On this crisp Fall day, the Urban Zen Center welcomed Dr. Neal Barnard to share the science behind food addictions, and his solution of a plant-based (vegan) diet to control and reverse many chronic health problems, including food addiction. Winning Weight Battles And Conquering Cravings was the theme of the day as guests filled the stunning zen-like space. The six-hour workshop offered just the right balance of nutritional wisdom and delicious samples of the sweet and savory foods that promise to help heal our bodies. Can low fat, nutrition-dense food choices also be delicious? Absolutely, and my fellow attendees would agree.

The breeze from the garden was invigorating as the indoor space filled with the aroma of culinary delights that included kale and pear smoothies, vegan quesadillas and lentil stew on a bed of quinoa. With such a diverse group of guests, it was inevitable that someone would ask, “So what’s for dessert?” Not to disappoint, nutrition experts and chefs Christine Waltermyer, Jill Eckhart and Emily Richard served a raspberry chocolate mousse made with tofu. It was refreshing, (okay, pretty amazing, and I’m tofu-tolerant, not really a fan!).