The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet (2 page)

But how do you start? Some people like to dive right into a new way of eating. Others prefer to wade in gradually, and still others want to stick their toe into the pool and test the waters for a while. This book allows you to fit the menu to your personality and needs. Whether you would like to jump straight into a healthy menu, flirt with healthful foods for a bit, or go for the maximal benefit from a superhero approach, they are all here for you. Whichever way you choose, you’ll find the process truly eye-opening.

One other thing: This is more than a way of eating; it is also a way of living. Our food choices affect the earth in ways that many of us tend not to think about. And needless to say, we also affect animals if we are putting them on the stove. So if you have ever wanted to learn about a way of eating that is kind to the earth and to animals, you’ve found it.

Alicia Silverstone knows about all these things as one who has not only studied for many years how foods affect the body, but as one who has lived it. In her uplifting, friendly, and honest way, Alicia explains how she did it and shows exactly how you can do the same. These wise words and delicious recipes will forever change the way you think about food.

The Journey Starts Here

These days, it seems like there are a million and one problems in the world; global warming, droughts, rising food costs, toxic waterways, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, starvation . . . it’s enough to make anyone want to crawl into a hole with a big bowl of ice cream!

Of course you know ice cream’s not the solution. But what if I told you that the ice cream you’re craving is actually one of the
causes
of every single one of those problems? What if I said that by choosing nondairy ice cream instead, you’d be taking a huge step toward solving them all?

And what about your health? Do you feel like your body is some mystery that only your doctor understands? Do you feel like getting older is just another way of saying “falling apart”? What if I told you that, by eating a varied, plant-based diet, you will strengthen your immune system, beautify your skin, increase your energy, and reduce your risk (significantly) of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, allergies, asthma, and almost every other disease? What if I said that I feel myself getting younger, more powerful, and more beautiful as I age simply because
of
what I eat
? Of course the food we choose is not the only factor in our health and well-being, but it’s definitely one of the most important—and, luckily, it’s one we have control over. How does that nondairy ice cream sound now?

If you want to lose weight, you’ve come to the right place. But, unlike other diet books, I won’t ask you to freak out about calories, carbs, or the glycemic index. With the Kind Diet, your relationship to your body, food, and the concept of dieting itself will transform. By staying away from nasty foods and making friends with grains and vegetables, a whole new, beautiful body will emerge.

And finally, do you feel like you’re at peace with yourself? Comfortable in your own body? In your life? Or are you constantly battling yourself (or others), never feeling whole or balanced? Do you feel like you’re in touch with your heart—your authentic self? I know it might sound crazy to say that your diet is behind that, too, but it is. When you begin to eat whole grains and abstain from crazy-making foods like white sugar, you will see how amazing and joyous and peaceful life really is.

By following the Kind Diet, you will lose weight easily, your skin will absolutely glow, you will have tons of energy, and you will become more sensitive to all the important things in life—like love, nature, and your deepest, truest self. By eating this way, you will become stronger. Your immune system will work more efficiently as your body releases excess fats and toxins. Released from the grip of certain foods, your body will begin to heal itself.

So here’s your end of the bargain: Prioritize food. I know, I know, you’re thinking, “I already prioritize food—I’m always on a diet! I think about food all the time!” But that’s not what I mean. It’s time to really reacquaint yourself with actual
food
, the stuff that comes out of the ground, the stuff that’s designed to go in our bodies, supporting not only our physical functions but our hearts and even our souls.

Here’s another promise that perhaps your tongue needs to hear: You will
not
feel deprived! If you make that single decision to prioritize food, try out some recipes, and explore some great healthy restaurants, you will be amazed at how delicious this food is. I didn’t grow up vegetarian—as a kid my favorite food was pork chops—so I’ve made the transition that I’m asking you to consider. Not only was it possible, it was the best thing I’ve ever done. Period.

By the way, this isn’t a lifestyle designed for celebrities and rich people. I’m not selling you some glamorous program that requires ridiculous equipment, fancy private sessions, or expensive creams. This radiant health is available to every single one of us because it’s nature’s way. I
love
that! And these days, the food is even cheap; trade in steak for grains and beans, and your grocery bill goes down. Find a local farmers’ market for great prices on organic vegetables. Or even grow your own! You may find, over time, that you see your doctor less often. That you walk more and drive less. That you don’t need that frappuccino, antacid, or sleeping pill.

