Category: The Vegan Movement

The vegan movement is going mainstream, there’s no question about it. You will be fascinated by the growth of veganism year to year. From new schools to new restaurants, you’ll find more and more vegan-friendly places! Pretty soon, you will have no problem finding something vegan to eat when you travel.

The vegan movement is one of a kind. Have you done your research on plant-based nutrition yet? Learn the truth about the food industry, including research that supports a meat-free dairy-free and egg-free diets. If you need a vegan Personal Trainer and Nutritionist to help with adopting a plant-based diet, contact me!

Posted on March 11, 2015July 20, 2017 by Kelly Gibson — Leave a comment

The Signature St Patrick’s Day meal

Corned Beef and Cabbage has become the signature St Patrick’s Day meal. Why?

Corned beef and cabbage isn’t actually the national dish of Ireland. You wouldn’t eat it for a St Patrick’s Day meal in Dublin, nor would you be likely to find it in County Cork. So how did Corned Beef and Cabbage become synonymous with the Irish?

Cabbage

During the time of the Irish immigration to the U.S., the first generation of Irish-Americans were in search of the comforting tastes of their homeland. A St Patrick’s Day meal meant boiled bacon. But the immigrants were too poor to afford the high price of pork and bacon products. Instead, they turned to the cheapest cut of meat available: beef brisket. Given that New York City was a melting pot for immigrants from around the world, rather than boil the beef, the Irish adopted cooking methods from other cultures. Brining was a technique of the Eastern Europeans, which is a way of salt-curing meat.

And the corn? Well, “corned” has nothing to do with corn but instead refers to the corn-sized salt crystals used during the brining process. The corned beef was paired with cabbage, as it was one of the cheapest vegetables available to the Irish immigrants. So are you really celebrating Irish heritage from the old country or wanting to somehow feel connected to an ancestors’ heritage?

Image Source: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/beef-products/3488/2

The corned beef and cabbage was an alternative to an already unhealthy meal. It’s also an unhealthy option for you, your family and our planet as it is extremely high in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium. Let new traditions of eating ethical plant-based options start now so future generations can be celebrate your legacy of being compassionate. Pair your cabbage dinner with a meatless alternative like my delicious Glazed Lentil Apple Walnut Loaf. Also be sure to visit Kelly’s Meanest Greenest Juice Recipe for breakfast and Derek’s Raw Broccoli Soup Recipe for a healthy St Patrick’s Day meal!

Article written by: John Bergdoll, guest writer from the Vegan Energy blog.

Article edited & posted by: Kelly Gibson, 3-year Vegan Personal Trainer and Plant-Based Nutrition Coach from Kelly Athletics LLC

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Posted on March 3, 2015July 20, 2017 by Kelly Gibson — Leave a comment

USDA Contradicts Itself

The USDA has proposed $160 million toward marketing funds for beef promotion in 2014. Since production and sales of beef have declined, the USDA contradicts itself and takes it into their own hands to support growth. Physicians, researchers, and several medical organizations have recommending a reduction in red meat consumption, but the USDA is still determined to boost sales of meat! If people gave up beef for health reasons, will millions of dollars’ worth of marketing change their minds or go to waste?

Red meat is linked to a plethora of health problems, such as increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancers. Ironically, the USDA recommends reducing intake of cholesterol and saturated fat in 2010… but now encourages meat consumption? Check out my 7 Reasons to Ditch Meat article to learn why eliminating meat has been trending over the past decade. It’s never too late to make the switch and sub out red meat for low-fat and cholesterol-free proteins such as quinoa, beans, lentils, non-gmo tempeh or tofu. Plant-based proteins are recognized as healthful sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals with NO risk of developing chronic disease. Make the change and save your life. Don’t allow the USDA or the media to control your health. The USDA contradicts itself just like many media outlets do, and it may be better to take nutritional counseling from a more credible source.

Written by Kelly Gibson on Dec 8, 2014

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Resource: http://www.pcrm.org/nbBlog/index.php/usda-beefing-up-special-interest-marketing-funds/

Posted on July 3, 2014July 20, 2017 by Kelly Gibson — Leave a comment

Drinking Cows Milk Weakens Bones

Hip fractures can be caused by osteoporosis. Can you believe cows milk weakens bones?

Milk is aggressively promoted to Americans as the best & only source of calcium for improved bone health and reduced risk of osteoporosis. It is time we look at the scientific facts before believing in these false marketing claims. A new study by the British Medical Journal shows a link between milk consumption and increased hip fractures and a higher mortality rate. Specifically, three or more glasses of milk per day lead to 93% higher death rate in women. This wasn’t just ANY study; and there have been multiple studies indicative of milk causing osteoporosis in recent years (for example, The China Study). This was an 11-year multivariable study that examined the effects of drinking milk in over 60,000 women and 45,000 men. The science shows that lactose in milk create compounds in the body that inflame blood vessels and increase oxidative stress on our cells. Inflammation can lead to heart disease, stroke, and cancer, all of which could be the reason the death rates are higher in those who consume more milk. So, how does milk cause osteoporosis? The answer is calcium carbonate (the end result of pasteurization). This compound causes the body to pull calcium from bones and other tissues of the body in order to filter calcium carbonate from our blood. So all that calcium we think we’re getting? We’re not. It turns out that cows milk weakens bones.

What we know now: Milk has a deteriorating effect on human health. It is time America takes the appropriate steps to change our nutrition paradigm to exclude dairy products from the American Diet, and replace with healthy alternatives. Just because a food contains healthful nutrients like calcium, it does not mean that our bodies can metabolize the whole food containing specific nutrients without harmful side effects. If you are concerned about getting enough calcium in your diet, worry no more because you can get more than enough calcium in your diet from beans, nuts, leafy greens, and even non-dairy milks. Some alternatives to try include soy milk, hemp milk, rice milk, coconut milk, or hazelnut milk. Be sure to start reading food labels as milk is a leading ingredient in most processed foods. Contact me for more information on how to transition to a dairy-free diet.

Written by Kelly Gibson, Online Vegan Coach and Plant Based Trainer, on Oct 31, 2014

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Resources for Cows Milk Weakens Bones:
1. http://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g6015
2. http://pcrm.org/health/medNews/drinking-milk-associated-with-fractures-and-death
3. http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/does-milk-really-do-the-body-good/
4. http://www.realfarmacy.com/100000-person-study-reveals-pasteurized-milk-people-drink-likely-die/

Kelly Gibson is an Online Personal Trainer & Plant-Based Nutrition Coach, helping people transition to dairy-free diets