Despite ranking in at only the 29th healthiest country in the world (Japan is number one), forays into healthier eating, like the rise of veganism and vegetarianism, are now taking to the masses, as obesity and diet-related illnesses continue to rise in the U.S. In one effort to provide healthy alternative dietary choices, the Cooking Channel kicks off its 2013 season with a show focused on delicious, whole-food approaches to meat-free diets.

"How to Live To 100" airs its first episode on January 6th, 2013 at 8pm and hopes to capture the growing vegetarian and "vegetarian curious" audience as well as those who have perhaps made New Year's resolutions to either eliminate animal products altogether or simply add in healthier foods to their diets. As well, the show focuses on how to prepare foods from scratch using fresh, unprocessed ingredients that can assist in aspirations towards replacing heavily processed foods dominant in the American diet.

Chef Jason Wrobel, also known as "the King of Superfoods," will be the show's host, combining raw food and vegan recipes. Wrobel hosts the popular YouTube channel The J-Wro Show, which focuses on healthy recipes, lifestyle transformation tips, and epicurean entertainment. His first DVD, Simple Vegan Classics, is a bestseller. Wrobel has received praise from a growing list of celebrities who embrace healthy vegetarian foods including Woody Harrelson, Jeremy Piven, Robin Wright, Sigourney Weaver, John C. Reilly, Steve Buscemi, Isabelle Adjani and Russell Simmons.

While vegetarianism makes up less than 5 percent of American diet preferences, more and more people are giving it a try as campaigns like Meatless Monday continue to receive mainstream attention.

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Image:The Cooking Channel