Mercy For Animals Stage: Saturday

Saturday 10:30-11:00am – Rebecca Gilbert
Rebecca Gilbert, a former competitive figure skater, healed her body by switching to a plant-based diet.  She founded the Yummy Plants community to help connect and support others who wanted to explore a plant-based life.  Have you been a long-time vegetarian thinking about going vegan?  Have you been struggling with chronic joint pain or migraines?   Have you searched for a lifestyle shift that will help you permanently lose weight?  Rebecca will teach us how easy (and yummy) it can be to transition to a vegan diet! You’ll learn strategies that make it easy to follow a vegan diet at home, at work and at parties with friends.  You’ll learn tips for creating and/ or buying super yummy vegan substitutions.  This talk is helpful for people who want to try a vegan diet themselves, or for those who want to support loved ones with their new dietary choices. www.yummyplants.com

Saturday 11:00-11:45am – Gena Hamshaw
Raw Done Right: A sensible, fun, and inspiring primer on exploring raw, vegan foods.
Gena Hamshaw, a certified clinical nutritionist and raw foods blogger, helps you to explore the raw lifestyle without losing your mind. She’ll help you to troubleshoot some of the big, urgent questions when it comes to exploring a raw diet: how much fat is too much? Are raw desserts really OK to eat as much as you want of? Where do you get your protein? And she’ll also give you some crucial tips for maintaining a high raw diet without unnecessary sacrifice. As you’ll see, cooked foods are also a crucial part of a healthy vegan lifestyle, and Gena will help you to distinguish ones that are vital–legumes, whole grains, and root vegetables, for instance–from those you can afford to live without or replace with raw alternatives. Along the way, she’ll offer cooking tips, recipe ideas, and, most importantly, save plenty of time for health/nutrition/raw foods questions from the audience.

Saturday 12:00 – 1:00pm – Brendan Brazier

Saturday 1:00 – 2:00pm – Ellen Jaffe Jones
Eat Vegan on $4 a day. Not only can a plant-based diet be good for health, it can also be easy on the pocketbook. At a time when many people are looking for a way to cut costs, Jones will explain how to forgo expensive processed foods and get the most flavor out of delicious, high-quality basic ingredients. www.vegcoach.com

Saturday 2:00 – 3:00pm – Dr. Michael Greger
The Latest in Human Nutrition 2011. Dr. Greger has scoured the world’s scholarly literature on clinical nutrition and developed this brand-new talk of the latest in cutting-edge research. Focusing on studies published just over the last year in peer-reviewed scientific nutrition journals, Dr. Greger offers practical advice on how best to feed ourselves and our families to prevent, treat, and even reverse chronic disease In an engaging interactive quiz show format. A founding member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Michael Greger, MD, is a physician, author, and internationally recognized speaker on nutrition, food safety, and public health issues. He has lectured at the Conference on World Affairs, the International Bird Flu Summit, the National Institutes of Health, testified before Congress, and was invited as an expert witness in the defense of Oprah Winfrey in the infamous “meat defamation” trial. He is a graduate of Cornell University School of Agriculture and Tufts University School of Medicine. Currently Dr. Greger serves as the Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture at The Humane Society of the United States. Hundreds of his nutrition videos are freely available at NutritionFacts.org

Saturday 3:00 – 3:45pm – Matt Frazier – No Meat Athlete
Everyone now has the power to spread this wonderful, plant-based diet by choosing to do something remarkable, not stopping until they get it, and to lead by example, by making the whole process visible to others and drawing in a community of people eager to be a part of it.

In his talk, Matt will help the audience see that they can achieve what might seem like impossible goals and massive changes through repeated small, daily actions and an absolute refusal to give in to perceived limitations. He’ll draw on hid own experience of taking 100 minutes off his marathon time to qualify for the Boston Marathon and eventually running 50-mile ultramarathons (and hopefully 100 miles, next summer!), and the essential role that going vegetarian and then vegan played in the process.

Matt believes what will resonate particularly well here is that he is by no means an elite athlete — “I’m a regular guy who just kept working until I achieved what I set out to do, and it ended up being something pretty incredible my most people’s standards (including mine).”

