Saturday 5/7: Learn to Cook Vegan With Chef Paul Vugteveen! (Hastings)

chef paulPlease join Chef Paul Vugteveen at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute on Saturday May 7 to learn about vegan cooking.

Vegan diets offer a variety of health and environmental benefits, and interest in them has grown rapidly in recent years. Chef Paul Vugteveen will highlight several vegan recipes, including how to make vegan cheese and meat alternatives that can be used in favorite recipes.

Date: Saturday, May 7

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, 701 West Cloverdale Rd, Hastings

Cost: Members $20 | Non-Member Adults $25

Program limited to 20 participants. Preregister here.

Chef Paul Vugteveen is originally from Zeeland, MI. Paul Vugteveen is the Chef at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings, MI. He gained much of his cooking experience at the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids, MI, then spent 2 years as an artisanal pastry chef at Zingerman’s Bakehouse in Ann Arbor, MI. He also worked as a Bread Baker at Avalon International Breads in Detroit, MI, specializing in naturally leavened breads. He also spent more than two years growing organic vegetables at Brines Farm in Dexter, MI.

Tuesday 4/19: Managing Type 1 Diabetes Using a Plant-Based Diet (Vegan Kalamazoo Healthy Eating Series)

Let food be thy medicine,” said Hippocrates more than 2,000 years ago—and health-conscious people continue to do just that. Vegan Kalamazoo is inaugurating its Healthy Eating discussion series with a truly special event. Professional chef Paul Vugteveen will share his personal account of being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) at the age of 25, and how that diagnosis has been woven into all of his food choices, eventually leading him to a whole foods, vegan diet. Among other topics he’ll be discussing

· Brief comparison of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

· What the Glycemic Index is and why it’s important

· How to shop for and prepare foods

· Tips for living an active life with T1D

· How to get involved with Vegan Kalamazoo or T1D in Action

Come prepared with your questions and to share your own experiences! Note: This talk will focus on T1D, but many of the tips will be useful to those with Type 2 Diabetes as well. Everyone is welcome!

chef paulOur speaker: Originally from Zeeland, MI, Paul Vugteveen is the Chef at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings, MI. He gained much of his cooking experience at the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids, MI, then spent 2 years as an artisanal pastry chef at Zingerman’s Bakehouse in Ann Arbor, MI. He also worked as a Bread Baker at Avalon International Breads in Detroit, MI, specializing in naturally leavened breads. He also spent more than two years growing organic vegetables at Brines Farm in Dexter, MI.

Paul was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (a chronic autoimmune disease) in 2011. That diagnosis led him to question how consuming animal products affects the wellbeing of himself and others. He currently lives in Kalamazoo with his partner, Lindsey, and their dog and two cats. Paul is an Organizer and Camp Cook for the Kalamazoo based group, T1D in Action.

Paul has appeared on WZZM 13 and WOODTV 8 TV stations. You can email him at paul.t1dinaction@gmail.com, and learn more about his work at www.facebook.com/chefpaulvugteveen and www.facebook.com/t1dinaction .

Please join us on Tuesday, April 19 at 7:00pm at Natural Health Center (4610 W Main St, Kalamazoo).

Remember: everyone, including vegans, vegetarians, omnivores, and the veg-curious, is always welcome at Vegan Kalamazoo events! Also the event is free, but we suggest an optional $2/person donation to help defray expenses.