Well, it was amazing, uplifting, informative and hopeful. I don’t know any other way to describe it.
In my quest to be the strongest, healthiest person I can be-the best me, I have done quite a bit of research on plant based eating. We already know that one can love junk food and still be vegan. This is not what I want for myself or anyone else who lives on this planet, vegan or not.
In watching Forks Over Knives one evening, I was introduced to Dr. Esselstyn and Rip Esselstyn (Engine2Diet). I then read a bit about Dr Esselstyn and his research into the causes of heart disease, how it can be prevented and even reversed. I checked into Rip and his story as a Texas firefighter and advocate for strong plant based eating. I set the info aside and let it percolate in my mind for a little bit. I was interested, but not blown away, because, after all, heart disease is for others, not for me.
I don’t have angina, I don’t eat any nonhuman animal products and I did not think that heart disease was in our family. So, with my supposed get out of jail free card safely stowed in my pocket, I moved on to other researchers and other programs . But something kept nagging at me and I kept going back to the Engine2Diet website until I saw that there was an upcoming Plant Strong weekend retreat at the Esselstyn family farm in Claverack, New York. I decided to go, asked my husband if he would like to join and reserved our spots.
It was a sunny, cool morning when we arrived at seven thirty for breakfast at the family farm. There was a lighthearted energy in the air as we drove up the lane way and were directed by smiling folks into a grassy field to park our car. Dr Esselstyn was tooling around in a little golf type cart and stopped to offer us a lift to the house. This one gesture felt very open and personal to me and, as it turned out, set the tone for the entire weekend.
We found some spots under a huge white canopy, put down our stuff and headed over to the breakfast table. There was an interesting variety of plant based options from which to choose-steamed kale, homemade salsa, oatmeal, mini muffins, cold cereal, plant milks, fruit and so on and so on. It was a refreshing and filling breakfast that we both enjoyed as we waited for the seminar to begin.
And start, it did, when Rip Esselstyn bounded up onto the stage (right on time, I might add), welcomed all of us and invited us to take back our palates which, he says, have been high jacked by big business.
- “There is no glory in moderation”, he exclaimed. Whole food, plant based, no added fat, high starch diet is the secret to good health.
- “Your genes are not your fate”. – Dr Dean Ornish
- “Enlightenment is the absence of suffering” -The Buddah
- “Our good health can just be.”
At this point, there was no doubt in my mind that I was there for a weekend of discovery, delivered in a fun filled, energetic and hopeful way.
What followed was a varied lineup of stars in the field of plant based eating and living. They all delivered engaging, informative, and sometimes funny presentations.. I encourage you to check these people out. They come from all walks of life and perspectives and there will certainly be someone with whom you can relate in your own search for healthy living.
Rip Esselstyn -Engine2Diet
Neal Barnard,M.D.- Reversing Type 2 Diabetes
Dr. T. Colin Cambell -Whole
Dr. Calwell B. Esselstyn – What Causes Heart Disease? and Curing and Ending Heart Disease
James Wilks – The Game Changers
Jane Esselstyn – Cooking Tips for Plant Strong Success
Ann Esselstyn – Living Plant Perfect
Doug Lisle, Ph.D. – The Pleasure Trap and Getting Along without Going Along
John Joseph – A street surviving, punk rocking, vegan advocate!
Robert Cheeke – A health and fitness vegan advocate
During breaks, we did funny little dance and exercise routines with members of the Esselstyn family, and wandered around the venue. We chatted with others, had our books signed and enjoyed the hands on presence of all the speakers. I met a fellow vegan who runs a Facebook page, Vegan Pro of which I am a member. Kimatni P. Rawlins is a welcoming, open individual who promotes exercise, healthy eating, and respect for nonhuman beings. It was a pleasure to touch base with him and I invite you to check out his Facebook page. If you join, you will be part of a forum that promotes peaceful discussion of all things vegan.
And what can I say about the food, other than it was varied, delicious, plentiful and plant strong.. I saw many people going back for seconds, so there is no doubt that it was enjoyed by all.
