The Plant Centered and Thriving Podcast

"We have the freedom to choose what we eat." Mel Weinstein, joins me today to dissect the truth behind ultra-processed foods. His expertise, captured in his written work and podcast, aims to demystify the additives that shape America's fast-food empire and our grocery store shelves. Have you ever wondered what goes into your favorite packaged snacks that make them so irresistible? W...

"The food is the medicine and the medicine is the food." Kelley Gilberry, CHN, is a fervent advocate for holistic wellness, an accomplished Health Coach, plant-based nutritionist, a published author, and an inspiring keynote speaker that is dedicated to guiding people towards a better life. The death of his mother and his own diagnosis soon after caused a seismic shift in how he was appr...

Struggling with infertility? What's on your plate may be impacting you more than you know. Today I welcome Judy Simon, RDN and Dr. Angela Thayer, two leading experts in reproductive health. They join us to unravel the link between nutrition and fertility,  potentially trimming the wait to welcome a new life.  This is the basis for their upcoming book "Getting to Baby: A Food First Fertil...

"I never have to worry about what I’m eating" The guests that join me every week come from all walks of life. They all get to this common place of plant-based eating, but each one arrives for very different reasons. Some are inspired by documentaries, some by the animals, some have no choice and need to change their own health.  My guest today, Mandy, started her vegan journey 20 years a...

"I have figured out how to listen to my body and I don’t have to feel lost in this health care society." My guest today is Genny Mack who bravely recounts her battle with lupus. When the only guidance western medicine provided was prescriptions, she knew there was so much more out there. Genny illustrates the remarkable turnaround she experienced by embracing whole foods and mindfulness,...

I love it when my two favorite things, dietetics and plant-based living intersect. Join me in this conversation with regional account manager from Dietitians On Demand, Sarah Heitzman, who has been a vegetarian for over 20 years! We swapped stories from our plant-based journeys that led us both down our career paths. Sarah, offers us a peek into her world where she reminds us that food is joy, not...

"Everything you need to thrive you can get on a plant based diet" Join me and my guest plant-based nutritionist and the proud owner of Yumfu, Callum Weir. His vegan journey began out of ethical considerations, but it quickly evolved as he witnessed firsthand the numerous health benefits of a plant-based diet. This revelation sparked a new passion for nutrition and highlighted the connect...

"We all have our own inner doctor" This week I welcome, Sherry Shaban, an extraordinary fitness and life coach who’s battled back from the brink of paralysis to transform not only her body but her entire outlook on life. With over 23 years of experience in the fitness industry, Sherry is a renowned expert in the most challenging weight loss cases and has helped thousands of people worldw...

"I realize plant-based thinking should be applied to every niche" Chanelle grappled with eczema and hormonal chaos for many years. When trying to seek medical intervention she was dismissed by doctors and given little hope her ailments would be resolved. Chanelle took this as a sign to dive into her own research. She also sought more holistic approaches that suggested nutrition could be...

"Patients and doctors underestimate the power of plants" Uncover the mystery of cholesterol and its powerful influence on your body as Dr. Michael Greger, M.D. the leading expert in plant-based nutrition, offers us his insights on this vital topic. Prepare to have your perceptions shifted as we break down the essential roles of cholesterol, dispel common myths, and dig into the complex r...

Are you drawn to a plant-based lifestyle, but can't seem to make the switch because you think there are hurdles standing in your way?  Today we lay out the playbook for effortlessly hopping over these 7 common barriers to a plant-based diet: I’m worried I won’t get enough protein I’m worried people will think I’m a freak I feel like I’m gonna do it wrong and I don’t have enough time to resear...

"You haven't had bad tofu, you've only had tofu prepared badly" When Phoenix first peered behind the curtain of factory farming in middle school, they couldn't unsee the truth. From navigating family dynamics to adapting culinary techniques in a trade school kitchen, their experiences are as varied as they are enlightening. As Phoenix reminisces about their recent three-mo...

