Dr. Doug Fullington

Monday

Apr062009

100 Books: All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew

Monday, April 6, 2009 at 12:45PM

All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew

Even in a farming community where I live, it can be a challenge to find fresh, healthy food that is organically grown. I do have one local source - Rabbittown Farms.

In addition to purchasing seasonal, fresh food from this farm, I decided that I would grow some of my own vegetables this year. I have never had a garden, so I decided to do some research to find the best method for a busy person to grow their own food. I discovered this book by Mel Bartholomew. He had a national PBS gardening show in the past featuring his Square Foot Gardening method.

The basic concept is to build a 4x4 foot box and fill it with the optimal planting mix of potting soil, compost and vermiculite, which minimizes weeds, optimizes growth and takes very little time and space. I have built the box and will be planting greens and tomatoes this week. Check out my blog periodically to see how it is going.

Douglas A. Fullington, M.D. |

100 Books: Thrive by Brendan Brazier

Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 03:20PM

Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life by Brendan Brazier

When people find out that I am vegan, they usually ask where I get protein. I then launch into a tirade about the "Protein Myth" that humans need far less protein than they currently consume. I read in one source that the average American consumes 170 grams of protein daily and only needs 20 grams to replace what they lose. People are usually skeptical about this fact. I then describe how world class professional athletes like triathlete Brendan Brazier and bodybuilder Kenneth Williams thrive not only on vegetarian diets, but vegan diets consisting of only raw fruits, seeds and vegetables.

Read this book by Brendan Brazier if you want to learn how he thrives on a raw vegan diet. I eat basically the same way as Brendan. I have never felt better or been healthier in all my life than right now on my raw vegan diet while cycling up to 100 miles in one day and competing in amateur triathlons. I have been overweight, stressed, out of shape and have gorged myself on junk food in the past, and I will never go back.

Douglas A. Fullington, M.D. |