The Plantwise Podcast with Brigitte Gemme

This is a goosebumps episode! You're going to LOVE this conversation with Victoria Moran, a vegan icon for over 41 years, author of 13 books, and a recent inductee into the Vegan Hall of Fame. It's an honor to have Victoria in my kitchen to share her fascinating journey from being a solitary vegetarian in the 1960s Midwest to leading the Vegan Main Street Academy. We go deep into her connections within the vegan movement, her upcoming 14th book 'Age Like a Yogi: A Heavenly Path to a Dazzling Third Act', and her feature film project 'Miss Liberty'. Whether you’re interested in the health benefits of a plant-based diet, in the spiritual roots of yoga, or in the history of vegan activism, you're going to wish this episode was twice as long!  👉 Pre-order Victoria's new book Age Like a Yogi: A Heavenly Path to a Dazzling Third Act from your favorite bookstore, then send your receipt to assist@victoriamoran.com to unlock the cool pre-order bonuses, including a day-long workshop with her in January.  Learn more about the Main Street Vegan Academy and connect with Victoria on her website. Watch the trailer to Miss Liberty: The Movie!   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Victoria Moran 01:30 Early Vegan Journey in the 1980s 03:24 Influential Figures in Veganism 04:16 Challenges and Innovations in Early Veganism 07:39 Historical Events and Influencers 08:55 Personal Reflections on Vegan History 12:10 Yoga and Veganism: A Personal Journey 16:27 Aging Like a Yogi: The New Book 25:48 The Intersection of Yoga and Veganism 28:15 Yoga and Dietary Choices 28:57 Western Yoga and Secular Influence 29:53 The Importance of Ahimsa 30:13 Personal Stories and Veganism 31:57 Health Benefits of Veganism for Older Adults 33:04 Secrets to Vibrant Aging 35:29 The Role of Exercise 38:27 Miss Liberty: A Film Project 43:25 Encouragement for New Vegans 49:55 Pre-ordering 'Aging Like a Yogi'

How difficult is vegan and sustainable eating, travel, and living in Japan? Come in and listen as Brigitte discusses the topic with sustainable travel expert and Hiroshima tour guide Joy Jarman-Walsh, one of the forces behind Japan's sustainable travel improvements. In this episode, we cover: - Joy's journey in discovering that it was possible to be vegan and thrive in Japan - Sustainability in Japanese tourism: What are positive trends in the industry? - Cultural insights on eating habits: Why is it so hard to modify items on the menu in Japan?!  Curious to learn how you can adopt more sustainable travel practices and enjoy plant-based eating while exploring Japan? Tune in to gain valuable insights from Joy's extensive experience and innovative approaches to promoting sustainability and health through her work and daily life.  Don't forget to subscribe for more discussions on healthy living, sustainability, and mindful travel. CONNECT WITH JOY Catch her show : https://youtube.com/@seeksustainablejapan and on your favorite podcast platform Medium blog: https://medium.com/@jjwalsh   Tours of Hiroshima - feel free to book directly via Socials, Google Biz page, or book on Tours By Locals: https://www.toursbylocals.com/hiroshima-tour-guide-joy-j Consulting work - Inbound Ambassador: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Kjcc2Z4ta2CRU9t5 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjwalsh-inbound-ambassador/ Twitter: https://x.com/jjwalsh FB/Insta/Threads @inboundambassador Jump to sections that interest you most! [00:00:00] Introduction to Joy Jarman-Walsh [00:02:00] Joy’s Early Influence and Transition to Vegetarianism [00:06:00] The Shift from Vegetarian to Vegan in a Family Context [00:10:00] Challenges of Finding Vegan Food in Japan [00:18:00] Navigating Cultural Sensitivities in Japanese Dining [00:25:00] Sustainability in Everyday Japanese Life [00:30:00] Impact of Domestic and International Tourism on Local Cuisine [00:35:00] Vision for a More Sustainable Japanese Food Culture ----------------- Need a healthy stress-free vegan meal plan when eating at home? Download Planned & Plant-Based today, eat better next week: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based/

