Think Plant-Based! – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we talk to Ben Hagerty about his plant-based journey. We discuss vegan entrepreneurship and the best plant-based travel spots. About Ben Hagerty Ben is the co-owner and essayist for the vegan travel guide and website, It's Bree and Ben (http://www.itsbreeandben.com/). With his wife, Bree, they travel across Canada and the U.S. to learn and write about destinations where vegan and plant-based travelers can consider, which includes restaurants, boutiques, and other small and local businesses. Ben also just completed his Masters degree in vegan entrepreneurship, in which he explored vegan businesses in the Vancouver neighborhoods of Kitsilano and Mt. Pleasant to learn about their insights and the common themes that they experience. He wrote his findings in an academic blog series entitled, Ben's Vegan Vancouver, which may be read on my website at https://itsbreeandben.com/bens-vegan-vancouver/. (About Bree & Ben: https://itsbreeandben.com/about/) Website: https://itsbreeandben.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsbreeandben/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsbreeandben/ Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 94 – STUART WALDNER

In this episode, we talk to Stuart Waldner about his plant-based journey. Residing from Lexington, Kentucky, we talk about how growing up in one of the unhealthiest states shaped who he is and inspired him to write his book, "Escape the Meatrix". About Stuart Waldner Stuart Waldner is an activist and an author who invites readers to take the red pill as they Escape the Meatrix, the title of his debut non-fiction book, written after he transitioned to a plant-based diet in 2008. As his health improved, he felt better, and the more he learned about the statistical connections between our dietary choices and the worldwide climate crises we face, the more he felt an urgency to tell other people —for our health and for the planet. Waldner spent nearly two decades exploring Earth’s greatest wonders and connecting with sacred sites around the globe. When he’s not advocating for the health of people and the planet, he spends time playing with his dogs, cooking plant-based foods, running, and restoring his 128-year-old Victorian home. (Source: https://stuartwaldner.com/) Website: https://stuartwaldner.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuartwaldner/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084725122965 Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 93 – BILLY GRISACK

In this episode, we talk to Cassidy Gundersen of Spiro Health & Wellness about her plant-based journey and how she helps people "reverse disease with diet". About Cassidy Gundersen | Spiro Health & Wellness I’ll be honest, health was never really my thing. In fact, I (like many teenagers) lived on hostess snacks and Dr. Pepper in my younger years. And that’s not just an exaggeration. Eventually, my lifestyle caught up with me, and my body became racked with disease and pain. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. I was pre-diabetic, pre-lupus, pre-arthritic, had chronic kidney stones, adrenal fatigue, and patellar tendonitis. Similarly, I was convinced I was going to die young, which was terrifying because I was only in my early twenties. I wanted to believe that there was a natural path to healing that didn’t involve drugs, but I didn’t know where to look.  That’s when I decided to go back to school (my undergrad was in political science) to try and figure out this whole diet thing. It was in my schooling that I discovered IT IS possible to reverse sickness and disease with the proper diet! So, I put it to the test. I went on a two week trial and felt the best I ever have. I joke with people that I’m still on that two week trial because I have never looked back.  Then, people started asking me for nutritional advice, so I figured I might as well make it official and try to help as many people as possible. That’s when I started Spiro Health and Wellness (pronounced Spih-row). The name comes from the Latin word spiro which translates: to breathe life into. I want to help breathe new life into as many people as I can by helping them eat healthier!  Cassidy GundersenPhD, CHNP, CSNP, Natural Health Practitioner (Source: https://spirohealthandwellness.com/about/ ) Website: https://spirohealthandwellness.com/Reverse IBD Website: https://reverseibd.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirohealthandwellnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassidy.gundersen/ Curing Crohn's: How a Closet Food Addict Healed Her IBDAmazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Curing-Crohns-Closet-Addict-Healed-ebook/dp/B0918LP5HDAmazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/Curing-Crohns-Closet-Addict-Healed/dp/1735419125 Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 84 – CLAUDIA GANSWIND | WELLNESS KITCHEN

In this episode, we talk to Claudia Ganswind about her plant-based journey and talk to her about her new cookbook, "Raw Vegan Wellness Kitchen". About Claudia Ganswind Claudia has always loved good food and flavors, especially when it came to the smell of citrus fruits, fruits and vegetables in the Mediterranean region. The sun and the mild climate make these products particularly tasty, and she is well known as "Wellness Kitchen." Likwise, her mom was born in southern Italy home of spaghetti, pizza with tomato and eating well and her love for good and genuine food helped fuel her desire to create wonderful dishes! Hi! I am a 100% pure love (raw)vegan chef, health and wellness coach. I prepare vegan food with a lot of Love and Divine light. With Divine Blessings! Hola! Soy cocinera vegan 100% puro amor, entendedora de salud y bienestar. Preparo comida vagan con mucho amor y luz divina.Con Benediciones Divinos! (Source: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PPH5M3S ) Amazon (US): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PPH5M3SAmazon (CND): https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08PPH5M3SAmazon (DE): https://www.amazon.de/-/en/dp/B08PPH5M3S/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganWellbeing.RawVeganChefInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vegan.wellbeing/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCunfyvmpV31E2XBIi3ZfGzQ Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 83 – LOTUS SEED VEGAN | VAN NGUYEN

