When Vince Lia was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease ulcerative colitis ten years, doctors prescribed pill after pill. Nothing worked. But when he switched from his meat-heavy SAD diet to green juices and a vegan diet, everything changed. Having healed his body with food, Vince is on a mission to help others do the same. He combines fitness and veganism for a complete approach to health.
Vince turned his story into a thriving business—you may know him better as Healthy Vegan Guy but he’s now re-branded as Vince Lia. Make sure you check out his gorgeous new website and his line of vegan-inspired Fit from Food t-shirts. Grab yours and raise awareness of the healing power of whole plant-based foods!
If, like us, you can’t get enough of Vince, check out Episodes 2, 18 and 29!
What you’ll discover in this episode:
- How emotions and stress affect your body
- The biologic connection between brain and gut
- How Vince went from newbie vegan to eco-entrepreneur
- How to get the right minerals (and a tip for getting rid of those lady cramps)
- Easy ways to incorporate more fitness into your life
- The best yoga move to release lower back pain and boost your immune system
- Why you can still have an amazing BBQ – yes, without meat!
- Vince’s favorite LA and New York vegan restaurants
- Suzy’s current salad obsession
Vince Lia’s Bio
Growing up in an Italian family, Vince was surrounded by different types of cheeses, deli meats and desserts that he thought he could never live without. After being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2006 (an inflammation of the colon), Vince felt completely lost. The symptoms he experienced included abdominal cramps, bathroom urgencies, bloating and weight loss, just to name a few. For years he struggled to figure out what foods his body could tolerate, since everyone with colitis reacts differently. He spent over 5 years trying different medications and avoiding all types of salads, fruits and vegetables. His meals consisted mainly of rice, meat and bread since these were considered to be safe foods that would not cause any additional inflammation and ulcers. However, while eating these types of foods, his symptoms proceeded to get worse. In response, his doctor continued to prescribe stronger medications.
After mostly unsuccessful diets and seeing little to no improvement, Vince decided to try something drastically different – something that many of his friends and family thought would not work. Vince slowly started incorporating organic green juices into his diet (juicing removed the fiber from the vegetables and allowed his body to quickly absorb nutrients). Vince was still concerned about how his body would respond to vegetables after avoiding them for so long; however, he noticed that juicing reduced some of my symptoms. Encouraged by the results from juicing, Vince continued to gradually introduce different vegetables and fruits. It is here that Vince began to experience substantial improvement.
It was during this time that Vince became more aware of the all the unhealthy vegan food options available to us. Vince could eat a diet of potato chips and Oreo cookies all day and call himself Vegan, but that wasn’t what Vince wanted to do. Vince wanted to live a healthy vegan life, with minimal processed foods and create both healthy and delicious plant-based meals. Vince also started learning what it truly meant to be vegan and the inhumane treatment of animals in not only our food, but our clothing, shoes, furniture, etc. Vince learned about how our decisions can impact other species and the environment. After learning all these things, Vince knew that becoming vegan was the right decision for him. That he could do what he felt was right and still make a great Italian meal, but with fresh vegetables and nut cheeses that can rival any classic dish.
Vince Lia’s Links
Website: vincelia.com
Bonus recipe – Vince’s BBQ sauce:
- Soy sauce
- Coconut nectar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Safflower oil
- Whisk it up and voila – smoky sweet delicious bbq sauce!
Our Favorite Moments:
@14:35 It blows my mind!
@17:16 I deserve a cookie!
@28:45 Tell me more!
@56:54 That’s pretty sexy.
Tweetables:
(Click to tweet)
This episode is sponsored by:
Global Healing Center – Non-toxic, organic skin care products and detox supplements. Their mission is to bring back good health, positive thinking, happiness, and love! Your body is a self-healing mechanism. Enter the code foodheals for 20% off your order – plus free shipping!
Parfait Visag
e – is a 100% natural and organic, ultra-premium skin care product! French for “Perfect Face,” Parfait Visage® is an incredible blend of the highest quality ingredients. It’s a revolutionary blend of antioxidants, natural moisturizers, and exotic botanicals that promote fresh, radiant skin. Parfait Visage® will help your skin look and feel its best!
Aquaspirt Spray – a refreshing body and face mist that combines oxygen and aromatherapeutic nutrients to stimulate circulation and promote healthy, radiant skin. Formulated with all natural, organic ingredients, Aquaspirit® helps maintain the elasticity of collagen and encourages the natural regeneration of new cells.
Oxy-Powder – is a safe and effective colon cleanse product that uses the power of oxygen to gently cleanse and detoxify your entire digestive tract and relieve bloating, gas and occasional constipation.
O2-Zap– is organic, extra virgin olive oil that’s loaded with pure oxygen and ozone. Perfect for soothing swollen or irritated skin or tissue
)
)
Links from show
Vince’s grilled Portobello Burger
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
The Right to Write by Julia Cameron
)
Follow the Food Heals Podcast on Twitter
Follow the Food Heals Podcast on Instagram
Like the Food Heals Podcast on Facebook
Subscribe to the Food Heals Podcast on iTunes
About Us:
Being hailed as “Sex and the City for Food,” The Food Heals Podcast brings together experts in the field of nutrition, health and healing to teach you the best-kept natural secrets to being a hotter, healthier, happier YOU!
The Food Heals Podcast is hosted by Allison Melody and Suzy Hardy – two self-proclaimed natural chicks who will rock your world and change your beliefs about health! This sexy, savvy duo provides eco-friendly advice on a variety of issues including the healing power of nutrition, living authentically, turning your passion into your career, choosing the best natural health and beauty products, the benefits of a plant-based diet and so much more!
Leave a Reply