Do you want to avoid suffering from swollen, achy, hot joints, feeling fatigue, or struggling with mobility? Or decrease your risk of cardio-vascular events? Those issues often associated with aging are not inevitable! Join Brigitte in conversation with Linda Tyler, author of The Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook and creator of GraciousVegan.com. Linda explains everything you need to know about what inflammation is, how it's related to the food we eat, and how a different way of cooking can bring big improvements into your life today and in the long term. Linda also shares her favorite recipes and practical advice for making anti-inflammatory cooking a part of your everyday life. Whether you're a seasoned vegan chef or just curious about plant-based eating, there's something in this episode for everyone interested in the health benefits of an anti-inflammatory plant-based diet. Connect with Linda on her website at https://graciousvegan.com on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracious_vegan/ and buy her cookbook: https://www.graciousvegan.com/cookbook-details-and-ordering 

This is a can't-miss episode! Join me in conversation with Elaine Perlman, Executive Director of Waitlist Zero, an advocacy group committed to ending the kidney shortage in the United States. In this episode of the Vegan Family Kitchen Podcast, Elaine shares her deeply personal journey from embracing veganism and healthy plant-based living to becoming a kidney donor, gifting an organ to a stranger. Her transition to a plant-based lifestyle not only transformed her health but also fueled her passion for saving lives through organ donation. Elaine aims to pass critical federal laws in the United States, the End Kidney Deaths Act and the Honor Our Living Donors Act, to save lives and support donors across the nation. With over 90,000 people waiting for a lifesaving transplant, Elaine's advocacy work is more urgent than ever - and she needs your support. She also shares her experience in education, from teaching young students in New York City about healthy eating to mentoring adults transitioning to a healthier, plant-based diet. I love her approach to teaching about plant-based eating and kidney health, and anyone who is trying to nudge others towards doing the right thing will find lots to learn from Elaine. This episode is not just a talk; it's a call to action. Whether you're curious about plant-based living, concerned about kidney health, or intrigued by the idea of donating an organ to a stranger, Elaine's story offers valuable lessons and inspiring actions. Here is how one person's choices can ripple out to affect thousands of lives - we can all make a difference. Learn more: WaitlistZero.org Connect with Elaine: elaineperlman.com More about the campaign: EndKidneyDeaths.org

In this episode of the Vegan Family Kitchen podcast, host Brigitte Gemme talks with her guest, Deborah McNamara - a Vancouver-based counselor who is fascinated by the relationship between food and our connections with each other. Deborah discusses her experiences with helping adults make sense of their relationships with food and children, giving insights on treating food issues through the lens of relationships. As the author of the book 'Nourished: Connection, Food and Caring for Our Kids (and everyone else we love),' Deborah McNamara emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships through food, with adults taking the lead in caretaking to foster secure and healthy connections. Connect with Deborah MacNamara Get your copy of Nourished from your local bookstore, bookshop.org, or Amazon. Learn more about Deborah MacNamara's upcoming course: Gather to Eat -- Need to get organized to feed yourself and your loved ones really good food? Download Brigitte's healthy vegan 5-night dinner plan: Planned & Plant-Based. Find your own Flow in the Kitchen: Practices for Healthy Stress-Free Vegan Cooking

Learn about plant-based baking from the professionals! In this episode of the Vegan Family Kitchen Podcast, Brigitte Gemme interviews Natasha and Ed Tatton, owners of Whistler's BReD Bakery and authors of the newly published book BReD: Sourdough Loaves, Small Breads and Other Plant-Based Baking. We talk about: Replacing dairy and eggs with whole plant ingredients (no need for the middle bird!) Natasha and Ed's separate journeys toward veganism How the sourdough business grew organically Learn to sprout grains Hear business tips from seasoned bakery owners! Learn more and buy the book (includes links to shop local!): BReD: Sourdough Loaves, Small Breads and Other Plant-Based Baking Visit the Whistler (Canada) bakery: BReD Made by Ed ** Need to get organized to cook plant-based dinners at home on weeknights? Download Brigitte's 5-day healthy vegan dinner plan: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/

