Earth, Plants & Power

12/07/2025

After chilly runs my favorite beverage is a creamy Pumpkin Spice Turmeric Latte. ☕️ 😋
The active compound in turmeric is called curcumin which is known for its anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties. It’s been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic & traditional Chinese medicine.
Turmeric/curcumin benefits:
-Can ease muscle soreness after workouts & joint pain from arthritis.
-In lab & animal studies, turmeric has stopped the growth of tumor cells.
-Potentially antiviral & boosts immune system.
-There are currently promising studies in which turmeric is being used for IBS & ulcerative colitis.
-It may ease PMS symptoms & cramps.
-Turmeric fights inflammation & keeps blood sugar steady. One study followed 240 adults with prediabetes and found that taking a curcumin supplement over 9 months lowered their odds of developing diabetes.
-Scientists are also studying its benefits for depression, Alzheimer’s, lowering cholesterol, & fighting headaches.
Recipe & articles in the comments for a deeper dive. 🌱 💪

11/14/2025

Some whole food plant-based meal prep over the past couple weeks:
Chunky Monkey Muffins 🐒
Sautéed Garlicky Cabbage 🥬
Apple Walnut Salad 🍎
Granola 🥣
Tofu/Edamame/Pumpkin Seed on Slaw Salad 🥗
Vegan Chocolate Pie 🍫
Black Pepper Tofu 🌶️ (It’s got some kick! 🥵 )
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Crisp 🫐
Naan Personal Pizza made with tofu ricotta 🍕
Broccoli Salad 🥦
Lentil Potato Soup 🥔
Pumpkin Blondies 🎃
Bliss Burgers 🍔 (A favorite of Hank’s!)
Butter Tofu with Coconut Milk 🥥
If you’d like to try out a recipe just comment, & I’ll list it. 😊 🌱 💪

10/29/2025

Some great tips for Breast Cancer Awareness month from Plantstrong. 🌱 💪

10/28/2025

The cost of beef is through the roof right now from what I'm hearing. 🥩
Why not consider replacing your beef intake with beans/legumes a few times a week? It's better for your health, your wallet, and the planet! Besides, red meat is classified as a group 2 carcinogen, and processed meat a group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
A recent randomized controlled trial of 60 healthy men that replaced meat a few times a week with legumes found: "The legume group improved several key nutrition and health markers: fiber intake increased by 45%, folate rose by 34%, and magnesium rose by 12%, while saturated fat decreased by 15%. Even better, LDL cholesterol fell and gut microbiome diversity improved, without changes in muscle mass, body weight, or total protein intake (roughly 1.3 g/kg/day)." 🌱 💪
For a deeper dive, see the study, a recipe, and the benefits of beans in the comment section.

10/17/2025

I just listened to an interview with a new plant-based hero of mine, Paul Youd. This 88-year-old is working toward completing 100 ultramarathons (typically 31+ miles) by his 100th birthday. And with almost thirty under his belt, he's well on his way. On top of that, he raises money for animal sanctuaries. He's quite a character and sharp as a tack. I'm excited to watch a short documentary about him called 'More Like Paul.' What an inspiration! 🌱 💪

At 88, Paul Youd is on track to do 1 million push-ups by his 90th and 100 ultramarathons by his 100th birthday. His secret to fitness? A vegan diet.

10/17/2025

We love this simple high protein chocolate mousse made with 6 ingredients, including silken tofu. You can whip it up in 5 minutes!
Tofu benefits:
-Rich in protein, calcium, manganese, copper, and selenium. 💪
-Contains flavonoids that are heart protective. It’s also cholesterol free. ❤️
- The calcium & magnesium in it helps maintain strong bones. 🦴
-“Soy compounds called isoflavones are among the plant-derived compounds that may significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence or death, according to a new meta-analysis co-directed by investigators from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. The results were published Jan. 10 2024 in the journal JNCI Cancer Spectrum.”
Recipe by GiGi Goes Vegan & articles for a deeper dive in the comments.
🌱 💪

10/13/2025

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! 🍎
It’s apple season, & I just made dried apples for the first time. So pure, simple, & easy - just apples & cinnamon.
Apple benefits:
-High in vitamin C for immune health during cold & flu season.
-High in fiber for gut & heart health.
-High in antioxidants quercetin & catechins which have anticancer, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, & antiviral properties.
🌱 💪
(Recipe in the comments)

10/10/2025

I love when friends share their whole food plant-based recipes with me! Rachel Baer Henderson threw this little gem together - mushrooms, cashews, quinoa, brown rice, cranberries, & garlic in a baked acorn squash. Such a fun autumn dish! 😋 🌱 💪 (Recipe in comments.)

10/06/2025

Dyer Mountain 13,861’ - my 40th 13er! Wind chill in the single digits, spooky mine buildings, & a big ol’ pile of rocks mountain. But the views above Leadville were worth it. I’ve now reached the peaks of 75 of some of the highest mountains (35 14ers & 40 13ers)in the lower 48. While each & every one humbled me, I’m pretty proud of that accomplishment. Now I set my sights on autumn races & winter hikes. 🌱 💪

10/05/2025

Veggie Philly Cheesesteak for my Pennsylvania man!
(Recipe in the comments if you want to give it a chance.) 🌱 💪

10/04/2025

Returning home from my run to slurp some soup!
I’m starting out soup season with an old favorite- Pasta e Fagioli & a slice of homemade millet bread.
🍜 🍞
Kale, beans, carrots, celery, garlic, & spices mean this hearty soup is packed with fiber, protein, complex carbs, & antioxidants. Recipes in the comment section. 🌱 💪

10/03/2025

Good for people, good for the planet! 🌱 💪 🌎

Focusing on a planet-healthy diet can provide nutritious food to the global population while reducing environmental damage, a new EAT-Lancet Commission report says.