Dawn Jackson Blatner - The Flexitarian Diet: The Mostly Vegetarian Way to Lose Weight, Be Healthier, Prevent Disease, and Add Years to Your Life

I am so fortunate and grateful for the people and opportunities that have been set in my path. I would like to thank the many people who have contributed to this book in one way or another:

Savka Mladenovich, a teacher who encouraged me to be the Oak Forest High School student council president and gave me my first taste of leadership and love of the microphone in school assemblies.

Lisa Herzig, a dietitian who coached me in my first job as a dietitian at Wild Oats health food store, which set my nontraditional career path in motion.

Dr. Robert Kushner, who mentored me to become a media-savvy, evidenced-based professional and encouraged me to pursue a position as an American Dietetic Association (ADA) spokesperson.

The amazing ADA public relations team (past and present)Doris Acosta, Tom Ryan, Irene Perconti, Jennifer Starkey, Julia Dombrowski, Liz Spittler, and Lori Fermefor their tireless support and the countless opportunities they offer to me. Ron Moen, chief executive officer of the ADA, who leads the organization of 67,000 members that I am so proud to represent in television, web, and print media outlets.

Elisa Zied, a fellow ADA spokesperson, for encouraging me to contact her talented literary agent, Stacey Glick.

Stacey Glick of Dystel and Goderich Literary Management, who has stood behind this project since my very first e-mail to her in October 2005 and offered expert advice through the whole proposal and book-writing process.

Carol Svec, the talented writer who helped me organize this project and write a proposal that resulted in multiple publishers knocking on my door.

Doug Seibold, publisher and editor in chief of Agate Publishing in Chicago, who believed in my message and platform even before other publishers.

The talented publishing team at McGraw-Hill who believed in this project: editors Judith McCarthy and Sarah Pelz for holding my hand through this process and editing my work to make it much stronger. Also thanks to Fiona Sarne, editorial assistant, and Nancy Hall, senior project editor.

My hundreds and hundreds of clients and cooking-class participants who use my flexitarian strategies and advice to live happier and healthier lives. Seeing their effort and success inspires and motivates me to be a dietitian.

Shelley Young, the owner of the Chopping Block Cooking School in Chicago, for giving me the opportunity to teach Healthy in a Hurry flexitarian cooking classes.

Lifetime Television and mylifetime.com, Fitness magazine, All You magazine, and Health magazine for consistently giving me the opportunity to share healthy nutrition messages.

Amy Baltes, a dietitian and friend who let me bounce ideas off of her at midnight when her three kids were asleep and helped me tirelessly with the recipes and grocery lists, even on her birthday.

My three elite girlfriends Tiff any Keller (thanks for the psych advice in the book), Holly Forsyth, and Cathy OBrien, who let me talk about food and nutrition all the time, get excited about all of my projects, and are there for me even after I fall off the radar for chunks of time.

Susie Lee, a girlfriend and makeup artist who does a fabulous job keeping me looking my best in headshots and encourages me to stay hydrated, use eye cream, and slather on sunscreen for healthy skin.

A special thanks to my girlfriend Kris Genovese. She and I became best of friends a decade ago while eating vegan Greek salads and sunbathing in a kiddie pool in New Mexico. She is the talented designer behind my website dawnjacksonblatner.com and gives me plenty of crazy vegan food ideas to try. I always look forward to the annual batch of vegan chocolate-chip Christmas cookies she bakes for me.

Cecelia and John Gieras, my grandparents. Papas little porkies (pork sausages) made with love remind me how thankful I am to be a flexitarian rather than a strict vegetarian, and Grandmas openness to try veggie burgers reinforces that flexitarian eating can be embraced by people of all ages.

Herb Jackson IV, my handsome brother, has more character and charisma than anyone I have ever known. I couldnt be more proud of the man he has become. Thanks for tasting my flexitarian food and giving me those encouraging words, This tastes like fancy restaurant food. I love it when you and Shannon come to cooking class.

Herb and Nance Jackson, my mom and dad, who raised me to believe I could do anything I put my mind to and have always put my happiness before all else. My health-conscious parents, who would rather be bike riding than sitting on the couch, have been great role models for good health, honesty, strong work ethic, and the power of positive mental attitude. Every single day of my life I have felt encouragement, support, and love from them; I thank my lucky stars that I have such amazing people for parents.

Christian, my smart, athletic, and thoughtful stepson, for his understanding and encouragement of my career, even when I am hidden in my office working and miss too many hockey games to count.

Chris, my hot husband and best friend, who gives me daily support, constant encouragement, and unconditional love. When I am swamped with work, he always makes sure I am well hydrated, fed, and loved. He is an honest taste tester of and guinea pig for hundreds of recipes. I am so proud of the flexitarian eater he has become. I fell in love with him over a tofu cutlet he learned to make just for me, and my love for him grows with each passing day.

A final thanks to everyone who is reading this book and allowing me to share the flexitarian approach to a healthier and happier life. I am so excited youve decided to take a proactive role in achieving optimal health. Health is a precious commoditybe good to the body you have and it will be good to you.

The Mostly Vegetarian Way to
Lose Weight,
Be Healthier,
Prevent Disease,
and Add Years to Your Life

DAWN JACKSON
BLATNER, RD, LDN

Copyright 2009 by Dawn Jackson Blatner. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978-0-07-154958-5
MHID: 0-07-154958-7

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