Plant-Based or Bust? – Finding Common Ground in Nutrition Science

What happens when a research study goes viral and lands on Netflix? Stanford’s “Twins Study” comparing healthy vegan and omnivorous diets did just that and ignited debates across kitchens, classrooms, and social media feeds.

Join Dr. Christopher Gardner for a look at how nutrition research gets translated (and sometimes twisted) in the public eye and how we can build more consensus around plant-based diets without losing our sense of humor and appetite.

For more than 30 years, Christopher Gardner, PhD, Rehnborg Farquhar Professor of Medicine at Stanford and nutrition scientist, has been a key faculty member at the Stanford Prevention Research Center where he leads the Stanford Nutrition Studies Research Group. With a PhD in Nutrition Science from UC Berkeley, he has led over 20 human nutrition intervention studies, including trials of Mediterranean, Ketogenic, Vegan, Low-Fat and Low-Carb diets and their effects on cardiometabolic out comes such as blood lipids, glucose, and inflammation.

June 2, 2026 Low-SOS Vegan Plan

(This blog began 3/15/2015)

MEDITATION:
* Concepts of Faith
* No Greater Love podcast

EXERCISE:
* Jog 5k outdoors
* PT APP workout
–lower body stretch/stengthening
* Vibration platform w/ kitty!
* 40 piyo jumps

WATER:
(2) × (32) = 64 oz (+)

EATS:
* gfo smoothie (greens, fruit, oats)
* salt-free pistachios
* blended Grandmother Moroccan stew w/ additionel steamed kale, served over brown rice & mustard
* baked potato topped w/ sliced almonds & avo-salsa
* tostada (beans, rice, lettuce, tomato, half avocado on XL-crispy tortilla)
* homemade sweet potato ice cream w/ strawberries & choco powder

… SUN HAS SET …

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

June 1, 2026 of Low-SOS Vegan Plan

(This blog began 3/15/2015)

MEDITATION:
* Nothing But Bible
* Concepts of Faith
* No Greater Love podcast

EXERCISE:
* 20 piyo jumps
* Lift lower body @ gym
* Walk-about campus, up/down stairs & lecture

WATER:
(2) × (32) = 64 oz (+)

EATS:
* gfo smoothie (greens, fruit, oats)
* salt-free pistachios
* mashed organic golden potatoes, Calif veggies (carrot, peas, corn, green beans), avo-salsa, homemade fry sauce, Japanese bbq sauce
* beet ramen noodle soup w/ green onions, alfalfa-broccoli sprouts & mushrooms
* oilfree popcorn topped w/ few kernels of XL-sweet popcorn

… SUN HAS SET …

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

May 31, 2026 of Low-SOS Vegan Plan

(This blog began 3/15/2015)

MEDITATION:
* No Greater Love podcast
* Biblical Research Institute
* Nothing But Bible

EXERCISE:
* Jog 5k outdoors
* 40 piyo jumps

WATER:
(2) × (32) = 64 oz (+)

EATS:
* leftover Grandmother Moroccan stew served w/ brown rice, steamed kale, pretzel chips & avo-salsa
* peaches
* chopped Mediterranean salad
w/ arugula & broccoli-slaw & tomatillo avo-salsa as dressing
* homemade choco dairy-free ice cream & a fresh banana
*(oilfree) organic low sodium ramen cup of soup (McDougall brand)

… SUN HAS SET …

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

The Best Oil-Free Italian Dressing – Kathy’s Vegan Kitchen

https://www.kathysvegankitchen.com/wprm_print/the-best-oil-free-italian-dressing

Ingredients
½ cup white vinegar
½ cup red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
1 lemon juiced
2 Tablespoons stone-ground mustard
½ cup water
2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ green pepper minced
½ red onion minced
3 cloves garlic minced

Instructions
Mince the garlic, red onion, and green pepper.
Chop the parsley and basil.
Add all the ingredients in a bowl or measuring cup and whisk together.
Cover and place in the refrigerator for an hour before servings, so the flavors enhance.
Serve on your favorite salad, or pasta, marinate veggies for grilling, or use a sandwich dressing.
This dressing will be fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes
Using fresh herbs gives the dressing a more full-bodied flavor.
Fresh lemon juice is also preferred compared to bottled juice.
Combining the two different kinds of vinegar is essential to reaching the depth of flavor.
Serve this dressing in a pasta salad, Italian chopped salad, Panzanella salad, or Italian farro salad.
Try this dressing to marinate vegetables for the grill or vegetable kabobs.
Do not blend the dressing; it should be chunky for the best flavors.

Nutrition
Calories: 38kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 123mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 336IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg

Quick and Easy Lemon Basil Dressing – Kathy’s Vegan Kitchen

https://www.kathysvegankitchen.com/wprm_print/quick-and-easy-lemon-basil-dressing

Ingredients
½ cup packed fresh basil
¼ cup water
¼ cup white vinegar
1 ½ lemons juiced and zested
¼ cup raw blanched slivered almonds
1 clove garlic
1 Tablespoon Maple syrup

Instructions
Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender.
Blend on high until smooth.
Place the dressing in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes
First, fresh basil is necessary to make this refreshing lemon basil dressing. In Arizona, basil thrives in my garden in 100-degree temperatures.
All my herbs grow at an increasing rate all year round compared to my indoor and outdoor gardens when we lived in Michigan.
Another suggestion is to use fresh lemon juice and garlic. Even though it would take a discerning palate to tell the difference between bottled and fresh lemon juice, most bottled juices contain preservatives.
Another bonus to fresh lemon is the lemon zest. Since I used lemon zest for this lemon basil dressing, buy organic lemons or scrub them before zesting.
Additionally,  you will need a quality high-speed blender. For instance, I use a Nutri-bullet, which is inexpensive, I’ve owned it for years.
Despite popular belief, you do not need a blender similar to a car payment. Quality, for example, doesn’t always come with the highest price tag.

Nutrition
Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g