Janet Pearson knows what it’s like to juggle family, career and community service. She also knows that changing the way you eat can change your life.
Pearson, a longtime Tinley Park resident and a Building Healthy Communities Leader through the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, teamed up with Barbara Chwierut, of Palos Heights, to offer a free series of classes aimed at helping people lower their risk of chronic disease through plant-based eating.
“I learned how to cook from my Italian mom and grandmother,” Pearson said. “I started studying plant-based nutrition about 10 years ago and have been learning ever since. These classes are about giving people the tools, support and inspiration to make lasting changes.”
The Kickstart Your Health series is part of the Food for Life class and Building Healthy Communities program, both initiatives are supported by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine — a nonprofit organization with more than 17,000 medical professionals and hundreds of volunteers worldwide.
Food for Life classes must be taught by a certified Food for Life instructor. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has specific requirements that must be met to teach.
Now in its 40th year, the group promotes evidence-based nutrition as a key to preventing and reversing chronic illness.
The classes combine research-based education with cooking demonstrations, videos and simple recipes. Chwierut, a licensed Food for Life instructor, said the goal is to make plant-based eating approachable for anyone.
“A healthy vegan diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve a wide range of chronic conditions,” Pearson said. “But knowing what to eat is only part of it — support and community make all the difference.”
Two classes remain in the current series. Kickstart Your Health: Breaking the Food Seduction will take place Wednesday, May 28, via Zoom. The final session, Kickstart Your Health: Keys for Natural Appetite Control, will be held in person on Wednesday, June 11, at the Orland Park Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave.
The classes are open to all. Walk-ins are welcome at the in-person event and Zoom links will be sent in advance to registered participants.
Chwierut, Pearson and Mark Cerkvenik of Mokena formed a local outreach team last year. Cerkvenik organizes monthly potlucks and educational events across the southwest suburbs to help people explore the benefits of whole-food, plant-based living.
Pearson brings decades of personal and professional experience to the effort. After graduating from Elizabeth Seton High School in 1976, she studied business management at South Suburban College while working full-time and raising two sons. She served as committee chair for both Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops during her children’s Scouting years.
Now, she’s co-authoring a Plant-Based Scouting Guide with Dr. Mary Anne Kiel, a board-certified pediatrician and lifestyle medicine physician. The guide is designed to help Scouts and their families cook nutritious meals during events, camping trips and at home, while earning badges and building healthy habits.
“It’s a way to give kids and families a path to better health through fun, hands-on experiences,” Pearson said. “We want them to learn how to plan meals, cook together and understand the power of food as medicine.”
To register for a class or learn more about local events, contact Chwierut at barbchw@comcast.net or 708-574-1495, or Pearson at janetshealthykitchen@gmail.com or 708-256-0102. More information is available at letseatgreat.com.