Most people could cook faster, waste less money and time, and be less stressed if they handle their grocery haul differently. In this podcast episode, Brigitte shares strategies for reducing food waste and cooking faster by properly storing groceries. Listen to the episode and try Brigitte's tips to get more organized in the kitchen, cook more efficiently, waste less food, time, and money, and find joy in cooking.  LINKS TO RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  Book: Flow in the Kitchen: Practices for Healthy Stress-Free Vegan Cooking (link to Amazon but you can order from any bookstore):  https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Kitchen-Practices-Healthy-Stress-free-ebook/dp/B0BF83KQ1W/ The 10 vegetables I make sure to always have on hand: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/vegan-grocery-list-vegetables/ My 75 healthy vegan pantry staples: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/vegan-pantry-staples/ 5-day dinner plan to cook nutritious and delicious meals faster: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based Buy your kale and eat it too: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/cut-food-waste-vegan-meal-planning-habits/ Original version of this article:  https://veganfamilykitchen.com/how-to-store-groceries/

Can there be such a thing as a blissful menopause? Every woman's experience will be different, but certain lifestyle and mindset shifts will make it a smoother ride. Brigitte's guest on the Vegan Family Kitchen podcast today is Anna Pelzer, a vegan menopause coach. She has some gentle guidance to help. In this thought-provoking conversation, Anna shares: Her journey from food photography to menopause coaching What she means when she suggests menopause can be a time of opportunity Actionable physical and mental health tips you can practice today Her own routine and stress-reduction strategies Based on Anna's past experience as a renowned vegan food photographer, we also touched on some behind-the-scene insight about the stress of social media for online creators. Struggling with menopause symptoms? Approaching menopause? You can connect with her for a free 30-minute consultation via her website Blissful Menopause, or connect on Instagram. Also tune in to her new podcast: The Vegan Menopause. **  Need a bit of help to eat more plants? Download Brigitte's 5-day healthy vegan dinner plan: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based/ ** JUMP AHEAD:  01:20 Anna's Journey to Menopause Coaching 02:36 The Impact of Stress on Menopause 02:59 The Importance of Lifestyle Medicine 03:34 Understanding Menopause Symptoms 04:45 Menopause as a New Beginning 05:59 Setting Health Goals During Menopause 06:55 The Role of Plant-Based Eating in Menopause 08:04 Transitioning to a Healthier Diet 10:03 Stress Reduction Techniques 10:46 The Power of Mindfulness 12:43 The Importance of Body Connection 14:07 Embracing Menopause with a Positive Mindset 21:26 Personal Routine and Habits 26:47 Dealing with Hot Flashes 30:19 The Role of a Menopause Doula

Brigitte explores the idea of cooking as a form of spiritual nourishment and shares her current five rituals for a deeper and more meaningful cooking experience. These include expressing gratitude before cooking, deeply understanding the origins of ingredients, staying fully present during the cooking process, cooking with a community, and sharing the food with love. Brigitte also shares how these practices help her manage stress and appreciate the process of meal preparation.  If you'd like to join Brigitte and her group every other Sunday in the kitchen, email her to introduce yourself at hello@veganfamilykitchen.com. You can also download useful templates and meal plan samples here: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/templates-and-printables/  00:02 Introduction to Spiritual Cooking 01:07 The Power of Gratitude in Cooking 02:41 Understanding the Origins of Our Ingredients 04:38 The Importance of Being Present While Cooking 06:38 Cooking as a Community Activity 08:20 Sharing the Food We Cook 09:58 Invitation to Join the Cooking Club 

With the charismatic Jean-Philippe Cyr, delicious and comforting vegan dishes are served with a side of self-deprecating humor... or is it the other way around? Jean-Philippe, a.k.a. The Buddhist Chef, just published his most recent English-language cookbook, The Buddhist Chef's Homestyle Cooking, and we chatted about: How being from a big Quebec family influenced his cooking journey What triggered his transition from restaurant chef specializing in meat to vegan YouTuber How to make tofu and tempeh delicious How he collaborates with large supermarket chains to create ready-to-eat vegan dishes And the social struggles of vegans! -- Struggling to decide what's for dinner? Download Brigitte's free Planned & Plant-Based one-week healthy vegan meal plan to get started with batch cooking and stress-free weeknights: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based/ 

