Rocky Balboa Likes Kale (in my mind)...

I took this picture when I was at the red light at the Philadelphia Art Museum yesterday. I spotted the other love of my life, Rocky Balboa. I love him. When "Rocky" came out in 1976, I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Brasil. And when the film came to my town, I went to the cinema every night to see this movie of inspiration. Yes, inspiration. There's something about the blaring trumpet's of Bill Conti's theme that makes me want to reach for the stars. The theme music is on my iPod. And, there's something about hearing those mellifluous words, "Yo, Adrian."

I've lived in Philadelphia for more than thirty years, and I embarrass myself when I say, "Yo, Bobby," or "Yo, Jackie." It just comes out. People don't expect a sixty year old to say, "Yo." But, I do. I think I say it with endearment.

But, Rocky is my inspiration to never give up. Anytime I have crossed a finish line of a marathon, Rocky's theme song has been on my iPod (or its precursor, the "Walkman"). When I am on Kelly Drive and doing a workout, I relive scenes from the movie, especially at mile one. I have the miles marked in "Rocky Miles." Sadly, "Rocky Mile" three on Kelly Drive is where Adrian is buried. I know, sad, right?

My real connection with Rocky Balboa (face it, how can you NOT love a guy whose turtles are called "Cuff" and "Link?") is the tenacity required to get healthier. The boldness to be "Plant Strong" and to focus on the daily actions needed to be healthy. In this case, I am determined, like Rocky running up the Art Museum steps, to get thin, and have a body that matches my mind. And, the side effects of being healthier are so rewarding. Nothing to do with smaller sized clothing, it's all about feeling calmer, happier, self-fulfilled...being taken differently by others. Really. I have been so harsh on myself for so long, and I know that the harshness has trickled over into other aspects of my life, and for this, I offer amends.

So, yesterday when I was waving to Rocky's statue (yes, I was, Yo, Rocky!), I was wondering about dinner. What would I make? This is a salsa that is delish, And yes, it has kale in it. It can be your main course.

I think if there was a remake of "Rocky," he'd be making a kale shake instead of eating raw eggs.

Let me know how you like this.

Bean and Kale Salsa

Can of black beans, washed, drained
One cup of fresh tomato, chopped (I actually like mini Heirlooms cut in half)
One avocado, diced
1/2 onion, finely diced
One garlic clove (I grate it on a zester)
1 red pepper diced (you can use any color pepper, I just like red)
One cup of finely minced cilantro
One cup of very finely minced raw kale
Juice of 1-2 lemons or limes

Mix all of the ingredients together, adding the lemon juice, last. Remember to roll the lemon before cutting in half-it'll be much juicier.

You can serve the salsa on whole Romaine Leaves, corn tortillas, steamed collards. Or, on a bed of lettuce.

This is my favorite dish.

I think Rocky would approve and say, "Yo, Charlene..." Live PLANT STRONG.

Thought for the Day:

If there is a "Plant Strong" version of "Pay it Forward," what will you do to help others learn about the benefits of eating foods that are plant based?

SKYPING with Rip Esselstyn...Plant Strong People...

In this picture: J.R. Rudberg, Char Nolan, Abe Heller, Rich Root

What a glorious day.

A few weeks ago, one of my store leaders wrote a reference letter for me, and had remembered that I once told him that I would work for Whole Foods Market for free...that's just how much I love what I do. When lay people ask me what it is that I do at WFM, I tell them this: I am like the mayor of a small village. And since work becomes a community, I guess I am really like a mayor. I do not have any political aspirations, but being the mayor here just suits me fine. Everyday, I feel as though I am riding on the back of a 1957 Chevy just like Nancy Pelosi would do at a community parade. Only, I am not wearing a designer suit and pearls...more like jeans and a WFM vest.

So what juiced me up today?

Today, about fifteen team members assembled to attend a PLANT STRONG POTLUCK (I think I like the word buffet better). Awesome and delicious Plant Strong Food...then, came the entertainment. No dancing girls. No rock stars. Not even a talk show host. Better. Totally better!

We SKYPED with Rip Esselstyn, the author of the "Engine 2 Diet." This guy is something else. Like if you see him on YOU TUBE and watch his videos, you scratch your head and say, "Is this dude for real?" And the answer, hands down, is YES! Rip got introduced to every Team Member, he asked their names, was endearing to some (to Evelyn he said, "Hello Darling" and she's been like a charmed school girl since then), answered questions, all with a genuine heart. Everyone's heart was filled with a dose of Rip's reality and goodness...hard to put into words. Sort of like, you had to be there. Rip is a catalyst for change--he hasn't peaked yet, his work has barely begun.

