Healthy eating on the road — almost an oxymoron

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

Yes, 4-Leaf eating on the road can be challenging…but not impossible.

34 Main Street in Stonington, CT, the location of my first calories of the day.

Today, I awoke in my own bed at 0645 and had a leisurely three hours before arriving at PVD (Providence, RI airport) for my all-day trip to Florida. The first step in eating healthy while traveling is starting out with a proven 4-Leaf meal at home. So that’s exactly what I did, serving myself a delicious and nutritious Sailors Daily Oatmeal at my home in Stonington, CT.

Under the watchful eye of Christmas Clyde, I consumed my first 500 calories of the day with about 95% of them coming from whole, plant-based foods, still in nature’s package. The only part of the meal that was not whole plants, was the unsweetened vanilla almond portion of the cold liquid that softened up my oats — just right.

Christmas Clyde -- my holiday buddy, he brightens my home from Thanksgiving until my birthday in February.

My next stop was the Mystic Starbucks, where I only had one small, black, unsweetened Pike Place. I arrived at PVD around 0945 feeling good and enjoyed a non-stressful trip through the TSA Army. Wanting to have a few calories before my first flight to Atlanta, I had a small bag of almonds at the airport Starbucks and ate some of them along with my fresh banana that I brought from home.

Score at flight time: about 95% from whole plants, but the nuts put me up close to my 20% limit for fat. After settling into 12D on the aisle, I ordered a Delta Airlines cookie along with my Coke on the rocks — a No-Leaf snack but not that many calories. After landing in Atlanta at 2:30 p.m., I made my way to the Delta Sky Club on Concourse A. There I loaded up on the carrots, celery, olives and hummus (See picture) while enjoying a glass of wine — all courtesy of Delta Airlines; as long as you have a platinum Amex card.

Maybe not quite a 4-Leaf, but it was way ahead of whoever had the second-healthiest meal at the Atlanta Airport today.

So, as I boarded my flight for South Florida, I figure that I was still at the high 3-Leaf or low 4-Leaf level of eating for the day. While enjoying my 3-Leaf luncheon, I played a little game of BMI Sampling — estimating the approximate BMI (body mass index) of those who passed by my high-top table.

After 20 minutes of playing this little game, my score vs. the crowd was 99 to 1. Only one person was estimated to have a lower BMI than mine (about 21.0). As for an average, I would have to say that it was between 29 and 31 — borderline obese. Every time I travel, I realize that our sad national statistics on obesity are accurate, if not understated.

After a nice flight to Fort Myers, I arrived in Naples, where I enjoyed a lovely dinner with Ruth, Clark and a few friends. At my all-time favorite, Bleu Provence, in Crayton Cove, I ordered a yummy gazpacho, followed by three sides of veggies: mushrooms, asparagus and broccoli.  So I figure that I ended up with at least a high 3-Leaf day; not bad when you’re traveling. For the record, I did not have a single calorie of animal product, but did have a few glasses of wine, some bread and a cookie.

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 seaside village of Stonington, Connecticut – Be well and have a great day.

J. Morris Hicks, author and activist. Working daily to promote health, hope and harmony on planet Earth.

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 Healthy Eating 101, Recipes & meals | 8 Comments

Our “4-Leaf Champion” for 2011 — And some Sunday movies…

Posted on 12/11/2011 by J. Morris Hicks

Boston doctor challenges his entire clinic to adopt 4-Leaf eating in 2012.

Leveraging the simple, yet powerful concept of maximizing the percent of your calories from whole plant foods -- still in nature's package

Throughout 2011, we have devoted several posts to Dr. Hurley and he has certainly earned each one of them. Now, as the year approaches an end, he writes a note challenging everyone in his clinic to take the 4-Leaf Challenge during the first six weeks of 2012.

