PLANT POWERED JUMPSTARTS

Thrive with Whole Plant Foods

Whole food, plant-based nutrition is changing people's health across the country. Studies consistently show that eating mostly whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables can both prevent diseases and treat them — and for some people even reverse their conditions altogether.
​
We’ll show you how achievable it is to adopt this lifestyle through our intensive Plant Powered Jumpstart experience. Lasting anywhere from 10 days to a full month, jumpstarts are designed to support a cohort of people in successfully making a complete dietary transition, building skills and healthy habits for life.
Registration is open through January 6 for our Winter 2025 virtual Jumpstart!
¿Hablas español? Considere unirse a nuestro programa Reto Salud: 14 Días a base de Plantas, que se ofrece completamente en español.
The 21-Day Jumpstart includes:
  • Engaging educational sessions covering the basics of evidence-based nutrition, grocery shopping, mindset, and more!
  • ​Support with setting and achieving goals for healthy eating
  • Pre-program medical information from clinicians knowledgeable in food-as-medicine
  • Weekly mentorship meetings for affinity groups, like those with specific health concerns or similar life stages​
  • Culinary demonstrations to build your recipe repertoire and meal prep skills
  • ​A virtual community for peer-to-peer support
  • A jumpstart app with easy access to resources, including a shopping list and meal planning guides
  • ​Farmers' market tours for local participants
  • A chance to win prizes to support your whole food, plant-based lifestyle!
Program Fee
​Fees directly support our program costs. Choose the rate that best fits your budget:
Sustainer rate – pays for your participation: $150
Sponsor rate ​– supports participation for you, plus a donation: $250
Community Rate ​– discounted for those who need it: $50
Jumpstart Scholarships Available
Do you live in Washington Heights or Inwood? Apply for a Jumpstart scholarship with the Washington Heights & Inwood Food Council.
Individuals diagnosed with stage 3, 4, or 5 renal disease are eligible for a highly discounted rate for the Winter 2025 program, thanks to a generous donor. Apply today here.
To learn more about jumpstarts, we invite you to watch Nelson Campbell's documentary Plant Pure Nation, or watch this short clip from the movie.

Winter 2025 Jumpstart Schedule

Our virtual program begins with a week of preparation, followed by your 21-day deep dive into a healthful plant-based lifestyle — an entire month of learning and support.​
Educational Sessions & Mentorship Meetings:
All times below are in Eastern Time.
Thursday, January 9
​7:00 - 9:00 PM
Orientation: Learn what the jumpstart is all about, with mentorship meet-and-greet
Sunday, January 12
​3:00 - 6:00 PM
Prep session: What is a whole food, shopping/label reading, eating on a budget, constructing plant-powered meals, kitchen and pantry prep, kitchen skills and healthy swaps demo, meal planning guidance
Tuesdays, January 14, 21, and 28
12:00 - 1:00, or 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Mentorship Meetings: You will choose your preferred mentorship time in the registration process.
Thursday, January 16
7:00 - 8:15 PM
“Get Ready” Session: Culinary demonstration in plant versatility
Thursday, January 23
​7:00 - 8:40 PM
Day 7: Foundations in plant-based nutrition, preventing and treating chronic disease
Saturdays & Sundays, January 25 - February 2
AM Time TBA
​​Market tours​ in TBD locations (for local participants only)
Sunday, January 26
​4:00 - 4:50 PM & 5:00 - 6:15 PM
Day 10: Psychology of food; followed by public demo with Chef Carole​
Thursday, January 30
​7:00 - 8:00 PM
Day 14: Living a whole food, plant-based lifestyle in family and social settings
Tuesday, February 4
7:00 - 8:00 PM
​Day 19: Q&A with plant-based physician​
Thursday, February 6
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Day 21: Celebration, further motivations for plant-based eating, maintaining a healthy lifestyle; final mentor meeting