In this episode, we talk to the owner, Van Nguyen, of Lotus Seed Vegan about his vegan journey and how he started his beautiful restaurant that keeps on giving back with his wife Amy. About Lotus Seed Vegan Hi, my name is Van Loc, I am the chef and together with my wife Amy we started Lotus Seed Vegan restaurant because I had epiphany in my life where I wanted to make better choices for myself and my family. Better choices starting with food. I have been cooking since I was 12, because I wanted to, because I have a passion for food. And now I hope to make that food for you. Remember that feeling you have when your Mom made your favorite meal. How warm and satisfied you felt. That’s the kind of food I make. Food that makes you feel good, and satisfied. And healthy. Everything we do at Lotus Seed Vegan restaurant is to make ourselves, our community and our planet a better place. I hope you’ll join us! Mission To be catalyst for positive action by serving healthy meals . Offering high quality vegan food without compromising the taste & reasonable pricing is the perfect answer to our healthy & conscious costumers. The Food We will always be about quality. We’re passionate about ethically sourcing of the fresh and sustainable food. Preparing and cooking them with great care and awareness. We truly care on what we use on the ingredients of choice. The Customers Who wants to make a change for a better diet, health and care for the mother earth . Lotus Seed Restaurant A place where you can meet with friends and families. Enjoy true tasty, savory food that farmers had freshly harvested . It’s about enjoyment at our pace – sometimes slow and savored, sometimes faster and cheerful, yet always full of humility… “At Lotus Seed Vegan Restaurant our goal is to sprout awareness. Awareness of healthy choices for food, our bodies, our community and our planet. From ancient times the lotus has been a divine symbol in Asian traditions representing the virtues of purity. The lotus is grown in mud and yet is unstained when it blooms.” (Source: https://lotusseed.ca/sprouting-awareness/) Website: https://lotusseed.ca/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lotusseedvegan/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lotusseedvegan/ Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 82 – SHOP VEGN | BRETT & DIANE

In this episode, we talk to the owners Brett and Diane of Shop VEGN about their online vegan store. We also talk to them about their plant-based journeys and running a business during COVID. About Shop VEGN G’day and Eh Hailing from Australia and Canada, respectively, founders Brett and Diane went vegan for the animals and for the planet. However, they quickly became frustrated by the time spent sourcing quality plant-based products. VEGN [“vegan”] was built to make their own lives easier—but now that mission includes those of others too: a portion of profits will always be donated to animal and/or environment protection organizations. They believe that, together, we can make this world a kinder place. For 2021, VEGN will donate 5% of profits to World Animal Protection. (Source: https://www.shopvegn.com/about) Website: https://www.shopvegn.com/Facebook: http://facebook.com/shopvegnInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopvegn Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 81 – IMPACT VEGANICS | MARGAUX KHOURY

In this episode, we talk to the co-founder Margaux Khoury of Impact Veganics about her deodorant company that is changing the world and changing the way people do business. About Impact Veganics IMPACT donates 100% of profits to their animal liberation partners who are working day and night to give animals the freedom & life they deserve.  Co-founders, Joshua & Margaux created IMPACT in 2009.  They were tired of the toxic and ineffective deodorants on the market and they wanted a safe, vegan and plastic-free alternative that worked and didn't harm people, planet or animals.    Similarly, as the company started to grow they attracted two additional co-founders who helped shape IMPACT into the company it is today. Also, the choices we make as a culture, community and company defines who we are.  Change can only happen with a dedicated and determined team that believes in being as sustainable as possible.   It isn't always easy, and we know we will always find a solution that positively impacts people, planet and animals. "As an activist company, this fighting for animal rights isn't what we do after hours, it's why we're in business and show up everyday.  Together we can change the world without braking a sweat."Margaux KhouryCO-FOUNDER (Source: https://www.createanimpact.org/about ) Website: https://www.createanimpact.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impactveganics/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/impactveganics/ Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 80 – ALAN TWIGG | AUTHOR

