This program is being hosted in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.
With Chef Kara Garrett
In our final session, we will take what we’ve learned and discuss tools to help you realistically incorporate preparing healthy meals into your weekly routine. Maintaining a healing kitchen requires planning your meals to be nutritious and delicious, while staying exciting to your taste buds. We will review how to select recipes, build a shopping list and prep your meals to support a kitchen that fits your lifestyle. This class will include:
- Selecting a “base meal” to plan other healthy meals to enjoy throughout a week
- Learning to plan your weekly meals by trying new dishes and utilizing your favorite recipes
- Using a template tool to help generate a weekly shopping list (and keep your healing pantry stocked!)
- Learning to evaluate and organize your meal prep tasks to reduce the amount of time spent in the kitchen
As a group, we will prepare our selected recipe, and prep additional ingredients that can be used at home in future meals that week.
Address:
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
1632 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Suggested Donation: $15/session or $45/series
About Chef Kara Garrett
Kara Garrett is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. Kara is a graduate of the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, trained under Chef Lillian Chou at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York, and completed a graduate certificate in Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices and develop sustainable food relationships that energize the body and the soul.
This program is being hosted in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.
With Chef Kara Garrett
In the second part of our series, we will focus on essential cooking skills needed to support your own healing kitchen. After you have revamped your pantry and refrigerator, the next step is to learn how to properly prepare these items to create healthy and delicious meals. Chef Kara will help you build confidence in the kitchen and share tools to boost nutrition in your everyday meals. Our discussion will include:
- Introduction to common cooking techniques with regards to plant-based foods
- Review of knife skills, including how to cut commonly used vegetables and how to utilize scraps
- Introduction to common plant-based proteins (tofu, tempeh, seitan), how to prepare them, and substitute into your favorite recipes
- How to easily incorporate cancer-fighting herbs and spices into meals
- Review baking techniques to reduce sugar and boost nutrition in easy desserts
The class will end by assisting Chef Kara with making a healthy meal using your new cooking techniques and sharing our delicious meal together.
Address:
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
1632 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Suggested Donation: $15/session or $45/series
About Chef Kara Garrett
Kara Garrett is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. Kara is a graduate of the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, trained under Chef Lillian Chou at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York, and completed a graduate certificate in Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices and develop sustainable food relationships that energize the body and the soul.
This program is being hosted in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.
With Chef Kara Garrett
The first step in building your own healing kitchen is learning which ingredients to have on hand. Spring is the perfect time to revitalize your kitchen into the healing space that you desire. We will review essential items that you can keep in your pantry, fridge, and freezer to create delicious, balanced meals packed with protein, healthy fats, fiber-rich foods, and spices. Our discussion will include:
- How to clean out your pantry and fridge and eliminate ultra-processed foods
- Review essential kitchen equipment in a health-supportive kitchen
- How to stock your pantry and kitchen with dry goods, spices, healthy fats, snacks, and fridge & freezer staples
- Familiarize yourself with new pantry items and learn how to properly prepare
them
- Receive an editable pantry essentials shopping list to assist you with taking
inventory in your kitchen and purchasing new items.
The class will end by assisting Chef Kara with making a flavorful meal that you can quickly prepare with your own well-stocked pantry, and sharing our delicious meal together.
Address:
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
1632 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Suggested Donation: $15/session or $45/series
About Chef Kara Garrett
Kara Garrett is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. Kara is a graduate of the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, trained under Chef Lillian Chou at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York, and completed a graduate certificate in Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices and develop sustainable food relationships that energize the body and the soul.
This program is being offered in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.
with Chef Laura Pole
Healing in the Kitchen with Laura Cooking Class
This is Chef Laura’s first in-person cooking class at Smith Center since the pandemic and she is beyond excited to be reunited with you as we explore healing in the kitchen! You’ll learn about cooking foods in season in the spring which includes a variety of greens and root vegetables. We always have fun both preparing and eating delicious food and this class will be no different.
