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!