Events

Healthy Swaps: Easy Recipe Makeovers for Better Blood Sugar

Presented in partnership with EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care

Tired of feeling like you have to give up your favorite meals to control your blood sugar? Learn how to transform everyday recipes using simple, affordable plant-based ingredients — without sacrificing flavor. This interactive session will include a brief food demo and tasting, showing you how to swap in nourishing whole plant foods to improve blood sugar and leave your taste buds satisfied.

This event is free and open to the public.

Please plan to arrive 10 minutes prior to the beginning of class.

Plant Powered Potluck in Astoria

Share in great company and enjoy a wholesome potluck meal with Plant Powered Metro New York when we gather at The Lifestyle Building in Astoria, hosted by Enrica Sacca, PPMNY co-founder and lead organizer.

For the potluck, please choose a plant-based recipe with whole plant foods — whole grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Please, no animal-based foods, vegan processed foods, white flours, or added oils, and we ask you to minimize added sweeteners and salt.

If this sounds intimidating, don’t worry! Contact Enrica at enrica.sacca@ppmny.org to discuss simple dish ideas or check out our recipes at: ppmny.org/recipes.

It’s a good rule of thumb to double a recipe you would make at home! Please bring a serving utensil for your dish.

Hosted by Enrica Sacca, PPMNY Lead Organizer and Co-Founder

Dinner Social in Sunset Park

Join Plant Powered Metro New York for an evening of delicious food and community at Lucky Vege House in Sunset Park, a beloved neighborhood restaurant known for its creative Chinese cuisine.

Guests will order directly from the menu and are welcome to choose from a variety of plant-based appetizers, entrées, and desserts.

The estimated cost is $30–$40 per person, including tax and gratuity. Dishes will contain some salt and oil. No added sugar is used. Gluten-free options are available.

Hosted by Mabel Lam-Johns, PPMNY Volunteer

Laughter is the Best Medicine: An Evening of Comedy

Get ready for a night of laughs at St. Marks Comedy Club — the only plant-based comedy club in the city! Join the Plant Powered Metro New York community after work for a social hour followed by stand-up comedy acts with local comedians.

5:00 PM: Doors open
6:00 PM: Showtime (acts TBA)

All tickets include a whole food, plant-based meal, curated by VSPOT restaurateurs Alexis and Daniel Carabaños. The menu includes summer rolls, baked empanadas, tacos, tofu curry, salad, and a mocktail.

Help us raise essential funds for PPMNY’s mission by purchasing a ticket with donation, or making an additional donation of your choice when you register.

Coastal Mindfulness Walk & Picnic on the North Shore

Join Plant Powered Metro New York for a restorative summer afternoon on the North Shore, featuring mindfulness practices, gentle movement, a bring-your-own picnic lunch, and community connection in a coastal setting.

Led by Natalie Zolotareva, PPMNY Nutrition Educator, the morning will begin at the Hempstead Harbor Shoreline Park trailhead with a brief guided meditation focused on sensory awareness.

Next, we’ll take a mindful walk along a 4-mile out-and-back coastal path at an easy pace. The walk will include guided mindfulness prompts and opportunities for conversation.

After the walk, we’ll gather for a second mindfulness practice for sensory awareness through sight, smell, touch, and taste prior to enjoying lunch together.

Please bring comfortable walking shoes, water, and a picnic lunch in a backpack to enjoy following the program.

The event will start at the trailhead off of West Shore Road and end at Bar Beach in North Hempstead, about a 10-minute drive from the Port Washington LIRR station. Carpool rides from the station are available if requested. If you would like a ride, please contact corey.simoneau@ppmny.org in advance to arrange pickup.

Hosted by PPMNY’s Natalie Zolotareva and Corey Simoneau

Plant Powered Watch Party: FIFA World Cup Final

Goal!!! Join Plant Powered Metro New York in Bryant Park at Le Botaniste, a Plant Powered Plates participating eatery, for a special FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Watch Party. Gather with fellow soccer (football?!) fans to watch the championship match while enjoying a World Cup Fan Zone menu created exclusively by Le Botaniste for the game, featuring favorites like the mezze, avocado mash, and sushi, along with an apéro board served with dips and peanuts.

Whether you’re cheering for a favorite team or simply looking to enjoy the final with a welcoming community and a nourishing meal, we invite you to join us for an afternoon of great food, meaningful conversation, and world-class soccer.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase directly from the restaurant. All menu items are 100% plant-based and gluten-free, though may contain oil and salt.

Hosted by PPMNY’s Corey Simoneau and Rebecca Johnson

Rescatando Recetas: Hamburguesa Residuo Cero

Virtual

¡Ayuda! Algunos de los ingredientes de nuestras recetas familiares favoritas, tradicionales e inolvidables, distan mucho de ser saludables… ¿Se pueden salvar estos platos?

¡Por supuesto! ¡Los chefs de Plant Powered Metro New York vienen al rescate! No te pierdas Recipe Rescue, una serie de cocina en vivo que celebra nuestros platos culturales favoritos, reinventados de una manera deliciosa y a base de plantas. Aprenderás a darle un nuevo giro a las queridas recetas originales de la abuela o el abuelo.

Este mes, Vanessa Sossa Sanchez rescata la tradicional “hamburguesa” transformando unas simples sobras en una deliciosa hamburguesa de aprovechamiento total (*zero-waste*), acompañada de ingredientes sabrosos y una salsa llena de sabor. Las recetas se publicarán en nuestro sitio web después de la emisión de cada episodio.

