Dr. Kerry Graff contacted me in April of 2014 after finding our 4Leaf materials online. She had seen Forks Over Knives a few months earlier, then concluded that she had been shortchanging her patients during her twenty years of practicing medicine.
After deciding to convert her family medical practice from “sick-care” to true “health care,” she began searching online for tools that would help her share her newfound knowledge with her patients.
And that’s when she found me, J. Morris Hicks, and the 4Leaf Program website that featured the kind of handy tools she was seeking. Since that time, she and I have developed new tools together, rebuilt the 4Leaf website and are about to publish our first book. Pictured here are “working” images of the front and back cover, along with the book’s Introduction.
INTRODUCTION
This 4Leaf Guide contains everything you need to get started down the road to vibrant health. It also addresses the most important issue in the history of humankind—our food choices in the 21st century. In the pages ahead, you’ll learn all about why that issue is so important and why you should be eating a more optimal diet, for reasons that go far beyond your own health.
In the first chapter, Dr. Graff tells the gripping story of her own enlightenment when it comes to the critical task of simply choosing what to eat. She then explains how she leveraged that newly gained knowledge to begin the joyful process of “making good” on the incredible failures of her profession.
In later chapters, she grants you a rare peek inside the physician’s office as she gently guides her patients down the pathway to vibrant health. Throughout the book, we strived to tell you everything you need to know in as few words as possible, such as: “A near optimal diet = mostly whole, plant-based foods.”
You’ll learn all about the simple 4Leaf approach to healthy eating and how to explain it to others. Importantly, you’ll learn how to get started when it comes to things like figuring out what you’re going to eat, getting all of the unhealthy stuff out of your kitchen and tips to remember while shopping. We’ll also provide you with some starter recipes and will steer you to some great online resources for many more.
Most of the chapters are less than five pages with descriptive titles so that you’ll have no trouble finding what you need. In addition to valuable tips for integrating this healthy way of eating into your busy lifestyle, you’ll also learn how to deal with the plethora of questions, criticisms and unsolicited advice you’ll be receiving from your friends, family and colleagues–as many of them may think that you have lost your mind.
Throughout the book, you’ll enjoy reading a number of success stories as told by Dr. Kerry Graff. Finally, you will appreciate the Epilog by J. Morris Hicks, as he chronicles how we got into such a mess in the first place, when it comes to the staggering global consequences of our poor dietary choices.
Now it’s time for you to meet Dr. Kerry Graff, who wrote half of the chapters, including the final one, “Calling All Doctors.” That title refers to a letter (included in the chapter) to medical practitioners everywhere–imploring them to learn, understand and embrace the incredible health benefits of whole-food, plant-based nutrition and, in turn, enthusiastically promote it to all of their patients. Given the mountain of evidence supporting its efficacy, for physicians to not share this life-saving, plant-based message with their patients is simply unconscionable. Here is Dr. Graff’s background summary that appears on our 4leafprogram.com website.
Dr. Kerry Graff, Chief Medical Officer, 4Leaf Global, LLC
The owner of Lake Country Family Medicine in Canandaigua, New York, Dr. Graff is the first medical doctor to make extensive use of all 4Leaf materials, while helping her 800 patients take charge of their health. In her own words:
I spent the first half of my career treating patients’ diseases with medication. I am dedicating the second half of my career to treating what causes the disease in the first place–primarily the woeful, typical Western diet. I am having a ball helping patients regain their health and get off their medications!
Dr. Graff graduated from Cornell University summa cum laude as a biology major in 1990. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center cum laude in 1994, she completed a three-year Family Practice Residency at UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh, PA. Following completion of her residency in 1997, she relocated to Canandaigua, NY and was employed by Thompson Health, providing primary care including obstetrics at the Honeoye Family Practice.
In 2006, she opened her own practice in Canandaigua that allowed her more flexibility in the way she practiced medicine. After watching Forks Over Knives in 2013, she adopted a whole food, plant-based diet and experienced huge improvements in her personal health. She then earned her certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell and the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and began incorporating the 4Leaf Survey as a teaching tool to help patients transition to a healthier diet.
The results have been absolutely amazing. 4Leaf for Life has become an integral part of the way she practices medicine today, as the future of medicine has begun. You can read more about Kerry in this blog that I posted about her in October, 2014. The Future of Medicine Starts Here—Canandaigua, NY.
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The following five books and one DVD can be purchased on Amazon for a grand total of less than $60—and will enable you to understand the overwhelming challenges we face—along with the single most-powerful solution of all.
Six-Pack from Hicks—for health, hope & harmony on planet Earth
- Healthy Eating, Healthy World, The “big picture” about food (our book)
- A life changer for millions, including James Cameron. Forks Over Knives DVD
- An essential scientific resource: The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell; the primary book that influenced Bill Clinton to adopt a whole food, plant-based diet.
- What have we done to our planet? Full Planet, Empty Plates by Lester Brown
- A horrifying wake-up call for leaders. TEN BILLION by Dr. Stephen Emmott
- Food choices are the primary cause of our environmental problems, yet our world leaders, scientists & experts are Comfortably Unaware, by Richard Oppenlander.
Why should we be eating mostly plants? The “big picture” in 4 minutes.
Want to find out how healthy your family is eating? Take our free 4Leaf Survey. It takes 2 or 3 minutes. eCornell is now using our survey in their plant-based nutrition course. Check it out on your smartphone at eCornell.com/4Leaf-Survey.
International. We’re now reaching people in over 100 countries. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or get daily blog notices by “following” us in the top of the right-hand column. For occasional updates, join our periodic mailing list.

J. Morris Hicks, working daily to promote health, hope and harmony on planet Earth.
To order more of my favorite books—visit our online BookStore now For help in your own quest to take charge of your health, visit our 4Leaf Program and also enjoy some great recipes from Lisa’s 4Leaf Kitchen.
Got a question? Let me hear from you at jmorrishicks@me.com. Or give me a call on my cell at 917-399-9700.
—J. Morris Hicks, board member since 2012; click banner for more info:
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When you emailed the draft of “4Leaf to Vibrant Health” way back when, I was very impressed. After receiving my 5 personal copies yesterday, and rereading your work today, I am more excited than ever to share this outstanding and well delivered program. A health crisis looms over our country, and the planet teeters at an unsustainable tipping point. With your guide to personal and planetary health, no one can make an excuse for not embracing this easy to implement way to health and wellness. Tomorrow is Class #2 in my Food for Life, you can be sure your book will be shown and discussed first and foremost. Thank you, Jim, and Dr. Graff.
Thank you Dr. Graff…can’t wait to get my hands on this!!
I can’t wait to share this book with my online newsletter subscribers, and my Food for Life class participants. This book, like your first, Jim, will be an invaluable ‘Guide’ to help folks prevent disease, enhance survival if living with chronic illness, and reverse the path of degradation our planet is currently traveling.
Have to say it’s been amazing to follow your journey, Jim. From the time we met, as you were trying to bring your 4Leaf program to the corporate world, to where you are now – more visible, well-known and highly respected, you continually make an incredible impact for the sake and health of future generations, and for the sustainability of our planet. Bravo!
On another note, I’m happy to report that Cape Cod Hospital’s Benefits Committee along with the Regional Cancer Network have funded three of my Food for Life series, which are currently being offered at CCH’s Cancer Center. The paradigm shift is happening!
Continued joy, health and success with your new endeavor.
Joanne Irwin
Thanks, Jim! We are just as excited to get it out to you!
Kerry Graff MD
Nice. Congratulations–I look forward to reading the final product!
Jim Sheppard MD
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