Take charge of your mind-body-spirit wellness
See my upcoming Plant-Based Cooking Classes and links to register below.
Would you like to schedule a plant-based cooking class for you and your loved ones? For your organization? Contact me via my contact form if you would like to discuss scheduling a Food for Life cooking and nutrition class. To be alerted for future Food for Life classes, sign up for my newsletter.
December 13, 2025 at 10 am ET
Foods and Mood: Healthy Foods to Beat the Holiday Blues
Do you struggle with holiday blues? This time of year can be difficult for many of us, with the stresses of the holidays, as well as the shorter, darker days.
Research evidence suggests that the right foods can help conquer moodiness and even more serious mood problems such as anxiety and depression. Studies show improvements in depression, anxiety, and anger scores, along with physical benefits, with an anti-inflammatory, whole food, plant-based diet. While emotional health is complex, nutrition is an important contributor to our emotional well-being that is often overlooked.
In this class, you will learn about the importance of nutrition and other lifestyle factors in strengthening emotional health and resilience. This class also features a cooking demonstration of delicious, mood-boosting holiday dishes, along with handouts of easy and affordable recipes you can prepare at home. Join us for support, community, and inspiration on the power of foods to boost mood.
Where: On Zoom
Cost: $18
Cooking Demo:
- Enchanted Smoothie Bowl
- Ruby Root Salad
- No-Bake Brownie Bites
- Plant-Based Holiday Recipes
This class is held LIVE on Zoom. Please plan to attend live; the class will not be recorded.
Register by clicking on the link below.
Coming in January 2026 (dates to be determined)
Kickstart Your Health
Join me for this five-class series, which teaches plant-based cooking and meal planning to improve your health and energy, while decreasing risk of disease.
This program, created by Physicians Committee, guides participants on a journey toward a nutritious and delicious way of eating for optimal weight and health. This is a life-saving learning experience bolstered by delicious plant-based recipes that help to lower cholesterol, control diabetes, lower blood pressure, and boost energy and mood.
Each class features a cooking demonstration, evidence-based nutrition information, along with handouts of easy and affordable recipes participants can prepare at home. The class offers the opportunity to try out a 21-day plant-based kickstart, with support and resources offered along the way.
If you would like to be alerted for more details about the class, please complete my contact form. I will reach out once the dates and details are determined.
NOTE: These classes are part of the award-winning Food for Life (FFL) program, which teaches nutrition education and cooking to improve health and reduce diet-related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Designed by physicians, nurses, and dieticians, FFL classes promote healthful eating based on the latest scientific research, to empower you with the healing power of foods. FFL is offered through Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a national nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, particularly good nutrition.
Praise from previous Food for Life classes
“I learned simple ways to improve my diet and overall health. The instructional videos were informative. The class discussions, cooking demos and additional resources provided were helpful.”
“Lots of great information about how fruits and vegetables can improve quality of health and life, and ways to cook them that aren’t outrageous or difficult.”
“The class was excellent. It really got me thinking about what I eat and the effects of food on my body and health.”
“I loved the cooking demos and the educational videos.”
Disclaimer: These classes and the information provided are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition, if you are taking medications for a health condition, it is important to discuss any dietary changes with your physician, as changes in diet may impact the amount of medication needed.
About the Instructor
Angela Crawford, Ph.D., Psychologist, Transformational Coach, Vegan Lifestyle Educator, Food for Life Instructor, Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition
As a psychologist for 25+ years, I have helped hundreds of people make lifestyle changes to achieve better physical, mental, and emotional health. In my previous work as a psychotherapist, I supported people to reach their goals for greater physical and emotional well-being. Now as a vegan educator and culinary instructor, I draw on this experience to empower people to transition to and thrive with a plant-powered lifestyle.
On a personal level, although I was physically active and valued a healthy lifestyle, for the first few decades of my life, I was not a healthy eater. I ate a lot of comfort foods, microwave meals, sweets, and processed foods. I thought I needed meat or dairy at nearly every meal. I didn’t like to cook, and I didn’t eat many fruits and vegetables.
What opened my eyes and led me to eating more plants was when I learned about how animal agriculture works. I saw a TV program about workers in a meat processing plant. Many of them were immigrants. They had frequent injuries from this difficult work and were so financially vulnerable that they couldn’t speak up. They didn’t have power in this system. It made me think about how my food got to me, and the injustices involved in this process.
And then I started to think about all aspects of it, including the treatment of animals and what was actually going into my body when I ate animal-based foods. I started reading everything I could. I went to my local library and read every book on vegetarianism and veganism. I learned about the health benefits for reversing heart disease from Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. That really hit home for me because I have a strong family history of heart disease. I also learned about the impact of animal agriculture on animals and the environment.
After watching that program, I started cooking. The very next day, I bought my first plant-based cookbook, and made vegetarian lasagna. I had to buy all these new pots and pans because I never cooked. It was a great experience and I found that I loved to cook – once I switched to plant-based.
So many doors opened. I tried new spices. I tried new ingredients that I’d never thought of before. I started trying a new recipe or two every week. And over a few months, I gave up meat entirely. It was deeply fulfilling – I learned to cook and to enjoy an abundance of healthy, delicious vegetarian foods.
Several years later I decided to become vegan and eliminated dairy and eggs. I found that after releasing dairy from my life, my seasonal allergies – that I thought I would always have – just went away. Some skin conditions that I struggled with went away too. I also felt at peace emotionally as I lived more in alignment with my values of compassion for all beings, along with supporting my health and the planet.
So here I am, many years later, with great health and a lot of energy. I feel good about the way I’m eating, knowing that it is kinder to animals, the planet, and my own health. It feels good on all levels. And now my food choices are so much more varied and interesting and nourishing than they used to be!
I was so inspired by all the benefits of this way of eating that I sought out further training. I became certified as a Master Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator, licensed PCRM Food for Life Instructor, and in Plant-Based Nutrition. I’m also a Certified Transformational Coach and author of the book, The Vegan Transformation: A Journey to Heal Yourself and the World. My group coaching and educational programs empower people to start, sustain, and thrive with a plant-powered, vegan lifestyle. I look forward to supporting you on your journey through Food for Life classes.
Angela Crawford, Ph.D 