And with Dr. Hurley leading the program, I have no doubt that it will be successful and that many of his team members will take charge of their health in 2012. On December 9, he sent the following email to each of them:

As most of you know, last year I embarked on a lifestyle change and enlisted a good friend of mine, Jason Hicks, to teach me about eating a plant-based diet.  The driving force for me was my weight and I wanted to get off the roller coaster ride of going up and down on the scale.  I needed a lifestyle change, not a diet.  We all know that diets can help us lose weight to achieve a number but they are next to impossible to sustain life long and our weight balloons back over time.

When I started this journey, I had decided in my  head, I wanted to get back to what I considered my fighting weight of 182 pounds.  At that time, I knew I would feel I had succeeded if I achieved that magic number of 182.

The problem with diets is we rely on a desired number on the scale.  I learned that weight is NOT the true motivating factor for making a lifestyle change.  You make a change to become HEALTHY.  That is more important than watching a number on the scale.  My experience was I hit 182, and thought GREAT, I win — but NOW (a few months later), I tip the scale at 161.  If it was about hitting 182, I would have stopped my “diet.”

As the 4-Leaf Program states, eating a plant based diet is about achieving VIBRANT HEALTH.  For those of you that feel you have weight to lose, weight-loss is a benefit.  For those that are on any medications, research shows that medications can be reduced if not eliminated.  MOST IMPORTANTLY, everyone will achieve VIBRANT HEALTH.

Many of you have talked to me about the 4-Leaf Program and some of you have started making 4-leaf choices when it comes to your meals.  I am asked about whole plant based eating and recipes on occasion.  I have shared your stories with Jason and his father.  You can read more about the 4 Leaf Program at www.4leafprogram.com.  I would encourage all of you to sign up for his daily blog.  Just select the Blog from the navigation bar.  The information is invaluable!!!!

One more point in stressing that weight loss is NOT the most important thing in making a change to the 4-Leaf Lifestyle.  My own doctor told me recently, “Tell your wife that you are going to be with her FOREVER because of the choices you are making in your diet.  Keep up the great work!!”

So, why am I sending this email to you.  Jim and Jason recently sent me an email congratulating me for my one year 4-leaf anniversary.  I am routinely in contact with them and they continue supporting me.  I could not have done this without them, especially my friend Jason who held me accountable every day.  They are proud of the fact that I share the 4-Leaf Program with family, friends, clients, etc.  To thank me, they are sending me a 4-Leaf Clock to put here at work.

It got me thinking!!  (I know that can be dangerous.)  New Year resolutions are about to be made.  I would like you to consider making yours about achieving VIBRANT HEALTH.  Our motto is “Come Join Our Family — A Lifetime Relationship!”  We are a family at the GACC and as I share this with my family, I want to share it with all of you.

Dr. Hurley after effortlessly losing over 30 pounds -- on his way to vibrant health and a total weight-loss of 47 pounds; almost 25% of his beginning total.

I would like to challenge each of you to join me in a 4-Leaf Challenge for 6 weeks, starting January 3, 2012. Sincerely, Brian

PS: Remember, this challenge is for every one of us.  We are the GACC family and our health is extremely important.  It will make us happier and help us serve our clients better because we feel better.

If you are up to the challenge let me know and we can discuss the particulars starting next week.  I look forward to sharing VIBRANT HEALTH with all of you and it will be fun to share and learn recipes.  If you are unsure and have questions, please come and ask me. Sincerely, Brian

For the record, as of the following day, Dr. Brian had already met with ten of his 20 “family” members and all ten of them agreed to accept the challenge. Game On for 2012! I look forward to speaking to his group early in the new year.

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

An exceptionally well-done 2009 movie produced in France; has been seen by millions around the world, but not nearly enough Americans. Features aerial footage in 54 countries.

Sunday Movie Time. I have been making these two movies available for the past few Sundays — that’s because the world will be a much better place if everyone sees these movies.

