Food & Faith
modern science | ancient wisdom
Serving Faith Communities
Founder, Donna M. Fagan, PhD, Registered Dietitian provides engaging presentations, workshops and consultations that are sure to nourish your body and soul.
Presentations & Workshops
Food for growth and transformation
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TO PLAN A TALK or WORKSHOP
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or call 416-435-4550
Email: donna_fagan@hotmail.com
We believe that food and faith are powerful tools for personal growth and transformation. We are dedicated to supporting and enabling a metanoia - a new beginning - by encouraging you to take stock of your health and make a change. With us, you'll find the inspiration and guidance to start your journey of self-discovery.
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL AGING
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Eating for the Microbiome - a Clear and Simple Roadmap to Health (60 min)
An intriguing presentation about the little-known ecology living within you and how to care for it.
Whether it concerns an animal, the soil or you, we need a rich microbial diversity. Why? because it supports health and reduces the risk diabetes, obesity, autoimmune diseases and more. Learn about many health-promoting foods for gut health and how the microbiome is integral to reducing disease risk. You'll be encouraged to avoid the harmful ultra-processed foods and shown how to support the microbiome with whole foods including pre and probiotics.
​Blue Zones - Discovering Healthy Living and Life Expectancy (60 min)
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Where do an exceptionally high number of people live to be a 100 years or more? The answer is in villages in Sardinia, Greece, Costa Rica, Japan and in the city of Loma Linda, California! Dr. Fagan tells the story of particular regions, called the Blue Zones. In this talk she introduces the way they eat, the way they live, a natural rhythmic life with simple foods, along with the blessings of friendship. Find out how you may benefit from eating and living like a Blue Zone centenarian!
Intermittent Fasting and Weight Loss (60 min)
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Intermittent fasting is a popular weight loss approach that has gained a lot of attention in recent years. Unlike counting calories, it has been shown to have a significant benefits for the body and microbiome. With multiple methods to choose from, it can be a great way to manage weight and improve overall health and longevity. Consider learning more about intermittent fasting as a potential long-term way of eating.
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Gut Bacteria and Women's Health (30 min)
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Hormones, yeast infections, UTIs and constipation. In this presentation you will learn about particular probiotics used to address these health issues.
Gut Bacteria and Immunity (30 min)
Reviewing the impact food has on your immune system. Ancient wisdom offers foods known to be beneficial. Modern science highlights foods now known to be unfavorable to health.
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Unlock the Power of Fermented Foods (60 min)
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Create a new culture in your own kitchen with a look back in time at fermented food preparation. We show you how fermented foods provide an array of health benefits. You will leave with tips to guide to introduce these nutrient-rich foods into the daily diet. You'll gain worthwhile informative guidance and will leave feeling prepared and inspired to take on your own fermentation projects.
PLANNING FOR YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH
Gut Health and your Personal Microbiome
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Today with the available technology a lab can conduct a microbiome analysis.
To take part Dr. Fagan will have a kit sent to your home; you provide a sample and return it directly to the lab. Dr. Fagan will review the results with you and provide a thorough detailed plan of foods to eat to support your gut health. Ask about it.
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Write Your Health Story (A half day workshop)​
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Participants are guided to write an autobiographical recounting of your health history from birth to the present day including food, antibiotic use and illness. This project looks like the baby books we use for newborns, only it is your book which will allow you to look back and then establish where you are with your health. You will then look at where you want to go. It enables one to take time to contemplate, write and set up the future actions you want to take for longevity. You take charge to set the scene for current health and do you want to stay as you are now, and where will you end up in 1, 5 and 20 years. it has to do with you.
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Therapeutic Food Plans or 'Food as Medicine' (60 min)
In 2021, the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM.org) developed six food plans for prevention and management of specific diseases and shows you how to add health promoting and protective foods.
Dr Fagan was amongst the first group of health professionals to be trained in the use of these well developed and illustrative resources for health.
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We are thrilled to provide you with six comprehensive guides on foods that can help with multiple health issues or just to maintain health for greater longevity.
