Day 2-NaBloMoPro
When you’ve eaten fish and chicken most of your life, the idea of a plant based diet makes me feel as though I might be missing something if I make this choice. But I truly love the idea of it, especially when I meet someone who follows this eating choice and they appear with eyes radiant, evenly pored skin, and a sinewy, strong body. I know you cannot always tell a book by its cover, but some people who eat to live are walking advertisements for the suggestion.
I have chosen to seek help from an Integrated Health Coach to see if I can correct a few health issues with food rather than medicine, in an attempt to age gracefully. I came home from my first visit with the above items: Short grain heirloom rice, quinoa, millet and premium nutritional yeast seasoning.
You will hear more about how I prepare these items as I blog this month. I will be looking for meals that might be of interest to you on the topic of living well, and food as medicine.
By making this choice I want to know whether I can lower my blood pressure or cholesterol with food? I know you can lose pounds depending upon caloric intake and exercise. But what is the success rate of life changes with food and a plant based diet in particular on blood pressure?
Dr.Oz reports that edamame, collard greens and cocoa are three foods proven to lower blood pressure. Edamame relaxes blood vessels and has lots of potassium and two to three cups of edamame per week are recommended. Collard greens have lots of calcium and fiber and reverse damage to blood vessels. So who isn’t interested in that tidbit? Finally 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1 to 2 times per week in food is the final item because it too relaxes blood vessels.
I intend to put all of this information to work to improve my health and longevity, in order to age gracefully. Are either of these two, health and longevity, of interest to you? Have you had any experience with a plant based diet that you can share with me in the transitioning process? What would prevent you from making a choice such as this?
If the 3 foods mentioned herein and attributed to Dr. Oz can help someone you know, please share this post with them. And be on the lookout for my new Ebook on Self-Care for the Self-Reliant.
Linda says
Great post Patricia. My husband and I have been doing something similar since July. He’s lost 30 pounds! Me, being a midlife woman, have a little more trouble shedding the pounds, but I’m still trying! I’m anxious to read your posts about this during Nablopomo and beyond!
Patricia A Patton says
Great Linda. I am encouraged to share. Been wanting to do something like this for a while and wanted it to be without being forced to medically. It is time. My 3month goal is to lose 28-30 pounds. its a lot but whatever and my hope is to lower BP and cholesterol in that time frame. We shall see. More to come. Good luck to you as well.