Darshana Thacker is the culinary project manager for Forks Over Knives, as well as the chef responsible for 125 kid-friendly recipes in the brand new Forks Over Knives Family book. She has been a Forks Over Knives (FOK) insider since the very beginning (in addition to being a top-notch plant-based chef, she's also FOK producer Brian Wendel's girlfriend).
FOK is a big deal in the world, at least in my world. When I speak at plant-based events, I find that somewhere around 50-90% of the attendees first discovered this lifestyle through the original FOK documentary. It's consistently been the top-selling documentary on amazon and the top-watched documentary on Netflix.
I've interviewed Brian, and was amazed at his pure gumption in getting this giant dream off the ground. When he got the idea to make a movie about T. Colin Campbell and Caldwell Esselstyn, he wasn't a movie producer. He had no experience in media. He was doing commercial real estate in Santa Monica, California, for heaven's sake!
But Brian is one of those people who doesn't seem to have genes for self-doubt and hesitancy. So he was unable to explain exactly what had gotten into him as he innocently and vigorously launched one of the greatest forces for health and happiness in the past 30 years.
So when I got the chance to talk to Darshana, who's been with him the whole way, I was excited to hear about the FOK odyssey from her perspective. What I got in the interview, of course, was much better than that. Darshana's own journey, from 1970s India to California, from traditional homemade food to the delights of greasy westernized fare, to discovering her own passion and penchant for healthy plant-based cooking.
We discussed the milestones and triggers for her transition to plant-based eating, and her combination of traditional Indian Ayurveda with principles of vegan cuisine in formulating fun, delicious, and kid-friendly recipes for the new cookbook.
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We covered:
- the changes in the Indian middle class in the 1980s, and how eating out signified affluence
- how traditional Indian family cuisine got corrupted by westernization
- getting hooked on cooking through the Food Network
- immigrating to the United States to expand her environment and herself
- meeting Brian and discovering ethical veganism
- learning about the implications of eating dairy and eggs
- watching FOK take shape and grow from Brian's passion
- how to think about cooking healthy meals for kids
- translating the standard American diet into whole-food, plant-based dishes (healthy versions of pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, pancakes, enchiladas, and tacos)
- what recipes got cut from the book
- the six tastes of Ayurveda, and why they belong in every meal
- reconciling the differences between plant-based and Ayurvedic practice and evidence
- getting in tune with our own bodies' desires
- the wisdom and limitations of bioindividuality (“at what point does your need impinge on someone else's life?”)
- the new line of FOK prepared foods
- the FOK meal planner service (a menu plus shopping lists, totally customizable)
- and much more…
Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.
Links
Forks Over Knives Family – book
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Announcements
My friend and collaborator Josh LaJaunie has just won the Runners' World Cover Search 2016! So starting November 15, go find an issue and wave it in everyone's face, saying, “Still think that plant-based eating isn't for athletes?!!” Or not. But either way, check out his victory video here (and keep the hankies handy):
Ready to embark on your Big Change journey?
Are you tired of knowing what to do, and still not doing it consistently? The Big Change Program, led by Josh LaJaunie and myself, will help you take the steps to finally live according to your knowledge and values.
Join the Plant Yourself mailing list (top right of this page) to learn more, and to get notified about the next Bobsled Run of the program.
UPDATE: We'll be opening enrollment for the next run within 2 weeks, and you'll be able to experience the “home-study” course until the next Bobsled run starts in January. Join that mailing list (top right of this page) to get first dibs at enrollment. We're limiting it to 6o people, and now that Josh is famous, it will sell out right quick!
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Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Disclosure
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Although it is a tough day for many, just remember that you have had a huge positive influence on Josh’s life (congrats to him on the cover!) and continue to make such a positive difference in many thousands of lives. Thanks for what you do Howard!
Thanks for the kind reminder, Christine!