Guest Post by Lani: Fire Cadet or Firefighter? Giveaway! PLUS Advanced Nutrition Study Weekend

I would say “jump!” but be prepared by using the resources provided through this blog, and have safety nets, like the easy meal ideas presented on this blog. Even after following a vegetarian diet off-and-on for a few years, I can tend to over-complicate healthy plant-based meals when, in reality, it could be as simple as a bean, a green, and a sweet potato! It also saves so much time and money at the grocery store, to just focus on the perimeters, and my preschooler appreciates the simplicity of basic meals, like kale, roasted sweet potatoes, and chickpeas. This blog is a great motivator, and I really appreciate it!

All Out firefighter approach for me .. Thought it would be hard .. I was a cheese and meat lover. But 2 months into a plant strong diet. @ age 44 stepped on the scale yesterday and was under 200 lbs for the first time since being in High School. I made the change with my family. We let the kids choose when they are out to eat. But at home they eat what i make. Feel great and attempting the warrior dash in June!!

One of the best changes I have ever made!!!

I am definitely the “Firefighter” level! It’s an all or none approach that works best for me, and I’ve given too many years of my life to the “none” category! I’ve been plant strong for just over a month now, and I will not go back to being any other way! This is a complete lifestyle change for me, a journey and not a fad diet! My goal is to reach optimal health, renew my body, mind and spirit, and to completely rid myself of having to take cholesterol lowering medications! I WILL be victorious because I have God on my side and He is seeing me through this every step of the way! I am living a completely vegan life, and I haven’t ever felt better! Exercising daily and I’ve lost 18 pounds in 28 days! It’s not about the number on the scale for me though…it’s about being plant strong and a new lifestyle! I am grateful to all involved with Engine 2, and all the wonderful people who are posting their sites and info along the way! Very helpful and great motivation! I need all that I can get and I’d love to get a copy of the E2 book! Keep up the great work, and Power to the Plant life!!
Deanna

When my husband and I first decided to start eating plant strong we thought we would tip toe in and make a gradual change. With three kids and a freezer full of meat we thought it was the best idea. After one week of not eating any meat or dairy we decided it was crazy to not just jump in(since that is what we had done anyway)! We haven’t thought twice about our decision…best choice for the health of our family ever!

For hubby and me, “all in” was the only option. We cleaned out the cupboards and stocked the good stuff. This has been a blast. We started with the 28 Day Challenge at Whole Foods and have not stopped. 5 weeks later-cholesteral numbers are way down and weight is steadily falling. I could not be nore energized and happy.

Cooking has been sooo easy. I think that is the biggest reason some folks start with the Cadet program. Our group found making the leap to all in was not that hard after the first week. Just a mental adjustment most of all.

Thanks to all who support us and provide so much information for our Plant Strong journey!!

I’m an all in kind of person. I need to quickly feel and see results to keep me motivated. Though I have to admit when I started this plant based journey I somehow didn’t get the message about the “whole food” approach. Well I sort of did. I eliminated all animal products, but still ate baked potato chips, and other animal-free junk foods. Once I got rid of those I felt even better. And now I know what it’s supposed to feel like: sound sleeps, lots of energy. That’s my compass. When I stop sleeping well or my energy dulls… I know I’ve gotten off track (example: lately I’ve been sneaking sugar into my tea, snacking on Happy Herbivores yummy baked goods (but too much) instead of fruit & veggies).

To me the most important thing is to really listen to your body, and find your compass, find your north, so you know where to go when you sway off track.

If it were just me I would jump right in, but I have two younger children and a husband who’s not all the way on board. I am in charge of all the food and preparing also, so I’m trying to find new things that everyone likes which can be challenging, but give me some time and I’ll get it figured out.

I am a jump in person which is not such a great thing sometimes because I am also an all or nothing person and when I mess up I spiral out of control. I am working on that mental aspect but it is really tough for me,

When I transitioned from Vegetarian to vegan, I dived in with both feet. Going ‘deeper in the pool’ so to speak, having been inspired by Dr. Esselstyn’s PREVENT AND REVERSE HEART DISEASE to eliminate oils, and go heart healthy and prevent heart disease, going all the way made sense. Moving on to plant strong E2, had to be a firefighter; anything else would not have felt right and made it more trying by making it take longer to arrive.

Jump in! A little bit of commitment means a little bit of results.

I’m a jump-in gal…except for one food area: sweets. It was easy to overnight give up meats, dairy products, oil, most processed foods, but much harder to give up sweet things since I have an incurable sweet tooth. When I tried the jump-in method I just couldn’t handle it or the 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. sweet cravings and ended up eating more sweets than before. So I decided to be a step-at-a-time fire cadet for this one food area and shifted initially to unlimited dates, raisins and other dried fruits to satisfy my sweet tooth. Then I started to limit the amount of dried fruits and upped the fresh fruit in my diet. Now I will have an occasional date or mini box of raisins as a treat. The key for me is that as long as I really fill up on veggies (8-12 servings a day), whole grains, and legumes at my meals, I no longer feel the call of the sugar bowl. But it is a tightrope–one step in the wrong direction (a cookie or two at a party, for example…a chocolate or two on a holiday….) and I tumble of the wire and back into the sugar bowl. Then I have to scramble hard to get back on track. So with me constant vigilance is required.

