Retreat Program 2024

Mistress of Ceremony: Danielle Vann – Auditorium

Ms. Vann is an award winning Author, Life Coach, Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Host of the podcast, The Get Your Life Together, Girl and a sought after speaker.

Session 1:  9:15 – 10:00 AM – Keynote: Auditorium                                                                                                                                                                                  Q & A with Dr. Barnard 10:00-10:15AM

Dr. Neal Barnard, MD: The New Approach to Health: Using Power Foods to Cause Rapid, Permanent Weight Loss

Dr. Neal Barnard is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at George Washington School of Medicine and President of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. At PCRM, Dr. Barnard leads programs for preventive medicine, good nutrition and higher ethical stands in research. A brilliant researcher, he has authored over 100 scientific publications and 20 books showing the power of a plant-based diet in treating and reversing common diseases such as diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases. In 2016 he founded the Barnard Medical Center in DC as a model of making nutrition a routine part of medical care and he is the editor in chief of the Nutrition Guide for Clinicians, a textbook made available to all US medical students.

Dr. Barnard in this session will focus on The Power Foods Diet, the new diet plan that focuses on adding specific power foods which tame your appetite so you naturally eat less, trap calories in your digestive tract, and ramp up your metabolism so you burn more calories. This approach allows the individual to lose weight, boost their energy, look younger and end dieting forever.

Session 2: 10:15 – 10:55 AM – Choose from the 3 options below

A. Victoria Moran – Auditorium: The Magical MEND Program – To Mend Your Ways & Change Your Life

Featured twice on Oprah and listed by VegNews Magazine among the Top 10 Living Vegetarian Authors, Victoria Moran’s books include the iconic Main Street Vegan and the upcoming Age Like a Yogi. She is the host of the award-winning Main Street Vegan Podcast and founder and director of Main Street Vegan Academy, training Vegan Lifestyle Coaches and educators since 2012. 

In this session, Victoria encapsulates well-being with her Magical Mend Program, a simple route to vibrant living through Meditation, Exercise, Nourishment, and Detoxification. This formula draws on science and experience so you can seamlessly incorporate the tools of wellbeing into your life every day.  

B. Senly Fox – Room CD: Beginner Friendly Yoga

Senly Fox is the owner and publisher of Stroll Tanglewood. She founded SenRgy Life and is a Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master/Teacher, and Life Coach. She served on the Board at the U of H Bauer Alumni from 2001-2005 and was a founding board member of Pinkdoor Nonprofit and served from 2007-2017. She is currently on the Peaceful Planet advisory council and volunteered with the Puranik Foundation.

Senly will guide you in a gentle, beginner friendly yoga class in this session. She will take you through different poses that promote balance and wellness.

C. Dola Young and Lisa Arnold – Room EF: Paving Your Plant-Based Pathway

Dola Young serves on the advisory council for Peaceful Planet and is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who coaches and empowers her clients to take sustainable steps with a whole foods plant strong way of eating. She has a passion for learning and thrives on explaining complex technical information(such as nutrition) in a way that is clear, concise and complete. 

Lisa Arnold is the founding leader of the Plant Pure Pod PlantEd in Fort Bend and a passionate advocate for plant-based lifestyle. She is certified in plant-based nutrition from T Collin Campbell’s eCornell course and also certified in food over medicine from The Wellness Forum. 

Don’t let perfection be the enemy of Progress! Join us as we destroy the roadblocks and pave the pathway to a plant-based lifestyle. In this session, the two ladies will share their immense knowledge on how to make your journey easier, more fun, delicious and sustainable.

 Session 3: 11:05 – 12:10 PM – Choose from the 3 options below

A. 2 Thirty Minute TED Style Talks on Nutrition – Auditorium

1. Dr. Nehal Parikh, MD: Raising Healthy Plant-Based Kids 11:05-11:35

Dr. Parikh is a board certified physician in Pediatrics and Neonatology and clinical researcher at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He and his wife have raised two healthy plant-based children for the past 17 years. Dr. Parikh promotes and prescribes plant-based diets for the parents of high-risk premature infants that wish to raise physically and mentally strong children.

In this session, Dr. Parikh will review the physical and mental benefits of raising kids on a plant-based diet. This eating pattern will give them a robust start in life and lay a firm foundation of nutrition principles that will reduce their risk for obesity, diabetes and so many other chronic diseases currently plaguing Americans, both young and old.

