News & Events for Health Empowerment // July 28, 2021

 

Plant Powered Community,

Sometimes you have to see people up-close-and-personal to have an even greater appreciation for their work. Last month, my big kids and I trekked out to Cleveland, Ohio, for the annual conference of the National Health Association, an organization that has been teaching about clean eating and living for seven decades. The founders called the field “natural hygiene” which promotes not only whole food, plant-based nutrition but also incorporating substantial green vegetables into the diet and using water-only fasting, movement, and abstinence from addictive substances as the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle.

We learned from today’s giants: physicians Michael Klaper, Joel Furhman, and Stephan Esser; chiropractors Alan Goldhamer, Frank Sabatino, and Nathan Gershfeld; and evolutionary psychologist Jen Howk. Our friend Anthony Masiello shared his testimonial of dramatic weight loss and life recovery, and young social media stars Brittany Jaroudi and Dillon Holmes demonstrated their recipes.

While I was swimming in facts and figures, I came away with new insights specifically on the troubling and pervasive menace that is addiction. We all personally experience addiction on a daily basis -- though some of us suffer more profoundly than others. Food addiction is not reserved for overeaters; it’s common to be hooked on processed foods, white flours, cheese, and chocolate. But how can we break free? Some who embrace a healthy plant-based lifestyle find our cravings wither away, while others continue to be plagued by temptation. Well, we’re in for a (healthy) treat over the next few months as we bring these luminaries to you, starting tomorrow with Dr. Goldhamer and his colleague psychologist Doug Lisle in our collaboration with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. We hope these events spark new understanding, self-awareness, self-love, and practical tools as we work harder than ever to break free of the biological weaknesses that drive our cravings.

In health and compassion,

Lianna Levine Reisner, Network Director

 

Join the authors of The Pleasure Trap, Alan Goldhamer, DC, and Douglas Lisle, PhD, to learn about the factors that make us susceptible to dietary and lifestyle excesses -- and how to break free from unhealthy eating habits. 

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How can we act on Dr. Goldhamer and Dr. Lisle's advice? Chef AJ will demonstrate how to make tantalizing "veggies for breakfast," lunch that keeps you satisfied all day, and a scrumptious dessert that will help you kick the sugar habit -- all with whole plant foods, and without salt, oil, and sugar. 

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Water fasting is an age-old healing strategy that, today, seems extreme, and yet it is one of the most effective ways for people to recover from major health problems like high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and others. Trained under Dr. Goldhamer, Nathan Gershfeld, DC, will discuss proven strategies for taking charge of your health with medically-supervised water-only fasting and plant-based nutrition. 

*Beginning in September, PPMNY will be requesting small donations for all of our virtual and in-person events that have previously been completely free. We rely on people like you to support our mission financially, and even little amounts add up to make a difference for our growing organization! Free access will remain available to anyone who finds it challenging to contribute financially. For each event, you will have the option to choose a discounted community rate, a sustainer rate that pays for you in full, a supporter rate that pays for you and others, and free access for anyone who needs it. PPMNY is committed to being as inclusive as possible in our shared quest for racial and economic justice. 

 

 

Who are rising stars in public health? These powerful women! We extend our huge thanks to our interns who have brought their knowledge, skills, and passion for healthy living to our Plant Powered team this year:

Ayanna Besson, MPH, SUNY Downstate School of Public Health DrPH candidate in epidemiology was a member of our team presenting the 21-Day Plant Powered Jumpstart for Brooklyn’s Black Community Leaders last winter. Ayanna took charge of the research and is currently preparing a manuscript for publication about the program and its impact! She is also collaborating with a jumpstart graduate on the upcoming Plant-Based Challenge for local Haitians.

Natalie Khoo, RD, CSP, CDN, CNSC, an MPH candidate through the University of Arizona Global Campus, and Clinical Nutrition Director for NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, also contributed to the Brooklyn jumpstart, coordinating participant produce boxes and food donations, and educating the group as a dietitian. She also led culinary demos for our Family Fitness & Food Workshops, co-organized our Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage programs, and more!

Amaya Carthan, Xavier University Public Health Sciences undergraduate, joined PPMNY in early June through Columbia University's Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP). She served as the community assistant for one of our Food for Life programs, researched trends and gaps in nutrition for older adults, coordinated social media, and researched opportunities for building awareness of PPMNY programming.