Get Back 2 Basics, located at 295 W. Washington St., Minneola, is a new Whole Food Plant Based dine-in or take-out restaurant, as well as a Meals 2 Go program with individually portioned options to live a healthier lifestyle.
The restaurant offers a 100% organic, Non-GMO, scratch kitchen, free of animal, dairy, soy, sugar or oils. The menu includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, tubers, legumes and whole grains. You will not see any meats, fish, dairy products, eggs, soy nor highly refined foods, sugars, and oil. The menu is 99.9% gluten-free.
At an official ribbon cutting, officiated by the South Lake Chamber of Commerce, family, friends and community leaders gathered to wish Karen a very successful and prosperous venture.
I spoke with Karen Trawick, a cancer survivor, a certified Holistic Health Coach, and the founder of Get Back 2 Basic. She shared her inspiring story of why she changed from SAD (standard American diet) to Vegan and a healthier lifestyle.
TABLET: Were you raised vegan?
Karen: I was not raised vegan by any means! Like most people, I was raised on the SAD (standard American diet). My family and I have lived in Clermont for 18 years. We love our community and have raised our three children here. We own a commercial pool maintenance business as well.
TABLET: When did you become a Vegan?
Karen: I found the Whole food plant-based lifestyle after being diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2016.
TABLET: Was it difficult completely changing your eating habits.
Karen: We are creatures of habit. At first, I thought that the modifications I was making to my food choices were challenging, but eventually realized it had more to do with my mindset. As I began to make healthy food choices and hold myself accountable, it became easier. Doing the same thing over and over becomes routine and a habit. Setting new intentions, changing your mindset and holding yourself accountable is the key to everything and anything you are trying to achieve in your life.
TABLET: I am a carnivore and can’t imagine not having a juicy hamburger or Rueben sandwich as part of my diet.
Karen: Taste is everything! At first, like with most folks, I thought it was all salads and tasteless things I couldn’t pronounce. I cried a lot. I mean, “What is tofu anyway?”, Nutritional yeast? Ewww!” But being a chef helped me see that I can make ANYTHING vegan! That is my philosophy towards life in general. There is a way to do anything; you just have to find the way. No is not an answer. I created recipes and went on from there. If you want to know if the food is tasty, ask my customers!
TABLET: These past few years must have been extremely traumatic for you, and instead of retreating, you reached out. Can you tell me a little about your present undertaking?
Karen: I decided to create Get Back 2 Basics because of my journey fighting cancer. I made the decision to forego conventional treatments and follow a holistic path with 100 percent organic foods in my diet, as well as exercise, supplements, lifestyle, and self-care. While doing this, I met so many others going through the same challenges.
I reached out to help them. I began cooking for them and researching the best way to help while they were going through their treatments. I went back to school and graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. It is my mission to educate, inspire and motivate others in my community to live a healthier, happier lifestyle.
TABLET: Would you recommend the Holistic Lifestyle for everyone?
Karen: It is definitely a lifestyle everyone can benefit from. Eliminating foods that cause inflammation in your body, processed foods, sugar, fried foods, dairy all create havoc in our guts causing our immune systems to basically shut down and not be able to do their jobs. I lost over 50 pounds and was taken off five medications after three months of starting my new lifestyle changes while fighting cancer. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetic, anxiety, heart palpitations, constantly sick, allergies, no energy, etc. Now I feel fantastic every day. I have not been sick in over two years! I listen to my body and practice self-care every day,
TABLET: Do you have anything else to share with the readers?
Karen: You only have one body to live in, you better make it a healthy one! One in two people will be diagnosed with cancer. It can be prevented and treated without dangerous drugs.
