What we’re about
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 (3)
See all- Part Two: Intro to South Indian CuisineSanta Cruz Seventh-day Adventist Church, Santa Cruz, CA
Back by Popular Demand: South Indian Food Demo!
South Indian cuisine offers a vibrant mix of flavors characterized by the liberal use of spices, coconut, and tangy tamarind. It's known for its unique blend of spicy heat, aromatic spices, and the refreshing coolness of coconut, creating a multi-layered and satisfying eating experience.The use of spices like mustard seeds, curry leaves, fenugreek, and asafoetida complemented with tangy tamarind, creamy coconut and chillies etc. adds complexity and depth to the flavors. In this demo, Vasu Shashtry will demo how they can be used in cooking vegetables, grains, and sauces.
In keeping with Eat for the Earth's commitment to food that is good for you, good for the Earth, and good for all Lifekind, these dishes will all be whole food plant-based, free of added oil, and low in salt, while still being incredibly delicious! Please RSVP here.
Join Eat for the Earth for a wonderful opportunity to learn about South Indian Cuisine, and be prepared to enjoy tasty food!
About the Presenter
Vasu Shashtry is known for her huge heart, commitment to service, and incredibly delicious, healthy Indian food!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. Please RSVP here.Donations are Appreciated.
All donations go to support the nonprofit Eat for the Earth. - Food for Life Class ~ Power Foods for the BrainSanta Cruz Seventh-day Adventist Church, Santa Cruz, CA
Eat for Brain Health and Cognition
This class will shine a light on the foods and nutrients to prioritize for optimal brain health. Drawing from the book Power Foods for the Brain by Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, the class will guide participants through the research supporting a low-fat plant-based diet for maintaining brain function and minimizing risk for cognitive decline.The class features a video, discussion, and a cooking demonstration of delicious recipes made from a selection of brain power foods, along with handouts. Please RSVP here.
Featured Class Topics
- Learn foods and ingredients to prioritize, and those to limit.
- Explore vitamins and nutrients that support brain health.
- Examine supplements to add to your daily routine and those to avoid.
- Learn about other lifestyle habits that are important for brain health.
About the Facilitator
Susan Lavelle is a Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in Lifestyle Medicine, a PCRM Food for Life Instructor, and a Rouxbe Plant-based Culinary Program graduate.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. Please RSVP here.
Additional Information
Please note that we are serving food samples, not a meal. You are welcome to bring your own dinner to eat in class if you like.And please invite your friends!
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.
All donations go to support the nonprofit Eat for the Earth. - Make Every Bite Count! (Potluck & Presentation)Santa Cruz Seventh-day Adventist Church, Santa Cruz, CA
The Magic of Whole Food Plant-Based Nutrition for Weight Loss
Dr. Elise Atkins will present information about how eating a whole food plant-based diet can help you achieve and maintain your desired weight while feeling strong and energetic. Whether you are on weight loss medication, thinking about starting or want to avoid it entirely, learn how to make every bite count so you can enjoy what you eat and live your healthiest life.
Let's Eat Together!
We will start our time together with a whole food, plant-based 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. To align with the topic of the evening, we encourage you to bring a dish that you think people would enjoy, whether they eat plant-based or not! Please RSVP here.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.
Join Eat for the Earth for a delicious, healthy meal and gain insights to support your weight loss efforts!
About the Presenter
Dr. Elise Atkins’ greatest joy is using her knowledge and passion to help people live their healthiest lives. She is triple board certified in Family Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine and Obesity Medicine. With a deep-seated dedication to her patients’ success, she combines extensive medical knowledge with a genuine passion for lifestyle transformation.After discovering the magic of whole food plant-based nutrition in 2018, she and her husband transitioned their diet almost overnight and haven’t looked back since. Seeing their own medical issues resolve inspired Dr. Atkins to delve further into learning about nutrition and lifestyle medicine and sharing these life-changing principles with her patients.
In early 2023, Dr. Atkins founded Coastal Vitality MD, a pioneering medical practice dedicated to empowering individuals to lose excess weight, reverse chronic disease, and embrace a life of vitality and longevity. For each patient, she customizes a set of powerful lifestyle tools and provides individualized support to help them achieve their health goals.
Dr. Atkins completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan and Columbia University, and she studied medicine at the State University of New York Health Sciences Center at Downstate. She brings her rich experience from her career in primary care and physician leadership into her Lifestyle Medicine and Weight Management specialty medical practice. Please RSVP here.
What to Bring
In addition to your plant-based dish to share, please bring your recipe or a list of ingredients. And please invite your friends!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.
All donations go to support the nonprofit Eat for the Earth.
