The Plant Centered and Thriving Podcast

"You don't have to be vegan to enjoy vegan food!" I am lucky enough to live in a city that boasts several vegan restaurants. However, 10 years ago, I could not make this same claim. In 2013, The Fiction Kitchen made history by becoming the Capital City's only 100% vegan/vegetarian restaurant. Their mission is to bring thoughtful, creative and approachable vegan/vegetarian cuisi...

"We all have to start somewhere"  I am thrilled to welcome Kim Campbell, acclaimed author of three cookbooks: PlantPure Comfort Food Cookbook, PlantPure Nation Cookbook, and the PlantPure Kitchen Cookbook. She is the Director of Culinary Education at PlantPure Nation, where she has developed hundreds of delicious whole food plant-based recipes using no processed oils.  She also has led d...

"I would have a giant glass of milk every night before bed" Andrea Pender joins me today as one of my long time plant-based social media comrades. I am so excited for her to share her story because she started like so many of us did, as far away from a vegan diet as you could imagine. Meat and potatoes dominated her plate, rarely, did she even see a vegetable growing up. But now, 10 year...

"People are so sick and it has become so normal and you don’t know that it's not normal until you become healthy." Allison Clark was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism more than 10 years ago and was struggling with symptoms despite being on medication. In January 2021, she transitioned to plant-based eating and immediately started seeing a decrease in severity of symptom...

The holiday season is upon us! We have 27+ gift ideas in the following categories to help you on your quest to find the perfect gift for the plant lover in your life: 1. Food Vegan cheese assortment from Myokos   Karma Baker   Dear Bella dairy free ice cream  Three Girls Vegan Creamery (desserts, pizza, roasts, holiday bundles)   DŌ Build-Your-Own 4-Pack, $52, available at DŌ  2. Donations When Pi...

Ashley: "Do you worry about your protein intake?  Korin: "NO!" I am so excited to welcome Korin Sutton, a vegan body builder, and coach of Plant Built and Vegan Strong.  Korin is a ISSA Certified Sport Nutritionist and Fitness Trainer, a Mad Dogg Athletics Certified SPIN Instructor and has his AA in Exercise Science. He was in the military for 8 years and served in Operation Iraqi F...

"Literally, within a month or two of being plant-based, I didn't wake up in pain anymore" Kate, a clinical psychologist from NYC, was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was 15. After years of being on and off NSAIDS, which contributed to digestive issues, Kate has discovered a path of managing her arthritis symptoms with nutrition. She’s been primarily plant-based...

"I really wanted to heal my body from a root cause approach" I'm thrilled to welcome another expert this episode, that emphasizes the importance of gut health. Bridgette, a functional medicine dietitian, heals her own unhealthy body and gut. This sparks a journey of discovery which led to her work with private clients and then starting her own supplementation company. She now provid...

Happy Halloween 🎃🎃🎃 This week's episode is a special Halloween edition of Plant-Based FAQs that will highlight some common assertions associated with plant-based eating.  Together we will unpack them to decide if they are, in fact, a Trick? or a Treat? Resources from this Episode:  pcrm.org nutritionfacts.org IG post - Keep it Simple!  How can I work with Plant Centered Nutrition?  One on...

"70%-80% of your immune system, of the actual immune cells, are located in your digestive tract!" This is our third episode focusing on gut health. We have discussed the importance of feeding our gut with a variety of plants. We have discussed the mind-gut connection. And today Dr. Robynne Chutkan is here to discuss the connection between our gut health and our immunity.  We cannot empha...

"Whatever you are worried about, when you tap on it you are teaching your nervous system hey it’s okay to have this thought" Nothing gets me stressed like the holidays. And so many of my clients feel the same. We wanted to provide you, the listeners, with some coping strategies that will help get you through the holiday season.   Lucy Call is an anti-diet dietitian and EFT tapping practi...

"Everyone's vegan when they are running!" Can you still be plant-based and be powerful runner? Some say no, but running coach, Claire Bartholic, says heck yes you can! Coach Claire has helped hundreds of runners chase their dreams and conquer big goals. She discusses the ins and outs of running while plant-based; how to get started, how to fuel and how to perform at our best. Her co...

