Hi bb’s! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S ALMOST 2020! Where did 2019 go?! It flew by for sure! Since I get SO many questions about transitioning to and sustaining a plant-based diet + with the new year upon us, I thought it would be the perfect time to share an amazing FREE resource for you to help you adopt a whole-food, plant-based diet as we move into a new year, one healthy meal at a time .

But before I get into this post I want to thank my dear friends over at Forks Over Knives, LLC. for sponsoring this post!

ALRIGHT, LET’S TALK PLANTS // if you read my last blog post that I partnered with Forks Over Knives on (link: PLANT-BASED MADE EASY) then you already know that watching the Forks Over Knives documentary was definitely a turning point for me on my journey to becoming plant-based, so I am honored to be partnering with them yet again! ♥

Going plant-based has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I shared a lot about my journey to becoming plant-based in my post, PLANT-BASED MADE EASY, so if you are curious to know what sparked my journey check out that post! I am going on 4 years of being completely plant-based and I have never been healthier or felt better! Before going full vegan I remember thinking “I could never do that! There’s no way!” But now that I am going into my 4th year I can confidently tell you it’s not only doable, it’s EASY + FUN! Eating a plant-based diet is NOT boring, I don’t feel restricted and I feel like now is easier than ever to come up with amazing delicious healthy meals, especially with resources like Forks Over Knives!

No matter where you are in your plant-based journey, Forks Over Knives has something for you! They have worked with leading chefs, nutritionists, and other experts to create a variety of tools to help you adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. They have an amazing meal planner (which is my go-to!), an online cooking course, a recipe app, and a magazine (which is legit my favorite magazine ever!!!!) 

The Forks Over Knives Diet was born out of the transformative power that whole-food, plant-based eating can have on health and well-being. It is centered on whole, unrefined or minimally refined plant foods and excludes or minimizes meat, dairy products, eggs, and highly refined foods such as bleached flour, refined sugar, and oil.

What we put into our mouths each day not only feeds our bodies but also nourishes every fiber of our being, down to our cells on a singular level. Ultimately food is what sets us on a path toward good health or disease! LET FOOD BE THY MEDICINE BB! As the saying goes, we are what we eat; and studies show that what we eat, in particular, leafy greens and antioxidant-rich  produce, can help to prevent disease, increase energy levels, and even boost our mood. There have been many studies on plant-based diets and it’s direct and positive effects on our health, so I thought I would share some of the benefits I love most!

.  Protect your heart: Eating a plant-based diet can help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease! In fact, a diet full of greens can actually “turn off” certain genes that make you more susceptible to heart disease.

.  Prevent other chronic diseases: In addition to heart disease, a diet high in fruits and veggies can help to prevent other chronic diseases. Numerous studies have linked plant-based diets to protection from type 2 diabetes and some cancers. There have been some studies that have shown that even if you have type 2 diabetes, adhering to a plant-based diet can help to reverse the disease and improve blood sugar levels.

.  Longevity and increased energy: There have been numerous studies that show those who follow a plant-based diet may indeed live longer lives! Many people (myself included) report feeling so much more energized on a diet rich in plants and that’s because you are nourishing your body with whole plant-based foods. KALE-YEAH!

.  Weight management: Eat in abundance, eat to feel satiated, nourish your body and enjoy a diet rich in whole foods- this is the way of being plant-based! PS: a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics evaluated 15 different plant-based diets and found that, on average, participants dropped about 7.48 pounds (and this includes those who didn’t stick to the diets). The high-fiber content in a plant-based diet can lead to feelings of satiety, which helps with weight loss as well!

If you’re new to this whole plant-based diet thing then check out the Forks Over Knives Plant-Based Primer for some awesome info!

ANYWAYS, the point of today’s post is to spotlight their amazing FREE Fresh Start Challenge! The Forks Over Knives Fresh Start Challenge is a 21-day program designed to help you adopt a whole-food, plant-based diet, one healthy meal at a time!! If you’ve been thinking about giving a plant-based diet a go, this is the perfect time to do it!!

The challenge officially begins on January 4, 2020, but participants will get their orientation email on January 1, 2020! Each week during the challenge Forks Over Knives will send four emails full of recipes, tips, and inspiration: on Saturday you’ll get a “Plan and Prep” for the week ahead email with hand-picked recipes + on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you’ll get emails that will help you stay inspired, informed, and on track with helpful how-tos, must-read health and wellness articles, must-try recipes, and real-life success stories!!

Aside from the 21-day challenge, I also just LOVE the Forks Over Knives Meal Planner because Forks Over Knives literally does the meal planning for you!

With the Forks Over Knives Meal Planner you get:

. Weekly meal plans with delicious whole-food, plant-based recipes that can be made in 35 minutes or less

. Chef-created meals, weekend meal prep guide, and dynamic grocery list are all designed to take the work out of what to shop, prep and cook every week

. New recipes added weekly, plus access to 1,000 additional exclusive, recipes 

. Nut/soy/gluten-free versions of almost all recipes

If you’ve been thinking about starting a plant-based diet or are simply bored with your current plant-based recipes then YOU MUST join the 21-day Fresh Start challenge! Tons of delicious and easy recipes like the one above + a fun little challenge to kickstart the new year! You can also sign up for the meal planner and try it risk-free for a 14-day trial (no credit card required) at any time + they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you do upgrade to a membership!

Either way, I hope you’ll give this 21-day Fresh Start Challenge a go!! Click here to visit the Forks Over Knives site to find out more about plant-based lifestyles and the tools + the 21-day Fresh Start Challenge that Forks Over Knives offers if you are interested in trying a plant-based diet!

And of course, if you have ANY questions please feel free to leave me a comment below, I am always happy to help in any way that I can! Happy New year bb! ❤️