About us
Do you ache to make a difference with what’s happening with our planet? Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and engage in effective activism in collaboration with a dynamic, committed community? Or, are you concerned about your own health and the health of those around you, and desire to make some changes!
You are probably aware that our dietary choices impact the environment by contributing to the climate crisis, species loss, deforestation, and many other challenges. Simultaneously, diet-caused chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease lead to disability and early death for far too many of our family members and friends. We can each take action to address these crises by transitioning to healthy, sustainable plant-based diets. Eat for the Earth aids that shift through education, tools, support, partnerships, and love.
Eat for the Earth Santa Cruz welcomes your participation!
Eat for the Earth is working to make it easier for people to eat more plants and less animal products, or to adopt and maintain an entirely plant-based lifestyle for those who are interested.
You might call yourself an environmentalist. Or a vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian. Or a lover of the earth or concerned citizen. Or an omnivore who aligns with our mission.
Whatever you call yourself, we are glad you found this group!
Whatever you call yourself, you are welcome to join this community. If you feel the call, then your unique skills and sensibilities are needed for this movement!
Our vision includes transforming Santa Cruz County into a model of sustainable eating. We offer education about the environmental and health benefits of plant-based and plant-strong diets, provide practical tools and nurture community with our nutrition education and food preparation classes, provide support with our dietary immersion program, and engage in advocacy to change systems. We hope you will join us!
To find out more information, visit the Eat for the Earth website.
Upcoming events
2
Ask the Doctor: Potluck and Q&A
Santa Cruz Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1024 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA, USJoin Eat for the Earth for a delicious plant-based potluck and the chance to ask a doctor your health-related questions!
Let's Eat Together!
This evening will begin with a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) potluck. Please bring a dish to share that is made exclusively from whole plant ingredients and is free of added oil. Please avoid bringing dishes containing meat, dairy, fish, eggs, or other animal-derived ingredients.
Here are some recipe sites for inspiration:If you are new to this way of eating, feel free to bring something simple like a fresh fruit platter or green salad.
Ask the Doctor
After everyone has been served and we have had some time to enjoy our meal together, Dr. Kevin B. Coldwater will be on hand to take your questions about health and nutrition.Come prepared for a delicious, healthy meal and the opportunity to have your questions answered!
Donations are Appreciated.
Eat for the Earth wants to make sure our events are accessible to all, regardless of income. Similar events can cost $75 or more. Please be as generous as you can so that we can continue providing quality education, support, and programs for dietary transformation.All Proceeds Benefit Eat for the Earth.
About the Presenter
Kevin B. Coldwater, DO, is an Osteopathic Family medicine provider, working for the last 15 years at Salud Para La Gente in Watsonville. He has really enjoyed his time there. He sees all ages at his practice; the majority are Spanish speakers and many are agriculture workers. Prior to this position, Dr. Coldwater did his residency and worked as a family doctor in the US Navy for seven years. Originally from St. Louis, MO, he went to the Chicago College of Osteopathic medicine. Dr. Coldwater has two teenage daughters, and enjoys playing a variety of sports. He considers himself lucky to have traveled and lived in interesting places like Okinawa, Taiwan, Ghana, and South America.Dr. Coldwater got into plant based eating somewhat accidentally - through marriage! His wife was vegetarian when they met, a decision of hers somewhat influenced by her brother, who is a well known animal rights activist. Since changing his diet years ago, Dr. Coldwater has seen and felt the difference in his own health. He also values plant based eating for the environmental impact and effects on animal welfare. Dr. Coldwater sees the health toll of the Standard American Diet (SAD) and lack of physical activity daily in his practice. His main challenge is motivating others to take control of their health through healthy eating and activity.
2 attendees
Let's Beat Breast Cancer
Santa Cruz Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1024 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA, USDiet Matters
Are you interested in knowing what lifestyle factors may reduce your risk of getting breast cancer or its re-occurrence? The quality of our diet is one factor. Research shows that consuming more healthful plant-based foods, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.In this PCRM Food for Life class we’ll review some of the latest research related to lifestyle factors in breast cancer prevention and survival, including misconceptions regarding soy foods. We’ll discuss dietary choices, exercise, and other proactive measures you can start right now. There will be a cooking demonstration of a few easy-to-make plant-based recipes that you can sample in class and later make at home.
Join Eat for the Earth for an inspiring presentation and some delicious samples!
About the Facilitator
Susan Lavelle is a licensed Nurse Practitioner, board certified in Family and Lifestyle Medicine. She has been teaching others about healthy lifestyle and plant-based nutrition for decades and is a Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) Food for Life Instructor and graduate of the Rouxbe Plant-based Culinary Program.The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a national nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, particularly good nutrition, and supports higher standards in research. The Physicians Committee’s Food for Life classes are designed to empower those seeking to fight diseases with the healing power of foods.
Additional Information
Please note that we will be serving food samples, not a meal. You are welcome to bring your own meal and eat during class if you like.To Find Us
Drive towards the back of the parking lot. About halfway down you will see a smaller parking lot towards the left. We are in Sundean Hall, between the side parking lot and the street.Donations are Appreciated.
Eat for the Earth wants to make sure our events are accessible to all, regardless of income. Similar classes can cost $100 or more. Please be as generous as you can so that we can continue providing quality education, support, and programs for dietary transformation.All donations go to support the nonprofit Eat for the Earth.
4 attendees
Past events
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