TGIF

Yes, I know it is Tuesday. So, what's with the TGIF?

Thank God It's February.

For many of you, January just snowballed, literally. I talked to my mom yesterday and she has 4-5 foot drifts on her "temperate" island and she and my kiddos have another storm on the way. January was a doozy. I think one for the record books.Tomorrow is Ground Hog's Day...we will see what Punxsutawney Phil has to say!

Yesterday the new food guidelines were released and no surprises there. Eat less. Eat more veggies, fruits and whole grains. Still way too nebulous in their guidelines but they did acknowledge the huge, healing role of the plant kingdom. As a matter of fact, make sure half your plate at each meal is filled with veggies and fruits. We have been saying that all along. A plant-based diet will change everyone for the better and with a nearly whopping 105 million (yes!!) Americans with either diabetes or pre-diabetes, we better hurry. http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p0126_diabetes.html

For embracing plant-power in a publicly endeared forum, this Red White and Food post shouts out to Oprah. Today on her show, she is sharing that she and her staff of 300 plus are going beyond veg to vegan for a week. I cannot wait to watch it and see if somehow, this can be contagious for more than a week, if not vegan, at least veg. I don't usually watch her but her "O" power can have an amazing ripple effect. Michael Pollan is also on. Tune in if you can!

Here is a picture of what I wish could be our national plate, courtesy of Dr. Neal Barnard:

Post Oprah note: I really liked the premise of the show: conscious eating..."eating and understanding where our food is from is really something to think about" and making a personal decision on what goes on your fork. And, how cool that Harpo is now embracing "Meatless Mondays" and adding veg options permanently to the company cafeteria.

What was a little disappointing was that the health, spiritual and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet didn't come out until the last few minutes and that to "source" both vegan foods and humanely-raised and slaughtered animal products were at places and from farmers not accessible to many of us "neighborhood" people. How do you know if Temple Grandin designed the slaughterhouse where your meat comes from?

Good, healthy, consciously-chosen food needs to be available on every corner and this show was a great starting point for what that means to you and what personal choices you are going to make. That's when we will see change that betters all lives involved.