“You are not IN the universe, you ARE the universe, an intrinsic part of it. Ultimately you are not a person, but a focal point where the universe is becoming conscious of itself. What an amazing miracle.” ~Eckhart Tolle

While on the Holistic Holiday at Sea in March, I had the pleasure of meeting and having breakfast with Dr. T. Colin Campbell, the author of The China Study, a book that examines the relationship between consuming animal products and chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The China Study concludes that people who eat a whole-food, plant-based diet—avoiding all animal products, including beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese and milk, and reducing their intake of processed foods and refined carbohydrates—will escape, reduce or reverse the development of these diseases.

Campbell’s son, Nelson, is now spreading that message by producing an independent documentary film PlantPure Nation, debuting nationwide on July 4. The film promotes the benefits of a vegan diet, but also delves into the politics of food and the science of nutrition. I was privileged to see an early release of the film and I recommend it highly. At the time I write this, there are no screenings scheduled for NJ; however, new venues are being planned. Check PlantPureNation.com to see if additional screenings near you have been added.

While I do not consider myself a vegan, the book and the film have convinced me to include a much larger percentage of whole-food, plant-based meals in my diet. You can read more about the Campbells in our article “Veggie Nation Revolution” on page 30. Kim Campbell, Nelson’s wife, has also joined the movement by putting together more than 150 plant-based recipes for the PlantPure Nation Cookbook. We share six of the recipes starting on page 31.

In a related piece, Melinda Hemmelgarn writes about “Food Democracy” on page 24. In short, the phrase describes a “fair and transparent food system, where people have informed choices and control in determining what and how they eat.”  Read about efforts of local food enthusiasts to take the system back from agribusiness.

We also feature our annual Farmers Market Guide this month (pages 40 and 41). As you experiment with new vegetarian or vegan recipes, using fresh, local, and organic ingredients can make a big difference. Supporting our local farmers and Farmers Market vendors will strengthen the local economy and help ensure a sustainable local food/farm system. 

Enjoy the summer and eat plant-pure!

Ana