As my store leader, Abe, said, "This was a home run, we hit it out of the park with Rip." It wasn't just that, it was like a Grand Slam in game seven of the World Series, bottom of the ninth, tied score. We won with Rip. Everyone can win with Rip's program, "The Engine Two Diet." In my head, though, it is the "Engine Two Program" or the "Engine Two Formula." The word diet makes me nervous.

Today, there was another highlight. One of the participants of my "E2 Immersion" came and SURPRISED me. Was it great to see him. His name is J.R. Lovely. Pure. Funny. The father of two young boys. Being Plant Strong should give him the license to enjoy every moment of his children's lives. I noticed in him that being Plant Strong carries no regrets. When I saw him and how differently he looked in three weeks, he said, "Really, you think?" I know, J.R. Seeing him today gave me a slice of our Immersion, and all I could do was smile.

But back to baseball and hitting it out of the park...for me, that is what LIVING PLANT STRONG is doing. If you know someone who is struggling with weight, moodiness, chronic illness, the answer to a cure is in the produce aisle of your local grocery store (which I hope is a Whole Foods Market). When I tell you that my professional dieting career has taken me everywhere, it has. And now, I know that being plant strong is the answer. I used to think that I had a character flaw because I couldn't manage my food. But, now I know that the right foods, like those that are plant strong, are working for me. I am calmer, more relaxed, more energetic. I even feel kinder and more loving.

Before I thank my team members for a great day, I wanted to share a quick story. A shopper whom I have known for years stopped and said, "Hey, how was your Immersion?" And in the middle of our conversation, she stopped talking and said to me, "Oh my God, what are you using on your skin? It is marvelous. Take me to Whole Body and show me!!"

So, I took her to the "Kale Section" and pointed to my new best friend, Kale. I told her to come in 3-4 times a week and pick up some kale. Then, we walked over to the Health Starts Here section, and she bought a copy of the "Engine 2 Diet." I assured her that putting good things in your body was more everlasting than putting good things on your body.

And, so, to the FABULOUS team members at the Whole Foods Market, Devon, THANKS for having our Club Vedge become a reality. We had delicious food. Delicious fun. Delicious conversation...and everyone was touched by the wisdom and valid practice of Rip Esselstyn. To my new friend, J.R. Rudberg, you were a great fit to the Devon Team, and we LOVED having you here with us! Your role as a father has the blue print of a Plant Strong future.

Lastly, my ASTL, Abe Heller is moving on to another store. And, I realized yesterday, that I will really miss him. He is one plant strong leader.

And let's remember the Kale...

If you use a jar of bottled tomato sauce (the fat free WFM 365 organic is best), put it in your blender. Add about a cup of raw kale leaves. Then, blend, blend, blend. In the Vita-Mix, the kale becomes invisible and you have a more nutrient dense sauce to splash on a pizza, pasta, or veggies. Enjoy.

And, a reminder...Count your blessings.

Questions for Natala...What's the Buzz?

I met Natala at my Engine 2 Immersion. Did she ever have a story to tell. Listening to her, I felt like I was Oprah, because I was deeply engrossed in Natala's every word. When she would talk, I would nod my head in understanding, and to affirm that I was listening. Just like my girl, Oprah does. At about five feet tall, this human dynamo, Natala Constantine, has lost about 150 pounds, and she is still shedding, and as she does, she is gaining wisdom and insight. Nice trade-off, Nat.

My Immersion was three weeks ago, and I still feel very Plant Strong/Plant Savvy/Plant Bold/Plant Terrific. Natala sent out a questionnaire today, and I thought I would list my answers here, sort of a cathartic activity for me. And maybe, you'll find something useful for yourself.

Natala's Questions

1. Tell me why you decided to sign up for the Engine 2 Immersion. It signed up for me. We had a choice as to what program we might be able to attend. I had been following "Eat to Live" by Joel Fuhrman, but had also read "Engine 2." At the time, E2 didn't totally appeal to me because it used the word, "diet." I filled out my application, and my great fortune is that I was selected to Engine 2. The BEST thing that ever happened to me (out side of being a wife and mother)

2. What were you expecting from the Immersion? You know, I went with a very open mind and heart. Any Whole Foods Market organized team build, meeting, etc, is always very well planned. So, I knew that it would be structured, fun, informative, and beneficial. I didn't think it would be filled with so much emotion and feeling.

3. What did you think the hardest part would be? That didn't even enter my mind. I'd been plant strong for six months, had lost forty plus pounds, so the word "hard" didn't really enter my mind.

4. What surprised you the most about your experience? Nothing surprised me, either. I had studied the itinerary before hand and had a grasp about the program and its content. Oh,wait...not having TV for a week was going to be difficult, but I quickly learned that not having TV wasn't awful. I had used TV as background noise, what I learned is that TV is really a distraction, even as background noise. Since being back, the TV is only on at certain times.

