Nov 15, 2025 of Low-SOS Vegan Plan

(This blog began 3/15/2015)

MEDITATION:
* Bible at Bedtime podcast

EXERCISE:
* Tae Bo (w/ dumbbells) 1 hour indoors
* PT APP workout
–lower body stretch/stengthening
–tailbone relief
* Vibrating platform

WATER:
(2) × (32) = 64 oz (+)

EATS:
* raw cauliflower (while exercising indoors)
* cranberry turnovers w/ flaky corn crust
* one pot veggie noodle soup w/ teff injera & avocado
* unsweetened applesauce
* gorilla salad w/ oilfree corn tortilla chips w/ salsa & avocado
* red & green grapes

… SUN HAS SET …

Cmmt: XL indicates uncommonly excessive food, and wautéed means water-sautéed

EUROPE BANNED THIS FOOD FROM COSTCO (SENIOR BEWARE)

Items in this video:

Kirkland protein bars
Kirkland Canola Oil Cooking Spray
Annie’s Bunny Fruit Snacks (coloring)
Veggie Straws (no actual veggies)
Dave’s Killer Bread (synthetic folic
acid)
Naked Green Machine (synthetic
vitamins + high sugar)
Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter
(aflatoxins)
Kirkland Daily Multivitamins (titanium
dioxide damages DNA over time)
Organic Protein Powder (karagenan+lead)
Kirkland Greek Yogurt with Fruit

This is NOT A COSTCO THING, IT’S A US THING so use your best
judgement. Avoid fillers, natural
flavors, keragenan, canola oil, colors.

⭐ Flaky Corn–Oat Crust (Rustic, Wheat-Free, No-Blender)

Preheat oven

**Bake at: 375°F (190°C)**
**Time: 20–25 minutes**

Dry Ingredients

  • ¾ cup fine or medium cornmeal
  • ½ cup rolled oats (left whole, unprocessed)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Pinch of salt (optional)

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup + 2–3 tbsp unsweetened plant milk
    (start with ½ cup; add extra later only if needed)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1–2 tbsp cold water, only if the mixture still feels dry

Instructions

  1. Combine dry ingredients
    In a mixing bowl, stir together cornmeal, rolled oats, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Mix wet ingredients
    In a separate bowl, combine plant milk and applesauce.
  3. Add wet to dry
    Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until everything is moistened.
    • The mixture will look thick and slightly loose — that’s expected.
  4. Assess moisture
    Rolled oats need a little time to absorb liquid. If the mixture looks crumbly rather than cohesive, add:
    • 1–3 extra tablespoons plant milk (most common adjustment)
    • OR a splash of cold water
  5. Rest the batter 5–10 minutes
    This allows the whole oats to soften slightly so the crust binds well.
  6. Press into baking dish
    Spread or press the mixture firmly into your pan as your original recipe calls for.
  7. Bake as usual
    (The crust may brown slightly faster on the edges due to oats — that’s normal.)

Texture Notes

  • Expect a rustic, hearty, slightly chewy crust with good flake from the cornmeal.
  • If you want it crispier, I can give an optional oil or no-oil crisp-enhancing tweak.
  • If you want it less chewy, I can help adjust the oat-to-liquid ratio.

Question — how would we work the dough for turnovers???

Below are your three workable methods, from most reliable to most traditional.


BEST METHOD (Recommended): Pat-Out & Fold Technique (No rolling pin needed)

This works beautifully with the rustic oat–corn dough.

How to do it

  1. Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes so it firms up.
  2. Lay a sheet of parchment paper on the counter.
  3. Sprinkle lightly with cornmeal or a few oats.
  4. Place a portion of dough on the parchment and pat it out with your hands into a rough circle or oval, about ⅛–¼ inch thick.
    • Use lightly wet fingers to prevent sticking.
  5. Spoon filling onto one half.
  6. Use the parchment to fold the dough over the filling.
  7. Press edges with fingers or a fork to seal.
  8. Transfer to a baking sheet using the parchment.

Texture outcome

Rustic, slightly soft, holds filling well, and no cracking.