Suggested Donation: $20
About Laura Pole
Laura Pole is an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist and Health Supportive Chef who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation and education services for over 35 years. Her interest in integrative cancer care began way before the field was well-known. She has spent years learning about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) so that she could help both patients and clinicians become aware of safe and effective therapies to weave into conventional cancer care. She is also helping shape the practice of culinary translation—helping people with practical ways to translate a diet prescription into delicious healthy food. Laura’s earliest passion in oncology care has been helping people manage pain and other distressing symptoms. Along with that, she helps people talk about and choose care that aligns with their goals, wishes, and values.
Laura is Director of Nourishment Education Programs and retreat head chef for Smith Center. She is the Co-Creator and Co-Coordinator of Smith Center for Healing and the Arts’ national training in integrative oncology patient navigation. She is Senior Researcher for Commonweal’s “Beyond Conventional Cancer Therapies” project to provide patients, clinicians and researchers with the best available resources for integrating conventional and integrative cancer therapies. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” Listserv for Smith Center. For most of her career, Laura has also been consulting with and educating patients and professionals in palliative care and advance care planning.
Laura is also the senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices, a free online web resource that gives information and guidance in integrative Cancer Care.
This program is being offered in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.
with Chef Cathryn Pethick
A Season to Celebrate! Cooking Class
It’s a season to celebrate as cold Winter fades and the warm vitality of Spring arises! Especially by nourishing ourselves with simple, whole foods that show the best of both seasons, loaded with all the goodness Nature intends, with Winter’s sweet roots and Spring’s fresh greens, healing herbs and spices: nutrient dense, easily digestible, anti-inflammatory and immune supportive benefits- and absolutely delicious! In this vegetarian, hands-on cooking class, we’ll share the preparation of a cuppa healing tea, warm soup, a protein-rich slider, fresh cool salad, and even a healthy sweet. O yum!
And, check out more of Chef Cathryn’s programs on our YouTube channel, under “Nutrition & Cooking.”
Suggested Donation: $20
About Cathryn Pethick
Cathryn Pethick, AA, AYS, C-IAYT is a certified yoga therapist and teacher, Ayurveda specialist, and professional chef- whole foods cooking and nutrition instructor. She shares those skills with private clients through her own Well-Being, founded in 2012, and is on staff with Maryland University of Integrative Health’s Masters in Nutrition degree program. At Smith Center, Cathryn teaches cooking and nutrition classes, gentle yoga, and contributes to Smith Center’s wonderful integrative cancer support retreats as chef and yoga therapist. She has decades of experience in diverse culinary settings, practicing/teaching yoga from a therapeutic perspective, meditation, and the study of Ayurveda, diverse spiritual and philosophical traditions, and Oriental healing/martial arts. Cathryn shares the intention of nourishing well-being for us individually and as a collective with yoga, meditation and food-as-medicine, by cultivating the healing power of balance, optimal nutrition that supports our vitality, and compassionate presence that nurtures us all.
This program is being offered in-person. In order to participate, please register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org
with Chef Kara Garrett
With winter and the holidays rapidly approaching, it is a great time to revamp your menus with delicious items that are easy to prepare and that you can feel good about eating. Join us to learn cooking tips & techniques using cancer-fighting foods to heal from within. Chef Kara will lead you in preparing your meal and we’ll all sit down together to enjoy one of the greatest gifts of food – eating in good company!
Menu items:
- Roasted Fennel & Orange Salad
- Tofu Parmesan with Sautéed Spaghetti Squash
- Mac and “Un”Cheese
- Ultimate Fudge Brownies
*Menu subject to change based on ingredient availability and class size. All recipes will be vegan. Some recipes may contain gluten and/or nuts. Please alert us to any allergies when registering for the class. Every individual’s needs are unique. We aim to offer a variety of health-promoting options for each individual to consider, but do not prescribe the specific dietary content of any program for anyone.
Address:
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
1632 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Suggested Donation: $15
About Chef Kara Garrett
Kara Garrett is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. Kara is a graduate of the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, trained under Chef Lillian Chou at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York, and completed a graduate certificate in Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices and develop sustainable food relationships that energize the body and the soul.