But that’s not all. One of the things I love best about the Kind Diet is that you will actually become part of the solution to our global problems. Following a plant-based diet dials down our insane consumption of resources like fresh water, oil, coal, and the precious rain forest. It helps to heal the environment by denying support to toxic food industries. It is a significant move toward ending world hunger and distributing food more equitably.

I believe that at the core of every human is love, and it seeks to spread itself—that’s what love’s all about. Your heart will open more than ever and that love will start to spread, affecting all the people in your life. And because
the Kind Diet is sustainable, you are—by making simple, delicious choices—loving the whole planet with every single bite. I mean, come on . . . How cool is
that
?

Finally, deciding to follow a plant-based diet has introduced me to the most amazing individuals—so many of them kind, interesting, and awake. Wonderful people like Woody Harrelson. So I’ll end this introduction with a story: About 10 years ago, right after becoming vegan, I was feeling sort of alone and disconnected. I had bumped into Woody at a number of events, but we’d never really talked, so one day I called him. “Woody,” I said, “I’m so frustrated. I keep learning about food, and the planet, and I feel like I’m going crazy!”

After a moment he said, in his Woody way, “I’m taking a trip to Peru, down the Amazon. Wanna come? We’re trying to save the rain forest.”

“Uhh . . .”

“I’m bringing my wife, Laura, maybe the kids. Bring your boyfriend . . . it’ll be fun.”

Two months later, I met Woody Harrelson officially, for the first time, in the Lima airport. Three days later, he and Christopher were racing canoes down the Amazon, stark naked and paddling furiously, with me and Laura behind them, laughing. Vegan friends are the best.

Since then, I’ve been inspired by the joy Woody and Laura take in living life while simultaneously caring for themselves, their kids, and the earth. Their consciousness magically and mysteriously raises mine. Through this book, I hope I can do the same for you. As you get into this stuff, you will meet people full of hope and light, with a real love for this planet. They will make your life richer and more meaningful than you ever thought possible. And that is the greatest gift of all.

Peace out,

P.S.: I’ve created an amazing Web site,
thekindlife.com
, which includes videos, photos, and blogs posted by me and many of the doctors and other people I’ve highlighted in this book. It’s an interactive online community where we can share inspiration and continue to support each other in living the kind life. There will be fashion, beauty products, recipes, and all kinds of fun stuff. You can send me questions, too.

You can explore further on
thekindlife.com
, so why not sign up for a profile right now?

PART I

kind versus nasty

I

What’s So Kind about Dieting?

diet:
(noun)
a way of living, or thinking, a day’s journey

This was the definition of
diet
when it entered the English language in the mid-1600s. So simple! So sane! How did this cute little word become synonymous with deprivation, suffering, and—let’s be honest—total hell?

With the Kind Diet, we are returning the word to its original definitions, for this journey is about changing how you think and live, one day at a time. And by allowing your mind and your choices to change, you will see amazing—even magical—results. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen, I promise, because it happened to me: By eating satisfying, delicious, plant-based foods, I was released from the prison of dieting.

Oh, the freedom of that! How amazing it is never to have to start another diet! To be able to think about my life, and the world, instead of spazzing out about calories and constantly asking myself, “Can I eat that?” It’s like I got my brain back! These days, I get to eat as much as I want of foods that I
love,
and I never have to fear them. I feel truly and deeply nourished by food. I’m so grateful for that.

But what do I mean by “kind”? Well, let’s start with you. This is about being really, really good to yourself. The Kind Diet will give you tons of energy, mental clarity, gorgeous skin, and a zest for life you won’t want to miss. Plus, it’s powerful; doctors like Dean Ornish and John MacDougall have discovered that plant-based diets have the power to reverse heart disease, diabetes, even cancer. So this is about treating yourself like a total goddess and putting yourself first.

And you deserve that kindness, my friend. I used to equate having self-worth with being selfish, but now I understand that taking care of myself is the most beautiful thing I can do. And quite frankly, I can’t be a good actor, I can’t be a good wife, friend, or mother (to my dogs) . . . I can’t be a good
anything
until I’ve taken care of myself first. So this kindness to yourself is paramount.

And it doesn’t stop there. This kindness extends to the earth itself; because it requires less fuel, water, and other precious resources, a plant-based diet is much lighter on the planet. And because it is clean, this diet helps our soil, water, and atmosphere get healthy as well. You will see that the Kind Diet reduces planetary suffering on all levels; following a plant-based diet is just about the greenest thing you can do.