Just in case you haven’t seem them yet, get yourself some popcorn (or celery), and watch these great world-changing documentaries with your family (free). They are about 1.5 hours each and are likely to leave you feeling differently about the role of the human race on our precious planet.

HOME — a great 2009 film; a powerful eye-opener

“Earthlings” — A documentary that we all NEED to see

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.

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

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 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

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, Testimonials | 2 Comments

Lunching with Sal at the Candle Cafe in New York City

Posted on 12/10/2011 by J. Morris Hicks

On the east side of 3rd Avenue just south of 75th Street

After over 300 consecutive daily blogs, I had the privilege of meeting one of the most frequent visitors and commenters on my website — Mr. Salvatore Liggieri of Queens, NY. Driving back to CT from a funeral of a dear friend in New Jersey, I took a side trip through Manhattan on Thursday and asked Sal to join me for lunch at my favorite vegan restaurant in New York — the Candle Cafe at 75th and 3rd Avenue.

While dining on a special plate of four sides with two sauces, we covered a multitude of topics — all related to our mutual interest in the power of plant-based nutrition to change the world; beginning with our own health. Founder Bart Potenza stopped by our table and greeted us — thanking me for introducing Sal, a 30-year vegan, to his Candle Cafe for the very first time.

Sal, a newly-wed in his mid-80’s, exhibits the energy and vitality of a man half his age; well-tanned, trim and full of life. We had a wonderful time talking about our own good fortune in learning about plant-based eating early enough in our own lives to do some good. But, as you may know from reading Sal’s comments on this site, he has been disappointed that none of of his extended family has followed him down the path of healthy eating; even after he took three of them for a ten-day visit to Dr. John McDougall’s health center in Santa Rosa, CA.

A candid shot of Sal as he ponders the extensive menu

And I told Sal about how I became so interested in diet and my plans for the future in terms of my work as an activist in promoting the host of global benefits associated with the widespread adoption of plant-based eating in the Western world. There wasn’t enough time to cover everything, so we’ll have to make schedule more lunches in the future.

We both know that we have a steep mountain to climb and realize that the majority of people will not follow our lead until they are forced by price, scarcity or both. But, we know that we are making a difference; we are both reaching people who are ready to hear our message and we are both doing our part to make the world a better place.

So what did we eat? I feasted on a magnificent combination of sautéed broccoli, seaweed medley, vegetable/quinoa and grilled tempeh — with two very tasty sauces for dipping on the side. Sal also ordered the special “four sides” as we shared a most enjoyable, delicious and nutritious holiday luncheon in the Big Apple. And very reasonable — lunch for two with tip for about $40. By the way, this “side dish method” works quite well in most good restaurants; just request no oil, salt, butter or cheese and you can have a healthy, reasonably-priced, 4-Leaf meal almost anywhere.

As we were finishing up, I told Sal about the Candle’s sister restaurant around the corner on 79th, just east of Lexington. It is called the Candle 79 and is a little more upscale with white tablecloths and a more extensive menu. I suggested that he might wish to take his much younger wife (an actress) there for dinner sometime.

Christmas in New York -- my favorite time of the year in the city

After a delightful 90 minutes of dining and conversation, Sal and I said our goodbyes at the corner of 74th and 3rd Avenue as we had both been lucky enough to find free parking places in the middle of New York City during the holidays — Amazing.

I look forward to seeing Sal’s comments soon about the food and our discussion at the Candle Cafe. One more thing, if you’d like to order the new Candle 79 cookbook — Click here to order on Amazon. I have one on my coffee table and highly recommend it. I will probably give it to my daughter-in-law, who will transform a few of their 3-Leaf meals into 4-Leaf sensations. Click here to visit her new page on this site — under the 4-Leaf tab.

Merry Christmas Sal — to you and your family!

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 seaside village of Stonington, Connecticut – Be well and have a great day.

J. Morris Hicks, author and activist. Working daily to promote health, hope and harmony on planet Earth.

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 Cost of Food | 2 Comments