The Book That Changed My Life: My Beef With Meat by Rip Esselstyn

This is the book that changed my life.

I wasn’t seeking to change my diet at all when I stumbled upon it. Over the past few years I had gone back and forth all the time about my love of animals and whether or not it was ok with me that I ate them. But throughout all my deliberations I always came back to the (incorrect) conclusion that I needed meat to be healthy. Especially since I workout. So I continued to eat meat.

One summer day I happened to be at my local Whole Foods and saw a man there signing autographs. There was a long line to meet him and take pictures with him. At the time I had no idea who he was and kept on with my grocery shopping. When I went and sat down in the dining area I realized everyone sitting there had the same red book in their hands. And I mean everyone!

I saw that the title was My Beef With Meat and I looked it up as soon as I got home. When I found the book online I realized that the author, Rip Esselstyn, was the man I had seen signing autographs at Whole Foods! I read the Amazon description of his book and how it is “The Healthiest Argument for Eating A Plant-Strong Diet”. I didn’t know exactly what plant-strong meant but I ordered it anyways.

I am SO glad that I ordered that book! Rip clarifies so many myths about nutrition. The first question most people have when they hear of a plant-strong diet is where will you get your protein? Everyone is worried about protein these days. Rip does an excellent job explaining why there is plenty of protein in a plant-strong diet, why there are so many misconceptions about protein needs and the role that advertising, lobbying and public policy has in our understanding of what makes a healthy diet.

Reading his book freed me from feeling like I need meat to be a healthy person. After I started eating plant-strong my workouts got better, my muscles got stronger, my energy increased, my skin got clearer, my conscience felt at ease (no more eating our animal friends!) and overall I just felt better.

In addition to explaining how a plant-strong diet promotes long-term health, Rip also talks about the role animal products play in ill-health. It is eye-opening to hear what he has to say. The book also has over 145 plant-strong recipes in it too!

I truly believe this whole series of events that led me to the plant-strong lifestyle were kismet. I’m so lucky Rip was there at Whole Foods on that simple summer day. 🙂

And here’s an interesting side note…Rip’s father is Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, a world-renowned surgeon and researcher at the Cleveland Clinic. He also happens to be Bill Clinton’s physician. Did you know Bill Clinton eats plant-strong? Do you remember how Bill Clinton was in serious trouble because of heart disease? As you’ll learn in the book Bill Clinton credits Dr. Esselstyn and his plant-strong diet for saving his life.

Here’s a link to My Beef With Meat through amazon. Happy reading!

xo,

Tedi

P.S. Check out these awesome and delicious plant-strong recipes I have made from My Beef With Meat:

I made Rip’s Sweet Potato & Vegetable Lasagna with friends one night. It was a hit!

Rip’s Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadillas. So delicious…filled with spinach, beans, sweet potatoes & rice.

My take on Adonis cake from the book. Can you believe this is dairy-free and egg-free??

More Adonis cake! Yum!

xo,

Tedi