Welcome!

Temperatures are rising (slightly), the sun is shining and the wind is drying up the melting snow. Spring is on its way to southern Maine and it's time for another Green Wedding Giveaway!  

I was happily surprised to find out that my friend Luke Fuller,  the produce manager at Lois' nearby, and his fiancee Cassi Madison are runners-up for this annual giveaway to an environmentally friendly couple.

I think this is really appropriate because in the 12 years I've known Luke, I can truly say that I don't know anyone "greener," more environmentally friendly or more nature-friendly than Luke. This guy rides his bike to work in the rain, snow or sunshine, and he's famous in Maine for his locavore eating habits. Luke and Cassi eat only food grown in Maine, much of it their own, 365 days of the year.  

Luke is also an artist and he paints - yes, you guessed it - vegetables! (And, yes, I do own one of his works of art!)  

Cassi, also an artist, works at one of my favorite restaurants in Portland, Maine, The Good Egg Cafe/Pepperclub, and I didn't realize the two are a couple until I saw the Green Wedding Giveaway posted on Facebook.

I couldn't think of a more deserving couple as they most certainly walk the walk (or ride their bikes!) when it comes to living green. Please help Cassi and Luke win a Green Wedding by voting for them if you feel moved to do so! I did.  

You can vote until noon on April 3, and the Grand Prize Winners will be announced April 8!

Books I Love 

Two of my most favorite recent books on health, plant-based diet and lifestyle come from authors within the same family.  

The first is

Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., a former internationally known surgeon, researcher and clinician at the Cleveland Clinic

I love this book because Dr. Esselstyn writes about patients of other cardiologists who were pretty much sent home to live the rest of their lives in rocking chairs. He describes people referred to him as a last resort - for example, patients who had gone through triple bypass surgeries and were told there was no more medical help to offer them. Dr. Essestyn put these people on a strict plant-based diet with no oil, and he followed them regularly and diligently. Most of his patients are alive and well 20 years later. I love those hopeful stories, so I love this book!

Dr. Esselstyn's son Rip, a former firefighter and triathlete, is the author of the other book I highly recommend: The Engine 2 Diet. 

Rip Esselstyn started following a plant-based diet when he was a young athlete trying out for the Olympics in swimming. He respected the work his father had been doing related to plant-based diets so Rip decided to try eating this way. The more he learned and started feeling healthier, the more convinced he became.

Rip was working at the time as firefighter in Austin, Texas. He was concerned about a fellow firefighter who had cholesterol level of 300 plus! (Basically, under 200 is considered desireable.)

Rip created a plant-based diet program for his friends - and convinced all the men to start eating in this healthy way, based on whole grains, beans and vegetables. The colleagues all started cooking and eating this way to support their friend - but they were amazed with their results, too!

Rip wrote a book about this - how he did it and the science behind it. He includes his plan, with his delicious, plant-based recipes, along with exercise information. There's a whole lot of personality in this book (!),  and Rip (yes, he is ripped!) is a classically good looking 40-something guy who completely busts the myth of a skinny weakling vegetarian! Rip's recommendations, though they include no oil, are a little less stringest than his Dad's are. Rip goes for a "plant-strong," not plant-perfect way of eating.

I'm also happy to say that Rip contributed a "Raise The Roof Lasagna" recipe to my new cookbook.