2 Friday, May 21, 2021 brooklintowncrier.com Plant-Based Eating by Sheree Nicholson How I did it Support for your decision to navigate to a plant- based diet is vital, as I indicated in my last column. As soon as you decide to become plant-based, you will face resistance, some from family and friends and some from your knowledge base. You may doubt your decision and wonder if you will get enough protein and other essential vitamins. It's normal to question yourself. When I did it, I decided education was necessary. I needed to know more about the lifestyle. I took an online course on plant-based nutrition through eCornell. The course was fascinating and eliminated any fears I had. However, it was also expensive, so it may not be suitable for you. Shortly after, I went to New York state for a weekend retreat with my mother and sister. It was hosted by the Forks Over Knives organization, a group that advocates for better health through plant-based nutrition. There I heard doctors, professional athletes and others talk about the health and physical benefits of plant-based eating. One of the speakers was a UFC fighter, James Wilks. He discussed how becoming plant- based gave him a competitive edge. The weekend, including the food, was a fantastic immersion experience. Then I started attending the Toronto Vegetarian Food Fair. There I watched a vegan named Patrik Baboumian earn the title of the strongest man in the world when he carried a yoke loaded with 550 kilograms across the stage. This quickly dispelled the myth that you can't get strong and build muscle on a plant-based diet. I also read some great books. My favourites were written by Brendon Brazier, a Canadian Triathlete. He wrote about stress, energy and eating for performance. It all seemed logical to me, especially as I'm a runner and own a yoga and fitness studio. Once in a while, I also will catch up on Netflix documentaries. There are several good ones. My recommendations are: "Cowspiracy" "Forks Over Knives" "Vegucated" "What the Health" "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead" The nonsensical stay-at-home order was in full swing, the only swing allowed given there was no baseball/softball, no tennis, no golf, no nothing outdoors. Six teens sat in a skate park, ruminating on events of the day, or that moment. One was smoking, the rotter. Two youngsters and their skateboards were practising death-defying tricks on one of the skate park's curved chunks of equipment. All were guilty of illegal use of an outdoor facility in defiance of a provincial order. I would have paid decent money to witness a conversation between a bylaw officer and one of those youths to get them to move. However, it was not to be. No such official had come by that day at all, according to the kids. It is likely our bylaw people have more important issues to attend to. Which got me to thinking about civil disobedience. I don't mean the kind where grownups march to one of our diamonds and play a game. Shouting and swearing in either official language between adults armed with baseball bats and gloves and the local constabulary is not something I'd want to see nor hear. Imagine: Durham cops show up in force - with two vehicles. One officer carries the portable ticket dispenser. They order the ballplayers to go home. The ball players say they can't because there are two on with one out in the middle of a rally from a 19- run deficit and, as we know in adult softball, anything can happen. The cops watch, hoping for a couple of strikeouts, which doesn't happen much in slow pitch unless the batter is a total goof who always wants to put it over the fence but instead rarely gets it out of the infield. He also takes about a dozen practice swings, the softball equivalent of Novak Djokovic's annoying preserve ball bounces. So the inning drags on. But what if a bunch of kids did the unthinkable and committed their own act of civil disobedience? Let's say a gaggle of children show up at the dead end on Carnwith east. They carry two hockey nets and spare tennis balls. Come on, you need spare tennis balls! Imagine this. They are armed with hockey sticks, some of which were once ridiculously expensive but have been relegated to the garage when rinks closed. It's either play with them or let them get abused as plant stalks. Two teams are formed, with spares, and they play across the dead end. Somehow word gets out of the event. Next thing you know, other groups of children are setting up games at the dead ends of St. Thomas or Tremount or Whitmore Court or other spots. Smaller games begin on church parking lots, a riskier approach, but they're kids and are risk averse. Bylaw is called. The DRPS is notified. Our councillors are bombarded with Facebook messages, a few of which are grammatically correct. In the end, the kids are ignored and they play. Imagine. Less than half the picture: By Richard Bercuson The Brooklin Kid Games "Proud to be a Brooklinite" Founded in 2000 and published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 • editorofbtc@gmail.com The Brooklin Town Crier is locally owned and operated and is a publication of Appletree Graphic Design Inc. We accept advertising in good faith but do not endorse advertisers nor advertisements. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. For advertising information, Email: mulcahy42@rogers.com Next Issue: Friday, June 4, 2021 Deadline: Friday, May 28, 2021 Publications dates subject to change during COVID-19 Pandemic • "Food, Inc." • "Game Changers" As with most documentaries, they are rather one-sided. However, they do provide "food for thought" and can lead you to explore deeper research on some of their topics. Remember the expression "Knowledge is power"? When making significant changes, it's important to know not only your why but also how to safely do so. If, like me, you are looking for improved energy and athletic performance, then give the plant-based lifestyle a chance; you can always change your mind. Sheree's Hack: Spend some of this lockdown time learning about the benefits of plant-based eating. The Brooklin Optimist Club is looking for exceptional youth who are planning for life's greatest challenge by studying in a field of interest. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate their contributions to the service of our community through school and community organizations. Two scholarships up to $1,000 each Deadline: June 6, 2021 An application form is available on the website: https://brooklinoptimist.org/ Eligibility: You must reside in Ward 1 of Whitby (Brooklin area) OR be a member of the Brooklin Optimist Youth Club who participates and volunteers in the club on a regular basis. Student must be entering their 1st year in fall, 2021, or currently enrolled in full time study in a post-secondary or trades program. Preference given to those who volunteer in the Brooklin/Whitby community Proof of acceptance into either a post secondary or trades program must be provided upon being awarded the scholarship Brooklin Optimist Club Offers Scholarship The 412-418 tolls are still there.