This program is being offered in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Chef Cathryn Pethick
Enjoying the Sweet Roots and Fruits of Autumn
In this 2-hour cooking class, we’ll explore and taste the sweet, soul-warming, nourishing abundance of the autumn harvest: late summer squashes and pumpkins, stone and tree fruits, grains and legumes, in a complete vegetarian meal, including a creamy latte to sip as we work; a smooth, warming soup; crispy, hearty vegetable fritters with yogurt dipping sauce; an autumn-themed salad; and a roasted fruit dessert crisp/crunch. Come prepared to pitch in on the prep! And then we feast together!
And, check out more of Chef Cathryn’s programs on our YouTube channel, under “Nutrition & Cooking.”
Suggested Donation: $20
About Cathryn Pethick
Cathryn Pethick, AA, AYS, C-IAYT is a certified yoga therapist and teacher, Ayurveda specialist, and professional chef- whole foods cooking and nutrition instructor. She shares those skills with private clients through her own Well-Being, founded in 2012, and is on staff with Maryland University of Integrative Health’s Masters in Nutrition degree program. At Smith Center, Cathryn teaches cooking and nutrition classes, gentle yoga, and contributes to Smith Center’s wonderful integrative cancer support retreats as chef and yoga therapist. She has decades of experience in diverse culinary settings, practicing/teaching yoga from a therapeutic perspective, meditation, and the study of Ayurveda, diverse spiritual and philosophical traditions, and Oriental healing/martial arts. Cathryn shares the intention of nourishing well-being for us individually and as a collective with yoga, meditation and food-as-medicine, by cultivating the healing power of balance, optimal nutrition that supports our vitality, and compassionate presence that nurtures us all.
In order to participate in this program, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing olivia@smithcenter.org.
with April Thompson
Come prepare for the zombie apocalypse by learning about nutritious delicious plants growing right from the sidewalk cracks from urban forager, food writer and instructor
April Thompson. In this hands-on in-person workshop, you will take a short U Street stroll and learn how to safely identify and incorporate several common wild urban plants in your diet. Afterward, you will get a roundup of resources for participants interested in continuing their knowledge of foraging and cooking with wild foods.
The class will meet in-person at Smith Center (1632 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009) at 6pm ET.
You are not expected to bring anything to class, but you *could* bring a plant from your yard that you are curious about!
Suggested Donation: $10
About April Thompson
April Thompson is a Washington, DC-based writer, gardener, foodie, and forager. Working as a freelance writer for more than 20 years, April has covered food, travel, sustainability, gardening, foraging, and other subjects for
dozens of publications, including her ongoing column in Natural Awakenings magazine. She has taught workshops on foraging, fighting food waste, and related topics for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Crash Course DC, Rooting DC, AirBNB Experiences and other organizations. She is a founding member of the Bruce Monroe Community Garden, the culinary chair of the Mycological Association of Washington, and an alum of the UDC Master Gardener program. She is licensed to sell wild foraged mushrooms in several states via a wild mushroom certification overseen by Mushroom Mountain.
This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
Join Chef Kara for an informative and interactive hour where we discuss all things soy. Soybeans are packed with nutrients that are highly beneficial when used as a plant-based complete protein.
Chef Kara will share the most recent studies and guidance regarding the use of soy products as part of a cancer-fighting diet to promote health. You will learn how soybeans are transformed into delicious culinary ingredients such as soy milk, tofu, tempeh, miso and shoyu (soy sauce).
Chef Kara will demonstrate helpful cooking tips & techniques for these products and share her favorite easy recipes to introduce and expand the use of delicious soy products in your kitchen.
Suggested Donation: $15
About Kara Garrett
Kara is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. She has adopted a flexible diet plan that focuses on plant-based, sustainable whole foods, but does not restrict indulgences of things she loves. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices that energize the body and the soul.
Kara graduated in August 2017 from the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC and spent one month as the sous chef at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York in Monroe, NY. She is currently enrolled in the Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity graduate program at Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
