotherapy, he turned to facts and his faith. Instead of pumping chemo drugs into his body, he pumped in as many anti-cancer foods as he could and turned his body into a nutritional powerhouse. He built his body up instead of tearing it down.

That was 13 years ago. Today, Chris is the best selling author of the book Chris Beat Cancer, and a robust website of the same name, ChrisBeatCancer.com. He’s also the father of two beautiful girls and public speaker.

Episode Resources:

• ChrisBeatCancer.com

• Chris Beat Cancer - A Comprehensive Plan for Healing Naturally

• Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order

• Thank you podcast listeners! Join our Million Downloads giveaway - enter here to win one of the following great prizes, no purchase necessary! Winners announced on April 27th.

• Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan.

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• Plant-Strong Podcast Website