And finally, he’ll briefly explain the way a community came together, first around what he was doing but eventually and inevitably taking on a life of its own, with a name and slogan that thousands of others have adopted as their own and are proud to share and show at their races when they wear shirts that announce to everyone else that they “Run on Plants.” www.nomeatathlete.com

Saturday 4:00 – 4:45pm – Ashley Byrne – PETA
Effective Advocacy. PETA’s Campaigns Manager, Ashley Byrne, will discuss ways that we can more effective as advocates for animals. How do you handle it when a relative asks you to explain why you’re vegetarian while he is eating an animal? Just what SHOULD you say to that woman next to you on the subway wearing a fur coat? www.peta.org

One Green Planet Stage: Saturday

 Saturday 10:15-10:45 - Big Apple Belly Dance

Classical Egyptian Style Belly Dance Class

Join New York City’s top Middle Eastern Dance Master, Sandra Catena, owner of Big Apple Belly Dance, for an hour of belly dance. Class opens with a warm-up and functional training, followed by deep breathing that opens up the respiratory system. Sandra next teaches isolated body movements that belly dancers perfect, followed by basic steps, and basic choreography. You will incorporate the three components of fitness – flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular training – in this belly dance class. Sandra Catena has a background in ballet, jazz, tap, and Middle Eastern dance. Since 1980, she’s performed all over the world. Since 1999, Sandra’s trained thousands in the art of Classical Egyptian Style Belly dance, and has produced 35 Middle Eastern dance concerts.

Sandra’s belly dance web site is www.bigapplebellydance.org

 Saturday 11-11:45 - Terry Hope Romero

Say Vegancheesecake! Bring on the creamy, old-fashioned vegan desserts.
Learn to bake an old-fashioned, dairy & egg free cheesecake without a drop of artificial ingredients…hint: if you can blend a smoothie, you can make this treat! Terry Hope Romero (Vegan Pie in the Sky, Veganomicon, Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, Viva Vegan!) demonstrates an easy and versatile recipe that will take your homemade vegan desserts to a new level.

Sat 12-12:45 - Laura Theodore- Jazzy Vegetarian radio and tv shows

Cooking for Family and Friends: Lively Vegan Cuisine That’ Easy and Delicious: Based on the popular public television cooking show, Jazzy Vegetarian, weekly radio show and companion cookbook, Laura shares how to please the palates of family and friends by focusing on delicious plant-based versions of traditional American style foods such as: Lasagna, Meatless-Loaf, Stuffed Peppers, Chocolate Desserts, Tantalizing Baked Goods and more. She talks about the basics of vegan meal planning and shares full menu ideas for serving weekday meals – to hosting a big dinner party. Laura shares ideas for accesible vegan substitutes for meat and dairy products and how to integrate them into recipes. She’ll share her tips for creating daily, weekend and party menus, from an elegant first course to rich desserts! A fun and lively lecture that entertains and educates. It’s Jazzy-licious! www.jazzyvegetarian.com

Saturday 12:45-1:30 - Fred Bisci

Fred offers a natural, simple, commonsense approach to health, nutrition, longevity & living on the Earth. His understanding is that the daily lifestyle challenges and overburdens the body and the planet which causes disturbances in the biological, chemical, genetic and electrical functions of the cellular terrain. Fred believes that our spiritual nature and attitude can combat these daily lifestyles to guide an individual toward peak performance, optimal states of health, and foundations for a well-grounded human experience.  www.anydoubtleaveitout.com

Saturday 2-3:00 - Sheriff Ariff & The Wali Sanga

Sheriff Ariff & The Wali Sanga is the project of Alexander “Sheriff” Ariff (air-iff). The band fuses original soulful back-beat jazz with corky lyrics and sultry melodies. The group formulated in Tallahassee, Florida but in 2010, relocated to NYC to refine their sound and mingle underground. In June 2011, Sheriff Ariff & The Wali Sanga released their debut self-produced album “Sanga Sessions” and this spring they will digitally release a 4-track EP with accompanying music videos. Sheriff Ariff & The Wali Sanga features Doug Berns (bass), Nathan Ellman-Bell (drums), Caleb Curtis (saxophones), Chris Pattishall (keys) and the Sheriff on keys, vocals and alto saxophone. Visit sheriffariff.com; “sheriff ariff” Facebook; and download “Sanga Sessions” at our bandcamp page. Take care of the groove, and the groove will take care of you. www.sheriffariff.com

