Second Chance Resolutions
A plant-strong diet for the win? Taking on the Whole Foods challenge
Rip Esselstyn, author of The Engine 2 Diet, will speak at the Health Starts HereChallenge graduation event.ILoveMikeLitt.com
Gwen Marzano giving CultureMap's Joel Luks a lesson on how even chocolate cakecan be healthy.
Are you up for the challenge?
If you are like 99 percent of Americans who fall into the trap of making unrealistic 2012 New Year's resolutions, you have already given up your pledges for self improvement and fallen prey to the old comforts of 2011. Say goodbye to losing weight, maintaining a workout routine, solving world hunger and bringing potable water to a myriad of Third World countries.
But as Whole Foods Market suggests, it's never too late to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again. Every day is a new day, and any day is a good day to begin on a quest for a better and more fabulous you.
Why wait another year when you can start right now?
The Health Starts Here Challenge is an overarching initiative during which participants will receive health and fitness tips, participate in cooking classes, tastings, score gift bags and prizes.
That's where the month-long Health Starts Here Challenge comes into play.
And no, I am not advocating for a juice fast, a master cleanse, or vegan diet, not even a vegetarian eating regime for that matter. It's not the latest low-carb fad, high protein craze nor caveman paleo program. It's not even focused on losing weight — you'll never step on a scale — though I bet by the end of the challenge you're sure to shed some pounds, tone up, regain a slender figure, do away with unwanted skin blemishes, sleep better and feel stronger.
The Health Starts Here Challenge is an overarching citywide Whole Foods initiative during which participants will receive health and fitness tips, participate in cooking classes, tastings, score gift bags and prizes.
Meet Gwen Marzano, Whole Foods Market healthy eating specialist. As the maven of all things good and wholesome, her team has curated a list of activities that will help participants align with the grocer's four pillars to well-being: Eating whole foods, concentrating on plant strong meals, consuming healthy fats and opting for nutrient dense ingredients.
By eating a plant-strong diet — notice I didn't say vegan? — you will be maximizing your micronutrient intake
Marzano's journey began with using food to control allergies. Today, she's successfully translated many unwholesome dishes into alternatives that stick with these four pillars.
It's a balancing act, but if you can achieve it, it ensures that your body is only getting fuel in its purest form, free of any additives. By eating a plant-strong diet — notice I didn't say vegan? — you will be maximizing your micronutrient intake.
There's not need for added fats or extracted oils. Nuts, seeds and avocados have the complete profile to satisfy your Texas-sized hunger and keep that figure.
The program consists of six parts and most of them are free:
- Guided store tours will pinpoint what to buy and what to avoid — yes, even Whole Foods has some edibles that don't quite make the Health Starts Here Challenge guidelines — so you can snack, eat and cook healthfully.
- Tasting Days will showcase goodies that will make your tummy smile and your insides happy.
- Get your butt kicked by local fitness gurus and gyms like Pure Yoga and West U Fitness.
- Participate in Meet Up Groups, as research has shown that embarking on such a journey as a team is much better than doing it alone.
- At the Health Talks, you can learn from local nutrition, health and fitness experts, including CultureMap contributor Cari Shoemate.
- Cooking Classes ($15) will focus on plant-strong recipes that are also sugar-free, oil-free and naturally low in sodium. Think summer harvest ratatouille, chocolate dipped apples, nuts over bananas ice cream, saucy toffee dip, roasted figs with goat cheese and fresh pineapple salsa.
And upon graduation on Feb. 20, Rip Esselstyn — author of the The Engine 2 Diet, triathlete turned firefighter and son of Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn (who was featured in the film Forks Over Knives) — will speak about techniques to continue on this path.
I am committing myself to be the program and will be reporting on the trials and tribulations, triumphs and failures.
Are you up to the challenge? It all begins this week.
For a complete schedule, click here.