5. What was the biggest thing you took away from the experience? I ate greens, but not nearly enough. Now, I eat kale, collards, brocolini, chard, etc. three times a day. I did clean my food up a great deal, and knocked out anything processed. I am a very "black and white" person, so eating foods from the ground has suited me best. Eating kale, moving, reading labels, and reversing heart disease were big on my list. The biggest thing, though, was the emotional intensity. The sense that I work for an amazing company, that I have a wonderful life, and that I am really blessed.

6. Did you experience any health changes in that week or since then? Weight loss continues nicely. I looked good on paper, and had no health problems. I have 100 more pounds to lose, so I am just waiting for it to melt off. Oh, I had to get new bras. I went from a size 42DD to a 40D. (I know, it sounds like the answer to an algebra problem).

7. What has it been like to be back home? Well, I got a Vita-Mix, have bought a Tiffin, got lots of containers, and have re-organized my kitchen. I cook plant strong for the everyone, and if my family doesn't like what I have made, they have an option to pay for their own take-out. This week at work, a shopper asked me, "What are you using on your skin? It looks awesome!" So, I took her to the KALE section of produce and said, "This is my new secret!" We laughed.

8. Do you have a favorite meal now? I make a bean salsa in lettuce leaves that I love. I do not, though, have a favorite meal. I cook in batches and keep lots of selections at hand. Oh, and I do enjoy the "Mighty Muffin."

9. How do you think your life has changed because of what you have learned? Simple. I am less harsh on myself. I thought that I had a character flaw because I couldn't manage my food intake. What I know now is that I was making the WRONG selections. I would crave and think about food ALL the time. Now, I am calm about food, no worries. If I had deviated from the eating plan of the day, it would have given me permission to binge. I haven't binged in six months. I think my blood sugar is stabilized and I no longer crave any foods. Living plant strong has balanced out my life.

10. Why should others have hope about being plant strong? Well, I am not sure if those not living plant strong can have hope because they may not be able to surrender what they perceive as "foods I love." My own sense of hope comes from a deep belief that this is the right thing to do, for me. And although someone at work told I was dogmatic about being "plant strong," I do not think that is the case. I learned this week that when people speak ill of something, someone, or a belief, that they are really telling you alot more about themselves.

I am waiting for that day that when I tell someone I am a marathon walker that they say, "WOW!" instead, "You walk marathons?" When that happens, I know I will have reached the mountain top. And in a smaller bra, too!

Bye, Bye Betty Crocker Brownies and Hola Frijoles

I've been a maniac in the kitchen. I've been organizing and re-organizing the 100 square feet that is my "studio." Lettuce spinners, mandolins, that Vita-Mix...all need shelf space. Plus, I have several new vegan cook books. And, not enough storage for everything.

I had a recipe for "Black Bean Brownies" and there are several on the Internet, but not all are vegan. Some called for eggs and butter. This one of from my "Engine Two Immersion." I tweaked it a little, and it was still good. You need to think outside the box (of brownie mix), and think about the positives of living PLANT STRONG.

A sidebar here is my strong opinion about the lady on Oprah today...

In 2002 she lost 175 pounds and was the picture of health. Oprah and Bob (Greene) were singing her praises. But, years later, she gained 150 pounds back. She voiced her shame and self-resentment. She kept a wide variety of clothing sizes from a 10-28. I felt a very kindred spirit with her. Her words brought me to tears, because her well chosen words were my unspoken thoughts.

The seduction of food is awful if you are not plant strong. For me, the cleansing of your body through living plant strong is the key to eating better and not being drawn to the ills of "bad" eating, or making the wrong food choices. Really, I thought I had a character flaw because I couldn't manage food, but now, I see that a plant strong way of eating removes any cravings that would normally twirl themselves into my life. A nibble here, and nibble there...and then there would have been the downward spiral in storming through the kitchen. I haven't done that in almost seven months.

Back to the brownies...here you go folks. Oh, but wait, one last thought. And, it has to do with allowing yourself to be plant strong for just 28 days...just 28 days...less than a month. Engine 2 is there for you...take what you want and leave the rest behind. And most of all, believe in yourself and knowing that you have the tools to make this work for you! Something for you, and only you. When was the last time you did something just for yourself?

And now, the BROWNIES. Ta-dum...

One can of black beans, drained and rinsed well
1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup of water
1 T of vanilla extract (the pure stuff)
1/2 cup of date sugar or date paste (about 6 dates, pureed will also do)

Put these in your blender and go, go, go! You'll get a nice paste.

DRY INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup of good quality cacao powder
1 t. of cinnamon
1/2 of instant oatmeal
2 T of instant espresso coffee (I used Roma, a cereal "coffee," and it worked fine)

Grind this into a nice powder. Add 1 t. of baking powder.

Mix the dry and wet together by hand. Do not over mix.

