Dr. Campbell’s Plant-Based Nutrition Course at Cornell

Posted on 12/18/2011 by J. Morris Hicks

A reader asks if the course is worth the money.

Short answer, a resounding YES. Since earning my “certificate” in plant-based nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and Cornell University in November of 2009, I have been greatly rewarded in many ways that I never anticipated at the time.

Nutrition Certificate

For example, next Tuesday I am meeting for lunch in Boston with one of the course’s most prominent graduates. A doctor of public health, he’s enjoyed a rich career in government and academia; now serving on the Harvard faculty in the department of public health. He also served as a special advisor to the U. S. Senate Committee charged with re-writing our federal health care system during the past few years.

We’re meeting to discuss a few ideas for changing the world — by leveraging the simple principles of plant-based nutrition. Without my taking the eCornell course, this meeting would not be happening. Here’s the note that I received from one of my readers earlier this week:

Mr. Hicks, Enjoy your daily blog and your book.  I am interested in your thoughts on Dr. Campbell’s Certificate course from Cornell.  It is something I am considering, but my question is about the course content.  I have read the “China Study” and much of the print material from Drs. Fuhrman, McDougall, Esselstyn and others.  Does the course material enhance this information, or repeat it? I would appreciate your thoughts. Regards, John

My 2009 Cornell Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition

My response. Hi John. As a new writer, blogger and speaker in the field of diet and health, I am very glad that I earned a certificate in PBN from the TCC Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell. Here are my primary reasons for feeling that way; they go far beyond just the knowledge that you will gain from the course.

  • The homework assignments (including essays) played a large role in prompting my decision to write a book. It showed me that it was fun to write about my new passion and that I had a gift for making complex things simple and compelling.
  • The “big picture” focus of the class was right up my alley. The course is not just the nutritional reasons for eating plant-based; it also covers a great many environmental issues.
  • Good networking opportunities both during the course and after.
  • The additional knowledge gained from the course after studying the topic for seven years.
  • The great feeling of knowing that with my “certificate,” I have more formal training in nutrition than most MD’s in America. Remember; the few that had ANY nutrition training in med school — their course(s) were USDA approved and therefore lacking in very much true, health-promoting nutritional information.
  • The course instructors are sending new folks to my blog and my book every day; and without me asking them to do so.
  • Earning that certificate just shows that you’re serious.
  • The course may not be available forever — at least through Cornell. According to TCC, it is the ONLY plant-based nutrition course with CME credits in the world. If Cornell pulled out of it (with more pressure from meat and dairy industry — see links below), would it still be able to provide the CME for doctors?

Bottom line. I’d say go for it; it may be the best $1400 you’ll ever spend.

Ithaca, NY, home of Cornell University and Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry.

For more course info, click here. In short, the course consists of three consecutive 2-week segments and is conducted online. You should be prepared to spend about an hour a day for the duration of the course.

For a richer learning experience, you should devote more time, do some extra reading and communicate more with the instructors and other students. During my six-week course, I actually went to Ithaca and attended a TCC lecture in person at Savage Hall on the Cornell campus. For a little history on this course, you might enjoy reading two of my earlier blogs plus a July 2012 blog that features this course.

Handy 5-piece take-charge-of-your-health kit—from Amazon.com

Why should we be eating mostly plants? The “big picture” in 4 minutes.

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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 page 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.

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Nutrition Certificate

Posted in Academic Freedom, Scientific Integrity | 1 Comment

Off his meds for Christmas…a heartwarming story from Florida

Posted on 12/17/2011 by J. Morris Hicks

Living proof that chronic heart disease can be reversed in weeks

Earlier this week, I received a note from a reader who wanted to share the wonderful disease-reversing experience of her 56-year-old husband, Mark. She planted the seeds of change a little over a year ago, and just recently, Mark decided it was time to take action. This story illustrates the power of gentle nudges along the way, even though serious diet-style changes may not happen until years later. Karen, thanks for sharing.

The seeds of change were planted last year when Karen shared Dr. Campbell's message with her husband.

