Food is Medicine
“Let food be thy medicine.”
Our bodies are amazing machines that require proper nourishment
The Detroit Abloom Outdoor Wellness Garden specializes in teaching about the significance of a healthy and wholesome plant-based diet. The world is finally waking up to the truth that a meat-centered diet causes many kinds of preventable chronic and fatal diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and auto-immune-deficiency-related disorders, just to name a few. Because these diseases are rampant in our communities, both in the Grosse Pointes and in Detroit, we are making a special effort to teach people how to joyfully transition to a healthy, delicious, and life-sustaining whole food plant-based diet.
We will have different instructors focusing on different healthy food and sometimes, ethnic dishes! This summer dinner series includes a presentation delving into the subject matter and a community meal at our 32’ Community Table. 5:30 -7 pm at 248 Manistique St. at the pavilion!
Food is Medicine 2023 -
We started this program in 2021 and have been amazed at the success and interest from our community!
2023 Class List -
June 29th - Justine Schneider, Medicinal Herbs; Tea and Beyond
July 6th - NO CLASS
July 13th - Tom Milano, Green Smoothies
July 20th - Dr. Gupta, Oil-Free cooking for a disease free life
July 27th - Justine Schneider, Summer Tomatoes & Seasonal Eating
August 3rd - Mandeep Gill, The Power of Chickpeas: Indian Cuisine & Beyond
August 10th - Mandeep Gill, The power of Chickpeas: Part 2
August 17th - Jake Empson, Introduction to a Raw Vegan Fruit-Based Diet
August 24th - Regina Ravins, Watermelon Soup, Vegan Class Class cancelled!
August 31st - Tom Milano, How to thrive on a Plant-Based Diet
September 7th - NO CLASS
September 14th - Sabine Iafrate, Summer in Provence
September 21st - Justine Schneider, Harvest Risotto
September 28th - Regina Ravins, Dandelion the Superfood
Come join us for a meal and learn how food can be your medicine!
If you would like to come to a class - click HERE to register. All of the classes are $10/person for the class, dinner and comradery!
Check out below, some of the previous classes we have held!
Tom & Nancy held two classes
Tom and I held a class on Green Smoothies & Nut Milks, focusing on starting your day with a nutrient-dense mix of fruit, greens, ginger. We showed how smoothies are a perfect way to incorporate healthy fats, fiber, and superfoods.
Class two was Summer Soup & Salad. Featuring fresh-made tomato & basil blender soup and a chickpea soup. Focusing on fresh produce from the garden.
Dr. Michelle Davilla held two classes
Dr. Davila is a Naturopathic doctor at Beaumont. She gave two exciting classes on Whole Food Plant-Based Eating and an Intro to the Mediterranean Diet. Michelle provided an array of dishes for both classes and a detailed description of the foods and their benefits to our health.
Justine Schneider
Our friend and DA Board member Justine @properlyforked gave a delightful class highlighting her favorite food - garden-fresh tomatoes! She made the best pesto in her class. We feasted on her Caprese Farro dish, enjoyed a glass of wine and each other’s company!
Dr. Lakshmi Saleem gave two classes
Dr. Ramamoorthy & Asian Indian Cuisine
This class was all about Gut Health and the importance of fermented foods. Taught by Dr. Lalitha Ramamoorthy, an Integrative Wellness Coach. She made Idlis which are steamed rice cakes and two other dishes. Extremely informative.
Dr. Gray Jessiman & Foods for the Brain!
Dr. Gray Jessiman’s presentation featured a True superfood, packed with good things for your brain - Chickpea Dumplings! The recipe is from the Moosewood collection. We discussed the many foods that can keep your cognitive function young!Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Regina Ravins & The Herbal Healing Hut
Regina and her Herbal Healing Hut held our most well-attended class on Collards & Black Eyed Peas. Regina has been a vegan most of her life and readily shares her great knowledge of foods and medicinal plants. We learned so much about the importance of including spices and herbs in our daily diet, We learned how to make simple and healthy desserts without sugar! What a great meal.
We received a 2021 donation to construct a Community Table for our Community Meals initiative. Tom built 2 - 16 foot tables for these meals, and Food is Medicine. We held two free Community Meals in 2021. One of them featured a trio from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra! We want to continue this in 2023. If you would like to contribute to this, please get in touch with us and let us know how you would like to be involved!
Community Meals
Come, learn and see how food can unite and heal!