Cookbook Author, LeAnne Campbell Speaks at Whole Foods in Charlotte, NC!

by Danielle Bussone

Most of us have heard of vegan icon, T. Colin Campbell, author of the controversial book The China Study, which has awakened a nation to the perils of a diet rich in animal protein. In virtually every plant-based venue, be it a vegan pot-luck, a lecture hall or a vegetarian festival, someone (more than likely several someones) will have a story about how reading The China Study was a pivotal point in their decisions to rid themselves of animal dietary products forever, embrace the restorative power of plants, and in the process have turned their flagging health around completely. The story is so commonplace it has become practically banal. We have flocked to his lectures, have attended his seminars and enrolled in his plant-based nutrition program offered by Cornell University. We follow him like star-struck groupies hoping he’ll see our raised hands in the audience and respond to our fevered appeals, “Dr. Campbell, Dr. Campbell…” LeAnne just calls him “Dad,” and commands his undivided attention.

Yesterday, in a crowded conference room at Whole Foods, in Charlotte, North Carolina, LeAnne Campbell regaled us with stories of raising her children on a plant-based diet, following her father’s guidelines. LeAnne’s expertise is in education, and it shows. She engaged the room not only by sharing her own travails but by eliciting experiences from attendees of how they were able to overcome the obstacles of raising children on a plant-based diet when the school systems of our country, our medical professionals, and our sports coaches just didn’t get it.

As is often the case, Campbell found herself preaching to the choir. Most of us were already dedicated vegans, ever thirsting for more information, something to give us a slight edge over our previous understanding of plant-based nutrition. We want validation that the choices we’ve made for ourselves are consistent with the growing body of scientific evidence that a plant-based diet is the optimal choice for humans of all shapes and sizes.

LeAnne’s area is food; how to make it so delicious that everyone enjoys it. She talks about how teaching children to cook awakens their imagination and she explains that “Children will always eat what they cook themselves.” She tells how one day she and her children prepared a dish that didn’t turn out so well. Nevertheless, they all ate some of it, evaluated it and came to the consensus together that “… it was just awful!” Campbell goes on to explain, “If I had made it, they wouldn’t have even made the attempt. They would have taken one bite and refused to eat anymore. But since they made it, they tried it, then tried it again and finally agreed that this dish just wasn’t going to work.”

LeAnne Campbell is author of two cookbooks, The China Study Cookbook and The China Study All-Star Collection, based on the exhaustive research of her father, as exemplified in “The China Study.” In her books you’ll discover a wealth of information and scores of hearty, delicious recipes to satisfy the most finicky eater. Plant food is good food, there’s no better way to say it. LeAnne makes a distinction between being vegan and adopting a whole foods plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle. “You can have a very unhealthy vegan diet,” she says. “Lots of vegans eat nothing but processed foods and wonder why they are not getting healthier.” Campbell suggests staying away from processed foods and added oils, and limiting sugar and salt. Instead she recommends a diet of whole foods, as close to their natural state as possible, with minimal processing, such as beans, grains, and colorful fruits and vegetables.

Campbell also shared tips on shopping, how to create a menu and a proper shopping list so we do not purchase more than we will actually use in the coming week. This has been a habit she has passed on to her grown son, who is now in the position of having to prepare his own food on a tight budget. We discussed the cost of food and she fended questions on how one can afford to buy organic produce, eschewing pesticide-laden conventional produce and of course, those that have been genetically modified. One of the members of the audience, vegan fitness coach, Shabaka Amen, addressed this issue. “I tell my clients, if you don’t mind spending money on alcohol, you shouldn’t mind spending money on good food! It’s a lot cheaper than spending money on doctors. Being sick is expensive.” Amen to that Amen!

From left to right: Danielle Bussone, Shabaka Amen and LeAnne Campbell

So, what’s next for LeAnne Campbell? She invites us to join her and her father, T. Colin Campbell, for a total health experience in the Dominican Republic, October 15-22. There you will learn from a host of scientists who will discuss why a whole foods plant-based lifestyle is the best diet for the prevention of cancer, heart disease, autoimmune diseases and protection of your bones, kidneys and eyes. The event is held in a 4-star all-inclusive resort and will include many perks. For more information visit their website,GlobalRoots, or email Leanne for more information at info@globalroots.net or call (919) 768-2836. Perhaps we’ll see you there!

Co-founder and editor of Veggin’ Out and About, Danielle writes restaurant reviews, profiles and interviews of people making a difference in the plant-based community. She author is of, “Time For Change: Whole Foods For Whole Health,” released January 1, 2015.

Danielle’s region is SW Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina, and anywhere she happens to stop for sustenance along the road. Contact Danielle directly to share your restaurant finds, to make comments or just to say hello.