Most people by now have learned that plantbased nutrients (vitamins and minerals, plus phytonutrients which are only found in plants) can help you fight off (chronic) diseases, significantly enhance your health, help you lose weight, and slow down ageing. At the same time, most people do not know which vegetables, fruits and grains offer which benefits, and how much they should be eating to reap any kind of benefits. Some people do not  know how to introduce healthy, balanced plantbased meals into their busy lives or how to convince “stubborn” families or spouses of the need to introduce more wholefoods plantbased meals. And then there are others with more emotional motivations (worry about the next inevitable pandemic or perhaps animal welfare), but they don’t know if they should or could stop eating meat or “live without cheese”?

Whatever your incentive, the Plantbased Plunge is for you if you are excited to learn and willing to commit yourself to a process for 4 weeks. During this time I will share (scientific) information about the power of plants, but most importantly I will work with you step-by-step to help you determine your own personal goals and vision around introducing and maintaining (more) wholefoods plantbased eating, and together we create a tailor-made action plan to get you there. Everyone’s circumstances are unique, with their own unique challenges. I will be by your side to help you overcome these.

Please note that the Plantbased Plunge is open to anyone – vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, omnivores and carnivores, it doesn’t matter where you are in your own personal health journey. All I ask of you is to be open to learn, and to commit to your own personal (plantbased) goals. I, as your coach, am committed to facilitate the process of helping you reach YOUR goals, and not to push any agenda of my own.

Veganism and Plantbased Living

Veganism is a hotly debated topic these days and most people will know at least a few people who have become vegan. An estimation is that in 2020 there were approximately 78 million vegans and 375 million vegetarians. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic interests in veganism hit an all-time high in 2020. Fifteen years ago this was certainly not the case. When I used to do the catering for two small bush camps in the Greater Kruger between 2006 and 2009 I used to roll my eyes when a guest indicated “vegan” under dietary requirements, and even vegetarian was considered “difficult”. What on earth do these people eat, I used to think, and how can they be healthy?

We don’t know what we don’t know. And even with the overload of information available online, much is contradictory and confusing. I was an omnivore until 2018 and just as I didn’t know my way around plantbased nutrition in those days, I completely understand the many questions people have around plantbased living and veganism.

Firstly, let me explain the difference between (wholefoods) plantbased living and being vegan. Plantbased living means you take all animal products (meat, dairy, eggs and honey) off the menu and you only consume plant-derived foods. People who choose plantbased living often do so for health and/or environmental reasons, and generally opt for wholefoods (non-processed) instead of processed plantbased options.

As a vegan you eat 100% plantbased and you also avoid clothing (wool, leather), skin care, make-up and anything else that has animal-derived ingredients. A vegan’s motivation revolves around taking a stand against all (consciously inflicted) animal cruelty and suffering. Most vegans choose wholefoods (non-processed) over processed plantbased options, but there are also some pretty unhealthy vegans out there!

So when you live plantbased you are not necessarily vegan but most likely prefer wholefoods, and when you are vegan you are living 100% plantbased, but do not necessarily prefer wholefoods. Still with me?

What does the Plantbased Plunge give you?

The complete programme takes 4 weeks, and each week builds upon the previous week’s feedback. What worked and what didn’t? What needs tweaking and what a complete overhaul? The aim is always to move you forward towards your vision. The first week I’d like you to keep a food diary, so that I know where you’re at and can introduce plantbased meals accordingly. Every week I email you information on plantbased nutrition, you receive a handy Plantbased Health Kit, we talk about what physical responses you can expect, and of course easy recipes that fit your lifestyle and circumstances.

The coaching is done online (Whatsapp, Zoom, Google Meet) for a total of 6 coaching hours (see below), and at the end of the programme you receive a reward for your unwavering commitment!