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News & Events for Health Empowerment // February 17, 2022
Left photo by MONHAND (@monhandmathurin) on Instagram.
In celebration of Black History Month, we’ll be joined by two creative Black chefs on February 28th:
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First, tune in on Instagramat 1:00 PM as Chef Shenarri “Greens” Freeman, Executive Chef of Cadence, an acclaimed vegan restaurant in the East Village, chats with host and event curator Rebecca Johnson about her vision for bringing African American soul food back to its plant-based roots, and the importance of self-care and community.
Later in the evening, Chef Thomas Stevens is back to demo his curried chickpea and vegetable stew showcasing the seasonings of global cuisines. Tune in to be a part of the discussion about powering Black communal health through nutrition with Chef Stevens and host Rebecca Johnson.
For our 3rd anniversary, we’re taking time to recognize those we admire and appreciate as leaders in our movement. We’ll pay tribute to T. Colin Campbell, PhD; Ron Weiss, MD; and Aifra Ruiz — and you’ll hear their perspectives on the power of whole food, plant-based nutrition.
Meet Honoree Aifra Ruiz
In her words: “Estoy empoderando a nuestra comunidad para que tomen su salud en sus propias manos haciendo el cambio a un estilo de vida basado en plantas y reconectando con recetas que están arraigadas en nuestras tradiciones y nuestros ingredientes.”
“I’m empowering our community to take their health into their own hands by making the change to a whole food, plant-based lifestyle and to reconnect with recipes that are rooted in Latin traditions and ingredients.”
Favorite plant food: Oats!
Aifra, who was born in the Dominican Republic, is a Latinx Community Organizer for PPMNY. She learned about whole food, plant-based nutrition from watching the documentary Forks Over Knives in 2012 and gradually adopted this way of eating. Aifra comes from a family with many chronic diseases, and she didn't want to be another statistic. After seeing the changes in her health and experiencing some challenges maintaining this lifestyle, she changed her career from finance to nutrition coaching to help people transition to a plant-based lifestyle and bring this message to Spanish-speaking communities. Aifra has served as a coach and now as a project manager for our 10-Day Jumpstart programs for SOMOS Community Care.
Our online auction opens on Tuesday, March 1st. From nutrition and cooking courses to highly sought-after local culinary experiences, you’ll have the chance to bid on a collection of auction items that support healthy living. Stay tuned!
As parents and the media continue to discuss Vegan Fridays in NYC public schools, leaders from the PPMNY community shared their perspectives in an op-ed published in the Gotham Gazette on Tuesday. ReadWhy We Welcome Vegan Fridays in NYC Public Schoolswritten by Lianna Levine Reisner, PPMNY President & Network Director; Michelle Loy, MD, FAAP, DipABLM and Louise Merriman, MS, RD, CDN, PPMNY advisors; and Aifra Ruiz, Nutrition & Fitness Coach, New York City public school parent leader, and PPMNY Latinx Organizer.
If children you care for attend NYC public schools, share how your family eats and enjoys a nutritious plant-powered lifestyle, or share this article with others who may not be familiar with the benefits of plant-based nutrition. When sharing on social media, include the hashtag #VeganFridays and tag PPMNY and the Mayor’s Office.
Subscribe to ourYouTube channelfor newly uploaded videos of past events.
Learn strategies and tools to overcome common roadblocks to healthy eating in this interactive session with master educators Brian Hart, MEd, and Jane Esselstyn, RN.
En este febrero, no queremos corazones rotos pero tampoco enfermos. El autor y cardiólogo Dr. Gabriel Lapman nos acompaña para aprender a darle reset a nuestra vida con el propósito de restaurar nuestra salud y salvar a nuestro corazón en este febrero.
If you’re passionate about plant-based nutrition and skilled in talent management and training, hiring is now open for a new part-time role with PPMNY, the Network Empowerment Manager. Guide, support, and develop our expanding team of volunteers to help us mobilize our multicultural base of organizers, ambassadors, and educators as community change agents. Learn more about the role and how to apply.
Es el mes de la salud del corazón, y la semana pasada la Chef Valeria Gomez nos mostró cómo hacer galletas que son deliciosas y mantienen nuestro corazón saludable. ¡Vea la grabación aquí!
On Saturday, our local jumpstart participants enjoyed a tour of the Union Square Farmers’ Market led by Anthony Spino, PPMNY Lifestyle Mentor.
Our jumpstarters also loaded up on fresh produce at the farmers' market in Inwood with Dany Nelson, PPMNY Ambassador and Lifestyle Mentor (left), and gathered at the market on the Upper West Side with Kim Siansky, PPMNY Organizer and Lifestyle Mentor (right).
Before the big game on Sunday, Chef Carole Levy showed us how to build a super “bowl” with baked falafel made with mung beans. Watch the replay here.
On Wednesday, Chef Brandy Cochrane shared soul food recipes designed for health with Hearst employees, in honor of Black History Month.
Explore children's innate love of animals, why that diminishes in later childhood, and whether eating meat creates disillusionment and distancing. You’ll hear from child psychologists, sanctuary owners, lawyers, humane educators, and dietitians, including Gail Mayer, MS, RD, CDN, PPMNY Nutrition Educator, and acclaimed author-illustrator Ruby Roth.
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.