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Master VEG

Schedule

Speakers

Resources

Week 1
Weeks 2, 3, 6
Week 4
Week 5
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9

Register

Ole Ole Ersson, M.D.

Click here for a complete list of speakers

Master VEG Program Schedule

Last Session Schedule (Fall 2009):

Day 1: Introduction. October 7.

People's Food Co-op, 3029 SE 21st
  • Introduction to the program. Overview, logistics, schedules, and expectations.
  • Quick class introduction and activity. Remarks about what will be discussed, and what will be omitted due to time constraints (we are dealing primarily with food and food production issues)
  • Why Go Veg: Introduction to a Plant-based Diet. Brief introduction to program, overview of environmental, health, and animal treatment issues. Peter Spendelow
  • Joys of Vegetarian Food: A fun introduction and cooking demo by Chef Al Chase and Donna Benjamin

Day 2: Vegetarian Nutrition. October 14.

National College of Natural Medicine, 049 SW Porter
Tammy Russell, R.D.
  • Basic nutrition concepts
  • Discussion of vegetarian nutrition, including the vegetarian food groups.
  • Address issues such as getting enough calcium, protein, B-12, Omega 3, fat.

Day 3: A Vegan Approach to Chronic Disease Prevention. October 21.

People's Food Co-op, 3029 SE 21st
Ole Ersson, M.D.
  • Diet and chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis

Day 4: Environment. October 28.

National College of Natural Medicine, 049 SW Porter
Diet Effects on Environment and Global Warming. Peter Spendelow, Ph.D.
  • Introduction to Ecological Footprints and food choices
  • Environmental impact of plant and animal-based agriculture: water pollution, air pollution, animal agriculture and global warming, resource consumption, habitat loss, water conservation, use of toxic substances in agriculture.
  • Disease transmission and creation in animal agriculture
  • Other environmental aspects of food choices - buy local, buy seasonal, buy organic
Organic Standards and Organic Agriculture. Andrew Black, Oregon Tilth
  • What is the National Organics Program?
  • How is organic food certified
  • To what extent does the Organic Food Act concern itself with animal welfare?
  • Oregon Organic Farming

Day 5: A New Species of Thought. Philosophy on the Rights of Animals. November 4.

National College of Natural Medicine, 049 SW Porter
A Brief Introduction to Animal Consciousness and Awareness. Peter Spendelow, Ph.D.
Philosophical Perspectives on Animals. Ramona Ilea, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Pacific University
  • Brief historical overview of philosophical perspectives on animals from Pythagoras to a variety of contemporary thinkers. A more detailed overview of major philosophical objections to meat-eating: that animals have inherent moral value and rights (Tom Regan) and that animals deserve equal moral consideration, (utilitarianism and Peter Singer).

Day 6: Additional Health and Nutrition Topics. November 11.

Whole Foods, 1210 NW Couch
  • A Naturopath's View of Vegetarian Living. Sussanna Czeranko, N.D.
  • The Cancer Project Cooking Demonstration. Margarita Castro

Day 7: Animal Farm. Living Conditions for Farm Animals. November 18.

People's Food Co-op, 3029 SE 21st
Understanding the Lives of Farmed Animals. Marsha Rakestraw, Certified Humane Educator

Day 8: Food Issues. December 2.

People's Food Co-op, 3029 SE 21st
Food Policy. Don Merrick, Northwest VEG
Animal Law and Agriculture. Kathy Hessler, Professor, Lewis & Clark Law School

Day 9: Education and Promotion. December 9.

National College of Natural Medicine, 049 SW Porter
Marsha Rakestraw, Certified Humane Educator
  • Communication
  • Vegetarian activism; introduction to non-profits who work for health, consumerism, ecological, sustainable living, and animal welfare/rights issues.
  • Discussion of possibilities for volunteer opportunities for serving the 16 hours needed for earning the Master Vegetarian certificate.
  • Course wrap-up

Field trips:

  • Saturday, Nov. 14, Noon, Proper Eats Market & Cafe hosted by James. 8638 N. Lombard Ave., Portland
  • Saturday, Oct. 24, Ayres Creek Farm - an organic farm in Washington County, hosted by Anthony Boutard. 15219 SW Spring Hill Road, Gaston, Oregon