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Hi friends,

Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States. But it doesn’t have to be! And that’s coming from a board-certified interventional cardiologist, Dr. Columbus Batiste, who’s performed thousands of heart procedures and helped tens of thousands of patients over his nearly two-decade career.

Our guest is on a mission to break the cycle of prescriptions and procedures as the sole management of chronic heart disease by promoting a long-term solution for his patients through nutrition, stress reduction, and exercise.

Dr. Batiste reveals how you can make a difference, not just for yourself, but for anyone you know, especially those battling heart disease or fearing a family history of such. He gives the surprising statistics regarding heart disease and breaks down the wide array of what it actually is.

He explains to us conditions and symptoms that may actually be cardiovascular related and warning signs of heart trouble ahead. He also answers the nagging question of whether or not our genes sentence us to heart disease. Spoiler alert: they don’t! And in this episode, he explains just how to avoid a death sentence.

Dr. Batiste addresses all the hot topics: a whole-food plant-based diet, fiber, and phytonutrients, breaking down what the evidence says into super easy to understand illustrations that will motivate just about anyone to make those steps in the right direction.

He explains how the “tiered aging” effect makes it all the more important to act sooner rather than later, what pimples have to do with vascular health, and what the only difference is between someone who’s had a heart attack and someone who hasn’t. He also spells out the super-achievable action items we can take home right away:

• What to do to prevent a heart scare, if you haven't had one yet
• The 5 foods to add and 5 foods to subtract for maximum impact
• Tried and true meals infused with flavor for a busy lifestyle
• The meaningful role of self-forgiveness and grace in heart health

The episode wouldn’t be complete without hearing Dr. Batiste’s real heart: his passion and empathy for his patients, how facing tragedy can help us walk beside others, and the uplifting shifts taking place in medical communities all across the world, thanks to everyday people who are advocating for what they value.

Join the revolution, standing up to one of the greatest threats to our family, friends, and humanity at large, by learning these surprisingly simple and transformative steps that you can then pass on to all those dear to your heart.

♡ Toni & Michelle

 EPISODE SHOW NOTES

• How many people are affected by heart disease and a surprising statistic 
• What cardiovascular disease is and what it can involve
• Do our genes sentence us to heart disease? Is DNA your destiny?
• What the evidence says about a whole-foods, plant-rich diet and heart disease
• How fiber rich foods create a rich microbiome diversity in the gut
• The role of phytonutrients that are still being discovered
• How to visualize vascular health & blood flow for better understanding
• How lifestyle choices can have a “tiered aging” affect and what that means
• How pimples can help you understand vascular health
• How facing health tragedies in our own lives can prepare us to help those around us
• Why we have to change where the value is placed in medical culture, and the role of non-medical professionals and social media in changing the world
• How awareness and research are starting to make a difference in health communities
• Advice from top plant-based doctors for where to start getting back on track with heart health
• Super easy “better” options you can start switching up in your diet
• How to shift out of what feels comfortable and begin exploring different flavors
• The only difference between someone who’s had a heart attack and some one who hasn’t
• What to do if you haven’t yet had a heart scare, to prevent one from happening
• How to practice self-forgiveness and grace and how that impacts the heart
• Dr. Batiste’s 5 favorite heart-healthy foods (and a smoothie tip!)
• Five foods to drop fast to show some love to your heart
• Tried & true flavorful family meals that fit into a busy lifestyles
• The pillars needed to support efforts in nutrition

RESOURCES

• TheHealthyHeartDoc.org

• Selfish: A Cardiologist’s Guide to Healing a Broken Heart

• Dr. Batiste on Instagram & Facebook 

• Plant-Based on a Budget: Quick & Easy

• Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell Esselstyn

• Directory of Vegan Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

HEART HEALTHY RECIPES

• Cucumber Pico de Gallo
• Oil-Free Hummus
• Easy Banana Spinach Pancakes
• Nutritious Vegan Smoothies
• Mixed Berry & Mint Smoothie
• Simple Overnight Oats

CONNECT WITH TONI OKAMOTO:

WEBSITE | YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK 

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE CEHN:

WEBSITE |  YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK 

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