By: Rose Bruno Bailey
Jeanne Schumacher holds a doctorate in science and education and has taught chemistry, biology, and environmental science for over thirty-five years. She is a firm believer in “walking the walk” and is committed to inspiring people to change their health destiny through a non-toxic whole-foods, plant-based lifestyle. www.SimplyPlantBased.net
Q: I know you are the founder of SimplyPlantBased.net and have a great youtube channel. But how did your journey begin?
A: Jeanne Schumacher-
My transformation to a healthier lifestyle began with a trip to the emergency room with a 105-degree fever, deadly high blood pressure, and an unknown infection. Luckily, the physician who attended me was not only trained in medicine but also in nutrition. This doctor started me on a journey that would not only change my health destiny but my life as well.
I went to see this doctor as a nutritionist after I got out of the hospital and she started me on the book “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease” by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. It started me on a plant-based educational journey and I continued to learn how the impact of what we eat will totally affect our body. Once you change your food, you will change your health destiny. I have since completed the coursework from Dr. John McDougall on the Starch Solution, earned my Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through eCornell – Center for Nutritional Studies and completed the Women’s Studies and Food Over Medicine program through Dr. Pam Popper and the Wellness Forum. There is so much to learn about how food totally impacts how our body functions.
Q: What health issues did you have before you started this lifestyle?
A: I was morbidly obese and dealt with high blood pressure, fatty liver syndrome, and an irregular heartbeat. I also suffered from migraines and had very frequent UTI’s. Since I went whole food plant-based, I lost over 100 pounds, reversed high blood pressure (from highest of 250/150 to normal 120/80 mmHg), healed my thyroid, reversed fatty liver syndrome, got off all my meds and haven’t suffered any more migraine. In addition, my husband reversed MS when he also went whole food plant-based.
Q: Did your husband join you on this journey?
A: Yes, he didn’t have much of a choice. I like to cook and he likes to eat. On his journey, he also reversed multiple sclerosis and also lost weight too.
Q: What does a typical day of food look like for you?
A: In the morning, I love my mean green smoothie. Mid-afternoon it’s salads, beans, rice, or a plant-based casserole. Dinner perhaps is a hearty soup and fruit for dessert.
Q: What are some of your favorite meals?
A: We love the holiday foods, in particular Thanksgiving. I could eat stuffing, cornbread, and all plant-based trimmings every day! Some of our other favorites are lentil loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, potato waffles (so crispy), an amazing spring pea risotto, my husband’s personal favorite Mexican lasagna, and my personal favorite: BBQ Cauliflower.
Q: What advice can you give to someone starting a plant-based lifestyle?
A: It’s a journey like the Wizard of Oz. You are Dorothy, and you just landed on the wicked witch. You have the ruby slippers on… and the munchkins are sending you to Oz via the yellow brick road. Get someone who can guide you along this path. The scarecrow has no brains, which is an analogy for all the misinformation out there. Let’s not forget about the flying monkeys. They are going to take you in the wrong direction. Get someone who can help you find the shortcut and avoid all the pitfalls. Someone who has been down that path and knows the way.
Q: What resources do you recommend?
A: Telemed is a great resource. Www.plantbasedtelehealth.com
These doctors practice plant-based lifestyle medicine.
Combine that with support through my programs The Weight Loss Advantage™ and The Pregnancy Advantage™ and it is a win-win for your health.
Rose Bruno Bailey-
Thank you for sharing your journey, plant-based experience and expertise with us. We look forward to following all the great things you are accomplishing.
