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 Cancer Support Program Coordinator

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 Cancer Support Program Coordinator

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 virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN, GW Cancer Center

GW Cancer Center

GW Cancer Center Nutrition Club

Nutrition Club is a chance for patients, survivors, caregivers and providers to get together to discuss nutrition topics and learn more about how nutrition can play a role in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship. It is hosted and offered in partnership with GW Cancer Center.


Nutrition Club will be hosted Monthly on the 1st Monday from 12-1pm ET.


About Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN

Lauren Powell

Lauren Powell (RDN, LDN) is a registered dietitian working in the DC area. She has served in many settings including food services, long-term care, rehab facilities, post-surgical, and intensive care units. While working at George Washington University Hospital she found her passion for Oncology Nutrition. She now works as the Dietitian for the GW Cancer Center helping to support the nutrition needs of those undergoing treatment and survivors.

About 2Unstoppable

2Unstoppable is a non-profit whose mission is to encourage and support exercise among women who have had a cancer diagnosis. Free online fitness buddy matching, oncology fitness resources, and community events at www.2unstoppable.org. Please visit https://2unstoppable.org/events/ for a list of upcoming events.

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 Cancer Support Program Coordinator

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 virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN, GW Cancer Center

GW Cancer Center

GW Cancer Center Nutrition Club

Nutrition Club is a chance for patients, survivors, caregivers and providers to get together to discuss nutrition topics and learn more about how nutrition can play a role in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship. It is hosted and offered in partnership with GW Cancer Center.


Nutrition Club will be hosted Monthly on the 1st Monday from 12-1pm ET.


About Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN

Lauren Powell

Lauren Powell (RDN, LDN) is a registered dietitian working in the DC area. She has served in many settings including food services, long-term care, rehab facilities, post-surgical, and intensive care units. While working at George Washington University Hospital she found her passion for Oncology Nutrition. She now works as the Dietitian for the GW Cancer Center helping to support the nutrition needs of those undergoing treatment and survivors.

About 2Unstoppable

2Unstoppable is a non-profit whose mission is to encourage and support exercise among women who have had a cancer diagnosis. Free online fitness buddy matching, oncology fitness resources, and community events at www.2unstoppable.org. Please visit https://2unstoppable.org/events/ for a list of upcoming events.

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.

Most people think of herbal teas as a simple soothing beverage, but if made properly, herbal teas (tisanes) can be potent tools for healing and maintaining health.

In this in-person workshop, Clinical Herbalist Erin Antosh, will discuss the power of incorporating an herbal tea ritual into your day, as you sip nutritive herbal tea (caffeine free). Erin will demonstrate how to properly make medicinal-strength herbal teas, using methods such as super infusions and decoctions.

You will learn about the therapeutic properties of plants that have been studied to reduce inflammation, support heart health/cholesterol, aid sleep, and calm the nervous system, as well as herbs that support your body’s detoxification pathways.

Erin will also discuss the art and science of herbal tea blending and guide you in creating your own tea blend. You will take home a bag of loose-leaf herbal tea that you blend yourself in class (which is about 15-20 cups of tea).

We hope you’ll bring a friend and join us for a healing experience!

Light refreshments will be served. Anthony Hyatt will be playing the violin.

To register, please visit this link.


Erin Antosh – Facilitator

Erin is a Clinical Herbalist with a background in nutrition, botanical product development, environmental health, organic gardening, biotransformation/detoxification, and true farm-to-table cooking. Through Where The Good Grows, she provides private Herbal Wellness Consultations, advises and formulates therapeutic botanical products for wellness brands, and combines her clinical training with her improv comedy experience to teach entertaining and approachable natural wellness education programs. Erin completed the Foundations of Medicinal Herbalism and Herbal Apothecary certification programs at Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine in Castleton, VA, and continued her clinical herbalism training by working at the school’s clinic seeing clients and formulating botanical products. In 2015, Erin graduated with honors from the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. As a Culinary Nutrition Expert and an experienced cook with training at The Farm Cooking School, Erin can translate nutrition science into nourishing meals that allow clients to use food as medicine. Additionally, Erin pursued advanced clinical studies in Detoxification and Biotransformation with Josh Gitalis, a Clinical Functional Nutritionist based in Toronto. Erin holds an Organic Gardening Certification from Prior Unity Garden and has extensive experience growing medical plants.

