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Food choices are some of the most important decisions we make every day. And by food choices, this doesn't quite mean whether to choose between lunch from South Coast Deli or Panino (although let’s be real, how do you choose??:)). The actual food we choose to eat is bigger than our plates. Food is about enjoyment and culture and lifestyle, but it is also about health and one of biggest factors in the development of many chronic diseases. It is about the environment. And compassion for others. And the eating habits we pass down to our kids may be the most important guide we give them, perhaps more important than our genes.  

There is increasing evidence about these connections between what we eat and how we thrive and make an impact. Plant Based Santa Barbara (PBSB) is a community resource to support you on your journey to eat more plant-based foods (whether you’re looking to add a little or a lot!). It can definitely seem hard to do at first. You (and those around you) can’t help but worry if there are nutrients or favorite foods you are going to miss. Most of us were raised that eating animal products is necessary for health, literally from the earliest months of our lives. And we live in Santa Barbara, sea-loving means seafood, right?

Stick with us. We’ll share resources and ideas on how to approach a plant-based diet and plant-based hot spots in Santa Barbara. Eating more plant-based foods can be easy (you’re likely already eating many!) and fun (yes, FUN! :)) and one of the most effective ways to make an individual choice that can make a global impact.

Digging In

To get you started, following are the basics for navigating PBSB followed by a few resources to give you some basic information on plant based eating and nutrition, if you're newer to the topic. 

First! Here are the basics on touring this little corner of the web that Plant Based Santa Barbara calls home - 

  • THE VINE - The Vine is a regular blog on the perks of plant-based eating with tips and highlights to help you navigate cooking, grocery shopping, eating out locally and regionally, local and national plant-based resources, plant-friendly hot spots, and eating plant-based with your Little Earthlings.

  • LITTLE EARTHLINGS - Plant-based eating can be for the whole family. Here you'll find some basic information and links to great resources for eating and living plant-based with kids.

  • TOOLKIT - Interested to dig a little deeper into plant-based eating or general information, special topics, and recipes? Find links for quick go-to guides for LOCALS and VISITORS and a running sampling of plant-based and vegan NUTRITION, RECIPE, and LITTLE EARTHLING books to help you build a toolkit of resources.

  • POP UP - Check out our community calendar of local events and speakers on plant-based topics as well online events and summits that can help you expand your range of knowledge on plant-based living.

  • KEEP IT UP - Stay tuned for more support and services locally for building and/or "keeping up" a more plant-based lifestyle.

Also, under THE ROOTS, find more information on how Plant Based Santa Barbara came to be (ABOUT) and a way to get in touch (CONTACT).

Plant Based Basics

Now for some quick nitty gritty on plant-based eating! Following are article links to help you learn more about plant-based eating and nutrition. These are straight-forward, evidence-based resources that make understanding plant-based living easy-peasy. Each link is from a national leader in the field of nutrition and brings easy-to-follow and detailed basics for getting the ball rolling to more plant-centered eating. 

Power Plate by Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine (www.pcrm.org)

If movies are more your thing, following are two documentaries that give an eye-opening overview of the science and theories around plant-based nutrition and some other serious implications about our food choices. They also delve into why you may not be learning about this directly from some of your go-to resources (and why you should be!). (Trailers below, but both are available on Netflix or to rent online!)

Forks Over Knives

The feature film Forks Over Knives examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods. 

http://www.forksoverknives.com/

What the Health

The health film health organizations don't want you to see. What the Health is the groundbreaking follow-up film from the creators of the award-winning documentary Cowspiracy. The film exposes the collusion and corruption in government and big business that is costing us trillions of healthcare dollars, and keeping us sick. 

www.whatthehealthfilm.com

Alrighty, Santa Barbara friends, those are the basics of Plant Based Santa Barbara!
We are so glad you're here and can't wait to meet you on The Vine!

As you get started, two quick terms to know!

Vegan vs. Whole Food Plant-Based Eating
Is there a difference?

Vegan: 
A vegan diet is a cruelty-free diet and lifestyle made up of only plant foods and no animal products. Period.

Whole Food Plant-Based:
A whole food, plant-based diet takes this a step further and additionally reduces or eliminates oils and highly processed foods for optimal long-term health. 

We will explore ideas for both vegan and plant-based living for every stage of your plant-powered journey. Choosing to eat more plant-based foods can mean adding a little or a lot. 

Start anywhere!

(but may we suggest...The Vine!)

 

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