Dorothy Greet had a wake-up call that changed her life. Simply put, the retired clergy woman had a heart attack. She survived and decided that changing her diet was of ultimate importance.
To help others interested in pursuing a healthier lifestyle, Greet started the Go Veg blog. Her journey grew into writing a book called Go Veg, and now an online course called Journey to Wellness. She’s a wealth of information and TASTY recipes for a plant-based food diet with titles such as Sungolds for Breakfast, Tomato Love and Frosted Brussels Sprouts!
Her plant-based regimen may not be for everyone, but there are nuggets to be sifted. When you do choose to face the challenge of ridding one’s kitchen of animal -based foods (meat, chicken, fish, dairy products as well as all oils and processed foods that contain white flour, added oil or excessive salt and sugar…), in her book, she offers ten steps on how to make the transition to a plant-based diet. (Note: she includes a worthwhile plea to us all to walk at least 30 minutes each day–even if that’s our only take-away!).
Greet was ordained by the UCC (United Church of Christ) in Connecticut in 1984 and served parishes as minister and hospitals as chaplain in Connecticut, New York City and Lewes, Delaware for 20 years. Beebe Hospital hired her from her position as Chief Resident Chaplain at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City to create its first department of Pastoral Care in 1999. She retired in 2005.
Greet had been treated for high blood pressure since her 30s without limitations on activity or lifestyle. She admittedly was overweight. Her mother was the only person in her family who did not have cardio-vascular issues, and Greet concluded that it was due to her choice of foods. Greet notes that the medical community has known for decades that those who limit their diets to vegetables, fruits, beans and grains have a much lower risk of suffering from chronic diseases than those who consume meat, dairy and refined foods.
“When I learned that I could thrive on a plant-based diet without any animal products,” she said. “I knew no animal had to suffer for me to be healthy. That was an extraordinary wake-up call for me. Animal Agriculture which causes so much suffering and is so destructive of the environment and contributes more greenhouse gases than all the world’s transportation, is a matter of choice, not necessity!”
Greet started teaching at Osher in 2011 after experiencing first-hand the dramatic health benefits of plant-based eating and got certification in plant-based nutrition. The class she teaches now is a 5-week course called E-MEALS FOR EVERYONE. (E=Excellent, Easy, Economical, Ethical, Earth friendly)
Greet is happy to speak to community groups upon request and she recently conducted a “cooking workshop” for residents of Paynter’s Mill that included samples of various dishes. Her online course JOURNEY TO WELLNESS—plant-based eating for individual and group use, is available through her website at www.GoVegWithClass.com
She also recommends the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies as an excellent resource for those seeking reliable, evidence-based information on health, diet and disease.
Her enthusiasm for plant-based cooking is contagious. “All meals have become such a pleasure that it is hard to pick a favorite—one of them is MUSHROOM STROGANOFF, so easy and delicious—no meat, no dairy, no problem,” she said.
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Guest Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Ophrah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