Saturday 3-3:45 - Elaine K

Elaine K is the writer of both lyrics and music and has gained critical acclaim from both sides of the Atlantic for her work. She has been writing and performing since her teens, gaining new skills and new confidence at every turn. Her style is contemporary, yet timeless, quirky and hooky, yet sensitive and mature. One of the major attractions cited by her fans is her ability to address matters of the heart without giving it the usual lollipop treatment. www.ElaineK.com

Sat 4-4:45 - Candice Anitra

Candice Anitra hates how social constructs put people in boxes, including rigidly corrugated musical categories. Hailing from Philadelphia, the Brooklyn-based left-of-soul songstress came to NYC to attend NYU’s heralded Tisch School of the Arts. She now follows her debut album, Bark Then Bite, a critically acclaimed odyssey of dynamic sound and talent, with her sophomore album, Big Tree, due March 27, in which she takes the emotional bumps in the road and sews a thread of commonality through them using euphonic bits of this and that — an art that Candice Anitra has mastered simply by looking within. www.CandiceAnitra.com

Natural Gourmet Institute Cooking Demo Area: Saturday

 Saturday 11:00-11:30 – Amie Valpone 

Eating Clean and Naturally Gluten Free. Amie shows you how to make healthy vegan nachos! Amie Valpone, a culinary nutritionist, educator, motivational speaker, creator of The Healthy Apple, and brand ambassador for many healthy living companies. www.thehealthyapple.com

Saturday 11:45-12:15 – Lukas Volger

Veggie burger pro Lukas Volger, author of the cookbooks Veggie Burgers Every Which Way and Vegetarian Entrees that Won’t Leave You Hungry, will demonstrate his vegan Mushroom Burgers with Barley and share all his favorite veggie burger tips.

Saturday 12:30-1:00 – Rich LaMarita

Curried Lentils with Sweet Potato and Swiss Chard; served with Fennel-Scented Paratha

Richard LaMarita has been a chef instructor at the Natural Gourmet since 1994. He worked at Tabla Restaurant under Chef Floyd Cardoz for two years. Rich has been a student and practitioner of Ayurveda for 25 years, and travelled to India 3 times to study Ayurveda, yoga and meditation, and to cook in an Ayurvedic kitchen. Presently, he works as a private chef in addition to teaching.

Saturday 1:15-1:45 – Olivia Roszkowski

Kale with Sun-dried Tomatoes & Pine Nuts with a Garlic-Infused Olive Oil

Olivia Roszkowski graduated from the Chef Training Program at the Natural Gourmet Institute in 2010, and has since worked as a line cook at Jean-Georges’ 200-seat SoHo eatery, (The) Mercer Kitchen, David Chang’s Momofuku Ssäm Bar, and Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events.  She holds an undergraduate degree at Columbia University, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior.

Saturday 2-2:30 – Elliott Prag

Quinoa Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts, Sundried Tomatoes, Currants, Cucumbers and Scallions with Lemon-Mint Dressing 

Elliott Prag is a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute’s Chef’s Training Program and is currently a chef instructor at the Institute. He also works as a food writer and is a regular contributor to Vegetarian Times. Elliott has worked in numerous restaurant kitchens, as a caterer, personal chef, and opened the first vegetarian restaurant in Bulgaria.

Saturday 2:45-3:15 – Barbara Rich

Pan Seared Cauliflower with Golden Raisins, Almonds, Olives and Chili; served with Whole Wheat Penne

Barbara Rich is a full-time chef instructor at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts. She has over 20 years of professional culinary experience in Saint Louis, San Francisco, and New York. Barbara stays active in the field, catering and working as a menu consultant. She spends her free time training and participating in triathlons.