Anthony Hyatt – Violinist

Anthony is a violinist, singer, dancer, teaching artist, and medical musician working in partnership with many Washington DC area health and human service organizations.   He is an artist in residence in the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts program partnership with Virginia’s Inova Healthcare System and at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.  He plays music of many genres and is a student of improvisation practices who believes that The Art of Presence promotes the emergence of healing experiences.  Anthony has, since 1997, been leading creative engagement programs at adult care facilities.  For 22 years he was co-director of the Arts For The Aging Quicksilver senior citizen improv dance company.  He has served as a master trainer for the National Center for Creative Aging, as a Dance for Parkinson’s Teacher, and as a presenter at international creativity conferences around the globe.  Anthony has had an article, “Creative Aging with Quicksilver”, published in the UK-based Creativity & Human Development Journal and now is working on a book about his Arts in Healthcare experiences.  He does additional consulting and facilitation work through his organization called Moving Beauty.

This program is being hosted in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.

With Chef Kara Garrett

We’re thrilled to announce that our Young Adult Supper Club is back! Join other young adult cancer survivors (in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s) and friends around the table to share a delicious meal and good conversation in Smith Center’s healing kitchen. You will assist Chef Kara with making fresh pita bread to enjoy alongside a Middle Eastern-inspired dinner menu. You will learn how to make a quick pita dough*, roll, and watch your pita puff as you learn to cook them in the oven or on the stovetop. You will then use your fresh-made pita to make a delicious apple stuffed dessert. You will even get to take home pita dough to make at home! The best part of the evening is coming together to enjoy the fruits of your labor along with a full menu provided by Chef Kara. The menu includes:

  • Beet Hummus
  • Babaghanoush
  • Yogurt Dip with Herbed Garlic oil (contains dairy)
  • Fattoush salad
  • Vegetable Maqluba (“upside-down” layered rice)
  • Stuffed Pita Pies

Partners/Caregivers/Friends are welcome to attend. BYOB. The supper club will have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14 participants. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, March 5th to confirm attendance. When registering, please indicate any guest(s) that will be joining you. If you are interested in assisting Chef Kara prepare the meal, please contact us at programs@smithcenter.org or 202.483.8600.

Note: This program is open to young adult cancer survivors in their 20s, 30s and early 40s. 

*Please contact us in advance to accommodate gluten restrictions, as well as any other dietary allergies or preferences. Menu subject to change based on ingredient availability and class size. 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 Cancer Support Program Coordinator

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 virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN, GW Cancer Center

GW Cancer Center

GW Cancer Center Nutrition Club

Nutrition Club is a chance for patients, survivors, caregivers and providers to get together to discuss nutrition topics and learn more about how nutrition can play a role in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship. It is hosted and offered in partnership with GW Cancer Center.


Nutrition Club will be hosted Monthly on the 1st Monday from 12-1pm ET.


About Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN

Lauren Powell

Lauren Powell (RDN, LDN) is a registered dietitian working in the DC area. She has served in many settings including food services, long-term care, rehab facilities, post-surgical, and intensive care units. While working at George Washington University Hospital she found her passion for Oncology Nutrition. She now works as the Dietitian for the GW Cancer Center helping to support the nutrition needs of those undergoing treatment and survivors.

About 2Unstoppable

2Unstoppable is a non-profit whose mission is to encourage and support exercise among women who have had a cancer diagnosis. Free online fitness buddy matching, oncology fitness resources, and community events at www.2unstoppable.org. Please visit https://2unstoppable.org/events/ for a list of upcoming events.

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

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.