The Power of Food to Heal!
The Healing Kitchen is a comprehensive FREE program offered in Transylvania County, North Carolina.
There are five components:
1. INTRODUCTORY EXPLORATION OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE AND PLANT-BASED EATING.
An interactive presentation to help those brand new to the subject gain a foundational understanding.
Sessions are offered throughout the year either at the Transylvania Library in Brevard or online via Zoom.
In addition, for those unable to make one of our locally scheduled events, or if you live further afield, you can request a session for yourself or your own group HERE.
These sessions are hosted by Carol Whitaker, NBC-HWC.
2. COOKING CLASSES - 6 WEEKLY SESSIONS
This six-week educational experience enables 12–15 participants looking for a hands on exploration of the plant-based lifestyle and other dietary approaches that may support specific health concerns.
Through expert-led nutrition education, hands-on cooking instruction, and engaging community guest speakers, participants learn how to prepare nourishing plant-based meals and gain evidence-based knowledge they can confidently apply in everyday life.
Each week focuses on a different theme:
- Week 1: Benefits of the Plant-Based diet
- Week 2: Beans
- Week 3: Greens
- Week 4: Grains
- Week 5: Fruits and Vegetables
- Week 6: Protein
The cooking series is offered four times per year (two series in the Spring (March - May), two in the Fall (September - November) and are sponsored by the Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County, with additional funding support from the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Brevard, NC and led by dedicated local volunteers who care deeply about the health and well-being of neighbors across Transylvania County.
Sessions take place 5:30pm - 7:30pm at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shephard, 22 Fisher Road, Brevard, NC. 28712.
2026 SCHEDULE
The two Spring 2026 series have now concluded.
Our Fall schedule is:
SERIES #4
September 2, 2026: Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
September 9, 2026: Beans
September 16, 2026: Greens
September 23, 2026: Grains
September 30, 2026: Fruits and Vegetables
October 7, 2026: Protein
SERIES #5
October 14, 2026: Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
October 21, 2026: Beans
October 28, 2026: Greens
November 4, 2026: Grains
November 11, 2026: Fruits and Vegetables
November 18, 2026: Protein
Registration
To check availability and register, please send an email to BarbGrimm21@gmail.com, or call her at 828.577.3795. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.
3. ONLINE, SELF-PACED GUIDE
Living the plant-based lifestyle is more than just putting more plants on your plate. It takes a deeper dive to learn the nuances of the lifestyle in order to make this way of life safely sustainable.
After completing the cooking classes, participants can dive deeper into the subject leveraging Becoming Plant-Based: A Self-Paced Guide.
This guide was developed and is supported by local resident Carol Whitaker, MBA, MSc, NBC-HWC.
NOTE: Anyone outside the local community is also welcome to leverage this guide. It can be found HERE.
4. THREE PRIVATE 1-HOUR COACHING SESSIONS
If needed, while working through the self-paced guide, participants can also leverage the support of Carol Whitaker, an AMA Board certified Health Coach (NBC-HWC) with the ACLM certificate in Lifestyle Medicine.
5. MONTHLY POTLUCKS
Participants practice preparing a plant-based dish and bring it to the potluck, sharing a meal and becoming part of the larger supportive, healing community in Brevard, NC.
ALL are welcome, not just participants in the program, so bring family members, friends, neighbors, out of town guests! Come and explore plant-based eating! Meet others who have transformed their health with food!
If you are a beginner, bring something simple like a fruit salad, baked sweet potatoes, a loaf of artisan bread or steamed vegetables.
Potlucks happen on the third Thursday of each month, 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Lutheran Church of the Good Shephard, 22 Fisher Road, Brevard, NC, 28712.
The potlucks are also sponsored by the Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County and led by the same dedicated volunteers who run The Healing Kitchen sessions.
JOIN THE HEALING KITCHEN COMMUNITY
Join HERE and stay up to speed on happenings!
THANK YOU!
Much appreciation goes out to the Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County for their food and funding support, the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd for their funding and kitchen facilities support, and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine for their scientific guidance and support through their Building Healthier Communities initiative.