🧰 METHOD 2: Rolling Pin with Parchment (Works, but dough is fragile)

If you want a more classic turnover shape:

How to do it

  1. Chill dough 20–30 minutes.
  2. Place dough between two sheets of parchment.
  3. Roll gently with a rolling pin.
    • If cracks appear, press them back together with damp fingers.
  4. Peel back the top parchment.
  5. Spoon filling, fold using the bottom parchment as support, seal edges, bake.

Tip

If the dough is too delicate, add 1–2 tbsp oat flour or blended oats next time — it increases cohesion while keeping the rustic feel.


🥟 METHOD 3: Hand-Formed “Empanada Style”

This gives the strongest turnover with the least cracking.

How to do it

  1. Divide dough into 6–8 balls.
  2. Flatten each ball between your palms into circles.
  3. Add filling, fold, pinch edges, done.

Why it works

The dough is handled minimally, so it stays together better.


📌 IMPORTANT NOTES FOR TURNOVERS

  • Chilling is essential — warm dough is too loose because whole oats don’t bind like flour.
  • Don’t overfill — rustic dough spills more easily than wheat dough.
  • Seal edges firmly with:
    • a fork
    • or damp fingers
  • If the dough cracks slightly during folding, just press it back together. It behaves more like a cornmeal patty than a sheet of wheat dough.

What Rip Eats in a Day

Ever wonder what a day of real-life, PLANTSTRONG eating looks like? Rip Esselstyn (son of Caldwell, born 1963) takes you inside his kitchen to show how easy, fast, and deeply satisfying it is to fuel your day with powerful, plant-based meals. From his legendary Rip’s Big Bowl cereal to weekend pancakes, chili-loaded sweet potatoes, peanut curry stir-fry, quesadillas, and even pizza night—this is simple, crave-worthy food that fits your busy life.

💪 No fluff. No fuss. Just real food that fuels your strongest self.

🕒 Perfect for anyone short on time but hungry for health.

👉 Watch now and steal Rip’s go-to recipes for your own plant-powered day!

SPARTAN (Monk) DIET – The Whats & Whys, by Peter Rogers



🥦 1. Whole‑food, plant‑focused eating
Starch + vegetable: Every meal centers around these two—the starch to fuel energy, the vegetables to deliver nutrients and fiber

No meat, dairy, oils: Rogers argues these raise blood sugar, pack in calories, and promote heart disease—plant foods reverse those risks, lower cholesterol, and open arteries via nitric oxide .

Why:
Plants have protective effects—fiber, antioxidants, nitrates—all supporting metabolic health and vascular function. Avoiding processed fats reduces excess caloric density and inflammation.

⏳ 2. Intermittent fasting / time-restricted eating
OMAD on workdays (One Meal A Day); late 2 meals on rest days

Fasting windows commonly span ~16‑24 hours, often skipping breakfast

Why:
Fasting naturally reduces caloric intake, resets hedonic appetite drives, may enhance autophagy, and frees up time—Rogers notes improved mental focus in fasted morning hours .

🧂 3. Exclusion of processed, inflammatory foods
Zero oils, junk food, fast food: Oils are refined calorie bombs; processed foods bring sugars, trans‑fats, and inflammatory additives .

Only whole-food bread: Ideally homemade sourdough from freshly milled whole grains, no additives .

Why:
These foods lead to chronic inflammation, weight gain, and poor satiety. Replacing them with minimally processed options helps regulate appetite and improve nutrient intake.

🌿 4. Spices & herbs for anti‑inflammatory support
Plenty of turmeric, ginger, oregano, cinnamon, etc.—blended into meals, as shown by Penn State research

Why:
Chronic inflammation is linked to many modern diseases. Spices boost natural anti-inflammatory enzymes and flavonoids, supporting long-term health.

🔄 5. Simplicity, consistency, sustainability
Monk‑like discipline: Fasting every day, sticking to the plan—no cheat days, no grazing .

Maintain “half” habits: After peaks (like Dry January or intense training), continue at half to preserve health gains

Why:
This isn’t a short-lived diet—it’s a lifelong adjustment. Consistency encourages sustainable lifestyle change and avoids relapse cycles.


✅ Why Rogers Recommends This Diet: he says it RESETS your internal “thermostat” (hunger set-point) using whole foods and fasting—calories self-regulate.

