Healthy, strong, and 100…what’s the secret?

He still drives, helps with the yard work, doesn’t have a single ache or pain in his body, and he’s 100 years of age…so far! He’s retired heart surgeon Ellsworth Wareham and he credits his good health largely to his plant based, vegan diet which he adopted mid-life. CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta sat down with the centenarian for an enlightening interview:

By simply staying away from animal products he has managed to keep his blood cholesterol level extremely low, thereby virtually eliminating any risk of a heart attack. Because of all the knowledge he gained in his decades as a heart surgeon, he says, “I’m dealing in an area that I understand”.

Hopefully his common sense approach will inspire others to follow his simple secrets to a long, healthy life.

California’s dirty secret

California is running out of water. As usual profit motivated corporations create all sorts of confusing misinformation about the situation to obscure the real culprit, but if you look closely it’s crystal clear what the problem is. Almost half of the average Californian’s water footprint is due to the consumption of meat and dairy.California has led the nation in dairy production since 1993, and it can take as much as 2000 gallons of water to produce ONE gallon of milk! And it takes about 600 gallons of water to make a pound of cheese. Of course the water foot print of beef and other meat is enormous as well. The drought is a nightmare, but simply cutting meat and dairy consumption can help keep us all California dreamin’.

First ever junk food tax in North America

We’re very excited that this month the Navajo Nation will be instituting North America’s first ever junk food tax! While it’s certainly not a game changer in the world of junk food, it’s “one small step for mankind” in the direction of public policy actually encouraging health for a change.

junk-food

The new tax is 2 percent on soda, chips, and other junk foods. In a related positive development, in 2014 the Navajo Nation removed a 5 percent tax on vegetables and fruits. Now that’s a real treat!