Explore Plant-Powered Living at Special May 2 Event Sponsored by Lakewood Congregational Church and Nature’s Bin

Explore Plant-Powered Living at Special May 2 Event Sponsored by Lakewood Congregational Church and Nature’s Bin

Faced with ongoing health challenges from diabetes and high cholesterol, long-time lymphoma survivor Jennifer Warden knew she needed to make some changes in her life. As someone who has an ongoing concern for the environment and believes in the ethical treatment of animals, she always had toyed with the idea forgoing animal products in favor of a plant-based diet.

In 2010, she decided to take that leap of faith and dove into what she calls “plant-powered living.” And she hasn’t looked back. In fact, she became so sold on her new lifestyle that she has based her career on it, too.

Next week, Warden, founder of VegiCouture Lifestyle will provide sound advice for those looking to make the switch or even just incorporate more plants into their diets during an informative presentation on Plant-Based Living, Thursday, May 2. The free event, open to the public, will run from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Social Hall at Lakewood Congregational Church (LCC), 1375 West Clifton Blvd.

Sponsored by LCC and Nature’s Bin, this special evening promises guest will walk away with useful information, plant-focused recipes and samples of delicious vegan food.

When asked about her lifestyle transformation, Warden says, “The changes in my life were so profound that it would be irresponsible for me NOT to share this information.” She also stresses that eating plants can assist in diverting/controlling heart disease, cancer and diabetes and improve overall health and well-being.

Warden holds a B.A. in psychology and a master’s degree in social administration and worked briefly as a psychotherapist before opting to stay home to be with her daughter, Olivia, now 14. She also studied culinary arts with Anne Willan of La Varenne at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. As founder and director of VegiCouture Lifestyle, Warden now spends her days in the kitchen thinking up new and unique recipes focused solely on natural, plant-based ingredients, putting her certification in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University to good use.

Warden says she hopes attendees at the May 2 event at LCC come away inspired to make a smooth, gradual lifestyle change to plant-powered living or even feel ready to make even just a few small changes.

“It’s hard to go cold turkey because then it will feel like a diet vs. a complete lifestyle change,” Warden says “It gets too hard and feels restrictive,” Warden says. “Even if you don't want to become completely plant based, every small change you make to incorporate more plants into your daily eating habits can significantly better both your health and our environment.”

Natural foods enthusiast and plant-based advocate Medeana Hobar from Nature’s Bin will join Warden as a speaker at the event to further demystify ways to feed your entire family on a plant-based diet and how to make greens the start of your plate. Hobar also will provide vegan food samples from the store to share with attendees.

To register for the free, May 2 event and get a chance to win a Nexus Tablet, courtesy of Nature’s Bin, please email your name, address and phone number to staff@lcc-church.org or call 216.221.9555.