How to stay connected with our culinary heritage without sacrificing health? Let's talk about it with Karla Salinari, a.k.a. The Latina Health Coach and author of the recently published cookbook Abuela's Plant-Based Kitchen: Vegan Cuisine Inspired by Latin & Caribbean Family Recipes. Diving into Karla Salinari's inspiring journey, we learn about her Puerto Rican roots, growing up with a strictly vegan father at a time when plant-based diets were practically unheard of. As Karla navigated between Miami and Puerto Rico, her eating habits varied. It wasn't until university in NYC that she truly embraced a plant-based lifestyle. Connecting back to her roots, Karla adapted traditional Puerto Rican dishes with healthier, vegan ingredients. Today, Karla's mission is to help others reconnect with their culinary heritage without sacrificing health. She champions flavorful, aromatic Puerto Rican cooking that's naturally plant-forward. From rice dishes infused with fresh greens to using vegan alternatives, she proves food can be nourishing and rooted in tradition. You can connect with Karla Salinari on her website at https://www.KarlaSalinari.com and on Instagram https://instagram.com/thelatinahealthcoach/  Her book, Abuela's Plant-Based Kitchen, is available everywhere. Enjoy! ------------ Would you like to enjoy healthy stress-free vegan dinners next week? Download Brigitte's free Planned & Plant-Based one-week meal plan to get started: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based/ 

Veganic gardening is an approach to growing plants organically without any animal inputs. In other words: plant-based gardening! If you already have a garden, listen in to learn from Meg Kelly how to transition to a kinder and safer approach. If you don't already grow your own veggies, be prepared to get inspired by her hot tips to get started! Meg Kelly has been gardening veganically for 15 years in backyards, on balconies, and in the countryside. She co-founded the Veganic Agriculture Network in 2008 to increase awareness about veganic gardening and farming in North America. She now teaches the Learn Veganic online gardening course to help people around the world grow their own thriving gardens that are animal-friendly and sustainable. You can learn more about the online veganic gardening course here: https://learnveganic.com/ (use coupon code VEGANFAMILYKITCHEN for $20 off - not an affiliate! just happy to spread the veganic gardening love) Connect with Meg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learnveganic/ #vegan #plantbased #gardening #veganic #veganicgardening #veganicagriculture #agriculture -- Need help with meal planning and batch cooking? Try my free Planned & Plant-Based 5-day dinner plan. Download it here: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/ 

Why not try something different, pay attention to the results, and take it from there? This Vegan Family Kitchen Podcast episode's guest, Helen C. Giles, is a colleague, cooking friend, and meal plan subscriber whose stories will encourage you to embrace experimentation and give thanks for the life and body you have now. In this conversation, we explore: The beginnings of Helen's journey into vegetarianism, which started in a high school Animal Science class, and how she took her parents along for the ride; Her self-guided path to healing from a mental health crisis when conventional medicine's failed to help; How listening to her body led her to quit dairy and experiment with laying off gluten, and how she makes the meal plans work for her; Her non-conventional career path following a graduate degree in Public Health; The joy of embracing our freedom, beauty, and worth today. Stay inspired by connecting with Helen: Her lovely newsletter is available for subscription on her website: Helen C. Giles She write on Medium and plans to start sharing videos on YouTube. --  Meal planning and weekend batch cooking make healthy plant-based living stress-free and so much more interesting! Download my free Planned & Plant-based guide for 5 recipes, including a shopping list and meal prep instructions. https://veganfamilykitchen.com/

