When we think of losing weight we often think of going to the gym, reducing carbs, and for some people, almost starving themselves to death. There are many ways to lose weight and feel health and a new nonprofit organization in Tucson Arizona is offering a wonderful solution. Eat Plant based foods.
In April 2010 Jared Keen put the soda down and picked up water. It was the first step toward transforming my health. Little by little he started to make changes to his diet. Keen switched out conventional foods for organic foods and started cooking for himself instead of eating packaged convenience foods.
As the weight came off, he began to detox, physically and emotionally. After every emotional detox, another 4-5 pounds would drop, so he continued on his inward exploration while doing the best he could with his diet. In May 2011, he started eating a mostly raw food plant based diet. Over the course of 14 months, Jared dropped 120 pounds of weight and 43 years of emotional trauma. Today he is inspired to help people who are looking to get healthier but don't know where to start.
My motto is "Meet people where they are. It's not about being perfect, it's just about doing a little better every day. In Tucson Arizona, Jared decided to start a nonprofit called Plant Based Nation in order to bring the message of health, not only physical but emotional, mental and spiritual that comes from eating a plant based diet. Jared states, "We don't promote any particular type of plant based diet, though we recognize there are many ways to eat plant based. Our goal is to show the options and let people find the path that is right for them."
What is plant based foods and is it better for you? Plant based foods are vegetables, fruits and other plant foods that are rich sources of antioxidant nutrients like vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and other carotenoids. These may protect our cells from damage by cancer-causing agents, halting the earliest processes that lead to cancer. In addition, they contain thousands of phytochemicals (natural substances in plants, like indoles, isoflavones and polyphenols) that appear to protect against cancer in a variety of ways. Many studies show that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is health promoting and can prevent and even reverse the effects of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a host of other diseases.
Jared and his board believe in healthy eating styles so much that they have taken their idea's and intentions to local businesses and schools in Tucson and they are now serving plant based lunches at Tuller school offer children healthy eating habits while educating them and their parents on plant based foods. Jared also hosts a monthly vegan potluck where the curious can come try a wide range of plant based dishes and connect with people living this lifestyle. Going to Plant Based Nation website will offer times and locations.
This wonderful local Tucson business has also collaborated with The Loft Cinema to start a farmer's market on Saturdays starting March 16. They are focusing on local growers and expect to have about 20 local vendors each week. Plant Based Nation not only support local organic farmers and farmer's markets, they support local plant based businesses, co-ops, restaurants, local chefs, health care providers, fitness experts, counselors, and more. Jared believes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and after losing 120 pounds, Jared has earned the right to make that statement.
Transitioning toward a plant-based diet is far easier than most people expect and Jared and his team help educate people and offer one-on-one coaching for people interested in making the switch who need assistance.
Visit their webpage and see how Plant Based Nation is helping Tucsonans eat better. They also have a conference coming up and the information is on their webpage. Enjoy Tucson's local Farmers Markets to get some of the best organic plant based foods available.
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