2. Rizwan Bukhari, MD : WFPB Nutriton and Cardiovascular Health 11:40-12:10

Dr. Bukhari is a board certified physician in Vascular Surgery and Lifestyle Medicine. He uses his expertise in Vascular Surgery and Lifestyle Medicine to provide comprehensive care for his patients thereby preventing, halting and at times reversing disease. Dr. Bukhari educates the community through his segment on Healthy Lifestyle Solutions Podcast titled DOCTOR  in the HOUSE.

Dr. Bukhari will highlight the alarming prevalence of cardiovascular disease and then focus on how a whole foods plant-based diet can be used to treat and often reverse heart disease. His focus on addressing the root cause of vascular disease and providing actionable diet and lifestyle insights to his listeners will empower them to improve their heart health and overall health.

B. Katie Van Hooser – Room CD: Vinyasa Power Flow + Guided Breathwork

Katie Van Hooser is a certified yoga teacher(RYT 500) and on the advisory council for Peaceful Planet. She has taught yoga and mindfulness to adults and children and currently teaches the PPF 5M program to students at HISD. 

In this session she will guide you through a power vinyasa yoga flow. In addition, she will include various pranayama(breathwork) techniques. This class will invigorate, relax, and give participants ideas to incorporate pranayama into daily life.

C. Cooking Demo with Sakinah Omari and Jamile Thomas – Rm EF: Title and Menu tba

Sakinah is the founder and owner of Edgie Veggie, a plant-based catering service which was created to change the narrative and share that vegan food can be both delicious and good for you. She firmly believes that plant-based food truly is limitless and it is her passion to share this message with as many people as possible.

Jamile Thomas embarked on his plant-based journey while serving in the Navy. He is a proud alumnus of UH with degree in Kinesiology and nutrition. Whether as a Healthcare coach for the Houston VA or while wearing his certified personal trainer hat, JT embodies and coaches his clients towards holistic wellness through physical activity and dietary wellness. 

In their Cooking demo, this duo will feature …

Session 4: 12:50-1:55PM – Choose from the 3 options below

A. 2 Thirty Minute TED Style Talks on Nutrition – Auditorium

1. Dr. Suzanne Bruce, MD: Diet and Skin Health 12:50-1:20PM

Dr. Suzanne Bruce is a graduate of Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine and founder of the multi-physician practice, SBA Dermatology.  She has received numerous honors, including being named a Super Doctor by Texas Monthly for 19 consecutive years. She is passionate about sharing how a whole foods plant-based diet can improve skin health and appearance. 

In this session, Dr. Bruce will discuss how the health of our skin is an indicator of our overall health. Skin diseases like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and even skin cancer can be affected by our diet. She will present evidence on how a whole foods, plant-based diet can reverse many skin diseases and improve the appearance of aging skin.

 2. Dr. Pritesh Mutha, MD: Role of Microbiome in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other auto-immune diseases. 1:25-1:55PM

Dr. Mutha is a triple board certified physician in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Lifestyle Medicine with advanced training in Interventional Gastroenterology and Endoscopy. He is an associate professor at UT Health Houston and has published several peer-reviewed publications in top medical journals. He is also the cofounder of a nonprofit organization, Stress Academy.

In this session, Dr. Mutha will discuss the role of fiber-rich plant foods in fostering a healthier gut microbiome and how that translates to a better gut health, better overall health, and how this approach can reduce your risk for Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other auto-immune diseases.

B. 2 30 Minute Wellness Sessions – Rm CD

1. Dr. Ann Friedman, PhD: Your Mental Gym: Building Critical Areas of Your Brain 1:25-1:55

Dr. Friedman is a psychologist, Adjunct Professor in the UH Counseling Psychology Graduate Program, and Director of Curriculum for the Mind Body Spirit Institute of The Jung Center of Houston. She received her certification in Mindful Awareness Facilitation from the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. Dr. Friedman teaches mindfulness to adults and children and also provides training to businesses, schools and nonprofits.

Research suggests that mindfulness meditation can measurably alter brain function and structure, positively impacting the areas of learning, memory, emotional regulation, stress response, empathy, compassion, and perspective taking. This session briefly explores the science and practices that help build your brain.