Get inspired to cook more healthy vegan Italian food with Antonia Ricciardi! Antonia trained in physics and worked in the publishing industry, but her roots in the family restaurant in Southern Italy stayed strong. In our podcast conversation, you'll learn more about:  Antonia's inspiring shift from the sciences to the culinary world, ingeniously weaving Italian flavors into her vegan dishes. Her favorite substitute for meat in vegan Bolognese sauce - and how the people of Bologna actually make it! The powerful wellness benefits of raw food, with a special spotlight on Antonia's delectable raw cakes from her Cambridge, UK shop. Antonia's practical guidance for anyone embarking on a plant-based diet or a career in vegan cuisine. And her clients' favorite dishes!  Links: Antonia's Cambridge UK private chef services  Her raw cake shop Antonia on Instagram Her frittata recipe is on my website: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/italian-cooking-with-antonia-ricciardi Tune in with Vegan Family Kitchen Podcast host, Brigitte Gemme, and Antonia Ricciardi to explore the fascinating world of Italian plant-based cooking, where tradition meets healthy innovation. Savor this episode and ignite your culinary passion! -- Need a meal plan? Visit Vegan Family Kitchen and share your email at the top of the page to receive my free 5-day healthy vegan dinner plan featuring all-time client favorites: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/

How to deal with having to go down to the air raid shelter in the midst of cooking dinner? Is there even something that's good to eat when you are under threat of bombing? And how can we make cooking and eating a more meaningful experience, even under a prolonged state of emergency such as war? In this can't-miss episode of the Vegan Family Kitchen podcast, I am honored to talk about all this - and more - with Oksana Spoliak, a Ukrainian food blogger who lives in Lviv. Oksana Spoliak is a Ukrainian who rediscovered her love of food, bringing together efficiency and creativity in preparing healthy meals. She values mindFOODness and, despite the invasion, continues to share her love to cooking in her food blog as well as within her community. Even in hard times of disastrous war in her home country, cooking is the activity that helps her feel grounded and enjoy the present moment as well as help others eat healthy. Those who speak (or are curious about) Ukrainian will love her videos on YouTube and want to connect with her on Instagram. Don't miss her upcoming program and events! Oksana also invites everyone to support her Ukrainian charity of choice, Come Back Alive, and keeps this list of resources up to date: What you can do to help Ukraine now. Thank you for listening and for your support. 

In this episode of the Vegan Family Kitchen podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jules Cormier, a family physician, plant-based nutrition advocate, and ninja sports athlete who shares his inspiring story of transformation, healing, and performance.  In his 20s, Dr. Cormier suffered from cholinergic angioedema, a severe condition that caused anaphylactic-like symptoms and swelling when exercising. After a flare-up that sent him to the hospital (as a patient!), he was encouraged to try cutting out dairy to manage his symptoms... and it worked! Soon, he adopted a fully plant-based diet and hasn't had an episode since.  With over a decade of experience as a plant-based doctor, Dr. Cormier shares his journey and the benefits of plant-based nutrition in treating and preventing various health conditions. His approach has caught on among his colleagues. In the interview, we discuss how he integrates plant-based nutrition in his practice when appropriate, and the power of small changes to make a big difference.  We also chatted about his passion for fitness and his discovery of ninja sports. Last year, he even qualified for the World Ninja Championships in Las Vegas, where he was pleased to compete without fear of an adverse reaction.  Listen in and be inspired! Then make sure to connect with Dr. Jules Cormier on his website: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/ -- Need a better plan for healthy vegan dinners? Download the free 5-day "Planned & Plant-Based" guide: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based/  Overwhelmed, frustrated, or resenteful in the kitchen? It's time for a mindset shift. Check out Brigitte's book Flow in the Kitchen: Practices for Healthy Stress-Free Vegan Cooking: http://veganfamilykitchen.com/books

