Are you as sick and tired of the diet culture as I am??
As someone who grew up in sunny Southern California, I was bombarded with the pressure to adhere to that particular look. You know the one: tall, blonde, skinny, and tanned. I spent 40 years yo-yo dieting, trying to achieve these unattainable goals – and all I got out of it was a tear in my intestines that made me end up in the hospital for emergency surgery.
Hi! My name is Julene, and I own The Plant Based Grandma. So, part of what I said above is not true. I was able to achieve the “goals” of being blonde and tall, and I was fortunate to have skin that tanned well. However, the elusive skinny part was always out of my grasp, at least permanently. I became an expert at dieting and losing weight but a big failure at keeping it off.
Fast forward to 2018, when the horrible dieting habits and stress took such a toll on my body that I ended up in the hospital for emergency surgery. And then again in 2023 because I didn’t learn my lesson the first time. After the second time, my doctor wanted to do surgery to remove part of my colon to prevent further diverticulitis flare-ups. That sounded scary as heck to me, so I decided to figure out a way to eat to save my health.
I discovered that the healthiest way for me to eat was to follow a plant-based diet. I started in July 2023, and by October, I was feeling so good that I decided to start my blog – theplantbasedgrandma.com – to share what I was learning with others over the age of 50 who had (or were thinking of) switching to a plant-based lifestyle for health reasons.
And it worked! Six months later, at my follow-up appointment, my doctor said I didn’t need the surgery! Learning to eat for my health, not just to be skinny, was my best decision ever.
About my Substack Publication:
I have over 200 articles available for free on my blog—feel free to check them out! I will also share all the new articles on Substack.
I love researching and sharing information that I learn, especially topics that have improved my life. I share more than recipes because I want to embrace the entire plant-based lifestyle.
I am always open to growing. If someone catches something I missed, I appreciate the chance to improve! I don’t claim to be a vegan pro—I’m simply sharing my journey in real-time.
Newsletter Logistics:
Monday’s articles are dedicated to my “Veganism and…” series, which includes topics such as the Chakras, the 18 Universal Laws, and the Zodiac. I also have many other series planned!
Tuesday’s and Thursday’s articles cover a variety of topics, such as sustainability, holidays, healthy habits, and family. Most of them also include new recipes.
I am so honored and grateful to everyone who has taken the time to read my story. If my story resonates with you, I hope you will consider subscribing to my Substack and joining me on this healthy journey!
One last thing—you’ll probably hear me mention my three grandchildren (two grandsons and a granddaughter) often. Fair warning: I’m one proud Grandma!
Expect Miracles!
Until next time,
— Julene
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.
