Thank you for taking an interest in my personal journey; I’m thrilled to share it with you!

My name is Julene, a spirited 57-year-old grandmother who treasures her family and is passionate about helping others discover the joy of a fulfilling life.

Growing up in Southern California, I often felt the pressure to be “beach ready.” Picture the ideal California girl: fit enough for the cutest bikini, sun-kissed skin, and perfectly blonde hair.

Unfortunately, my body never fit that bikini ideal, a situation that only worsened after having my three sons, each weighing over 10 pounds! Consequently, I have been on some form of diet since I was 15.

That’s over four decades of fluctuating weight! I’ve tried nearly every diet out there—low carb, keto, paleo, Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, intermittent fasting, and more.

While I found success in shedding pounds, many can relate to the struggle of maintaining that loss. We often excel at losing weight but falter at keeping it off. Can anyone else relate?

From each diet, I gained valuable insights about what works for my body and what doesn’t (let's just say bread is not my friend!).

Intermittent fasting has been effective for me, though I still struggle with making the right food choices during my eating windows.

Fast forward to the summer of 2023 when I began experiencing intense pain in my left abdomen. The sensation mirrored a previous diverticulitis flare-up from 2018, which had required emergency surgery. Thus, I made my way to the ER.

After an eight-hour wait, the doctors informed me that I needed to be admitted due to a small tear.

Following three days in the hospital, I realized I had to take control. The lack of food and drink had helped me wean off caffeine and other unhealthy choices.

After consulting with the surgeon, who suggested removing part of my colon to prevent future flare-ups, I resolved to avoid surgery at all costs. Unfortunately, medical professionals often provide little guidance on diet for recovery.

The only advice given was to steer clear of red meat.

I decided to go all in: no more meat or dairy—I adopted a vegan lifestyle. My research led me to an enlightening article that highlighted the distinction between veganism and a whole-food, plant-based diet.

The article pointed out how many self-identified vegans often consume processed foods labeled as vegan (think Oreos, cereals, and vegan cheeses). I’m grateful I discovered this before falling into that trap.

Since my goal was to improve my health and avoid surgery, I aimed to adopt a truly nourishing lifestyle rather than a fleeting diet.

Thus, a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle became my path.

# Update

I’m excited to share some fantastic news! I had a colonoscopy yesterday, and everything went splendidly! The doctor confirmed that all is healed and looking great.

> As of June 14th, 2024, I am free from the need for surgery!

I’m immensely thankful for embracing this plant-based way of life and focusing on my well-being. I can now celebrate this incredible news with all of you, my wonderful readers! Your support and encouragement make sharing my journey worthwhile. Thank you for being part of this adventure!

I’m considering writing an article on my colonoscopy experience and would love your feedback on the title options:

1. Colonoscopy Prep: It’s All Shits and Giggles Until Someone Giggles and Shits
2. Colonoscopy Prep Makes Me Feel Like Shit
3. Colonoscopy Prep: This Shit Just Sucks

What do you think?

Thank you for sharing in this joyous moment with me! Sending hugs to all!

I have never been a huge fan of vegetables, so learning to appreciate various types has been a challenge. Nevertheless, my love for the vast array of fruits and vegetables available has grown tremendously!

I truly believe that eliminating caffeine and the numerous sugary drinks I consumed daily, and switching to just water, has refined my palate. Who knew I would develop a fondness for eggplant and zucchini?

Looking back at my three days in the hospital, despite the discomfort, I recognize that this experience was pivotal for changing my dietary mindset. I would have remained trapped in the cycle of striving to look like a slender California beach girl, never truly content with my body.

Now, I wake up each day with gratitude, feeling my body heal. I have lost 25 pounds, which is a nice bonus, but the most significant change is the absence of abdominal pain.

Every morning, I rise filled with joy, enthusiasm, and gratitude—I can’t help but smile! Inspired by this newfound happiness, I want to help others experience the same relief from the dieting mentality that has dominated my life for far too long.

This motivation led to the creation of The Plant Based Grandma. My aim is to inspire those in my age group (and beyond) to move past the pressures of fitting in with current trends and embrace a health-focused mindset.

To take pride in our bodies and who we are becoming.

While my website primarily targets individuals over 50, I hope to spread joy and love to everyone who visits.

I maintain an updated list of recipes featured in my articles, available here: