Hope for Pain does not believe in the word “vegan.” We feel it adds extra stress and anxiety to the concept of eating plant-based. We also want to avoid the stereotypes that come with the word. Instead, we try to focus on eating local, sustainable foods that live in either a garden or the produce aisle.
We also believe it is important to incorporate plant-based eating as a lifestyle rather than a diet. Many people try out different diets and then give up because they find themselves craving/bingeing restricted foods. Instead of treating plant-based eating as a fad diet, treat it like a lifestyle.
The lifestyle approach is the reason we promote the 80% plant-based model. Moderation is key when trying to maintain a healthy diet. This plan accommodates off meals (or even days), allowing you to have more confidence in your ability to achieve your goal.
Hope for Pain has created a go-to guide for switching to a plant based lifestyle. Our guide details specific substitutes for items you may be eating currently that you need to cut out of your diet. Luckily, the 80% lifestyle gives you a little wiggle room. This is in an effort to make sure you don’t feel too overwhelmed and can easily stick to your new lifestyle. Remember that if you make a mistake or have a cheat day, you can always return to the roots of this lifestyle. We encourage you to take your produce aisle by storm or discover your green thumb in a fresh outdoor garden.
Not only is it important to adopt a plant based lifestyle, but it is also key to make sure the plants and produce you are eating are fresh and local (if possible). Sometimes prepackaged items contain extra ingredients that don’t fall into your new diet/lifestyle. If you read the back of the packaging and find that you don’t know some of the ingredients, try to steer clear. The goal is to eat as many raw foods as possible, with the fewest ingredients.
Remove These…
Alcohol, coffee, caffeinated teas, carbonated beverages, all artificial sweeteners
Replace with these…
Freshly extracted vegetable juices, distilled water, caffeine free herbal teas
Remove These…
All milk, cheese, ice cream, whipped toppings, and non-dairy creamers
Replace with these…
Fresh almond milk, non-dairy cheese, rice milk, coconut milk
Remove These…
Refined, bleached flour products, most cold breakfast cereals, and white rice
Replace with These…
Whole- grain cereals, breads, pasta, brown rice, soaked oats, raw muesli, dehydrated granola
Remove These …
Beef, pork, fish, chicken eggs, turkey, hamburgs, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, bologna
Replace With These…
All cooked beans, mushrooms, sprouted beans, chia seeds, wheat grass
Remove These…
All lard, margarine, shortenings, and anything containing hydrogenated oils or trans fats
Replace With these…
Extra virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, flaxseed oil, avocados
Remove These…
All roasted and or salted nuts and seeds
Replace With These…
Sunflower seeds, macadamia nuts, walnuts, raw almond butter, tahini, cashews, and almonds
Remove These…
Refined table salt and any seasoning containing it.
Replace With These…
Fresh or dehydrated herbs, garlic, sweet onions, parsley, salt-free seasonings, unrefined sea salt (sparingly)
Remove These…
All canned vegetables with salt or preservatives, or vegetables fried in oil
Replace With these…
All raw vegetables, steamed or wok- cooked fresh or frozen vegetables
Remove These…
Canned and sweetened fruits, along with non-organic and sulfured dried fruits
Replace with These…
All fresh organic, as well as unsulfured organic dried fruit
Remove These…
All refined white or brown sugar, sugar syrups, chocolate, candy, gum, cookies, donuts, cakes, pies
Replace With These…
Fruit smoothies, Raw unfiltered honey, stevia, agave nectar, pure maple syrup, carob
A modern ministry merging holistic health with spiritual healing