"I didn’t realize how much of an impact just the meal I’m eating will have on my whole day" Discover the transformative power of plant-based nutrition and holistic mental health practices with our guest, functional nutritionist Jennifer. Jennifer's experience illustrates the deep connection between the foods we eat and our mental health. Her story is an affirmation of the positive c...

" Use your voice. You know your body better than anybody else." Have you ever felt the chill from the cold shoulder of medical professionals? That's the frosty reality Kathy, a seasoned dietitian from Anchorage, Alaska, warms us with on today's episode. Her tale is more than just about surviving the frigid temperatures; it's a harrowing journey through the complexities of...

"The first time I heard of Meatless Monday I laughed out loud. I couldn’t even think of a meatless snack." When native Texan, Brett, began sprinkling flax seeds into his meals, little did he know that these tiny grains would sow the seeds for a monumental shift in his life, taking him from a decade of darkness to the forefront of the plant-based revolution. Join me as I engage with the A...

"The doctor said if you pursue diet to treat this you’ll be dead in a year. I said okay I need to find someone else." George, a 64 year old man who took pride in his health, was blindsided by a devastating cancer diagnosis after a nagging cough.  He had grey zone lymphoma, a rare cancer. After doing some research George knew he was not interested in the traditional route. I'm honore...

Embark on a transformative journey with us as we unveil the secrets to a longer, healthier life, inspired by the world's Blue Zones. This episode promises to not only enlighten but also to equip you with the nine fundamental pillars that stand strong in the lives of centenarians thriving in these remarkable regions. From the natural integration of physical activity to finding your community,...

Welcome to the Best of 2023 Series! Today's episode features some of our favorite inspirational stories from people just like you and me.  However, they have used the power of plants to change their lives for the better.  Please enjoy Part 2 of our “Best of 2023” series! Don't forget to enjoy The Best of 2023: Part 1 Featured Guests: Ep 94 Beth  Ep 100 John Lewis aka Bad Ass Vegan   Ep 1...

Welcome to the Best of 2023 Series! We will break this series down into two episodes. This first episode will be featuring some of the plant-based experts that have bestowed their wisdom upon on us. If you are new to Plant Centered and Thriving, this episode will be an amazing place to start to get all of the best nuggets of information from our experts. If you are a long time listener, rediscover...

Promise us you won't miss this episode if you're looking for a guilt-free feast, packed with flavor and nutrients, and brought to you straight from nature's bounty. Today Katie and I are painting a picture of a festive table that's as vibrant and inviting as the conversation around it. We've set our sights on 12 delightful dishes (breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert) that...

Prepare to have your thoughts provoked as I, along with our special guest, Dr. Khan, a practicing cardiologist, unravel the mystery behind heart disease's escalating prevalence post-World War II. Dr. Khan and I take a deep look at the controversial subject of alcohol consumption and its health impacts. He helps to shed light on the overwhelming evidence supporting the health benefits of plant...

Join me, Ashley Kitchens, as I chat with Natasha and Ed, who took a leap of faith from traditional life to running a 100% vegan bakery, Ed's BReD, a 100% plant-based organic sourdough bread shop in Whistler, British Columbia. In the tranquil ski town of Whistler, Ed's BReD is making a buzz. Ed takes us behind the scenes, sharing the bakery's humble beginnings, to now being known acr...

We know the transition to a plant-based diet can be a rocky road, and the holiday season can feel like an uphill battle. We're here to guide you through the challenges, from handling family reactions to standing up for your choices. We hope to arm you with the confidence to navigate tricky situations and stay true to your food choices during the festive season. Remember, your food choices are...

" I think if we were more in tune with what our bodies need it would make sticking to this way of eating much easier." Prepare for an eye-opening conversation with , LaShonda, as she shares her overnight transition to a plant-based vegan lifestyle. Shocked into action by documentaries highlighting the gruesome reality of our food systems, she embraced a new journey into health and nutrit...

" People are not lacking information. They are lacking the execution of that information." This episode is guided by our distinguished guests, Diana, a certified diabetes care and education specialist, and Jose, a seasoned exercise physiologist. They kickstart our conversation by discussing their groundbreaking digital platform, The Type 2 Diabetes Revolution. Diana and Jose take us thro...