Most people believe that they'd cook better if they had a bigger kitchen... but is that so? Kathy Davis, who runs the Eat More Plants Academy and published three cookbooks, lives in a RV and her story challenges conventional views. It's all about intention.  Kathy Davis is the CEO of VegInspired and a plant-based lifestyle and mindset coach for female entrepreneurs. I was surprised to hear that, eight years ago, she came to plant-based eating kicking and screaming after her husband read an article about the health benefits. Later, a farm visit led her to become vegan. She enjoyed exploring all the amazing plant-based food options that were becoming available at restaurants, documenting it all on her YouTube channel. Unfortunately, her health suffered.  Almost three years ago, she made the decision to shift her daily habits to follow a whole food plant-based lifestyle. She experienced amazing results: not only she lost weight but, more importantly, she found herself with renewed energy and a newfound sense of joy. She and her husband John have taken their life on the road and they slowly make their way across the United States with the goal of visiting all national parks, making the most of her increased fitness and stamina.  You can connect with Kathy on Instagram and get a free whole food plant-based meal plan on her website, VegInspired. -- You too can enjoy healthy stress-free vegan dinners next week. Download the 5-day Planned & Plant-based guide: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based/ A zen-inspired guide to better meals by podcast host Brigitte Gemme: Flow in the Kitchen: Practices for Healthy Stress-Free Vegan Cooking.

Nic Bathurst, a dietitian and nutritionist, and mom of four kids, thought of herself as a healthy and fit person with good habits. Then, at age 48 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy and started digging into the literature about breast cancer. What she found out was not what she had learned in school.  That was 10 years ago, and she has turned her life around since, in addition to changing the way she works with her clients. I had the pleasure of sitting with her for a conversation about: How menopause doesn't have to make us victims of our hormones  Whether or not we should worry about protein  The place of alcohol in a healthy lifestyle How industry finds the right "bliss point" to hook us to foods we'd probably be better off without Small experiments we can try to see if our life improves And more! Nic is a dietitian and nutritionist of over 30 years. She has been a passionate plant advocate since she got breast cancer in 2013 and discovered the health and weight loss benefits of a diet powered by plants. She now specializes in helping women navigate their mid-life hormones, release unwanted weight, and optimize their health by eating more plants. I encourage you to connect with Nic Bathurst on her website Naturally Nic and to watch her videos on YouTube. 

The food we eat isn't neutral: every bite has the potential to nourish and heal us, or harm us. So says Leah Cooper, my friend Down Under who teaches yoga and whole food cooking in the macrobiotic tradition.  In our conversation, we talk about: Why the connection between yoga and food isn't always made in conventional yoga classes What therapeutic yoga can be a better choice for those of us whose bodies aren't in perfect shape How we can eat according to the seasons And how to make veggie-rich miso soup for breakfast!  My guest Leah Cooper is a yoga teacher, whole food cook, and health and wellbeing enthusiast. She started her business, The Centre of Ki (pronounced 'key') in 2013 and has been teaching weekly yoga classes, hosting yoga retreats, and leading seasonal cooking workshops in the Barossa Valley of South Australia for 10 years. She also has a YouTube channel that enables her to share her passions for health and wellbeing to a wider audience, and in 2021 she began her podcast - The Wellbeing Room.  

"When we uncover who we are, and we are willing to show up as that person, a lot of barriers just fall away."  Those are the wise and inspiring words of my guest, Kimberly Winters. Kimberly is the host of the Did You Bring the Hummus? podcast, where she gently guides those who wish to adopt a vegan lifestyle through their transition. In addition to coaching, she supports others - vegan or not - as an energy guide and reiki practitioner.  I wanted to bring Kimberly on the show to talk about the spiritual energy of food. What difference does it make, in our bodies, hearts, and souls, to eat plants as opposed to animals?  In this episode, I also bring Kimberly to share her journey with us, including early signs that she should probably go vegan (though she ignored them) and a long stint as a vegetarian who didn't like vegetables or know how to cook.  You can connect with Kimberly Winters for guidance, or to join her healing circles, on her podcast's page: Did You Bring the Hummus? (Did you?!) http://didyoubringthehummus.com/  -- Do you need a bit of help deciding what's for dinner now that you want to eat more plants (and fewer animals)? Let me help you with a 5-night healthy vegan dinner plan. Learn more at http://veganfamilykitchen.com/ Overwhelmed, frustrated, or resentful in the kitchen? It's time for a mindset shift. Check out Brigitte's book Flow in the Kitchen: Practices for Healthy Stress-Free Vegan Cooking.