Dear Jim,

I work at the University of Central Florida, where T. Colin Campbell was lecturing one night last year.  I went to the lecture and couldn’t believe what he was saying about milk.  I went home and told Mark – I don’t think he really believed what I was saying and now when we talk and I ask him why he didn’t listen to me, he always says “you don’t have a Ph.D. after your name”.  However, the seed was planted as they say.

My husband, Mark, is 56 years old.  He’s had heart problems since his late 30’s, the arteries in his legs were blocked and he’s had several operations on them — had to have stents put in and tubing in his legs.  Until recently, he was on ten different medications.

After waking up with nosebleed, blood coming from his ears and eyes, he had had it. Then, he watched President Clinton one day talking about Dr. Esselstyn and decided that was the program for him.  I was amazed! He is religiously following Esselstyn’s plan and is reversing his heart disease – the numbers don’t lie!  Mark went for blood work last week and his new doctor just called with the results:

  • Total cholesterol 105
  • HDL 32
  • Blood sugar 96
  • Triglycerides 111

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn of the Cleveland Clinic has reversed heart disease in nearly 100% of his patients -- with diet change only.

Disease reversal in six weeks. He has never had numbers like these.  He started this plan on November 1 and has stopped taking all meds!!!  He’s lost 20 lbs. and has a ways to go, but this after only 1 ½ months!

I wanted to share this wonderful story and to let you know there are people out there that have a new lease on life because of what you do.  Thank you so very much for spreading the word.  We certainly will continue to do so. Kindest regards, Karen

This inspiring story illustrates the importance of a consistent flow of gentle nudges and staying the course. Some of us may occasionally conclude that no one is ever going to listen and that we shouldn’t waste our time trying to show them the way to better health. I know that Karen doesn’t feel like she wasted her time in helping husband Mark see the light. Thanks to her gentle nudges (even without the PhD), she was able to save her husband’s life. Sounds like the makings for a very Merry Christmas from sunny Orlando.

****************

4-Leaf oatmeal by the fountain at Jane's Cafe in Old Naples, FL

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.

And if you like what 4-Leaf eating is doing for you and your family, you might enjoy visiting our new “4-Leaf Gear” store. From the delightful village of Old Naples, Florida – 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

SHARE and rate this post below…One more thing, 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.

Posted in Heart Disease | 4 Comments

From Lisa’s Kitchen — Shawn’s 4-Leaf Brussels Sprouts

Posted on 12/16/2011 by J. Morris Hicks

Third in a series of 4-Leaf Recipes from Lisa’s Kitchen

I never really liked Brussels sprouts until I tried this dish, shared from our cousin Shawn Lankton. This is a great go-to recipe when you just don’t know what to make. Easy, easy, easy! The taste of the warm sprouts and the cool tomatoes taste delicious!  

Ingedients:

Snipped, cut in half and ready to be mixed with seasonings

  • cooking spray
  • 1 lb of brussels sprouts or more
  • 3 tomatoes
  •  1 tsp. salt (to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper (to taste)
  • whole grain (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Prepare the Brussels sprouts by cutting off a part of the stem, and cut in half.
  3. Spray a little baking spray on top; then mix the sprouts, salt, red pepper and black pepper in a large bowl.
  4. Spray the baking pan with cooking spray.
  5. Place the sprouts on the baking pan and place them in the oven for about 30 minutes, turning once.
  6. Dice the cool tomatoes and place them on top of the warm sprouts and serve.
  7. Add whole grain of choice. (optional)
  8. Enjoy! As Shawn says, this is one of the healthiest things you can eat!

With love from Lisa...

Note: The original recipe called for three tablespoons of olive oil, which would have accounted for over half the calories of the entire mix. I cut out the olive oil and substituted a little cooking spray. They still taste great! And they now score high in the 4-Leaf range. With love from Lisa.

For a “printer-friendly” one-pager, ideal on your fridge with a magnet. Click here for a PDF.

If you like what you see here, you may wish to join our periodic mailing list. And if you like what 4Leaf eating is doing for you and your family, you might enjoy visiting our new “4Leaf Gear” store. From the New England village of Holden, Massachusetts — Be well and have a great day.

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

—Lisa Hicks…blogging occasionally at 4leafprogram.com

SHARE and rate this post below…One more thing, 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.

Posted in 4Leaf for Life, Recipes & meals | Leave a comment