Texas Mayor Helps His Town Switch To Plant-Based Diet

The New York Times reported last year on the inspiring story of the mayor of a small town in the “stroke/diabetes belt” of rural Texas.

When mayor Ed Smith from Marshall, Texas was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he converted to a completely plant-based diet and cured himself of cancer.

This story doesn’t end there, however. Mayor Smith and his wife Amanda started a non-profit group to encourage others in their town to follow suit.

The couple’s efforts have grown into an annual weekend called “Health Fest.” This event brings together leading physicians, dietitians, celebrity chefs, physical fitness experts, and noted authors for a three day weekend of lectures, cooking instruction, and fitness classes.

Other efforts aimed at keeping the citizens of Marshall healthy and sticking to their plant-based diets include: monthly pot-lucks & lectures, super market tours, and donating books to the local library.

The Smiths have also lobbied local restaurants to add healthy “vegan” options to their menus. To learn more about the Get Healthy Marshall initiative you can visit their website or Facebook page.

The Smith’s success story at promoting a vegan diet in rural Texas even caught the attention of Swiss filmmakers who are currently turning the story into a documentary.