I jumped in, straight fireman mode. Maybe it’s because I have an affinity for Firemen…or maybe it’s because a drastic measure was needed for me to save my own life. I’ve also been lucky to have a great group of people around me supporting my new lifestyle. It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle is my mantra these days. I feel better, I have more energy and I’m happier. What’s not to like?

Firefighter 100% any other way is too hard. For me I went from a meat eater to vegan in one day which from what I have read most people go vegetarian then vegan but for me I was either in or out. So after reading Prevent & reverse Heart disease then Engine 2 diet. I did the same, I was in. There is no guessing, I simply want to be healthy & I always knew that processed foods were unhealthy. For me I guess that is just how I am wired. It is definitely more of a challenge, I mean I love sweet potatoes with vegan butter or Tofuky sandwiches slathered in Veganaise but I had to decide which I relish more food or health. There are still so many yummy options out there & it is fun discovering them! Firefighter!

I went the firefighter route! This experience has been great for me, too, since I am learning how to cook while learning what’s best for my body. On the first night, I cleared out 80% of my pantry. And now 15 days later, I’m feeling great, cooking like crazy and oohing an aahing at every new dish!

Either route is great. Cutting down on meat/dairy products no matter how it happens is beneficial (almost immediately). I’ve truly enjoyed this experience.

I think it depends on the person. I have been following a vegan diet for five months already so I would jump right in, however I think a good transition period makes a difference in the success of permanent change. A gradual transition makes things seem not so overwhelming and easier to embrace. If I have to pick which one would have a better success rate I would say cadet for sure. I haven’t read the book yet, but I’m looking forward to doing so, and moving my life in an even healthier direction! I’m starting out by going to hear Rip speak in Providence, RI tomorrow night, can’t wait!

I went ‘all in’. After spending several months reading, watching, and learning, it was the only thing for me to do. I knew too much to continue with the SAD. My make-up probably leans that way anyway. Oh, and I’ve been a real firefighter for two decades, so this career lieutenant wasn’t gonna be a lowly cadet again!

I’ve adapted to the eating changes very well & because of that my cravings are at minimum. though I’ve lost 27 lbs since 8/11 I still have 30 to go What I struggle with is the excercise, the time & MOTIVATION, I do well for 2 weeks & fall off the face of earth for 2 weeks…I can’t stay consistent – I love walking, but lose momentum @ lunch to do it. I can’t afford a gym membership, so I rely on walk/jogs & my Wii & treadmill at home. My motivation needs motivation!

I did a little of both. I TOLD myself I was starting to make better choices bit by bit. BUT, I ended up making plant strong choices more often than not and was proud of myself when I did- Going to a wedding reception and just having salad, fruit & vegetable, (OK- a little dessert too); cooking BBQ dinner for family, but skipping the meat myself, making similar choices when eating out. As I do the shopping, I shuffled what I bought and the family ended up eating what I brought home. I surprised myself with how few bad choices I made. This encouraged me to continue being “good” rather than being frustrated with myself for bad choices.

I believe it the jump in with both feet approach. I started a fitness and health group at my church at the beginning of the year, after doing Eat to Live. I couldn’t get them to get on board, so I showed them Forks Over Knives. It helped them to see the big picture, but Eat to Live was too hard to read. A friend came across E2 book about a month ago and suggested it to me. We loved it so much and decided to try to get our group to read and start the 28 day challenge. I am pleased to report that most of the group has read the book and we are starting the challenge on March 1st. Can’t wait to see the results of the group.

I have to go with firefighter. Anything else makes it to easy to cheat and not stick with a program. I have tried all kinds of different programs and have had friends do the same. For everyone I know firefighter is the only approach that works.

I think jumping right in is best. As soon as you get your kitchen ‘clean’ of things your shouldn’t eat the easier it is. Making fresh food each day is a challenge but one I can live with (for a long time). I have heart disease and nothing I would love more than to be off ALL my meds and never have to think about anymore surgery. Thank you for sharing your vegan ways with us and your enthusiasm. You have changed this life and the life of my husband. Thank and God bless you.

I’ve had to do a little of both. With family, its a tip-toe. With just me, its a full on firefighter jump. People will freak at home if you just come in one day like a General and wipe out everything they’ve known. A little at a time, the family is coming on board… my sweet little cadets.

