Plant Your Life - Recipes for Sustainable Health and Longevity

Join Registered Dietitian Diurka Sotomayor from Rooted Santa Barbara County for plant-based nutrition and cooking tips as she showcases the preparation of a variety of simple dishes, while emphasizing the health benefits of the ingredients used.

Diurka will be joined by Sansum Diabetes Research Institute Especialista Beatriz Angeles. In this cooking demonstration and class, participants will learn how to create delicious and nutritious plant-based meals using fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains under the guidance of a nutritionist. Throughout the class, participants will learn more about the nutritional value of each ingredient and how they contribute to overall health and well-being.

Diurka Sotomayor (Dee) is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Nutritionist with ample experience in Chronic Diseases and Sport Nutrition. Dee has been working for more than 14 years with clients of multiple backgrounds and conditions to achieve their nutrition goals. She loves to stay informed about the latest scientific studies and applies all that knowledge to her program. Dee obtained her Bachelor of Dietetics and Nutrition at Florida International University. Currently, she is working with Ventura County, developing medically tailored meals to help participants manage their health conditions. Dee is a lead educator at Rooted Santa Barbara County developing a bilingual plant-based nutrition education program for community members, community health workers and healthcare providers.

Beatríz (Betty) Angeles joined Sansum Diabetes Research Institute in 2017. Betty is one of the first Especialistas and has been a promotora in other health programs for over 5 years. To Betty, education is a crucial part of diabetes prevention and management.

Rooted Santa Barbara County is mobilizing our county to grow health equity and resilience through whole food plant-based nutrition education and support. Our community-based nutrition and food skills programming and resources fill a critical gap. Rooted equips county residents with the knowledge, confidence and resources to prioritize, prepare and enjoy whole plant-based foods to build health equity and resilience, reduce medical expenses and medications, and grow quality of life.

As a collaborative hub, partner, and resource for healthcare practitioners and direct service organizations serving our community members with the greatest barriers to good health, we do this through: Low to no cost, bilingual, plant-forward nutrition and food skills education programs, tools, resources, and support, Healthcare and community health worker training, and Community collaborations to ensure accessibility and belonging, healthcare community engagement, healthy food access, and culturally relevant support to improve health outcomes county-wide. We’re on a mission to reduce the burden of chronic disease, optimize health, and help our County residents eat to thrive.

The Sustainably SBPL series is supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

Disclaimer(s):

Participants in this event may be photographed by Library staff. These photos may be used in promotional or educational publications, including in print, social media, and presentations. Please see staff if you do not consent to having your photo taken. Staff will obtain individual, signed photo releases of photographs that contain only an individual as opposed to a group.