In this article we will answer some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to our courses!
How long do I have access to the content?
Depending on your membership/subscription, access will vary.
Is it ok if I don’t start on the day I purchase the course?
Yes, that’s fine, as long as you access the content within the time frame of your membership. This begins on the day of purchase.
Do I need to follow along live?
The course notes are available for you to access at any time that is convenient for you. This is a self-led course, so you are not required to follow along live. However, there will be live events held on a weekly basis. You have the option to join these live sessions or watch the recordings later.
Is there a course App?
All courses are available on The Happy Pear: Healthy Living App for iOS and Android
Can I watch the Live Webinars if I cannot join them?
Don't worry if you can't make it live; we have members from all over the world, so we record all of our live events so that everyone can watch them.
Where are the Recipes, Meal Plans & Shopping Lists, do I need to follow a plan?
You will find these under the ‘Recipes’ tab on the platform. We have a variety of meal plans - these are purely suggestions, feel free to create your own plan as long as you stick to the pillars of the specific course.
Accessing Recipes via WEB
Accessing Recipes via APP
Can I print the Recipes?
All recipes can be printed individually via Web only. Each recipe has a print option.
What does the Plant Score mean in the Recipe?
The Plant score refers to the amount of whole plant foods in a dish. It is literally the number of fruit, veg, wholegrain, beans, nuts, herbs and spices within the dish. Every different plant in a dish = 1 point. Findings from the American Gut Project found that eating at least 30 different whole plants in a week is associated with having a healthier microbiome and gut health.
What does the Health Score mean in the Recipe?
The Health Score is based on the volume, inclusion and diversity of wholefoods (whole grains, beans, legumes, fruit, veg, nuts and seeds) used. We deduct marks if it contains:
- Added sweeteners
- Added full fat coconut milk
- Added oils
- Added refined ingredients such as white flour, white sugar etc..
- Excess nuts
Please note the scoring system is indicative rather than an exact science.
Will this course be suitable if I have coeliac disease?
Gluten containing foods present on our Courses can be replaced with gluten-free options or omitted completely.
What ingredients do I need and will they be difficult to find?
Recipes, Meal Plans and Shopping lists are provided in the Recipes tab and you will be able to purchase all the ingredients in your local supermarket or health food shop.
Does the fruit & veg have to be organic and local?
In an ideal world, we would all be eating local, organic produce but as this is not feasible all the time — we feel it is more important to eat your fruit and vegetables than it is to worry about them being organic or not. The bigger issue is more about making sure you are getting whole foods in your diet.
Studies have shown that even with the most sprayed fruit, such as grapes, the benefits of eating the fruit outweighs the negatives of the chemical sprays.
Do I need to take supplements?
A completely plant-based diet has been endorsed by the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and by the British Dietetic Association as healthy at all stages of life. If you are to get the full benefits of your new healthy diet, there are three supplements that are recommended.
The first two, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D3 can be most easily obtained by taking a single daily dose of “Veg-1”, a handy one-a-day supplement designed by the Vegan Society. You can buy this online at www.vegansociety.com. The third supplement is a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid.
You can also buy these supplements individually at your local health store.
The recommended quantities are:
- Vitamin B12: 25mcg per day
- Vitamin D3: 400 IU per day
- Omega-3 fatty acids: 250mg per day
Is it ok to drink coffee and tea on the course?
Caffeine is great for sharpening your focus and helping you with certain daily tasks that might need your sustained concentration. So, moderate caffeine intake is absolutely fine. We recommend you limit your caffeine intake to EITHER 1-2 cups of coffee per day OR 2-3 cups of breakfast or green tea per day, changing all other teas to herbal tea or warm water. Use your favourite non-dairy milk as needed.
Please also avoid ‘sugar-free’ drinks. The artificial sweeteners can cause bloating and are not good for your gut microbiome health!
Is it ok to have alcohol on the course? I've got a few social events coming up.
We generally advise anyone going to the effort of doing this course to eliminate alcohol but it’s not the be all and end all. If alcohol makes you eat more veg then the odd glass of Rioja is fine by us! Just be mindful of the foods you’re craving the day after alcohol intake. Keep them whole-food and plant-based, and you’ll be grand.
Can I do the course while pregnant or breastfeeding?
According to Dr Alan Desmond:
“Pregnancy and breast-feeding are tricky and are really busy times in your life, which can make it difficult to stick to any sort of dietary plan! However, if you are considering a switch to a plant-based diet please be reassured that multiple professional organisations, including the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the British Dietetic Association, agree that a plant-based diet is safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Eating a healthy diet and taking recommended supplements are crucial during your pregnancy and during your infant’s early life. It is really important that all mum's and mum's-to-be are meeting their nutritional needs. The Vegan Society has produced a wonderful on-line resource on pregnancy and breast-feeding which you can access for free by clicking on the link here.”
Will I be notified when my access is coming to it’s expiration date
Yes you will receive an email in advance of your membership expiration date with an option to prolong.