Get a piece of parchment paper and line a square pan. Pour the batter in. Garnish with ground walnuts. Place in a 350 degree oven and bake for 45 minutes. You can tell they're done when there is no "bounce-back." Let cool. Remove from pan, and cut into squares. Store in an air-tight container. I ran a "calorie" count on these on Spark People, and they calculate at about 80 calories each.

You'll eat one and say, "This is good." One will be enough, you will feel full, these babies are so rich in fiber. Really, they're good. And the next time we are invited somewhere, I am taking these as my dessert contribution.

Thought of the Day: Get honest with your relationship with conventional foods...then, seek the vistas in living plant strong. You will feel better, so much better. Spread the word...eat a vegan brownie. Give yourself 28 days to test drive a plant strong life, too.

Kale, Kale, The Gang's All Here

Earlier this week, I ventured out to visit an MD whose practice is based on nutritional sciences. It was an interesting visit and a mixture of the allopathic world meeting nutrition. One of the tests that the doctor carried out was measuring the amount of phytochemicals in my body. Anything above 70,000 was considered excellent. So, as I put my hand over the machine (it seemed very Star Wars to me), you could see the machine recording. I was rooting for the kale measure in my body to put me into the Olympic Zone. I was hoping for a gold medal.

Finally, the machine finishes measuring, and I score a 75,000! What it said to me was that K-A-L-E, one of the richest nutrient dense foods was doing its "thang." Kale has gotten a bad rap, for years, it was a garnish, along with a wedge of fresh pineapple, say, on a deli platter. And, now, it has the premiere spot on my dish, the spotlight, the center stage. My new favorite food. I mix it in salads, put it into everything, even put it in my oatmeal! And, I love it.

Perhaps you are new to kale. And a great way to "get into it" is to shake your groove thing and make a Kale Shake. Here are two (2) different types of Kale Shakes...try them both.

By the way, the easiest way to make your shake portable is to use an old 32 ounce glass jar. You recycle, reuse, and the shake just seems to taste better in glass. Really.

Kale and Banana Shake

8 ounces of Almond Milk (unsweetened)
One very ripened frozen banana
One cup of kale (any kind)

I keep bananas in the freezer so that when I make them into a shake, a thickness is created from the frozen banana. Just throw everything into your blender, and blend until the kale is almost invisible. You'll have a beautiful and healthy green shake.

Kale and Carrot/Orange Juice Smoothie

Four ounces, each, of Carrot and Orange Juices
1/2 frozen banana
One cup of kale (any kind)

Throw everything into your blender. Blend until super smooth. This is VERY refreshing.

Tip of the Day: It's easier to smile and say "yes" to someone, even if you do not agree with them. Saves loads of energy, and you'll feel better, really. Go eat some Kale!

Annoucing a New Addition...

Charlene Rose Nolan is pleased to announce the latest addition to her household, the VitaMix 5200. It looks as though this blender can do almost anything, except vacuum and cook dinner. Well, actually, it can make a "raw" cooked soup.

The recipe book that comes with the blender has some rather toxic recipes in it, but I know the first thing to hit the blades will be a kale smoothie!

Simple Experiment...TV and a Hypothesis

So, this is what you need to do. Oh, but wait, let me tell you what is leading me to this experiment. I think we all know that an hour's TV show has an actual 43 minutes of air time. Two minutes are for the show's trailer, and fifteen are devoted to commercials. If you've ever noticed, the theme of commercials varies throughout the day to catch different target audiences. Case in point, is that you never see an ad for grease-cutting dish detergent or home tutoring during CSI. There are two things about TV that have a connection with food: A. Do not ever eat anything you see advertised on TV; and B. Do not eat in front of a TV.

So, your mission, if you so accept it (RIP Peter Graves), will be to get a pad or notebook, and during your favorite TV show. keep a log of each commercial. Your log topics are: Company; Theme; and Duration. At the end of the hour, highlight those spots that were about food. Now, ask yourself this: Would I ever eat anything that I have seen advertised on television? Did I miss the Kale Council's ad for "Eat More Kale?" As I pointed out earlier today, until about five years ago, I thought that kale, along with a cute little pineapple wedge, was a garnish on a daily special at a diner.

Foods advertised on TV are generally cosmetically altered foods that no one should be eating. Their low prices appeal to people. Couples in love are dancing to the beat of a love-drum (or tachycardia) as they walk hand in hand eating McDonald's. Is that what love has turned to? Your green grocer or favorite produce mart doesn't have the bucks to promote the special on organic Lacinto Kale, but if they could, that commercial would be upbeat, and people would be dancing in the streets, and Martha and the Vandellas would be blaring in the background. Cause kale always makes me feel like I want to dance!

Do your homework! Don't eat foods you see advertised on TV! I'm curious to hear from you and what your findings reveal!