Summer weather is definitely here in Philly. The days are longer, making you want to stay outside and enjoy the warm sun! What better way to enjoy a beautiful summer day than spending it in a portion of one the best urban parks in the country eating vegan food, learning about plant based cooking and how to be healthy and help the environment?
Thankfully Vegan Chef Lenka Zivkovic has organized the first Philly Vegan Camp Day in conjunction with The Humane League and The Kind Institute. The event will take place on Sunday, June 26, 2016, from 9AM to 4PM at the Wissahickon Environmental Center, Proceeds benefit the Cooks Who Care organization, founded by Chef Maria Campbell of Imagine Impact, LLC. This is a natural extension of Chef Lenka’s Urban Health Hike Series, which encourages members of Philadelphia communities to be active and healthy! By being an Impact Champion for “Cooks Who Care,” Chef Lenka is leading communal vegan projects by connecting the dots to plant-based nutritional information and physical health. Philly Vegan Camp Day is open to everyone, not just vegans. This is a great way to learn more about healthy, plant based nutrition, and enjoy one of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks.
This camp day looks to be an exciting and fun filled day packed with activities, talks, and most importantly great vegan food! The event will be covered by My New Philly. The day starts with a hike and a run to get your blood flowing. You can also enjoy a yoga class by 15 year Philadelphia yoga instructor Jacqueline Sadashige, who has studied multiple forms of yoga, and is known for her enthusiasm and energy. There will also be games and a scavenger hunt set up for the kids along with a community tree planting to give back some green to the earth. All attendees are encouraged to show their pride in helping the environment by wearing your favorite green shirt to the event!
Attendees will have the opportunity to attend a nutrition education talk by Brigitte Blanco, who has a 3-year diploma in plant-based nutrition, a certificate in diet and lifestyle treatment from the Wellness Forum Institute, and certification in plant-based nutrition from T. Colin Campbell’s Center of Nutrition Studies. Also scheduled is a talk by Alan Ritter, a PhD chemist from the University of Pennsylvania who has changed careers from aerospace to food security. Dr. Ritter will be talking about the environment.
Also on the schedule is Chef Char Nolan who will be offering a healthy recipe from Engine 2 for Life, where she is a contributing blogger. Chef Char is also the plant-based contributor to a Philly-based website, The Town Dish, where she highlights plant-based chefs, authors, and food trends. In addition, Dr. Rubina Tahir, a chiropractor who hosts her show The RX on My New Philly, will be joining the event. Judy Nelson will be leading a group meditation. She currently runs a leadership program for low income children and teens.
What would a Vegan Camp Day be without great vegan food? The line up is sure to have you eating delicious food throughout the day. LJ Steinig will be sending two pans of her Award Winning Veganlicious Mac & Cheese from The Philly MAC-Down! Chef Christina Martin will be serving up her delicious plant based Banana Chocolate Chips Muffins. Chef Christina has worked in several restaurants in Philly, most notably Vedge. She is an adjunct chef instructor at JNA Institute of Culinary Arts and teaches community education cooking classes at Atlantic Cape Academy of Culinary Arts. She is also on the Chefs Council for AtlantiCare Growing Green program and has her own business called Cooking to Nourish that offers personal chef services as well as cooking demos. Some other companies donating food to the event are Blackbird Pizza, Philadelphias’s only vegan pizza place; Superior Pasta, who offers a variety of vegan pastas and sauces; and Cardenas, an oil and vinegar taproom.
Also for the vegan curious people who attend you have the chance to extend your vegan experience by stopping by the Peace Advocacy Network table to find out about the 30 Day Vegan Pledge where you can sign up for support on a 30 day vegan lifestyle.
For the price of $15.00, all of which benefits Cooks Who Care, how can you possibly go wrong ? Let’s spend the day outside in the beautiful Wissahickon, being active, learning how to be environmentally responsible, and best of all eating delicious food! Do yourself and your kids a favor – kids are free!! – get your tickets to start the summer off right! Can’t go? You can still help by donating-all proceeds will go to Urban Healthy Hikes!
Philly Vegan Guy 