"Soy is just a bean." Soy is one of the most controversial topics in the plant-based community and one I get questions about on a daily basis. I really wanted to provide my followers with education and lay to rest their concerns about soy. I knew I needed backup. Today, I welcome Dr. Matthew Nagra, a Naturopathic Doctor, devoted to bringing the most up-to-date evidence-based nutrition in...

“Perfectionism refers to a set of self-defeating thoughts and behaviors aimed at reaching excessively high unrealistic goals. Perfectionism is often mistakenly seen in our society as desirable or even necessary for success. However, recent studies have shown that perfectionistic attitudes actually interfere with success. The desire to be perfect can rob you of a sense of personal satisfaction.&quo...

Today we celebrate our 75th episode in my own backyard! I usually bring you experts or amazing stories. Today, I bring you inspiration of a different sort; a cross-section of folks, young and old, those who have been vegan for years and those who just started, people from the triangle area of Durham, North Carolina. I asked them 1) WHY they transitioned and 2) if they would provide any advice for...

"In triathlons, nutrition is the fourth leg because it is so important."  Today we welcome, Kathleen, who is a registered dietitian that gives nutritional guidance and support to plant-based endurance athletes. Together with her husband Don, they focus on plant based nutrition and mindset to empower endurance athletes to fuel their athlete body fearlessly for sustained energy, endurance...

"It's never too late to learn something new!"  We all come to plant-based living for different reasons. Some do it for the animals, some for the environment.  Michele Bowman and her husband Rick had a huge health scare.  And plant-based eating literally saved his life. In just a short 8 weeks, the change in Rick's bloodwork will shock you. They are in there late 50’s and just r...

" It is impossible to maintain this "A+" narrow view of what health is." This episode is going to totally change the way you think about your relationship with food FOREVER !  Today we discuss the gut-brain connection and the huge effect it might be having on the foods you think you can and can't eat. We discuss the differences between food intolerance and allergies, how s...

"You have to accept that sometimes you are going to have an amazing food experience and sometimes you won't." Today I welcome, Brighde Reed, owner of World Vegan Travel. Her touring company runs high-quality and high-value worldwide adventures for vegans and vegan-friendly travelers. She outlines 9 amazing tips for vegan travelers that will help alleviate any stress you might face....

"Our spouses, 4 children and 10 grandchildren are all plant-based" These two powerful women tell me their amazing story including: what it's like to collaborate with family, where beginners should start, the incredible benefits women in particular will benefit from a plant-based diet, and most importantly, what sets their amazing cookbook apart.   Ann Crile Esselstyn graduated from...

"Being focused on purity does not help the animals."   I am lucky enough to be in a community that is very vegan friendly. The Triangle owes the IG account Bull City Vegan and the woman behind this account, Leeanne Siart, a huge thank you for making our community great. I knew I had to have her on the podcast to find out why she does what she does. Bull City Vegan which was formed 12 yea...

"Whenever I work with clients who have painful periods I recommend a plant-based diet." If you have a period, then this episode IS A MUST LISTEN!!!!! Corinne is back as our first ever repeat guest on the podcast!  She schools me on the ins and outs of our menstrual cycle. And I am embarrassed to admit there were things I learned today that I had never heard of before. Like did you know t...

The first step in tackling a food craving is understanding why it’s there. Ask yourself, “Why am I having this craving?” or “Where is this craving coming from?”   Cravings are part of being human. They happen to each one of us at some point. Food cravings may feel frustrating, overwhelming like something you think you can’t control. But, cravings don’t have to control you if you spend some time fi...

"All foods can fit into a blood sugar friendly diet." Today's episode is a crash course in diabetes.  Kim Rose, RDN, helps explain the difference between type I & II, what symptoms we can look for, how to diagnose and why she thinks diabetes can't be reversed.   Kim Rose is a Florida based registered dietitian nutritionist with a focus on health and wellness concerns for un...

"You can still eat so many things that remind you of who you are and where you come from without harming something or harming yourself" Mercedes is originally from Texas and moved to North Carolina with her partner three years ago. She became vegan four years ago after forming an incredible bond with her rabbit, Theodore. This transition wasn't always easy. Today we discuss how Merc...