Chef Philosophy:   I became severely obese in my late 30’s and ended up on high blood pressure and cholesterol lowering drugs.  At the time, I was reviewing restaurants and throwing promotions, overeating and drinking at some of Dallas’ finest restaurants and bars.  It was not until my best friend, in seemly perfect physical shape, died of a heart attack that I decided to change my life and career.

My research of cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol, lead me to read several articles and books on the healing properties of food.  Not only could food stop chronic diseases, but they could become curative.  At that moment, weighing over 275 lbs and in miserable health, my philosophy was defined.  I would eat my way to health through selecting the best foods to put into my mouth.

In three short years, I have lost over 100 pounds of fat, and have been taken off all prescribed medicine.  My pants size continues to shrink from a 44-waist to a 34-waist and my chest from a 46 to a 52.  I lost 2-4 pounds each month, 1 pound a week average, all while replacing fat with muscle, on my self prescribed diet. 

The CDC states, 80 % of cardiovascular disease and diabetes and 40% of cancer can be avoided through 3 simple things:  1) Stop Smoking 2) Moderate Exercise 3) Proper Eating.  Of the three, the first two are straight forward and depend on the willpower of the participant.  What I focus on is teaching eating strategies for long term health so that our participants don’t dig their grave with their own fork and knife.  Eating healthy is not really defined anywhere, its usually assumed by a doctor who tells a patient to eat better and lose weight that they know what to do.  This books goal is to help people learn to eat in a healthful way.  Since, you can’t out run your appetite, it’s about learning to eat right first. For more information see EatTheRightFoods.com,  CooktheRigthFoods.com  & ChronicCookingClass.com  or contact Chef Charles Michael at charles@EatTheRightFoods.com.