Engine 2 diet review

So I attended a motivational speech yesterday on the Engine 2 diet and I have to say that while I am certainly in the camp that a plant based diet can be nothing but healthy for EVERYBODY, I have to emphasize the word "based". I am a bit miffed at the outright bashing of other food groups that certainly have a place in a comprehensive diet (I actually despise the word diet, how about "eating plan") where everything in moderation can lead to a long and happy and healthy life. Olive oil? I mean c'mon, there is nothing wrong with a little olive oil, nor a well sourced (source) of omega-3 in the form of a cold water fish like salmon. Or how about a little cheese very now and then? Cheese has been around for thousands of years, long before the industrialization of food and long before the mass overproduction of milk at factory farms. Is a two year aged raw milk parmesan from Italy really that bad for you? Or horrible as a flavor enhancer on vegetables? Or how about the comment that we are the only mammal who eats/drinks milk (secretions) of other mammals? Well, we are also the only mammal who consumes dairy past infancy. Does that make it wrong? We're also (subject to debate based on recent debacles) the most intelligent life form on the planet, so maybe other mammals aren't smart enough to develop ice cream, or yogurt, or stringy mozzarella cheese. Just because no other mammal has never thought of it or has the means to experiment, does it automatically mean it's wrong? Or how about some grass fed beef every now and then? Whether it be a steak or a nice juicy burger. I'm not saying it's not ok to be vegan, that's an intelligent choice that many make, what I'm saying is that it doesn't have to be one or the other in following a plant based diet. I also believe that to some extent, genetics plays a role in our ability to not only tolerate, but thrive on certain food groups as well as the diseases we may be predispositioned or susceptible. Rip was a professional athlete, I am sorry, but regardless of how hard you might work at it, we all don't have the capability to perform at that level, no matter how well we eat, or how hard we train. I know for a fact that regardless oh how much I eat, I over train rather easily. It's just my genetic make up so I'll never be successful at distance or endurance events. Overall, kudos to rip for bringing the importance of plant based eating to the forefront of mainstream America and kudos to Whole Foods Market for being pioneers in a REAL (not some fad diet here today gone tomorrow) effort to change the way America eats and thinks about food with their "Health Starts Here" initiative.