Discover the power of plant-based cooking for mind, body, and spirit
See upcoming classes and links to register below.
October 2026
Plant-Based Cooking for Mind, Body, and Spirit – October 24 at 10am ET
Want to improve your well-being? Not just physically, but so that you feel ALIGNED in heart, mind, body, and spirit?
Life can be so busy that you may find yourself operating on autopilot and not pausing to check in with how you are taking care of yourself. In this class, learn ways to incorporate greater mindfulness, values-alignment, and well-being through healthy nutrition and lifestyle choices. These practices help us to live with greater authenticity, meaning, health, and fulfillment.
The class will include a cooking demo of autumn recipes from my book, The Vegan Transformation, including:
- Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup
- Sweet Potato Enchilada
- Chocolate-Cherry Smoothie
- Chocolate dessert ideas
Whether you want to incorporate more plant-foods to improve your health or are already plant-based, this class will give you inspiration and practical tools for mind-body-spirit well-being.
When: Saturday, October 24 – 10am to 12pm ET
Where: On Zoom
Cost: $20
Coming in December 2026
Navigating Holidays and Social Events
One of the biggest challenges for living a plant-based lifestyle is how to navigate social situations. Food is communal and cultural: We eat many of our meals with others, and the type of food we choose to eat says a lot about who we are and what we value. For many people, choosing to eat a low-fat, vegan diet is a very big change. It may be totally different from the diets of other people in our lives.
Not only that, but maintaining a healthy diet when everyone around us is eating an unhealthy diet can be a huge challenge. This can be especially challenging during the holidays, when unhealthy foods abound!
This class will teach you strategies, tips, and practices for feeling more empowered in any given social situation, including social gatherings, eating at restaurants, and navigating the holidays.
This class also features a cooking demonstration of delicious, healthful dishes you can bring to social events, along with handouts of easy and affordable recipes. Join us for support, community, and inspiration on navigating the holidays with greater joy, connection, and health.
When: Saturday, December 5, 2026 – 10am to 12pm ET
Where: Zoom
Cost: $20
Registration will open in November.
Note: This is a PCRM Food for Life class. Scroll down for more details about Food for Life classes.
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 cooking and nutrition class. My classes integrate the power of plant-based cooking with mindful practices for holistic well-being.
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NOTE: Many of my cooking classes are based on 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 participants
“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.”
“Very worthwhile! Informative, nonjudgmental, and encouraging.”
“So much helpful information. I now understand my food cravings better and have several new strategies to deal with them.”
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’s also impacted my life emotionally and spiritually. 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 – while living a mindful and soulful life. I look forward to supporting you on your journey.