2010 Presentation Schedule

Note: Information is subject to change.

Author of Skinny Bitch
Rory Freedman

Rory Freedman penned the #1 NY Times bestseller Skinny Bitch. She has five books on the shelves, two million copies in print, translations in twenty-seven languages, two years on the NY Times bestseller list, three fitness DVDs, and past appearances on The Today Show, Ellen, Tyra, The O’Reilly Factor, E!, and MTV. Rory was named VegNews Magazine’s first ever “Person of the Year”.

For more information visit www.skinnybitch.net.

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LEAP - Life-Enhancing Alternative Program
John Salley

Be sure not to miss four-time NBA Champion and TV/film personality John Salley’s presentation as he shares his life-enhancing alternative program. His latest endeavor is in vegan, organic foods and in bringing awareness to the positive attributes of a healthy, compassionate lifestyle. This motivational talk will not only entertain you but leave you with a life-changing experience.

Most can achieve a goal and be pleasantly satisfied with their results but to continually create new tasks to accomplish and to reinvent yourself is the mark of a versatile and motivated individual. It is the definition of father, athlete, actor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, vegan and champion: John Salley. A proud native of Brooklyn, New York, John found a love for basketball in high school. He left home to play college basketball in for legendary head coach Bobby Cremins at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. From there Salley went on to become a 15-year NBA veteran and was the first NBA player to win four championships with three different teams. During the 80’s, Salley was a member of the Detroit Piston “ Bad Boys” squad, which included Isaiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman and Bill Laimbeer. Salley went on to Chicago playing with Michael Jordan as part of the Bulls 1996 championship team. In 1999, Phil Jackson invited Salley to come to Los Angeles to provide experience and leadership to the 1999-2000 Lakers’ championship team. After his retirement from the NBA in 2000, Salley explored several opportunities in both television and film. John’s film credits include Bad Boys 1 & 2, Eddie and recently in Jerry Bruckheimer’s Confession of a Shopaholic. He also appeared in the ABC Christmas film “Naughty or Nice” starring George Lopez. In addition, John was one of 4 hosts for five, 1-hour specials entitled “Shaken Not Stirred…A Celebrity Toast” that aired on MyNetwork TV. He has served as host for numerous award shows was also the host of The John Salley Block Party on 100.3 The Beat Morning Show in Los Angeles. John recently concluded 7 years serving as the co-host of the Emmy nominated, critically acclaimed “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” on Fox Sports Net. He was also the host of the sports talk show “Ballers” on BET. John is also the head of his own production company, Black Folk Entertainment where John uses his uncanny ability to find unique and interesting people and projects for television and film. As a philanthropist, John and his brother Jerry head The Salley Foundation. John is actively involved with Operation Smile and traveled to Brazil on a mission to help change the lives of children. He recently worked with and shot public service announcements and awareness campaigns for PETA. In addition, John is actively involved with PCRM and visited Washington in Nov ’09, speaking to Congress about the Child Nutrition Act, asking Members to support legislation that would increase vegetarian options in meals served in public schools. He has adopted a vegan lifestyle which helped him reach the final round of the summer reality hit “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!” on NBC. With a passion for food, wine and coffee, John has contributed articles to Wine Spectator, Cigar Aficionado and LA Confidential, John’s latest endeavor is in food and beverage (www.johnsalley.com) and in bringing awareness to the positive attributes of a healthy lifestyle. John currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their three daughters.

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Introduction to VegMichigan
Harry Pianko

What is VegMichigan? Why join VegMichigan? You'll learn the answers to all these questions and more as Harry Pianko, VegMichigan President, explains VegMichigan's history and purpose and the benefits of a VegMichigan membership.

A professional with a passion describes Harry Pianko, president of VegMichigan. A business graduate with bachelor's and master's degrees from The University of Michigan, he is also a CPA; vice president of finance and business operations at The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter; and a real estate developer, and he brings considerable business expertise to running VegMichigan. As a vegetarian for ten years and a vegan for five, he brings a personal passion to the role, as well. "I'm totally committed to spreading the word about how a plant-based diet benefits our health, the planet, and all its creatures," says Mr. Pianko. "The vegetarian movement is growing exponentially, and people need to know what a great resource VegMichigan is. We give you the reasons and the tools for making a change for the better. I would like to see VegMichigan grow into the largest, most effective, and relevant group of its kind, both nationally and internationally.” Mr. Pianko and his vegan wife live in Birmingham. Their recent wedding was featured in both the February edition of Hour Detroit and the May/June issue of VegNews Magazine.

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Can Food Defeat Diabetes? Powerful Lessons from the Middle of Nowhere
Caroline Trapp

Caroline Trapp, NP, CDE, is the director of diabetes education and care of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a non-profit organization that does clinical research, nutrition education, and public policy advocacy. She is also a nurse practitioner specializing in the care of people with diabetes at Premier Internists, Southfield , MI. She is board certified in diabetes education, adult primary care and advanced diabetes management. Since joining PCRM in 2007, Caroline produced and was featured in the DVD, A New Approach to Nutrition for Diabetes, which received the “Favorably Reviewed” seal from the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE). She has lectured at professional meetings across the U.S. and in Shanghai, China on the scientific and practical aspects of plant-based nutrition for diabetes and created and implemented many innovative educational programs for people with diabetes and health care professionals. Caroline was a finalist for the 2009 AADE Diabetes Educator of the Year Award.

