Hello, Marhaba! I'm Mitri, also known as Mit, among my circle. I'm the yang to Natasha's yin; my wife and the creative brains behind this blog. Together we are fortunate to raise our son Zander at our home in North Carolina, USA. He is an amazing boy with the most infectious smile and for such a beautiful soul, remains our toughest but rewarding job so far! Dive in to discover my journey...
Background
I'm a first-generation, Palestinian Christian American who was born and raised in West Hempstead, New York before moving to Jacksonville, Florida for most of my education and early career. The only son from a small family of 4, I started working my way up in the family restaurant business, successfully owning and running a few before life had other plans.
Navigating the Storm
In late 2010, my father (rest his soul), passed away from a short battle with stomach cancer. Then in 2016, life threw me a curveball when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I'm in remission now but it was no doubt a challenging chapter. The sudden death of my father and my battle with cancer ignited a passion for living life to the fullest and embracing a different lifestyle. One that didn't involve eating and drinking myself to death.
Eat Travel Love
After having my thyroid removed, I quit the family business and took an 8-month sabbatical in 2017, across the globe. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene landscapes of Switzerland, from the epic mountain playground of Nepal to even getting a tattoo from the world's oldest tattoo artist in Philippines (see my selfie with her below), I had countless opportunities to immerse myself in diverse cultural experiences.
I’ve traveled to over 20 countries, each destination becoming a part of my healing journey; offering new perspectives and experiences, and discovering incredible cuisines. They've enriched my life in ways I never imagined.
But my adventures didn’t stop there. I took on the ultimate physical and mental challenge by participating in over 30 global Spartan races. These grueling obstacle races were more than just a test of strength—they were a testament to my perseverance and a way to celebrate my newfound lease on life. In all honesty, it helped me cope with the grief of losing my dad and the fear of the unknown, whenever those thoughts did haunt me.
Starting My Plant-Based Journey
As part of preparing for the Spartan races, I adopted a more plant-based diet that helped me excel both in and out of them. I could almost immediately feel its positive effects that made me continue doing so. During travel, some of my vegan go-tos that were very similar to what I had are this Chickpea Kale Salad with Tahini, Grilled Cauliflower Steak and Vegan Granola Bars
I've also used my skills in the kitchen to experiment and whip up some plant-based dishes, and the images can be seen below. Some recipes will be making a debut on the blog, so stay tuned!
Ruby Salad
Zucchini Noodles and Mushroom Marinara
Ful Medames (stewed fava beans in spices)
Tofu Buckwheat Tabbouleh
Middle Eastern Lentils (Adas) with Beets
Fresh Figs and Avocado Salad
Tale As Old As Time
In a serendipitous twist of fate, what was supposed to be a gastronomical stopover in Singapore; one of the countries highlighted by the late US chef and author, Anthony Bourdain, turned out to be where I would find real love.
My journey led me to the remarkable woman whom I now call my 'Albi' (An Arabic word that means "my heart" or "my love"). We both swiped right (yes, we met on THAT dating app) and the rest is history!
Now with my little mixed culture family of 3 and plans to expand, including our horizons, such as settling in a different continent someday soon, our story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary chapters of life are written when you least expect them.
From overcoming a huge loss, beating cancer and conquering Spartan races to exploring the world and finding love, I hope my story inspires you to embrace life’s challenges, pursue your passions, and cherish the unexpected moments that come your way. Through this blog, I aim to share my experiences, of using a plant-based lifestyle to enhance your life and heal your body both physically and mentally.
Thank you for joining me on this incredible journey. Here’s to living boldly and finding joy in every step of the adventure.
Fun Facts About Me
The day after a typhoon came across Japan, I climbed Mt. Fuji despite finding out the trail was closed. I started around 1pm and made it back to base camp after 5 hours, with only a 16oz water bottle, beanie and jacket; no gloves!
I'm an avid runner and I enjoy listening to audiobooks. 1 of my favorite authors is David Baldacci.
Since 2018, I created a New Year's tradition of hiking Mount Mitchell, the tallest mountain on the East Coast of the US. Located 45 minutes away from Asheville, NC, a wonderful mountain town my wife and I enjoy visiting for its great food scene.
In 2021, we intended to get married on 13 November (the day my wife and I met and our lucky number). However, the venue only had 27 November available. A few months after agreeing, we found out that was my late dad's actual birthdate and not the one I was familiar with (It's common to encounter discrepancies in dates or names that are recorded for immigrants as that may be misinterpreted or translated incorrectly) It was nice to know and truly felt like he was giving us his blessings.
Personal Favorites On OPBW
Explore some of my favorite recipes:
- Creamy Carrot Hummus
- Detox Smoothie
- High Protein Oatmeal
- Vegan Chickpea Salad (with Avocado)
- Vegan Eggplant Pie
Connect and Collaborate
Whether you’re seeking bookkeeping services or a partnership, I'm just an email away. Connect at Thrive Bookkeeping Services or join my professional circle on LinkedIn.
I may also be reached at mitri@ourplantbasedworld.com
About Our Plant-Based World
Welcome to Our Plant-Based World, your go-to source for global-inspired, quick, easy, and affordable vegan food. Our mission is to deliver recipes that are so simple, nourishing, and delicious that they’ll have the potential to become staples in your kitchen.
Here's What to Expect in OPBW:
- Each recipe is plant-based, mostly focusing on whole, unprocessed ingredients. Of course, we all deserve a treat occasionally, so you'll find some indulgent recipes too!
- Most recipes are gluten-free or can be easily adapted with a simple swap for a gluten-free alternative.
- I provide oil-free or gluten-free variations with tips on brands and substitutions wherever possible. You can find those in popular categories on the blog if you want to adhere to those dietary preferences.