Hi all! I spent most of my day off working on my first assignments for school. I must say, going from Nutrition Science as my undergrad, to Health Communications for my graduate degree is quite a shift. I am a numbers and facts girl. I think my classes will be great, but will need to get used to classes focused on reading and writing. 
Anywho, I couldn’t wait to talk with you about the documentary, Forks Over Knives. Have you seen it?
“Forks Over Knives examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods. The major storyline in the film traces the personal journeys of a pair of pioneering researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn.” source
The documentary provides some starting statistics:
- 2.2 trillion dollars spent on healthcare.
- 1 out of 3 people will develop diabetes.
The documentary references The China Study a number of times. I am currently reading the book so it was a perfect companion to the movie.
What I plan to take away from the movie is the emphasis on plant based foods like they suggest. Currently, I don’t eat much meat but I do eat a LOT of dairy foods. Cheese is my favorite!! Soo, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to cut back on the dairy in my diet. I will probably allow myself a splurge on the weekends. 
In going along with more meatless and dairy free meals, I made Janel’s 5 Ingredient dinner.
Ingredients:
- Mixed dark leafy greens
- Jar of sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
- Whole wheat couscous
- Can of white kidney bean (I used cannellini beans)
- Smoked sea salt
- Red pepper flakes optional
Start by scooping a few heaping tablespoons of the tomatoes in their oil into a skillet and turn on the heat.
After a minute or so, add a few large handfuls of greens to the pan and a splash of water so the greens start to wilt.
Rinse the can of beans and add it to the mix.
Combine all ingredients and top onto couscous.
This dish was light and refreshing.
I can’t stress how simple it was too! And I promise you won’t even miss the meat or dairy!
Definitely a quick mid week meal if you’re in need!
Hope you are having a fabulous weekend! It’s back to work for me tomorrow. Going to do a bit more reading for school and then I think I deserve some relaxing. Thanks for reading!
Have you seen Forks Over Knives or read The China Study? What are your thoughts on a plant based diet?
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So, here’s another sign I really need to read the China Study. More signs keep pointing to me going animal product free. Thanks for the info
I’ve been wanting to watch this! We don’t eat much meat and have been thinking about trying to make sure at least a couple dinners a week are vegan due to so much research about this!
Good luck with school! I am definitely a facts and numbers girl as well, so I can relate! I think it is an RD thing!
Exactly!! A and P..nutrition..I am great! Having to think outside the box, a lot more difficult!!
Thanks Amy!
Dinner looks fantastic. I am most definitely for a plant-based diet. I’ve never seen the movie nor read that book. Heard so much about both.
I have not seen the “Fork over Knive” documentary, but if it’s available on Netflix I’ll probably check it out. I try my best to get in as many veggies as I can; it’s difficult on the island. After a long day at work, it’s sometimes difficult to find the energy to “make” dinner as opposed to grabbing something easier.
I know exactly what you mean! It can be difficult. That’s why I am going to try and just be more aware in getting in more plant foods.
That looks like one of my typical meals….yum! I’ve seen Forks Over Knives and read the China Study. I am all for a plant-based diet! I’ve been vegan for almost 12 years and it works for me.
Wow, 12 years! That’s wonderful!
I will definitely be reading your blog for more vegan inspiration.
I keep thinking I should read The China Study… I’d love to hear your thoughts when you finish. I could happily cut meat out of my diet, but my hubby wouldn’t entertain that idea now. He’s fine with a meatless day each week now, but if I make something meatless on other days he questions that!
I think even just cutting back on meat is a great start!
Great recipe-love how easy it is! I haven’t seen the movie, but I did read The China Study. Although I’m not a vegetarian, I do eat a lot of plant based meals throughout the week. Glad to hear school is off to a good start
I’m all for plant-based eating!!
And I can’t WAIT to see that movie =)
Wow that meal looks so good and super quick – my kind of meal that’s for sure
I haven’t seen the documentary but am definitely interested now. Good luck with the first week of classes! I am the opposite; numbers and facts have always been my weakness but english and writing were my better subjects in school. My science and math teachers even raised their eyebrows when I told them I was going to be getting a Bachelors in Science lol.
I really hope your studies are going well!! How are you finding The China Study?? I hesitated to order it as I wasn’t sure how much I would get into it, if you know what I mean… I assume it’s not easy reading but if it’s super interesting and engaging then I will give it a go. Also I loved fok such an interesting documentary. I eat plenty of veg but meat and dairy has been creeping back into my diet recently, and I’m blaming the colder weather?!
The book is pretty cut and dry..very factual. But I do find the topic very interesting. I was trying to get through it before school started but it didn’t happen.
I have not seen Forks Over Knives yet. Sometimes documentaries rub me the wrong way because of an obvious (or not so obvious) agenda they are getting across can becontradictory to scientific knowledge. Or at least so heavily focused on a certain segment of literature that it ignores others. Did you find this to be the case with this documentary?
However, as a vegetarian I am certainly “pro plant” based diets anyway!
Also, I must tell you that I am addicted to the Mediterranean Roasted Eggplant and Zucchini recipe you posted last week. I ate all of what I made on Friday already so I made ANOTHER batch (this time with pearl barley) last night! haha
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the dish, Tanya!!
My friend was a bit irritated that they really didn’t mention the effect that refined carbs has on our diet… They really just focused on animal proteins. Although I really liked the message, I am interested to see more studies on refined carbs linked with heart disease.
I haven’t seen Forks over Knives and have yet to read the China Study. I need to start reading more! I go for plant based diets, but I do eat a lot of dairy too. This looks delish. Have a great first week with your class!
While I really enjoy documentaries I do hesitate with them as they are always pretty one sided. BUT that being said, it is hard to argue with the fact that plant based diets are extremely beneficial to one’s health.
I agree that documentaries are often one sided. The only thing I would mention is that they neglected to mention refined carbohydrates in our diet. I am hoping the book goes into more detail about that.
I’ve heard of Forks over Knives but haven’t see it yet! And I LOVE those kind of documentaries! I saw one recently…Fat Sick and Nearly dead. It’s mostly about juicing (and plant based diet). Very interesting!
I love food documentaries, so I’ll have to find this one to watch. I agree with you, cutting back on meat is the easy part. Cheese and other dairy are so hard to significantly cut back on. I eat yogurt every single day!
Me too! Yogurt and cheese are my two weaknesses!
Mmmmm looks delicious! I followed an almond plant based diet (would allow myself 1 egg a day) for 9 weeks once and ate wonderfully! Felt good too, but I did begin to miss meat a bit at the end.
Now I eat meat/fish about 4 times a week. Vegetarian cooking can be so much easier, especially when I have nothing planned.
Can’t wait to hear more about your schooling!
I really should try and incorporate more fish into my diet. I feel like I struggle often with variety when it comes to protein sources.
Love your simple yet delicious meat-less meal! It looks beautiful as well. I should definitely start cutting back the meat and incorporate more plant base meals since I just don’t seem to eat enough veggies.
Thanks Kim!
So glad you stopped by!
These films speak to a certain key group of people, and usually, we are the ones already eating mindfully. I would like to start seeing veggies as easily packaged and affordable as poptarts or hot dogs.
Also,
I can’t help but thinking how GOOD lean high protein meats make my body and brain feel.
….there is one thing I am certain of: our diets will change DRAMATICALLY in the next 100 years
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