Food As Medicine: Food As Medicine: Plant-Forward Meal Planning
Are you Interested in making healthy eating easier, more delicious, and more doable? Learn how plant-forward eating and other lifestyle changes may help decrease your risk of chronic diseases, improve, or even reverse chronic disease you already have.
Join the collaborative work between N.C. Cooperative Extension and PLANT Providers to discover how to:
- Add more fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates to your meals
- Transform favorite recipes with simple plant-based swaps
- Build delicious, balanced meals and bowls
- Make healthy eating easier with batch cooking
- Decode nutrition labels and spot junk foods in disguise
- Discover tasty, healthy plant-based protein options
- Explore the truth about plant-based meats: healthy choice or ultra-processed food?
- Leave with practical tips and ideas you can use in your kitchen right away!
This workshop is being held at the Clemmons Library on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 4 PM to 5:30 PM.
Registration is required. Click on the link below to reserve your spot:
Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time to check in and settle in.
Featured Guest Speaker
N.C. Cooperative Extension is thrilled to welcome Dr. Karen Bruestle as our special guest speaker for this session.
Dr. Bruestle is a board-certified geriatric pharmacist and a prominent member of The Plant Providers. Her unique practice bridges the gap between conventional medicine and preventive care. By pairing her extensive medication-management expertise with evidence-based lifestyle changes—including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and social connection—she helps individuals target the root causes of disease.
Rather than just managing symptoms, Dr. Bruestle collaborates with patients and their physicians to safely reduce medication reliance, slow the progression of chronic conditions, and help patients achieve true disease remission. She is passionate about equipping individuals with the practical education and tools necessary to reclaim their health and achieve lasting improvements in their quality of life.
Why we are so excited to feature Dr. Bruestle: As a board-certified pharmacist, Dr. Bruestle brings incredible authority to our Food AS Medicine series. When a medication expert shows you how a whole-food, plant-based diet can help you safely reduce your reliance on prescriptions, it completely changes how you view the food on your plate. Don't miss this chance to learn from a true expert on how to transition from managing illness to building wellness!
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during this presentation are solely those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or endorsement of N.C. Cooperative Extension or NC State University.
The use of brand names and/or any mention or listing of specific commercial products or services herein is solely for educational purposes and does not imply endorsement by North Carolina State University or our partners, nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned
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N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. Individuals with disabilities are invited to request reasonable accommodations to participate in Extension sponsored programs and events. Please contact the county Extension office or campus department offering the program at least 14 days prior to the event to make arrangements.