Optimize arterial health—plant nitrates and spice compounds promote vasodilation and reduce risk factors like high cholesterol.

Reduce systemic inflammation—junk foods and refined oils fuel inflammatory pathways linked to modern chronic disease.

Cultivate mental clarity & simplicity—fasted productivity, predictable meals, fewer decisions.


In conclusion
Rogers’ “Spartan/Monk” Diet is a disciplined, vegan, time-restricted eating plan. It focuses on resetting hunger, lowering inflammation, optimizing vascular health, and simplifying life to make healthy habits sustainable. It’s built on scientific principles and aligned with both ancient practices and modern research.


Dr. Rogers advocates that consistent, varied exercise is essential—not just for physical health but also for long-term brain resilience, cancer prevention, stress regulation, and metabolic balance. When combined with nutritional changes, it becomes a powerful tool for vascular, cellular, and cognitive well-being.

Spike in colon cancer for adults under 50 are linked to popular ready-to-eat foods | New York Post

Nov 14, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/11/14/health/spike-in-colon-cancer-for-adults-under-50-are-linked-to-popular-ready-to-eat-foods/

Here’s a brief summary of the New York Post article:

A new study from Mass General Brigham found that eating a lot of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is linked to a higher risk of early-onset colorectal cancer precursors in adults under 50. (New York Post)

The research looked at nearly 30,000 women (from the Nurses’ Health Study II) over more than 20 years, combining diet questionnaires with endoscopy (colonoscopy) data. (New York Post)

Women who reported eating about 10 servings of UPFs per day had a 45% higher risk of developing adenomas (precancerous colon polyps) versus those eating only ~3 servings. (New York Post)

These UPFs are mostly ready-to-eat foods high in sugar, salt, saturated fat, and artificial additives. (New York Post)

Even after adjusting for other risk factors (like BMI, diabetes, low fiber), the association remained. (New York Post)

The risk appeared to scale with consumption (“fairly linear”): more UPFs = more risk. (New York Post)

This is the first study to directly link UPFs with early-onset (under-50) colorectal cancer risk, not just cancer in older adults. (New York Post)

However, diet doesn’t explain all of the rise in early-onset cases — researchers say other factors must also be at play. (New York Post)

Some experts note the study is observational, so it doesn’t prove UPFs cause cancer. (New York Post)

The study was funded by several major health organizations, including the NIH and the American Cancer Society. (New York Post)

Nov 14, 2025 of Low-SOS Vegan Plan

(This blog began 3/15/2015)

MEDITATION:
* Christ the Healer audiobook
* Charles Capps podcast

EXERCISE:
* PT APP workout
–lower body stretch/stengthening
* Day 3 AI resistance workout (squats, shoulders, back, chest, triceps, calves)
* Cycle 45 minutes indoors
* Vibration platform session

WATER:
(2) × (32) = 64 oz (+)

EATS:
* Cranberry Turnovers w/ Flaky Corn Crust
* one pot veggie noodle soup w/ teff injera & avocado
* mushroom burger w/ chopped salad & grilled smash potato
* OJ w/ sparkling water

… SUN HAS SET …

Cmmt: XL indicates uncommonly excessive food, and wautéed means water-sautéed

Why Are So Many Young People Getting Cancer?

The Miracle of Food and Child Development

– The video begins by marveling at the ability of nature to transform food into human life, emphasizing that even fast food and ultra-processed foods can contribute to healthy child development.
– A question is raised regarding the impact of different food types on children’s health, particularly in light of increasing cases of young people with serious health conditions like stage 4 colorectal cancer.
– Dr. Kimmy Ing, an oncologist, shares her experiences observing a rise in young patients without known risk factors, suggesting that early life dietary factors may play a role in these health issues.
– The importance of understanding early dietary habits is highlighted, noting that patients may struggle to recall what they ate as children, which complicates the investigation of potential links to their current health conditions.

