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News & Events for Health Empowerment // April 17, 2025
HEALING THE EARTH, THE EARTH HEALS US
“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy.”
— Robin Wall Kimmerer, from Braiding Sweetgrass
“Action on behalf of life transforms. Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.”
— Joanna Macy, from World as Lover, World as Self
With each new Earth Day (every year on April 22), it becomes that much more difficult to imagine a way out of our climate crisis. Yet as the words of these powerful environmentalists, Kimmerer and Macy, summon us to remember, we have a reciprocal role to play in giving and taking. Each of us can act to save the earth.
When so much of our world needs action, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Empowerment is at the core of Plant Powered Metro New York’s mission: We can be healers and heroes by transforming our daily actions for good — namely, the three meals we eat each day.
Choosing to center our diets on plants does far more than benefit our health. It is one of the most powerful ways that we can reduce our impact on the planet:
Based on numbers from 2021, 900,000 cows are killed for their meat across the world every day — that’s more than 328 million cows per year. Feeding these huge animals at this scale requires extensive land to grow feed crops like soy, corn, and wheat, which is why agriculture takes up nearly 40% of global land and food production uses 70% of freshwater. When we cut down forests and rainforests to expand farmland, carbon is released into the atmosphere. Methane, another potent greenhouse gas, is released from cows’ digestion in huge quantities. You can learn more about these issues on the United Nations' Climate Action website.
If you’re in the NY metro area, join us to explore these issues and the role we can play by attending our upcoming screening of the documentary Eating for Tomorrow, a “director's cut” version of the 2021 film Eating Our Way to Extinction. Stick around for a talk-back with local leaders in the environmental and vegan movements, moderated by Wendy Sax, PPMNY Board Member and filmmaker.
Celebrate PPMNY's 6th anniversary this year by joining one of our house parties or making a gift to keep our nonprofit strong and bright. With seven parties scheduled across the region in Manhattan, Queens, and the counties around, we have a place for you! With a minimum gift of $250, you can “Gather & Glow” at your preferred party, each with a catered dinner, meeting other PPMNY supporters and our featured guests.
It’s volunteer appreciation month! With over 150 people who contribute their time to PPMNY, we’re thrilled to feature a few of these generous people each week of April who are shining brightly in their words and deeds. This week, meet Aifra Ruiz who is part of our “core team,” leading our efforts in the Spanish-speaking world as our Hispanic Health Empowerment Organizer.
In 2018, when Aifra's son met Lianna Levine Reisner's son on the playground, they found they had a mutual passion for plant-based nutrition. Now, after more than six years working as a volunteer, contracted educator, and project manager for PPMNY, Aifra has done it all, and she has made all of our work with the Hispanic community possible. She leads outreach, builds relationships with community organizations and healthcare professionals, mentors, facilitates, gives food demos, plans and organizes like a champ, and even uses AI tools to optimize her work.
“When I transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle, my health improved dramatically; I had more energy, better digestion, lower cholesterol, and a deeper connection to my well-being. I felt a strong calling to share this healing message, especially with the Hispanic community where chronic illness is common yet preventable. PPMNY gave me the space and the tools to do that, backed by science, heart, and community.
“Running the Reto Salud program has been one of the most impactful experiences. I’ve had the chance to coordinate this program since it started as a 10-day challenge, then 14, and now 21 days of education and transformation. It is priceless to watch someone arrive with health concerns or uncertainty and leave with confidence, healthier habits, and a glowing smile. Several participants have shared that “this was the best decision I’ve ever made.” It fills me up to hear things like, “Now I feel like I have control over my health.” These people have become living proof of the power of plant-based eating, and I love building a community with them.
“I’ve always been involved in community work, but my time with PPMNY has confirmed that service is not just something nice we do — it’s a responsibility. I now see community service as a powerful tool for social change. Sharing knowledge with empathy can not only improve lives but also save them and empower entire generations. This experience has deepened my commitment to health activism. Volunteering with PPMNY means being part of a movement of love, health, and justice. Here, we don’t just educate — we transform. If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference in your community, this is the place to do it, surrounded by passionate people dedicated to collective well-being.”
Get inspired and informed with back-to-back free virtual summits that spotlight a wide range of professionals offering fresh insights on nutrition, lifestyle, and healing:
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The 2025 Food Revolution Summit Docuseries returns next week: From April 23-30, tune in as Ocean Robbins and his team release eight powerful episodes featuring 45 of the world's most influential food and health experts. Come away with the know-how to transform your health! Learn more
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TheInaugural 2025 Eye Health Summit, produced by neuro-ophthalmologist Rudrani Banik, MD, PPMNY Medical Advisor, will run from May 1-7, 2025! Dozens of leading experts in eye care will share their insights and tips on how to manage over 35 eye conditions, from dry eye and digital eye strain to glaucoma and cataracts. Learn more
Last week, Joel Fuhrman, MD, delivered a compelling presentation on how a nutrient-dense diet can dramatically reduce cancer risk, support longevity, and even help reverse certain cancers. Watch the replay.
Participants in ourReto Salud a Base de Plantas(Plant-Based Health Challenge) learned how to organize their kitchen and prepare a tofu “bistec” con salsa with health coach Karla Salinari, PPMNY Community Advisor.
Our co-founder and Network Director, Lianna Levine Reisner, has been on the podcast circuit! Check out variations on her story, and the story of PPMNY, through her interviews with:
Our mailing address: Plant Powered Metro New York, PO Box 20771, New York NY 10025
Plant Powered Metro New York empowers people to find better health and overcome chronic disease through whole food, plant-based nutrition. We offer evidence-based education, resources, and support to create community and inspire change throughout the New York metropolitan area.
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