In this episode, we talk to Alan Twigg about his plant-based journey, his book and online courses. We talk about how to stay healthy during COVID19. About Alan Twigg In 2016 and I had just turned 50. I was a married father of four children, slightly overweight, unfit and balding. Three years previously, my wife Susanne and I had decided to move from Germany where we lived to Tenerife in the Canary Islands with our two youngest children. Because we are self-employed, we were able to work from home, which, luckily for us meant that we had the freedom to uproot and move to Tenerife. We’d settled into our new life and that was good. But I had reached another turning point in my life. During the previous ten years I’d been working hard on growing my business and apart from the odd game of squash I’d been neglecting my health. I didn’t know why, but I felt bloated most of the time, as though air was trapped inside of my body that couldn’t escape. I also lacked energy and my digestion was causing me problems. Now four years later, I’ve never been happier, healthier or more at peace. I’ve lost a bit of weight without going hungry, my energy levels have never been higher and I always sleep like a baby. I now know how to cook delicious dishes and the variety of food that I now eat is much more varied, tasty, fresh, healthy and nutritious than ever before. I’ve become far more aware of what is going on the world. I’m far more open, compassionate, caring and tolerant than I was before. Also, I’m now setting an example for myself and for everyone around me. I’m making a small but significant difference to the world every day. I wish that I had made the change earlier in my life. I will be eternally grateful to my daughter for showing me the light and helping me make the best change anyone could ever make. (Source: https://alantwigg.org/about/) Website: https://alantwigg.org/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Of_b05hMgUrzzinLcz49w Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 79 – DR. MELANIE JOY | PHD

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Melanie Joy, PhD about her plant-based journey and the world of carnism . Also, we also talk about how to better communicate and improve relationships with one another with opposing views. About Dr. Melanie Joy Melanie Joy, PhD, is a Harvard-educated psychologist specializing in relationships, communication, and social transformation. She is the award-winning author of five books. These include the bestselling Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows and Getting Relationships Right: How to Build Resilience and Thrive in Life, Love, and Work. Also, she is known as a internationally recognized speaker and trainer. She has presented her work in fifty countries across six continents.  Similarly, she is best known for her groundbreaking theories on the psychology of violence and nonviolence and building healthy relationships. Her analyses have helped explain why people engage in “nonrelational” behaviors—behaviors that harm other people, animals, the planet, and themselves—as well as how to change this pattern. Her work has been featured by media outlets around the world, including the New York Times, BBC, NPR, and ABC Australia. She is the eighth recipient of the Ahimsa Award—previously given to the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela—for her work on global nonviolence; and she also received both the Peter Singer Prize and the Empty Cages Prize for her work developing strategies to reduce the suffering of animals.  Likewise, her mission is to raise awareness of the obstacles preventing people from interacting. She does that in ways that create a sense of mutual connection. These obstacles are both internal (psychological) and external (social). They are a key reason why we act against our own interests and the interests of others—often without realizing that we’re doing so. With awareness, we are better able to think freely and act compassionately. In addition, we create healthier and more fulfilling relationships and a more equitable and sustainable world.  Lastly, she is the founding president of the international organization, Beyond Carnism, and a cofounder of ProVeg International. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Joy now resides in Berlin, Germany, with her husband and colleague, Sebastian Joy. (Source: https://www.melaniejoy.org/about) Website: https://www.melaniejoy.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmelaniejoy/Beyond Carnism: https://carnism.org/ Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 78 – DR. JOEL KAHN | MD, FACC

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Joel Kahn, a practicing cardiologist, about his plant-based journey. Also, we talk about overall heart health, TMAO, saturated fat & dietary cholesterol and how to prevent heart disease. About Dr. Joel Kahn Joel Kahn, MD, FACC of Detroit, Michigan, is a practicing cardiologist, and a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Michigan Medical School. Known as "America’s Healthy Heart Doc", Dr. Kahn has triple board certification in InternalMedicine, Cardiovascular Medicine and Interventional Cardiology. He was the first physician in the world to certify in Metabolic Cardiology with A4M/MMI and the University of South Florida. He founded the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity in Bingham Farms, MI. Dr. Kahn has authored scores of publications in his field including articles, book chapters and monographs. Similarly, Joel Kahn has written health articles and has five books in publication including Your Whole Heart Solution, Dead Execs Don’t Get Bonuses and The Plant Based Solution. His 6th book, Lipoprotein(a): The Heart’s Silent Killer, is about to be published. He has regular appearances on Dr. Phil, The Doctors Show, Dr. Oz, Larry King Now, Joe Rogan Experience, and with Bassem Yousef. Dr. Joel Kahn has been awarded a Health Hero award from Detroit Crain’s Business. Likewise, he owns GreenSpace & Go, a health restaurant in suburban Detroit and serves as medical director of the largest plant support group in the USA, www.pbnsg.org. Website: https://www.drjoelkahn.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjkahn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjoelkahn/ Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 77 – INDIAN ROCK VEGANS | DAN & SHEANNE