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The Metabolic Food Plan is geared to reduce the development and management of diabetes and heart disease. A Mito Food Plan helps to reduce the risk of neurological conditions like dementia and another Detox Plan for those who may have been exposed to chemicals and toxins in occupational settings.
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These unique Functional Medicine Therapeutic Food Plans are a game-changer, emphasizing the importance of foods that we should be eating that offer protection. Get ready to transform your health and well-being with these incredible resources! ​​
EATING FOR YOUR GENES
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Epigenetics and the Food We Eat (60 min)
This is one of the newest and most exciting areas of medical research - the food we eat impacts the function of our genes. Did you know that a change in the food you eat can increase your biological age compared to your chronological age.
Many foods that are commonly consumed as a part of the Western diet have the potential to turn on or off beneficial gene functions. Conversely, the foods high in phytonutrients, these deeply coloured choices, can be helpful in maintaining gene function offering a protective element to delay disease and tumor development. Explore this emerging topic in medicine.
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Nutrigenomix, a test for 70 genetic variants
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Donna Fagan, PhD, RD uses Nutrigenomix to provide DNA-based dietary advice, an area that has revolutionized the field of nutrition. You'll receive your own test kit to start you on the path to identify your gene variants. Once analyzed by the Nutrigenomix lab, Dr. Fagan will provide you with a full personalized report with your specific nutritional advice based on your on genetic profile for 70 nutrients or food components ranging from coffee to salt.
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Nutrigenomix is reputable. It is a multinational company with over 12,000 practitioners in 75 countries founded by world-renowned experts, built on award-winning technology. It's tests are used for health, sport, fertility and weight management.
NEURODEGENERATIVE ISSUES
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Dementia: Reduce the Risk (30 min)
Dementia quietly appears and takes up to 10 years to develop before any symptoms appear.
Did you know that eating more stringent tasting foods can be very helpful in preventing neurological conditions? The damage to human health following 60 years plus of ultra-processed foods is emerging and this talk features tips to get you on track for a more plant-based diet to reduce risk of Parkinson's and other slow to develop neurodegenerative problems.
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Ultra-processed Foods: a Real and Present Danger to Health (60 min)
The damage to human health following 60 years plus of ultra-processed foods, this talk features tips to get you on track for a more plant-based diet to reduce risk of Parkinson's and other slow to develop neurodegenerative problems.
FOOD SUSTAINABILITY
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​Whole foods: Going Back in Time (60 min)
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Health of the environment and of your Body is garnering more and more attention. We'll explore how foods such as breakfast cereals, butter, yeast and bread have changed over time and how this affects the body.
Food Production and Health (30 min)
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We examine food production and its negative impact on the environment and personal health. This topic shines a light on foods that we commonly eat, but are unaware of the background, for example: farmed salmon and vegetable oils.
FAITH WORKSHOPS, PROGRAMS, TALKS
Walking in the Holy Land for weight and diabetes management (60 min weekly x 4)
This four week faith-based health program includes nutrition, exercise, and faith elements. Remove or reduce dietary threats to your body. Recover the microbial benefits within your gut. Replace processed foods with whole food alternatives. Reconnect with faith practices that enrich the spirit.
Restart exercise that you may have let slip.
Contemplating Scripture through Religious Art (60 min)
(or Sharing Faith, a Meal, and Art)
Examining the Vermeer painting, Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, elevates your mind through art and faith. Dr. Fagan discusses this painting in relation to Jesus having a meal with his friends and shares how you can establish your own group for Contemplating Scripture through Religious Art.
Creating a Menu from Foods Eaten at Jesus' table (60 min)
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We will explore "Scriptural Meals" and compare health promoting foods from the time of Jesus to create a menu that would have been on the table in Nazareth.
HEALTH AND FOOD, SPOTLIGHT ON...
Chocolate and Health (30 min)
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Indulge in the rich history and health benefits of chocolate. You will learn about the favorable contribution chocolate makes in a healthy diet.
