The “4-Leaf for 4-Weeks Challenge” — promoting health for humans, animals and the planet
A division of the Sea Research Foundation with a mission to protect our ocean planet, what could possibly be a better place to launch our health-promoting, planet-friendly 4-Leaf Health Promotion Program? Not familiar with the Sea Research Foundation or their mission? From their website….
The amazing Beluga, one of the most famous residents of the Mystic Aquarium
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Sea Research Foundation’s mission is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.
We operate Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration, Immersion Learning and, in partnership with National Geographic Society, The JASON Project. Sea Research conducts pioneering research that expands the knowledge base of aquarists and marine biologists, advances important deep-sea discoveries, and inspires new generations to care for the environment and pursue careers in science.
Next week, an e-mailed letter will be sent from the CEO to the 700 associates and volunteers of this fine organization. They will all be invited to participate in a project that will be a win-win-win for all concerned: the participants & their families, the Mystic Aquarium and the planet Earth. With enough people moving in the direction of a whole foods, plant-based diet, this special organization in southeastern Connecticut with a global mission will be “living its mission” of protecting our ocean planet.
A permanent, health-promoting diet-style with lots of flexibility. All of the emphasis is on what you ARE eating -- not what your are avoiding.
4-Leaf for 4-Weeks Challenge.While all may participate in the project, two groups of ten people each will compute for the best overall improvement in three important health markers: Blood pressure, total cholesterol and body mass index (BMI). Medical professionals will record their “beginning numbers” on January 9 and their ending numbers on February 6.
We know that adding more whole plant foods to our diets will produce dramatic results in virtually all health markers; the 4-week challenge just makes it more interesting for the spectators. The participants simply agree to eat at the 4-Leaf level for four weeks; meaning that they will derive at least 80% of their calories from whole plant-based foods for that period. And once they see and feel the results, they will never want to return to their former way of eating: the harmful, wasteful and unsustainable typical Western diet.
The sea lion exhibit area; an ideal place for our kick-off meeting just after Thanksgiving on November 29.
What about helping the planet? By eating a plant-based diet; they will be making a huge contribution to the health of our planet: water, land & forests, biodiversity and climate change. Take water, for example. Our meat, dairy & egg diet in the Western world is one of the leading consumers of water (15 times the domestic use) – and one of the leading polluters of water around the globe. By eating plant-based, we can all reduce our own water consumption footprint by over 90 percent. The associates at the aquarium will also influence others by their own example.
An interesting story to tell. How often do you hear of a project where members of an institution participate in a project that enables them to help themselves while living the mission of the organization? So what’s in it for the institution itself? As more associates adopt this healthier way of eating, the institution will enjoy increased productivity coupled with a reduction in the cost of health care — the single largest problem for many businesses and institutions everywhere.
With the help of various state and local news organizations, the participants in this project in Mystic, CT, will influence others to follow their lead. As the CEO says in his introduction letter, “This is an opportunity for you to do something great for yourselves, your family and your planet. Then, if enough people follow our lead, we can literally change the world.” See link below for more information on this fine organization.
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.
J. Morris Hicks, author and activist. 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
About Us | Sea Research Foundation
Brown vs. Yale — “4-Leaf Challenge” — the idea stage
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.
Sick humor to be sure, but clearly indicative of the fact that everyone really knows what is causing the majority of health problems for our kids.
Whose fault is it? In my opinion, culpable parties include all of those parents or groups that know, or suspect, that food is the main problem — but are not taking any action to correct it. Those groups include:
Coincidentally, during the past week, I posted two blogs that are particularly relevant to this topic today. The first was a hard look at the kids menus across our great land; 
J. Morris Hicks, engineer. writer. big picture guy. 