Envía tus recetas para que sean rescatadas en futuros episodios a Corey Simoneau: corey.simoneau@ppmny.org.

¡Suscríbete a nuestro canal de YouTube para ver los programas y recibir notificaciones sobre futuras emisiones!

—ENGLISH—

Help! Some of the ingredients in our favorite, traditional, and memorable family recipes are so far from healthy… Can these dishes be rescued?

You bet — Plant Powered Metro New York’s chefs are coming to the rescue! Check out Recipe Rescue, a live cooking series that celebrates our favorite cultural dishes reimagined in a delicious, plant-powered way. You’ll learn how to put a new spin on grandma or papa’s beloved originals.

This month, Vanessa Sossa Sanchez rescues the traditional “burger” by transforming simple leftovers into a delicious, zero-waste patty, with satisfying toppings and a flavorful sauce. Recipes will be posted on our website after each episode airs.

Submit your recipes for rescue in future episodes to Corey Simoneau, corey.simoneau@ppmny.org.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to tune in and get notified about future programs!

Kitchen Reset: Get Organized to Beat Diabetes

Presented in partnership with EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care

A healthy lifestyle starts at home. In this engaging session, you’ll discover how to stock and arrange your pantry, fridge, freezer, and countertops to make healthy eating the easy choice. Learn which foods to keep on hand to treat and reverse diabetes, and enjoy a brief cooking demo and tasting of a simple, budget-friendly meal using affordable pantry staples.

This event is free and open to the public.

Please plan to arrive 10 minutes prior to the beginning of class.

Kitchen Reset: Get Organized to Beat Diabetes

Presented in partnership with EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care

A healthy lifestyle starts at home. In this engaging session, you’ll discover how to stock and arrange your pantry, fridge, freezer, and countertops to make healthy eating the easy choice. Learn which foods to keep on hand to treat and reverse diabetes, and enjoy a brief cooking demo and tasting of a simple, budget-friendly meal using affordable pantry staples.

This event is free and open to the public.

Please plan to arrive 10 minutes prior to the beginning of class.

Dinner Social in Montclair

Come together in community with Plant Powered Metro New York for a wholesome meal at Mesob, a popular restaurant in Montclair, NJ, offering traditional Ethiopian cuisine.

Our whole food, plant-based meal features their hearty vegetarian sample platter with your choice of six stews, served with injera. Beverages are available for purchase if desired.

The fixed price of $50 includes your meal, tax, and gratuity. The sample platter is plant-based and gluten-free. Dishes may contain some salt and oil. No added sugar is used.

All reservations are requested by 12:00 PM on Sunday, August 2. After this time, limited space may be available, and we may not be able to honor refund requests.

Hosted by Steve Barbag, PPMNY Ambassador

Get Started: Embrace the Power of Plants

Virtual

A welcoming introduction to plant-powered living

If you’re curious about eating more plant foods but not sure where to begin, this one’s for you! Whether you’re exploring more natural ways to support your health, hoping to feel more energized, or just want to eat more nourishing meals, this live virtual meeting will help you get started with clarity and confidence.

Join Plant Powered Metro New York for a dynamic, interactive hour that explores the POWER of whole food, plant-based eating:
• Learn the basics of whole food, plant-based nutrition.
• Discover practical tips for stocking your kitchen and building simple meals you’ll enjoy.
• Hear a story of health transformation from a PPMNY community member.
• Bring your questions for our live Q&A and community conversation.

Walk away with fresh inspiration and practical tools to support your journey to lasting health, plus a free starter packet with meal ideas and simple recipes.

Cooking with Chef Carole

Virtual

Explore the delicious world of plant-based baking and cooking without added oils, salt, or sugar. This month, Chef Carole Levy, PPMNY Culinary Educator, will be using what’s available in her kitchen to create dishes without recipes! Tune in live to find out what she’s cooking up off-the-cuff.

Event access is by donation or free to anyone unable to contribute. Please choose the option that fits you best and join us!

Registrants will receive recipes and a Facebook Live and YouTube link on the day of the event. Please note that Facebook Live and YouTube streams are available to viewers with or without Facebook or YouTube accounts.

$5 minimum suggested donation.

Get Started: Embrace the Power of Plants

Virtual

A welcoming introduction to plant-powered living

If you’re curious about eating more plant foods but not sure where to begin, this one’s for you! Whether you’re exploring more natural ways to support your health, hoping to feel more energized, or just want to eat more nourishing meals, this live virtual meeting will help you get started with clarity and confidence.

Join Plant Powered Metro New York for a dynamic, interactive hour that explores the POWER of whole food, plant-based eating:
• Learn the basics of whole food, plant-based nutrition.
• Discover practical tips for stocking your kitchen and building simple meals you’ll enjoy.
• Hear a story of health transformation from a PPMNY community member.
• Bring your questions for our live Q&A and community conversation.

Walk away with fresh inspiration and practical tools to support your journey to lasting health, plus a free starter packet with meal ideas and simple recipes.

Cooking with Chef Carole

Virtual

Explore the delicious world of plant-based baking and cooking without added oils, salt, or sugar. This month, Chef Carole Levy, PPMNY Culinary Educator, will be using what’s available in her kitchen to create dishes without recipes! Tune in live to find out what she’s cooking up off-the-cuff.

Event access is by donation or free to anyone unable to contribute. Please choose the option that fits you best and join us!

Registrants will receive recipes and a Facebook Live and YouTube link on the day of the event. Please note that Facebook Live and YouTube streams are available to viewers with or without Facebook or YouTube accounts.

$5 minimum suggested donation.