Jeff Bites

Real food. Real Life. Real Progress.

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  • Why being a young ambitious country killed our health

    Why being a young ambitious country killed our health

    What is the sign of a wealthy nation?

    Gold? Guns? Tik Tok stars?

    Nope.

    The dinner plate.

    After the great depression, farmers were asked to do the seemingly impossible for Americans…

    We wanted access to more steak. We can’t wait for more fried chicken. My kids need eggs to start off their day.

    And farmers delivered.

    And while the demand grew it was simultaneously killing off the farmer who cared about the animals and the quality when delivered to a customer.

    Easier.

    Cheaper.

    Faster.

    Corporations bought out small family farms consolidating flocks and herds while eliminating competition.

    And they did what corporations do which is maximize profit while minimizing costs.

    With RUTHLESS efficiency.

    Who cares if pigs can’t stand up under their own weight?

    Who cares if chickens boil in their own blood and feces as long as it increases their for sale weight by 30%?

    Meanwhile we are all paying the price as “greased palms” look the other way while sick and diseased animals are packaged next to the healthy ones.

    When are we going to stop paying the price?!?!

    It’s your decision to do what’s best for your health.

    Start your whole food plant based diet journey where you only have to worry about a little dirt on your carrots.

    I will take that trade every day of the week.

  • Alternatives Galore. Get in there and eat Now!

    Alternatives Galore. Get in there and eat Now!

    I am not perfect.

    I want to be with the tribe. I want to eat like everyone else.

    The difference is that I only want to eat foods that nourishes my bodies ability to flourish.

    When my kids get ice cream…I get sorbet.

    When my family eats pepperoni pizza ->I eat roasted red peppers and plant based cheese pizza.

    When my friends eat cheeseburgers and fries -> I eat blackbean burgers and fries.

    When job caters with Jersey Mikes Turkey and Cheddar -> I eat the veggie combo footlong.

    When my kids have a chocolate shake -> I make a chocolate & peanut butter, chia seed, and hemp heart high protein smoothie.

    Its okay to eat with everyone else but we don’t compromise our diets for the sake of fitting in the crowd.

    We eat whole food plant based because it’s what our bodies deserve.

    So don’t get left out join in.

  • Stress Out? Your diet can help!

    Stress Out? Your diet can help!

    Work? Lack of work?

    Kids?

    Aging Parents?

    USA World Cup loss?

    We are all stressed out for various reasons.

    What if eating could become a stress reliever?

    Sounds too good to be true.

    Whole food plant based diets have a “treasure trove” of benefits for body and mind.

    Lowering Neuroinflammation: Plant diets rich in polyphenols and antioxidants reduce oxidative stress (damaged blood vessels, neuron loss, insulin dysregulation).[1]

    Healthy Microbiome: A healthier gut microbiome directly regulates emotional pathways and mood-boosting neurotransmitter synthesis. [2]

    Neurotransmitter Support: Plant-based foods provide abundant micronutrients like tryptophan (found in leafy greens, seeds, and broccoli), which serves as the essential precursor for serotonin production (promotes emotional regulation and restorative health). [3]

    Best foods for your brain and gut: Spinach and kale; Blueberries and strawberries; Walnuts; Pumpkin Seeds; Dark Chocolate

    So eat up and feel better!

    Sources:

    (1) https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2026.1763010/full

    (2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12979152/

    (3) https://www.pcrm.org/good-nutrition/food-and-mood

  • Cheat Days are for Rookies

    Cheat Days are for Rookies

    The Cheat Day is the worst thing you can do when trying to lose weight.

    During the week you are strict with your eating regimen, then comes Saturday.

    Breakfast: Delicious buttermilk pancakes dripping with syrup.

    Lunch: Cheese “burger” with crispy hot fries and finished off with chewy chocolate chip cookies.

    Dinner: 8 Cheesy slices of happiness are calling your name.

    Then Sunday comes and you have to start all over again shoving your way through the willpower to push through from week.

    Like a caterpillar chewing a leaf “small bites” of your diet discipline are eaten away weakening each time you indulge.

    Then BAM!!!

    Rough day of work, fender bender, or the 4th of July…You deserve a break. You have done so good.

