Chicago’s commitment to becoming the healthiest city in America is one of the many reasons we’ve decided to return in 2013. At its most basic, the mission of a Farms 2 Forks Weekend is aligned with that of the Windy City. We want to help as many residents learn more about how a plant-strong diet can dramatically help them progress towards this admirable yet achievable goal, both for themselves and the greater good. In addition to enjoying an inspiring weekend in the heart of downtown Chicago, guests will also glean satisfaction knowing they’re contributing to the better health and well-being of this vibrant city and the Midwest at large.

The weekend will feature five delicious, specially-prepared plant-strong Engine 2 Diet meals and extensive practical guidance on how to make similar dishes at home. New for our 2013 season, we are launching our weekend with a Friday night meet-and-greet, a scrumptious E2 dinner and a thought-provoking pair of opening lectures, all so that you can get more education and enjoyment out of your experience—and find more time to connect with fellow participants.

The Farms 2 Forks Weekend will take place in the picturesque Crystal Ballroom at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency, located in the iconic Loop, just minutes from the Magnificent Mile. The venue overlooks the city, offering sweeping views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. You can expect spacious seating, incredible acoustics, easy access to restrooms and a comfortable temperature the entire time.

We strongly encourage you to stay at the host hotel, as this will allow you to seamlessly join us for our Engine 2 group workouts every morning. This will also offer you unmatched access to your own room during breaks. Comfort is key!

The Immersion begins at 5:00 PM on Friday, May 24th, 2013 and concludes at 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 26th, 2013.

Farms 2 Forks Weekend Agenda

FRIDAY

• 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Registration and Meet & Greet with fellow participants
• 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM: Rip Esselstyn – “Welcome & Overview” | A brief overview of the U.S. healthcare crisis and a definition of the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.).
• 5:45 PM – 6:30 PM: Dinner
  
• 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Dr. Terry Mason – “Treating Chronic Western Diseases Through Dietary Change: A Physician’s Perspective” | Dr. Mason’s firsthand experience using diet and lifestyle to reverse chronic conditions such as type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease and more is a testament to the amazing impact a plant-strong diet and lifestyle can have on your health
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• 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Jeff Novick, MS, RD, LD, LN – “Lighten Up: Weighing in on the Weight Debate” | A summary of the state of our nation’s weight and how it has dramatically changed in the last two decades, as well as an explanation and discussion about the causes of our collective weight gain.

 

SATURDAY 

• 6:30 AM – 7:15 AM: Optional Morning Exercise led by plant-strong Monkey Bar Gym Chicago
• 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Breakfast
• 8:30 AM – 9:45 AM: Dr. John McDougall - “My Heroes” |Dr. McDougall has been influenced by many significant researchers and physicians in the field of plant-based nutrition, and tells the story of how his career helping so many people was shaped by these legendary figures.
• 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM: Break
• 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM: Dr. John McDougall - “Weight Loss” | An in-depth look at how a plant-strong diet can help the body shed pounds safely and easily. 
• 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM:  Q & A with Dr. John McDougall
  
• 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM: Lunch
• 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM: Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. – “Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease” | A comprehensive look at the evidence linking consumption of the SAD with the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as the evidence showing the power to prevent and reverse such symptoms by adopting a plant-perfect diet.
• 1:45 PM – 2:00 PM: Break
• 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Jeff Novick, MS, RD, LD, LN – “Calorie Density: How to Eat More & Weigh Less” | The science behind consumption of nutrient-rich, calorie-light foods and how they can cause the body to shed pounds while reducing the risk of most major diseases.
• 3:30 PM – 3:45 PM: Rip Esselstyn – stretching
• 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM: Dr. Doug Lisle, Ph.D. – “The Pleasure Trap” | A comprehensive look at how our instincts work and how they are being led astray by the modern food supply
• 4:45 PM to 5:45 PM: Q & A Panel featuring Doug Lisle, & Jeff Novick | An opportunity to ask the experts your pressing health and nutrition questions.

 

SUNDAY

• 6:30 AM – 7:15 AM: Optional Morning Exercise led by plant-strong Monkey Bar Gym Chicago
• 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Breakfast
• 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Ann Esselstyn – “Living Plant-Perfect” | An explanation of how you can use the foods from your local grocery store to build a plant-strong kitchen
• 9:30 AM – 9:45 AM: Break


• 9:45 AM – 11:15 AM: Jeff Novick, MS, RD, LD, LN – “Should I Eat That? How to Choose the Healthiest Foods” | Practical advice for becoming a more educated and informed consumer, including label reading and food marketing myth-busting
• 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM: Break

• 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM: Jane Esselstyn – “Power 10: Plant-Strong Cooking Demonstration”| Learn how to prepare recipes from the upcoming Engine 2 Diet book, through an energetic and fast-paced cooking demonstration that will teach both the novice and expert tips and tricks
• 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Dr. Doug Lisle, Ph.D. – “Getting Along without Going Along” | A fascinating lecture about how to move comfortably through all the social conflicts that result from healthy living
• 2:00 PM – 2:15 PM: Break & Stretching
• 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM: Jeff Novick & Special Guest – “Fast Food Cooking Demonstration” | Practical guidance from the expert of “making it work,” this interactive food demo will show you how to shop for, prepare and enjoy delicious, easy recipes that take 10 minutes to make and cost under $3 per person
• 3:30 PM – 3:45 PM: Break
• 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM: Rip Esselstyn – “Dramatically Change Your Health in 28 Days: Invitation & Instruction for Taking a 28-Day Plant-Strong Challenge” | Rip will take you through the basics of changing your diet over four weeks, including how to keep a food log, clean-out your pantry, travel and eat out, as well as how to make it all work when you get home

 

*Farms 2 Forks Weekend schedules are subject to change. Lodging and transportation not included.