Who Is RebelPlantivore?

By definition, rebel is a person who resists authority or control, someone who does not like rules or to be told what to do, and shows this by behaving differently from most people in society.

Plantivore is a person who follows a whole food plant based diet most of the time, but still consume animal products occasionally.

My name is Manuela and I am RebelPlantivore. I was born and raised in Romania and I moved to the Unites States in 2011. I live in California with my husband and 2 kids. I am 46 years old and I believe growing old is a privilege.

First and foremost, I am all about being healthy AND happy. I do not like labels or restrictions, so while I was considering at some point transitioning to vegan, I soon realized it is not for me.

I enjoy eating whole food plant based meals and I always try to make easy, delicious, and nutritious meals following WFPB diet because it makes me feel better physically, it gives me energy, and I just like how it looks and tastes. At the same time, I will always cook and savor my Romanian "sarmale" and "cozonaci" for Christmas.

What I like:

to travel - day trips or long trips, surprise trips, planned or unplanned trips, cruises, domestic or international, girls trips, family trips or romantic trips;
to read - non-fiction books;
to learn something new - at the moment I am learning Arabic language
to knit - only in the winter;
to bake - my favorite is bread baking;
to watch movies.

What I dislike:

fake people

Choose your own adventure

For the last several years, I have been reading more and more about the whole food plant based diet and I have been trying this way of lifestyle. It truly brings me happiness. It gives me so much energy. I urge you to give it a try! At least 30 days, make it a challenge. Make it a beautiful journey!

Tips and tricks ~ Setting yourself up for success

If you decided to give this lifestyle a try, here are some tips to being successful:

No junk food

Remove all junk food from your kitchen and pantry (even if it's vegan).

Meal prep

Have a few meals already prepared at all times.

Healthy snacks or desserts

Sometimes you are not really hungry, but crave something sweet or salty.

Always have some healthy ones ready. Examples: fresh fruit, oil free hummus with veggies, banana nice-cream.

Move your body

Find a few activities you enjoy and go for it!

Personally, I enjoy Pilates, hiking, walking, aerobic (I know, I am old-school).

Is plantivore the same as vegan?

In one word, no. Here are a few differences:

a vegan can eat vegan junk food for days (fries, vegan pizza, vegan chips, etc), whereas a plantivore will always focus on eating whole, minimally processed foods that are full of nutrients, fiber, minerals, rather than just avoiding meat, eggs, and diary

a vegan puts emphasis on animal well-being rather than consuming whole foods

a vegan is not only about what they eat, but also a movement based on ethics; plantivore means my meals are based in plants, but not limited to it

a vegan eats exclusively plant-based; there is never any meat, dairy, or eggs when eating vegan; no animal product whatsoever. A plantivore, however, is only predominantly plant-based; plant-based does not mean plant exclusive (it can occasionally include non-plant-based items).

John A. McDougall, M.D.:

1. Follow a diet centered around starches with the addition of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.

2. Give up indulging yourself in meats, dairy products, eggs, oils, and other rich foods - except on rare and very special occasions, such as annual feasts like Christmas, Thanksgiving, wedding anniversaries, and family birthdays.

3. Develop the habit of taking some exercise every day. A sensible amount of mild to moderate exertion, such as walking, can help anyone who is leading a sedentary life.

Doctors associate being a plantivore with weight-loss. But it is much more than that: lower rates of heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. However, everyone following a plantivore diet is encouraged to take vitamin B-12 (or include foods that are fortified with B-12).

REBEL PLANTIVORE