And the children shall lead them. And if they don’t, then it’s doom.

You must be an optimistic person because I don’t see any hope that change will come to impact the world. I recently attended a wedding and of the 200 guests there was only one request for a vegan meal and that was from me. Dismal. In my circle of people I’m still considered the food freak. “Plant based food”…you have to be kidding, give me a nice juicy steak…and the world struggles on in its ignorance.

The young are immortal until they become mortal. –From Sal in New York

I can certainly understand where Sal is coming from; he has been a vegan for a very long time and hasn’t seen much movement in that direction from his own circle of friends, family and co-workers. But change is happening nevertheless and, while most of my friends still eat the typical Western diet, many of them are beginning to make changes. Rather than proselytize, I decided to tell my story in a book — using good old engineering logic in a manner that will resonate with those who are ready to listen. My response back to Sal…

Yes, I have always been called an optimist, and sometimes a dreamer, and I am glad of it. But as an engineer, I am also a realist and understand the “huge mountain” that we have to climb together. I am copying the reader that first told me that phrase — Frances, a woman who lives on the Isle of Wight. I wanted to make sure that she saw your comment.

I know that the numbers are staggering, but I also see things beginning to change. And, as I said in the blog, it’s the young people that are changing the most. And I am going to do all that I can to help them change the world. Too bad you didn’t go to Chelsea Clinton’s wedding; apparently you had to order a “special meal” if you didn’t want the standard vegan fare that the wedding party was eating. Best, Jim

The Isle of Wight -- home of my friend Frances

About an hour ago, as I was preparing to head out for my “daily blogging corner” at the Starbucks in Mystic, CT, I received a very thoughtful note from Frances (on the Isle of Wight) who I mentioned in my note to Sal. Her note goes right to the heart of the matter — how to reach loved ones with a powerful truth — without compromising good relations.

In my case, I wrote a book — for Frances, she is working through her strategy one person at a time. Maybe her words will help others in similar situations. She wrote:

Hello Jim,

This comment chimes well with me.  Your blogs have been developing a crescendo of intensity, like a relentless drum beat.  The message will reach those that are ready to hear it, whether they be idealistic youth or aging baby boomers!

I have sent a copy of The China Study to the father of my daughter-in-law, and I have sent a copy of Disease-Proof Your Child to her (she is at present breastfeeding my 3 month old grandson).  The person I would dearly love to convince is my son but I am avoiding the creation of a battleground.  I shall need patience to reach him, through my example and my cooking. I have recently bought Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease and am exploring the oil-free recipe ideas.

The family home is the place where attitudes to food are learned.   My son has learned from me and he is now the chief cook in his household but the problem is that my message has now completely changed, so I have got to get the new one across without being labeled as a batty old granny!  This problem preoccupies me all the time. Regards from Frances

J. Morris Hicks, working daily to promote health, hope and harmony on planet Earth.

Thank you Sal and Frances; I am confident that many readers will benefit greatly from your contributions. And thank you Frances for the “crescendo of intensity, like a relentless drum beat” descriptor of my blogs — I will take that as a huge compliment from my eloquent friend on the Isle of Wight.

If you like what you see here, you may wish to join our periodic mailing list. Also, for help in your own quest to take charge of your health, you might find some useful information at our 4-Leaf page. From the seaside village of Stonington, Connecticut – Be well and have a great day.

If you’d like to order our book on Amazon,  visit our BookStore now.

—J. Morris Hicks…blogging daily at HealthyEatingHealthyWorld.com

PS: Occasionally an unauthorized ad may appear beneath a blog post. It is controlled by WordPress (a totally free hosting service). I do not approve or personally benefit whatsoever from any ad that might ever appear on this site. I apologize and urge you to please disregard.