The weekend ended as we headed down the lane way. Rip was at the exit wishing everyone well as he ensured that we made it safely onto the busy road that runs along their farm. This gesture alone proved to me that this is a man who is interested in us as people. He has much to offer us in terms of our health, our vitality and our joy as we continue on this journey we call life. Thank you, Rip!
Annie’s Vegan View
In the meantime, ditch the potato chips, the soft drinks, the fries, the plant oils and above all, the nonhuman animal products. This one step will put you on the road to a healthy life, well lived.
As vegans, one can be plant based, but not necessarily plant strong. As non vegans, one is neither.
Be compassionate, be vegan and be plant strong.
Therein lies our salvation.
May all beings be happy and free.
These presentations were quite interesting, illuminating and convincing.
The show was very well done.
Hi Serge,
Indeed. Thanks for attending with me.
I get a great deal of information and inspiration from reading the books, blogs, websites, etc. of the people who lead the way and open up avenues for us to explore regarding plant based eating and veganism. But it’s even more motivating and affirming to attend a presentation. I recently had this opportunity when Dr. Will Tuttle came to Toronto. It was such a positive and encouraging experience.
I tried Rip’s Big Bowl cereal; it was so tasty and very satisfying and one of the best ready-made cereals that I’ve ever eaten.
Hi Cindy,
Yes, I also do a lot of reading. I just finished Dr. Esselstyne’s book , How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease as a corollary to what I learned on the weekend. I am now reading Rip Esselstyn’s new book, My Beef with Meat. Both authors inform about the biology of the human body and debunk nutrition myths created by big business.
Dr. Will Tuttle is an amazing advocate for veganism. He has spent years advocating for the end to nonhuman animal slavery with his clear explanation of how we came to be a herding society, why it is wrong and how we can change it.
Glad you like the cereal. They also have a l new line of Crispbreads that have just come out. They were giving out free samples at the retreat-pretty tasty, I must say.
Thanks,
Anne
Dear Anne, as a long time fan of engine 2, am so happy ( and a bit envious really) that you and Serge had a weekend filled with such wonderful welcome, information, speakers, and fabulous food. Now a vegan, it was Engine 2 reading and movie, as well as John Robbins’s Diet for America web and movies, along with caring for my mom who suffered from CVD, and hypertension that initially convinced me to adopt a plant based diet. That and Karen’s gentle nudges. I promise to myself to “drag” my own hubby one day. For now, and after all this time, I’m still working on converting him.
Thanks for sharing,
Claudie
Hey Claude Lynn,
It was, indeed, a wonderful, fact filled and inspiring weekend. I was most taken with the energy at the event-one of hope, of inclusion and of success.
It is amazing how the sometimes not so easy experiences in our life can lead us to enlightenment that benefits everyone. My mother struggled with so many health issues for most of her life and I have had my fair share as well. These experiences helped me to understand the value of whole food, plant based eating.
Of course, I am vegan for the animals, but the benefits of eating whole plants are undeniable and wonderful. I salute everyone who adopts this way of eating. Animals are saved, our health as a species improves and the destruction of the planet at human hands decreases. It is a win win!
Thank you so much for commenting. It helps to raise awareness.
Take care,
Anne
From your post, it was obvious that it was a welcoming and engaging event! Looking forward to seeing what comes out when you’re finished sifting 🙂
Hey Allison,
It was , as I said, amazing!!! Stay tuned for the skinny on smoothies and juicing!!
Thanks,
Mom
Hey Anne
Thanks for sharing this. Sounds like you had a fun filled weekend. You have inspired me to want to learn more about these people and their views on plant based diets.
I will be adding these books to my reading list and am “hungry” to learn more.
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
Yes, it was an amazing weekend. The information about the benefits of a plant based diet is overwhelming and readily available to everyone. Let’s hope people start reading more and putting into practice that which is really common sense.
Take care.
Anne
Hi Rachel,
Information is power and I love to learn, even though retaining all of the new info is sometimes a challenge for my swirling and twirling brain and mind. LOL!
Take care.
Anne