    And that is when your diet that officially died but you don’t know it yet.

    If you CANNOT eat the things you want on your diet, you are on the WRONG diet.

    So quit trying to reward yourself only at the end of each week — do it daily with whole foods.

    Recipe for tasty and healthy chocolate chip cookies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr9EirwjC1A

  • Microplastics effects and the plant based solution – Part 2

    Microplastics effects and the plant based solution – Part 2

    Part 1: https://jeffbites.com/2026/07/06/microplastics-effects-and-the-plant-based-solution/

    How can we combat the microplastic invasion of our bodies?

    Plants of course.

    Which plants you ask?

    Kimchi???

    What’s kimchi?

    Kimchi is traditionally a Korean dish made from fermented vegetables. Napa cabbage, radish, and garlic.

    The study from South Korea discovered this glorious plant based plastic binder through several studies.

    In the lab, binding was as high as 87% to the microplastics. And when mimicking an environment similar to the human intestine the binding was about 57% effective in microplastic removal.

    Plastic pollution is not just an environmental concern but a major health concern for all.

    Turn your body into the ultimate armor combating enemies you cannot even see with a whole food plant based diet.

    Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260517211451.htm

  • Microplastics effects and the plant based solution

    Microplastics effects and the plant based solution

    Microplastics have become a major health concern.

    Why?

    Tupperware, disposable water bottles, plastic containers, plastic ware, ziploc bags, you name it. It comes in multiple colors.

    Plastic is a permanent part of our lives.

    You…cannot…escape.

    How does plastic get into our bodies anyway? It’s not like we chew on it. My pen says otherwise. 🫠

    When we eat or drink out of our plastic plates and cups nanoplastics are swallowed. Unfortunately for us we can’t digest plastic like regular foods.

    They accumulate in your gut lining wreaking chaos with our bodies causing chronic inflammation, reproductive issues, neurodegenerative disease, diabetes & obesity.

    Luckily for us there is a way to combat this plastic infestation.

    We will explore the plant based solution in Part 2.

    Source:

  • Drives you crazy but worth it

    Drives you crazy but worth it

    Being different is not easy.

    It’s the cookouts, Sunday dinners, and potlucks when you remember.

    “I’m not like everyone else anymore.”

    It’s a startling realization because I am now separate from “the pack.”

    It’s always, “Oh yeah. I forgot hun.”

    “You don’t eat what again?”

    “Just salad for you right?!”

    And then the like “The Shining Knight in Armor” my resolve breaks through.

    I eat more food than I have ever eaten on any diet.

    I am losing weight.

    Protecting my body against heart disease, various cancers and other diseases of affluence.

    I am different because I care about me.

    Stay strong remember how much you love you when things get hard.

  • 5% Schedule & 95% Muster?

    5% Schedule & 95% Muster?

    Today marks 12 weeks plant based.

    16 pounds lost.

    2 inches off of chest, belly, and waist.

    At least 1 cooked meal and 1 raw meal a day.

    Working out 6 days a week!

    My wife asked “How are you keeping this up?”

    5% schedule and 95% muster. 💪🏿

  • Why being tired can help with your workout

    Why being tired can help with your workout

    How do you behave when you are tired?

    Cranky?

    Sleepy?

    A little mean?

    Me too.

    “Leave me alone.”

    “Get out of my face.”

    I get ‘down right’ selfish.

    I want to rest and I deserve it and lord help anyone who gets in my way.

    What if you adopted that same attitude about your work out?

    Be fierce.

    Be selfish.

    Be strong.

    Be annoyed with anyone trying to stop you.

    Jobs, kids, spouses.

    This is MY TIME! 💪🏿

  • Use the Algorithm to Keep it Interesting

    Use the Algorithm to Keep it Interesting

    My algorithm thinks I am opening a vegan restaurant.

    Plant based desserts, smoothies, salads, dips, pastas, bowls, and wraps.

    The Golden Age of Plant Based Recipes is upon us:

    • Hearts of Palm Fried Fish!
    • Seitan BBQ Ribs!
    • Lentil Bolognese!
    • Seitan Corned “No Beef!”

    While not all of your recipes will turn out well, many will.

    They will become your food staples at your dinner table.