Neal Barnard, M.D., beacon for healthy living and President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, delivered the enlightening – and very entertaining – keynote speech at Healthy Taste of Sacramento

The Healthy Taste of Sacramento extravaganza has come and gone yet the effects are still lingering days afterword.

The best analogy that comes to mind for this sold out celebration – with over 250 in attendance – is ‘tidal wave event’ – having the power of rising all on a surge of elevation and forward motion when it comes to advancing our health, well being, and moving the whole food plant-based message forward.

Breakfast

The day started with a generous serving of Overnight Muesli and Blueberry Muffins.  From there it was a fast, informative and rollicking ride through the presenter’s lineup.

With John Pierre and Chef Aj as Healthy Taste of Sacramento gets underway

Linda Middlesworth got things started with a cooking demonstration for fat-free Blueberry Muffins and a clever and delicious Cauliflower Cheese Sauce  which – by the way – I immediately innovated my how super-fast version of in my Instant Pot upon returning home (stay tuned for photos and tips soon!).  More cooking demos throughout the day by Chef Aj, author of Unprocessed, and Jill Nussinow, the Veggie Queen.

It was also a day to connect with plant-based friends and family from all over  California.  My friends John Pierre and Chef Aj delivered top notch presentations and were available to everyone during the course of the day.

The doctors spoke too – starting with Dr. Alan Goldhamer of True North Health.  I told you all about True North during my visit there earlier this summer here in case you missed the report. Dr. Goldhamer may seem all strict serious business when it comes to what you put on your plate but this guy is funny!   I’ll always take my meals with a big bite of humor and he definitely delivered.

Speaking of humor, the day was also full of festive song karaoke style with original words to familiar tunes.  I’m just as good at making a fool of myself as anyone else (see photo left below)- anything for the cause!  And found myself on stage with a team singing “Thank you for the recipes” in tribute to Chef Aj.  We’re still waiting for a video of this to surface and I’ll let you know when and if it does.  The team of volunteers and event organizers closed the day’s festivities with a song of their own (photo below, right).

Hard to pick  a highlight of the day – there were so many – but if you had to pick just one, it would be Dr. Barnard’s presentation.  I’ve heard Dr. Barnard speak to diet, exercise and the brain on multiple occasions – including his recent appearance as special guest on my Teleclass series (if you missed it, you can download the recording of the call HERE) – yet he never ceases to bring forth new facts and points of enlightenment.  Dr. Barnard never fails to fire on all cylinders, touching on each of the aspects of plant-based healthy living – health,  compassion, and environmental impact.

May Healthy Taste come to Sacramento again next year!

More photos and friends

With Katie Mae of Sprout and Cathy Fisher of Straight Up Food.

Chef Aj is a big Fit Quickies fan and never fails to promote my book – two copies were raffled into eager hands as the day progressed. Fun!

Linda Middlesworth, who heads the Sacramento Vegan Society, has special shirt made for the pre-event party held at her home the night before. We call this ‘The Grrrls of Healthy Taste of Sacramento Eve’!

Linda Middlesworth demonstrated easy preparation of Blueberry Muffins and Caulfiflower Cheese Sauce – all without oil or animal products – for delicious results