Influence of Early Nutrition

– Dr. Federica Amadi, a nutrition scientist, discusses the significance of diet and exercise in women’s health, particularly during the menopause transition, and references a large-scale trial on the subject.
– The conversation shifts to how to effectively communicate health and nutrition to children, emphasizing the importance of engaging them with the health benefits of various foods.
– The concept of categorizing foods into “everyday foods” and “sometimes foods” is introduced, advocating for a balanced approach to food consumption rather than labeling foods as strictly good or bad.
– Engaging children with the gut microbiome is suggested as a fun way to teach them about nutrition, highlighting the importance of colorful fruits and vegetables for their health.

The Golden Window of Opportunity

– The discussion moves to the critical first thousand days of life, from conception to the second birthday, as a vital period for health development, where organ systems and brain growth are established.
– Research indicates that the composition of an individual’s gut microbiome during these early years is difficult to alter later in life, emphasizing the need for proper nutrition during this formative period.
– The impact of cesarean sections on gut microbiome development is addressed, noting that children born this way may face different health outcomes compared to those delivered vaginally.
– Breastfeeding is discussed as a crucial factor that can help mitigate some of the negative effects associated with cesarean births, as it influences the development of the gut microbiome.

Maternal Nutrition and Public Health

– The conversation shifts to maternal nutrition, highlighting the misconceptions surrounding dietary needs during pregnancy and the importance of a healthy diet for both mothers and their unborn children.
– Research indicates links between maternal dietary patterns high in processed foods and increased risks of health issues, including colorectal cancer in offspring.
– The need for public health initiatives to prioritize maternal health and nutrition is emphasized, particularly in low-income communities where access to healthy food is limited.
– The discussion reflects on the importance of educating mothers about nutrition during pregnancy and providing them with the necessary resources to achieve optimal health outcomes for themselves and their children.

Changing Dietary Patterns in Children

– The video highlights the alarming trend of children being raised on highly processed foods, particularly in the UK, where breastfeeding rates are low and formula feeding is prevalent.
– Concerns are raised about the nutritional adequacy of processed baby foods, which often lack essential nutrients and fiber, leading to potential long-term health issues.
– The importance of improving school food programs and advocating for healthier food options in schools is discussed as a means to combat poor dietary habits in children.
– The role of government legislation in regulating food marketing and promoting healthier eating habits among children is emphasized as a necessary step towards improving public health.

The Role of Protein and Dietary Guidelines

– The conversation delves into the complexities of protein consumption, comparing the health impacts of red meat and sugar, and discussing the need for a balanced approach to dietary protein sources.
– The discussion highlights how excessive protein intake, particularly from animal sources, can be linked to various health issues, including cancer and metabolic disorders.
– The importance of focusing on plant-based proteins and maintaining a balanced amino acid profile is emphasized as a healthier dietary strategy.
– The video concludes by advocating for a shift in public perception regarding dietary guidelines, emphasizing the need for evidence-based information to guide healthy eating practices.

Nov 13, 2025 of Low-SOS Vegan Plan

(This blog began 3/15/2015)

MEDITATION:
* Charles Capps podcast
* Christ the Healer audiobook

EXERCISE:
* PT APP workout
–lower body stretch/stengthening
* Walk 40 minutes about campus, up/down stairs
* Standing lecture 2.5 hours
* Two sessions on vibration platform (great machine!)

WATER:
(2) × (32) = 64 oz (+)

EATS:
* banana
* unsweetened applesauce & pistachios
* small chopped salad (no dressing)
* injera & avocado w/ very veggie soup (potatoes, cauliflower, kale, carrot, onion, celery, mushrooms, tomatoes, sundried tomato pieces, lemon, seasoning & oatmilk)

… SUN HAS SET …

Cmmt: XL indicates uncommonly excessive food, and wautéed means water-sautéed

Nov 12, 2025 of Low-SOS Vegan Plan

(This blog began 3/15/2015)

MEDITATION:
* Charles Capps podcast
* Christ the Healer audiobook

EXERCISE:
* Powerwalk 4 miles indoors
* PT APP workout
–lower body stretch/stengthening

WATER:
(2) × (32) = 64 oz (+)

EATS:
* PlantStrong mixed berry granola w/ oatmilk
* dairy-free homemade veg pizza
* chopped salad

… SUN HAS SET …

Cmmt: XL indicates uncommonly excessive food, and wautéed means water-sautéed