Heart Healthy - 9/10 Week - GREAT NEWS!

Our Path to a Healthier Life

Hello!  Thanks for checking back with us as we travel down this path for a healthier life!

We have FABULOUS NEWS!  This lifestyle WORKS...

First, I am no doctor, nurse or ANYTHING dealing in the medical field - I am a concerned wife trying to get her husband healed and start a prevention of heart disease by serving a plant-based diet!  I didn't even know what "triglycerides" were 3 months ago!

After 10 weeks on a plant-based diet - Kyle weighs in at 218 lbs!  What a difference weight loss has made - here are pictures of Kyle - made a year apart!  Good health shows!  But the IMPORTANT thing is his blood work numbers are incredible!  It was BEYOND better than we had planned for!  

Along with Kyle's recent blood work - his doctor sent his last one done in 2014 to compare - ideally, we wanted his cholesterol and triglycerides under 150; and his LDL to be under 80.  As you can see... it truly is beyond what we had hoped for!  

How long has it been that YOU have had your blood tested and you are aware of the numbers??  

You owe yourself and your family to KNOW this information!  Looking back with Kyle's heart attack, if we had been aware of his cholesterol number - we could've changed things!  

Know your numbers!

Your blood test will divide up and give you numbers of a variety of things.  

Your HDL is the GOOD cholesterol; 

LDL is the BAD cholesterol (think lethal cholesterol).  

The triglycerides are the fatty globs that float in your blood that will cause plaque.

By eating a plant-based diet (no meat, no dairy with minimal use of sugar and salt) has significantly lowered the chance of plaque buildup in the veins.  How do we know this?  By the low cholesterol number!  Kyle is still mending - so we are opting to not consume OIL or caffeine - in hopes of healing the lining of veins and arteries.  

This lifestyle has made a HUGE difference.  I DO believe that it's made a positive effect on Kyle's health.  We will continue with this diet and help others to see that there is hope and results you can receive just by changing your diet!

This week's top pick  

HEART HEALTHY RECIPE 

for a plant-based diet  is a

Kyle's Favorite Quinoa Salad

Here is a recipe for a quinoa salad that Kyle LOVES!  This recipe is one that HE makes - its that easy!  It's even good the next day!  We serve it cold - eat it as a main meal or as a side!  Enjoy!

 Kyle's Lime Quinoa Salad

1/2 tsp. Red Pepper flakes

1 1/2 cups halved Cherry Tomatoes

1 can Black Beans; drained and rinsed

3-4 Green onions, finely chopped

1/4 cup chopped Fresh Cilantro

Salt & Black Pepper 

1 cup Quinoa

2 cups Water

2 limes; juiced

2 tsp. Ground Cumin

Bring quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan.  Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until quinoa is tender (20-25 minutes)  Cool.  In a small bowl, combine lime juice, cumin, 1 tsp. salt and red pepper flakes together in a bowl.  In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, tomatoes, black beans and green onions together in a bowl.  Pour the lime dressing over quinoa salad.  Stir in cilantro - season with salt and black pepper.  Serve immediately or chill!

A question we often receive from family & friends while following a plant-based diet is:  

"How do you travel and eat while not at home with access to a kitchen?"  

Recently, Kyle traveled a week to San Antonio to a Math Convention - and here is a picture of the food that he took with him.  Yes, it took planning and cooking BUT he was able to stay on his diet with flying colors!  Breakfast was mixed in mason jars of oatmeal, chia seeds - ready for almond milk (overnight oatmeal recipe); a variety of hummus, vegetables, fruits, couscous salad, quinoa salad, triscuit crackers and bean chips.  Plus, LOTS of water!  

Kyle also requested a refrigerator for his room - did you know that you could do that at most hotels??   When eating out at a restaurant - he ordered a No meat, no dairy meal!  We have learn to look for the vegan/vegetarian plate specials.  Also to ask for dishes that fit our lifestyle! Most restaurants have a side of steamed vegetables or salads that work.   So, that is how we are learning to travel and stay on track with a plant-based diet!

Here is a link to last week's progress - here.   And if you have just started reading this - this link will take you to the beginning - here!

Thanks for stopping by and letting us share our story!  Remember to hug the ones you love the most... until next time!