Travel to the middle of the south Pacific to the Marshall Islands, where over 50% of the population has type 2 diabetes. The speaker shares her first-hand experiences with a demonstration project funded by the U.S Department of Defense and discusses important lessons about the causes of type 2 diabetes, as well as effective lifestyle treatments.

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Plant Based Diets for the Heart and the Soul
Dr. Joel Kahn

Joel Kahn, MD, FACC, FACP, FSCAI is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and its subspecialty board of Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology. A graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Dr. Kahn completed his cardiology fellowship at the University of Texas in Dallas and has completed advanced training in angioplasty at the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City.

Dr. Kahn is presently the Medical Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Beaumont Hospital and practices at the Michigan Heart Group. He has lectured on a local and national level and has published over 100 articles on medical topics.

Dr. Kahn will discuss why we develop heart, disease, how it is treated, and how vegetarian and vegan diets can prevent and reverse heart disease while protecting animal rights and the environment.

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Raw Food: The Key To Ageless Beauty & Optimal Health
Andrea McNinch

Andrea McNinch, a graduate of Schoolcraft College’s world-renowned Culinary Arts Program — deemed one of the finest in the nation — fused her passion for food with her desire to write and went on to receive both a journalism and communication degree from Oakland University, graduating with honors.

Honoring her dharma, McNinch strategically morphed from her successful, fast-paced life in the magazine publishing world — having worked as an editor, freelance journalist and national food stylist — to a culinary arts educator, nutritionist, and owner of Regeneration Raw (www.how2eatraw.com). Specializing in raw-vegan foods, her due diligence and belief that “food is our best medicine” has led to work in world renowned raw restaurants such as Pure Food and Wine in NYC. What truly sets her apart from the rest of the pack, besides her mainstream approach to raw, is her knowledge. She’s currently pursuing a master’s in live/vegan food nutrition (the only program of its kind in the world), received her Live-Food Teacher certification from the world’s foremost nutritional pioneer, Gabriel Cousens. M.D., and is in the process of obtaining a C.N.C certification. She also spent time with leading raw expert David Wolfe as part of her master’s program and is currently completing Wolfe’s Raw Nutrition Certification Program. Recently, she started the first Raw Teacher Certification Program of this educational magnitude to hit the raw scene! Andrea has made appearances on Channel 7, Fox 2, WJR, teaches out of Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, Madonna University, and Whole Foods Market. She is also a raw food contributor in the national magazine 944 and writes for the Miami based company Green Monkey that is all about finding balance in your life; her office is also part of the NOWproject.

Take your veganism to a whole another level! Engage with raw food expert, Andrea McNinch, while she energetically and cleverly explains the dos, don’ts, and whys of the raw food movement. McNinch will tell her dynamic story of reclaiming her health through raw foods, will break down some of the science behind raw. She will end with a brief Q & A and challenges you to “BRING IT ON!”

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Why Becoming a Vegan is the Ultimate Environmental Statement
Troy Farwell

Troy Farwell has over 15 years in the wellness industry with a unique mind body blend of training and experience. Troy has a B.A from Oakland University and a M.S. in Psychology. Troy has additional training as an Ayurvedic practitioner, Reiki Master, Certified Personal Trainer, Meditation Coach, Yoga Instructor, Professional Herbalist, Holistic Health Practitioner, Life Coach, and much more. Additionally, Troy has owned a health food store and understands the supplement industry and the organic food market. Troy specializes in many areas including, preventative health measures, digestive disorders, stress management, dietary planning using Ayurveda methods, rejuvenation, proper detox methods, kids wellness, herbal and supplement counseling, and weight management.

There are several reasons why eating a vegan diet is beneficial: health, animal cruelty, ethical, and environmental. As a holistic health practitioner and as the Executive Director of Upland Hills Ecological Awareness Center Troy will be discussing why becoming a vegan is the ultimate environmental statement. If you're serious about creating a better environment, one of the best thing you can do is look at your diet. Troy will discuss how eating local, organic, and vegan will be a bigger environmental statement than driving a hybrid or putting solar panels on your home. Learn the many reasons why a vegan diet can save our environment.

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Going Veg for Dummies
Panel of VegMichigan Members

Photo seen here is of the 2007 "Going Veg for Dummies" panel.

Interested in going vegetarian, but not sure where to start? Or, maybe you are already vegetarian but getting a little tired of salads and tofu? Then come meet our panel of "veg experts." VegMichigan members Jim McNellis (moderator); Lydia Huston; Olivia Neilson; Mary Sue Sylwestrzak, M.D. (advisory board member); and Amy Wilkins will answer your questions and help you figure out where to eat, what to buy, where to buy it, and how to talk about your choices with your family, friends and coworkers. Going veg is easier when you have help!

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Animal Rights Topic
Dorothy Davies

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