I’m someone who eases into a swimming pool agonizingly, inch by inch. After learning that my triglycerides were over 250, I had the good luck to get to see Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn speak, which led me to Rip, then to Forks Over Knives, and Happy Herbivore, and so on. I was grateful for the non-judgmental cadet options in the E2 book; I think I might have been scared off if it had been all-or-nothing from the beginning. At my 1-year follow up doctor appointment, my triglycerides were down to 89 (they couldn’t understand how that had happened since I had refused their prescription meds), so that gave me even more motivation to swim deeper into the plant-based pool.

Uncharacteristically I jumped in with both feet. I have had some falls backwards and I am still learning. I tiptoed tho with letting others know what I was doing as I did not have answers for them that I felt confident in, but that part is getting easier for me.

I’m on tip toe for right now having just spent 2 months on vacation. I eliminated any meat from my diet as of Christmas and learned about Engine2 only recently. I think I do betterva little at a time!

i did a wean… years ago… i watched a youtube video titled, “Slaying Rosie O’Donnell” [youtube removed since] They slit the throat of a pig and she squealed and she squealed, and she squealed, and she squealed some more. I instantly gave up all land animals…because i could NEVER EVER EAT ROSIE O’DONNELL.” But i had no clue about nutrition.

I did survive though. i still ate seafood, and cheese. Because i had no clue on nutrition. Back then…the VA Nutritionist told me, being a Vegetarian is a choice. [she did not even recommend my B-12 level or protein be tested]

What other choice did i have? That video combined w/ Ro on TV, yelling “stop the war, stop the war” on “The View” triggered my PTSD. I witnessed and administered first aid the best i knew how, to someone whose throat was sliced w/ a broken bottle. I eventually weaned off seafood and cheese.
Why did the VA Medical want to try to KILL VETS, w/ psyche meds, because they do not want Vegetarians Vets? FDA approved psyche meds possible side effect: sudden death. I already had TEN/SJS. No seperate Big Pharma testing for VEGANS/meat eaters, for prescription psyche meds.

LOL, no mention of PTSD in those entries, just “Delusions: Rosie O’Donnell,” in my VA Medical Record. ..however comma … i was prescribed Zyprexa for my “Delusions: Rosie O’Donnell.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LawoRsypQNA <—my weaning years…[those chip bags, for the solar cooker, were found on our four mile walk.]

It was a totally unbelievable journey to finally get to 100% Plant based [it's what movies are made of, smirk]…but knowing what i know now, and the info available…i think i might suggest just jumping. See, because i did not jump… i know that when i try to take on an Alpha meat eater …i, PERSONALLY, need to ingest NUTS to try to remain calm… something i would not have learned, by just jumping.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_s1i5RQF3M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7DURyF0QlE

Is the VA Medical still allowed to try to murder Vets w/ psyche meds, by presausion to ingest psychee meds…when the VA "now knows" that all they need to do, in trying to get their nutritional intake corrected?

-peace

Firefighter! The benefit far outweighs the few days of misery as you cleanse your body. I started 9/18/11 and convinced my neighbor to start on 10/1/11 after seeing my immediate results. Between the 2 of us we have lost 90# and have become gym rats. Looking at a 1/2 marathon in Nov!!!!!!
My results have influenced many at work. One girl has lost almost 20 and another 11#. My boss just bought Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease.
Loving how I feel! This transformation has been wonderful.
How do I get back on track?? Large green smoothies!.
But truly, it is wonderful to go to bed at night and not regret anything that you ate that day. Before I would spend countless nights regretting what I ate and “why did I eat that” but no more.
Wish I would have done this years ago!

Thanks for you comment Lani Muelrath. Here is the answer to your queston. I hope it isn’t too long winded.

It was down to do it or die. That’s how miserable I felt only a couple of weeks ago. I could see I only had 3 to 5 years left at the rate I my health was deteriorating. I’ve watched so many family members die from diabetic complications. Amputations, kidney failure, blindness, stroke…. the list is endless. But, the last few years of poor health before they died was pure misery for them. I had an Aunt that was so sick that she intentionally killed herself by going off insulin and eating a 12 pound turkey in one setting. She was just fed up with being blind, sick and on kidney dialysis. In the family we don’t refer to suicide, we call it death by turkey. I didn’t want that anymore and was willing to try anything to change the path I was on. As extreme as vegan sounded to a few weeks ago (I grew up on a dairy farm) it already seems normal to me now. Forks over Knives, the Engine 2 book and clips on You Tube of Dr Esselystyn, Dr Colin Campbell, Dr. McDougall, Rip Esselystyn and several others really convinced me with logic and science. Then it was just a matter of giving it an honest try to see what happened…. after all what did I have to lose. Turns out I had everything to gain (except more weight, ha, ha). Hey, I’ve even convinced my diabetic sister to watch Forks over Knives a few days ago and now she says she is making a gradual switch to plant strong. Maybe I’ll have my sister a few extra years too!