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The center aims to serve as a community support system for those researching or adopting a plant-based lifestyle, which consists mostly or entirely of eating vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and fruits, while avoiding most animal products and processed foods. According to The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II, scientific research shows a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of major illnesses, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer, and plant-based dieters have reported boosted energy, reduced inflammation and better health outcomes. The Center for Plant-Based Living offers educational literature on the plant-based diet, as well as both demonstration and hands-on cooking classes. “I want people to come in if they’re curious about how to add more plants to their plate,” Dugan says.

On this day, August 13, 2019, the anniversary of my dad's passing from a cancer we now know is highly preventable and reversible, we cut the ribbon on the nation's first plant-based nutrition and culinary center; the Center for Plant-based Living.

August 13 saw the opening of the Center for Plant-Based Living (CPBL) in St. Louis, MO, the first entirely plant-based center of its kind. CPBL was brought into being by Caryn Dugan, whose personal commitment to the vegan lifestyle began with her father’s death from cancer in 2008 followed by learning, just 10 weeks later, that she also had the disease. Spurred by these life changes to seek out the healthiest possible way to live, Dugan plunged into learning about plant-based nutrition and cooking and quickly became committed to a plant-based lifestyle. In 2011 she studied in Washington, DC, with Neal Barnard, MD, in The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) Food For Life program, becoming a certified instructor. Soon she found herself sharing what she’d learned at venues throughout the St. Louis area, including regular morning television appearances, hosting a plant-based nutrition summit at Washington University, and working with physicians at the university. Today she describes herself on the CPBL website as “a plant-based nutrition, culinary, and lifestyle educator with a simple mission: A Plant on Every Plate.” Dugan has named James Loomis, MD, MBA, as CPBL Medical Director. He is affiliated with PCRM, which has strongly influenced the classes and programs offered at the new center. Dugan also has strong ties with Forks Over Knives and the Plantrician Project — also evidenced in CPBL’s offerings. "Over the years I have watched this plant-based movement gain strength and speed and, with that, people are hungry for a place to go where they can always get reputable information and gain the skills they need to start adding more plants to their plate,” Dugan says. “They also need support — oftentimes the missing key component that halts change. CPBL will offer all of this." According to the CPBL website: Whether you are fighting a chronic illness like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, [or] high blood pressure; want to prevent becoming ill; or are just “plant-curious” and want to learn how to add more plants to your plate – everyone is welcome!

In the St. Louis area, most people know Caryn Dugan as STL Veg Girl, but now she will be famous for something else. Today, the country will no longer be without a fully plant-based nutrition and culinary education center because of Caryn's work and dedication. The Center for Plant-based Living is officially open and located at 131 West Jefferson Avenue in Kirkwood. This is a place you can go to learn more about living a plant-based life, whether you want to go 100% vegan or just adopt a few meatless meals to your weekly dinner recipes. Caryn's new center will host weekly cooking classes and educational seminars.