 2. Mita Shah and Anita Amit: Snooze for Success: Sleep Insights and Practice 2:00 – 2:30PM

Mita is a seasoned health management professional who holds a masters in nutrition and behavioral sciences. She holds certifications from ICF, ACLM, and The National Board of Health & Wellness. As the cofounder of Green and Fit Frisco, she champions sustainable plant-based living.

Anita is a certified yoga instructor and  an advocate for holistic well-being with emphasis on mind-body connection. She holds Plant-based Nutrition certification, the Pod Leader in Frisco, and co-founder of Green and Fit Frisco FB group where she promotes the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. 

Taking care of yourself starts with getting enough restful sleep. When you make sleep a priority, you allow your body to recharge, leaving you refreshed for the next day. In this session, we’ll discuss the critical importance of quality sleep and bedtime routines for supporting mental and physical wellbeing. We’ll demonstrate simple yoga techniques you can incorporate into your evening wind-down, guiding you step-by-step through gentle stretches and breathing exercises designed to calm the mind and relax the body. 

C. Cooking Demo with Janna Varughese – Rm EF: “Plant-Powered Perfection: Crafting Nutrient-Rich Dishes for Radiant Health”

Janna Varughese is the founder and chef at NOURISH Cooking Co. Following personal health challenges, she embraced the powerful healing world of veganism and now lives a life that is a testament to the transformative power of commitment to health and well-being. She provides nourishing plant-based meals to individuals and families seeking delicious, healthful plant-based cuisine in the heart of Texas.

Session 5: 2:05-2:40 – Choose from the 3 options below

A. Dr. Andrea Link, MD – Auditorium: Fostering Community Wellbeing: An Update on Health Equity Efforts in Houston

Dr. Andrea Link, a fellow of American Leadership Forum, received her MD from Stanford University School of Medicine. She has been a pediatrician and has also worked with incarcerated women at Harris County Jail. She developed “Healthy and Whole” an innovative, award-winning program which provides women exiting prostitution and human trafficking with comprehensive trauma-informed health and wellness programming. She is the executive director of Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Houston Galveston and serves on the board of Directors of New Hope Housing and Yes Prep.

B. Dr. Elaine Hess, PhD – Rm CD: Reroute your Rut for Behavior Change: Use Science-Backed Techniques to Make Lasting Changes

Dr. Elaine Hess is a licensed psychologist practicing in Houston. She works primarily with adults and late adolescents to provide effective, short-term treatment and evaluation for people facing sleep difficulties and severe or chronic medical conditions (e.g., stroke, cancer, chronic pain, injury, weight loss surgery). Dr. Hess has experience providing integrated behavioral health services within primary care, oncology, geriatrics and gastroenterology. 

Reroute your Rut for behavior change. THIS SESSION IS FULL AND CAN NOT ACCOMMODATE ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS DUE TO SPACE CONSTRAINTS

C. Celeste Bleu and Christy H – Rm EF: Feeding Kids and Families

Christy has raised 12 year old and 10 year old boys on a mostly whole-food plant-based diet within a large extended family of hunting and fishing Texans and Cajuns. She’s navigated WFPB pregnancy and nursing, school-lunch nut bans, a kid who doesn’t like beans, and pediatricians who think dairy is a food group. And yes, her kids get enough protein! 

Celeste is a librarian and assistant manager in adult services with Harris County Public Library. A long term vegan, she has raised her son entirely on a plant-based diet. She is also a youth yoga teacher and an unabashed treehugger.

In this session, these two moms will share their knowledge and experience on how to bring in healthier plant-based options while living in a SAD(Standard American Diet) world.

Session 6: 2:50 – 3:50 PM – Keynote: Auditorium                                                                                                                                                                            Dr. Michael Greger: “How Not to Age”

Q&A with Dr. Greger 3:50-4:05 PM

Dr. Michael Greger is a founding member and a Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He is a physician and internationally recognized speaker on nutrition. His science-based nonprofit, NutritionFacts.org, offers a free online portal hosting more than 2,000 videos and articles on myriad health topics. Dr. Greger is a sought-after lecturer and has presented at the Conference on World Affairs and the World Bank. His books include How not to Die, How not to Diet, and his latest How not to Age? are household names to anyone interested in a healthier diet and lifestyle.