Our Presenters

Lianna Levine Reisner
Network Director,
​Plant Powered Metro New York
Jessica Krant, MD, MPH​
Lifestyle Medicine Physician
​& Dermatologist
David M. Dunaief, MD
Integrative Physician &
​Internist, Medical Compass MD
Marty Davey, MS, RD
Nutrition Educator
Chef Rebecca Johnson
​Jumpstart Culinary Educator
Chef Carole Levy
Jumpstart Culinary Educator
Chef Brandy Cochrane
Jumpstart Culinary Educator
Sherry Jarrett,
DHEd., MSEd., CWP
Network Training Organizer

Our Medical Partners

Suzanne Reuter, RPAC, DipACLM
Medical Intake
​Leigh Ettinger, MD
​Medical Intake
Want to learn more before signing up? Join our info session on Thursday, January 2nd at 7:00 PM ET.
The 21-Day Plant Powered Jumpstart in Winter 2025 is presented in partnership with:
Be a Champion of Community Health
If your company or organization would like to sponsor your community's or employees' participation, or provide scholarships, please contact Lianna Levine Reisner, PPMNY Network Director, at [email protected].

Hear From Our Recent Jumpstart Graduates

Since 2018, PPMNY has run 40+ Jumpstarts in English and in Spanish, reaching 2,000 people. Our graduates put what they learn into practice and see real results, not just at the end of the program but many months and even years later.
"When I joined the PPMNY Jumpstart, I had been suffering from severe long COVID for over a year and a half. Most days I could barely get out of bed, and I felt like a ghost of the active, cheerful person I used to be. I was continually in and out of doctor's appointments and testing, but by that point, I had lost hope that I would get significantly better. By the end of the three-week Jumpstart, I couldn't believe the number of changes I experienced from eating a whole food, plant-based [diet]. In that short period, not only did I lose twelve pounds, but I gained more energy, my daily body pains decreased significantly, and my emotional and mental state improved — I felt at peace and happy once again. I still have to manage my long COVID, but through PPMNY's Jumpstart program, I feel like I got my life back."
"I had been living with an average blood pressure of 160/100 for decades in spite of using three medications for it. Never thought it would change because of my genetic history. After the Jumpstart my health started to improve; now I have an average blood pressure of 120/80 and I no longer take two of my three original medications. Also, as a diabetic, my A1c dropped 3 points, my hearing was restored, and my neuropathies disappeared." ​
“In three weeks I was able to get off of blood pressure medicine and dropped 10 pounds. My wife who also went [plant-based] with me experienced a noticeable difference in her pain level from psoriatic arthritis. The guidance from the mentors was invaluable. We formed a strong bond with them and are still talking even after the program has ended. And not to be lost in this, the food we’ve made has been delicious.”
“The presentations were all incredibly insightful and have really made me look at food differently. This program helped me to understand the true impact that animal-based foods and processed foods have on us when we consume them. Even though I had heard about certain foods being unhealthy, I never felt compelled to completely stop eating those foods until I joined this program and was presented with all the facts and figures. It becomes hard to ignore it after hearing about it. I think, for a lot of people, it's not enough just to know that something is unhealthy. It's more impactful when you hear exactly how and by how much.”
“I have already lost 13 pounds and many of my aches and pains are starting to diminish. I feel more energy and more than anything, I feel so positive and hopeful. I’m surprised that I'm actually eating more than before but of the right foods, of course. I’m preparing delicious meals which have taught me that this is a manageable way to cook. So shocking for me was the fact that I no longer have cravings which I thought would never disappear. I feel full and satisfied ALL DAY! More than anything, I have felt so empowered and in control with something that truly works, is so healthy and good for me, and is doable. I have shed happy tears with my husband. I’m feeling so thankful for all of you and this terrific, patient, kind group that offered their valuable time and knowledge with all of us. My heart is filled with gratitude.”
Have questions about the jumpstart? Please reach out to [email protected].
Plant Powered Metro New York empowers people to find better health and overcome chronic disease through whole food, plant-based nutrition. We offer evidence-based education, resources, and support to catalyze awareness and dietary change throughout the New York metropolitan area. Plant Powered Metro New York, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (tax ID #83-4639916), incorporated in the state of New York.