The latest issue of Fire Rescue Magazine profiles the story of Engine 2, Austin’s Plant Strong firehouse in a great article titled, “Saving Lives at the Station“. Check it out!

Highlights shared in the article:

• The number 1 cause of fatalities of firefighters is heart disease.
• With Rip’s influence, the Austin Fire Department now boasts close to 100 Plant Strong firefighters!
• While appearing on the Dr. Oz show Rip challenged 3 overweight Chicago firefighters to take on the Engine 2 Diet Challenge. They each lost between 25 and 40 pounds and lowered their cholesterol dramatically!

Here at E2 headquarters, we are very excited for the upcoming release of the documentary film Forks Over Knives that traces the personal journeys of a pair of pioneering yet under-appreciated researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. — Rip’s father. The film also includes a scene with Rip from his firefighting days when he persuaded the firefighters from Engine 2 in Austin, Texas to change the way they eat to save their lives.

Forks Over Knives examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the “diseases of affluence” that afflict the Western world can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods.

Tonight, Rip will be the guest of honor at a special dinner and prescreening of the film hosted by Whole Foods at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

Many thanks to the Whole Foods team members — Charlene Nolan, Abraham Heller and Sandy VanDeven — for all their hard work in putting together a sold-out event!

Great way to get your daily greens. Even kids love this!

For One Smoothie:

3 oz frozen mixed berries

1 cup steamed kale (leaves only)

1 tablespoon nut butter of choice

1 handful raw pumpkin seeds

5 oz (vary according to preferred thickness) Coconut Juice or Water

Optional:  add one serving vegan protein powder

T. Colin Campbell, PhD and author of the revolutionary health and nutrition book, The China Study, just published the following powerful article on the Huffington Post:

It’s Time for an NIH Institute for Nutrition
“There is no other strategy in contemporary health science or medical practice that comes close to the breadth and depth of health benefits achievable by nutrition. We must begin to understand, communicate and apply this knowledge if we ever hope to reduce health care costs by reducing the burden of disease.”

John McDougall, MD, physician and nutrition expert that has been coaching people on the health benefits of a plant-based diet for over 30 years just published:

A Scientific Critique of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Report for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
“Conflicting recommendations for plant-food vs. animal-food consumption dominate the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s recent report, meaning that real solutions for obese and sick Americans will, unfortunately, not be forthcoming.”

For pregnant and/or breastfeeding mothers concerned with their calcium and iron intake, an easy, tasty way to get a boost every day is with a surprisingly simple treat:

Hot water and one tablespoon blackstrap molasses with your fortified milk substitute of choice.  Delicious!

Also remember — the best sources of plant-based, absorbable calcium and iron are leafy greens and beans — and leafy greens contain Vitamin C which helps the body absorb iron.  Dairy products, on the other hand, may interfere with iron balance, especially in small children.

Other iron-rich foods include: raisins, almonds, dried apricots, and fortified grain cereals. Other calcium sources include tofu, dried figs, tahini, great northern beans, and fortified oranges juice and non-dairy milks. As with iron, vitamin C will help with calcium absorption.

With most people spending the majority of their waking hours at their place of work, employers have an important opportunity to influence the health and wellness of their employees.

Companies have a vested interest in the health of their employees with the increasing cost of health care.

For some companies, medical costs can consume half of corporate profits or more!

According to the Wellness Councils of America, North America’s premier resource for work site wellness, the 10 steps for creating a wellness program for your business include:

• Capturing CEO support for the workplace wellness program
• Designating a Workplace Wellness Program Leader
• Conducting an employee interest survey
• Providing an opportunity for health screening
• Administering an annual physical activity campaign
• Holding a healthy eating in-service/lunch & learn program
• Establishing an in-house workplace wellness program library
• Disseminating a monthly wellness program newsletter
• Implementing healthy policies and procedures
• Supporting community health efforts

Brett Hurt, founder and CEO of Bazaar Voice, one of many health-conscious companies in Austin, has invited Rip to come speak to employees tomorrow about the benefits of a Plant Strong diet.

Interested in Rip speaking at your company?  Contact monica@theengine2diet.com

On the path to becoming Plant Strong and still find yourself struggling with what to eat on holidays?  Americans have strong emotional ties to food traditionally associated with just about every holiday. Thanksgiving and turkey. Christmas and roast beef.  Easter and ham. July 4 and grilled meat of all kinds.

Here at Engine 2 headquarters, we believe it’s possible to maintain delicious, enjoyable holiday food traditions and add a plant strong emphasis to keep it healthy.

Some All-American E2 menu ideas for this July 4:

• Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers and Veggie Dogs
• Corn on the cob
• Watermelon
• Kale & Avocado Salad (skip the oil on this recipe!)
• Vegan Baked Beans
• Vegan Apple Pie

Enjoy!

Bob Harper, longtime vegetarian and celebrity trainer of Biggest Loser fame, recently announced his choice to cut all animal products out of his diet.  See write-up from Action for Animals Austin.

“I enjoy living a plant-based diet because it makes me feel clear headed and strong, not to mention my genetically high cholesterol dropped more than 100 points. That was all the motivation I needed,” says Harper.

Check out the article in Edible East End on Doug Mercer and the fantastic Wellness Foundation he created to support his community in becoming healthy through a plant strong diet. Mercer collaborates with local schools and organizations, brings in speakers including Dr Joel Furhman, T. Colin Campbell, Chris Crowley, and Rip’s father, Caldwell B. Esselstyn.

These four serve on Mercer’s foundation’s advisory council along with children’s nutritionist Antonia Demas, founder of the Food Studies Institute, Trumansburg, NY, and Rip.

“The approach in Rip’s book really encompasses all of the input from his dad and Campbell and Furhman, but it’s in a really laymanlike style,” says Mercer.

Mercer’s Wellness Foundation just launched its third Engine 2 Challenge!