MEATOUT 2014
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
A vegan trailblazer, Tracye McQuirter has a master's degree in public health (MPH), is a public health
nutrition expert, author, and international lecturer. Tracye has been
named a national food hero who is changing the way America eats for the better
by Vegetarian Times,
and her national best-seller, By Any Greens Necessary,
was the #1 vegan book on The
Huffington Post.
Tracye directed the nation’s first
federally-funded vegan nutrition program and co-founded one of the first vegan
web sites 15 years ago.
She is a national authority on preventing
and reversing chronic diseases in African American women using plant-based nutrition,
and has been credited in part with increasing the number of African American
vegans and vegetarians to nearly 3 million people.
Vegan for nearly 30 years, Tracye is
passionate about helping people live healthier, happier lives. She has a
master’s degree in public health nutrition from New York University and a
bachelor’s degree from Amherst College.
SPEAKERS
Revoydia (Re) J. Rollerson, author of the
just released I Can’t Keep It To Myself, her
journey to Divine health through natural remedies, is a health and wellness
advocate, speaker and gospel singer.
After surviving three bouts with breast
cancer (1998, 2007 and 2010), Re’s research on the disease and its causes has
led her to realize the significant role diet and nutrition play in disease
prevention. She truly believes when you change your palate, you change your
life for the good. Re encourages everyone she meets to take charge of their life,
so they can live and thrive in optimum health.
Meghan Jardine, MS, MBA, RD, LD, CDE, is the Associate
Director of Diabetes Nutrition Education for the Physicians Committee for
Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a Washington, D.C. –based nonprofit organization
dedicated to promoting preventative medicine, especially better nutrition, and
higher standards in research.
As a diabetes educator and nutritionist, Meghan works to
develop programs to educate physicians, health care professionals, and the
public about nutrition as preventive medicine and the health benefits of a plant-based
diet.
Prior to working at PCRM, Meghan coordinated a large
multi-site diabetes education program serving Dallas County in Texas. She has first-hand experience in seeing how
the devastating complications of diabetes negatively affects quality of life and
long term health outcomes. Meghan is
also the leader of the Plant-Based Nutrition for Diabetes Program with the
American Association of Diabetes Educators where she instructs diabetes
educators about plant-based nutrition through blogs and online
discussions.
Meghan earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition from the
University of Maine and master’s degree in nutrition from Texas Woman’s
University. She also has a master’s in
business administration from the University of Dallas.
In her spare time, Meghan enjoys spending time with her
husband and son, doing yoga, and cooking delicious vegan meals.
Sandy Pruitt, the senior instructor of Choose Again Yoga, began her Yoga journey in early 2003. Her first experience occurred when she participated in a very hot and beneficial 90-minute class. Sandy felt the benefits immediately. Shorty after that first class, she trained to become a certified instructor. Since her certification, Sandy has taught classes in churches, schools, and recreation centers. Currently, she conducts classes in her Duncanville, TX studio.
At Choose Again Yoga, Sandy focuses not only on the physical aspects (proper breathing, strengthening, balancing, and stretching techniques) of Yoga, but also on the healing powers of this fitness regiment. Sandy also add the wonderful art of meditation for a well rounded mind/body workout.
Jamion received his certification as a personal trainer from the International Sports Science Association. He trains clients in aerobic and anaerobic exercises. He also develops appropriate health plans focusing on individual needs. Jamion has maintained a positive, fit muscle mass, while enjoying a vegetarian lifestyle. Consequently, his purpose is to bring awareness about the benefits of a plant-based diet on physical activity and well being. Jamion works to positively shape the attitudes of individuals by educating and drawing clients into a guided active lifestyle, making their dreams of optimal health a reality.
GRACE FATIMA GEORGES (Artistic Director and Founder of Integrative Dance Company)
has been dancing professionally for over 20 years. In 2011 Grace completed a Holistic Health Certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and in 2010 she earned a Zumba Dance Fitness Certification. Grace graduated from Marymount Manhattan College
(NY) in 2002 with a BA degree in Dance
and Education. She also studied ballet at the Alvin Ailey American Dance School in ballet,
modern, jazz, and Flamenco. Grace has danced professionally in two off-broadway plays, numerous dance companies as well as with Carnival Cruise Lines.
FOOD PREP CHEFS
Paula "Nzinga" White has studied health and natural
medicine for more than 15 years. After
following a holistic dietary regiment of natural foods and herbs along with
conceiving a child in 1999, she became confident in alternative therapies and
shared her holistic experience with others.
Nzinga later pursued her
passion by becoming a certified Holistic Health Consultant in 2008 under Dr.
Lliala Afrika and the Holistic Therapies and Education Center. Her background
in this includes administering full health assessments for clients and
identifying health problems through the use of iridology. Nzinga is currently a biology
major who plans to further her studies in human cellular research. She also facilitated workshops for both
students and parents about healthy eating habits and food preparation.
Nzinga continues to assess
individual dietary needs for those who seek to improve their quality of life.
Her compassion for people is what continues to drive her to be as efficient as
possible in providing empowering information to those suffering from health
related ailments.
Winston
Solomon is a self-taught expert in alternative health issues, particularly the
benefits of raw juicing and raw foods that are beneficial in maintaining a
healthy, fit body. A member of the Black Vegetarian Society of Texas Board, Winston will conduct the "Juicing the Green Way" demonstration
and tasting. He has assisted various people conquer their health issues from a
holistic perspective. The "Juice Man" is also an agent for Farmers
Insurance Group.
JEANETTE PRASIFKA, owner of Crosby, Catering & Coffee, is a pioneer and leading advocate for healthy cooking in Dallas. Chef Jeanette, a vegetarian for over 30 years, has mastered the craft of preparing high quality, plant based dishes. More than 15 years ago, Chef Jeanette traveled to the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City and attended an immersion program in international vegetarian cuisine. With new professional techniques in place, she returned home and began developing recipes and cooking non-stop. Her food soon developed a following and she began receiving numerous invitations to cook for parties and special events.
In 2001, Jeanette launched Crosby Catering & Coffee as a way to both provide and teach healthy eating. Crosby is a full-service catering company specializing in a wide variety of vegetarian fare - from lacto-ovo to vegan to raw. Through Crosby, Chef Jeanette provides a multitude of services including cooking classes, personal chef work, corporate services and catering In addition, Crosby has its own line of 100% organic, Fair Trade, shade-grown coffees and Chef Jeanette markets hand crafted vegan dog treats, aptly named Crosby’s Canine Cookies!
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