BLOGGER ON BOARD: Cruisin’ Towards a Healthy Diet (Day 2)
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Today was another gorgeous day at sea. My schedule was packed with seminars, keynote speakers, and of course, a little time in the sun.
I was eager to sit in on Neal D. Barnard, MD, and Christina Pirello’s cooking class, “Diabetes: the New Epidemic of Our Age.” To me, it was like sitting in front of two celebrities from the vegan community! (Neal is President of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and VT’s Ask the Doc columnist. Christina is author of I’m Mad as Hell, and I’m Not Going to Eat it Anymore!)
With my notebook in hand and my “chef brain” on, I vigorously recorded how to make Cinnamon Scented Butternut Squash Soup and “Beefcake” Stew. After re-learning some new techniques, like how to water sauté, and tasting the delish samples, I was fortunate enough to to snag Neal for a quick Q&A.
Q What’s your pitch to someone who is on the fence about becoming veganwhether they are flexitarian, carnivore or vegetarian?
A All the benefits are good. You’re not only likely to live longer but you’re going to be in a body that feels better, plus you’ll increase your ability to prevent cancers and heart disease. So, many people just really feel better day to day.
Having said that, regardless of how you feel, your will have a positive impact on the environment and on the one million animals that people are now eating every hour. All of that can and should change. We are way past the point where there was any doubt as to whether or not a vegan diet is healthier. We are clearly past the point where there is any doubt about the climate effects of meat consumption. And the cruelty towards animals is clear. So, its really just a question of lacing up our sneakers and racing towards this healthy diet.
What an inspiration to go totally veganthanks Neal!
After an amazing dinner of arame salad, savory tempeh, and carrot cake for dessert, I’m hitting they hay before we reach St. Thomas, with a very prominent and awkward tan line on my back.
Join veg chef Janah Adickman on board The Holistic Holiday at Sea. Janah will be blogging daily as she tours the Caribbean while enjoying a totally vegan menu and soaking up knowledge and inspiration from a fleet of veg experts.