🌱 Near you or online
Find or Start a Flourishing Pod
Find your people. Take one manageable next step. You do not have to do this alone.
What’s a Flourishing Pod?
A Flourishing Pod is Kitchen Monk’s name for any small circle of people who help each other eat well, move, rest, and connect. It might be a local plant-based group, an online program cohort, three coworkers who share lunch recipes, or neighbors who walk together on Saturdays. There’s no membership, fee, or sign-up with us. Two ways to begin:
⭐ FEATURED · IN PERSON & ONLINE · WORLDWIDE
🍲 Take a plant-based cooking class near you
The Physicians Committee’s Food for Life classes combine a short nutrition talk with a live cooking demonstration, taught by licensed instructors in communities around the world and online. The Physicians Committee keeps an up-to-date list, so you’ll always see the next classes, not last month’s.
No class nearby? The Physicians Committee’s page lets you find an instructor in your area and ask them to hold one. Some classes are free and some have a fee set by the instructor, so check each listing. Food for Life is the Physicians Committee’s own program and is not affiliated with Kitchen Monk.
1 · Join a group that already exists
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine runs Building Healthy Communities, a free worldwide network of local plant-based groups. Its map lists groups across the United States and in many other countries. Search by ZIP code or zoom in on your area.
Looking for PlantPure Pods? PlantPure Communities says its Pod Network has moved to Building Healthy Communities, so the Physicians Committee’s map is the place to look. Each group keeps its own name and is run independently; joining is free, though some activities may have costs.
🗽 Or join an online group, free
🆓 Starting Fall 2026, any adult can join Plant Powered Metro New York’s 21-Day Jumpstart free, online, or its Spanish version, Reto Salud. It’s a ready-made group to go through the first weeks with. Many Plant Powered Metro New York events are free; some have a cost.
2 · Start your own Flourishing Pod
No group nearby? Two or three people are enough.
- Invite one or two people: a friend, a coworker, a neighbor, someone from church.
- Pick one small thing to do together: try one new recipe a week, walk after dinner, or do a free online program side by side.
- Check in kindly: a text on Sunday, a shared meal once a month. No scores, no shame.
Want structure? Do Feel Better, Eat Better together, or join Plant Powered Metro New York’s free Jumpstart as a group. Want to become an official local group? The Physicians Committee explains how to start a Building Healthy Communities group ↗. Then add your pod to our Community Map.
Sharing food? Ask about allergies and let everyone know what’s in each dish.
🩺 Find a lifestyle medicine clinician
A pod is wonderful company, but it’s not medical care. If you have a health condition or take medicines, talk with a clinician before making big changes. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s online Expert Directory lists clinicians certified in lifestyle medicine; it can help you find names near you, but a listing is not our recommendation of any particular clinician, so ask about their approach and costs. American College of Lifestyle Medicine Expert Directory ↗
More places to connect: 💚 Plant Based Support (free online groups and classes) · 🤝 Kitchen Monk free online community · 🌳 Garden of Eden Initiative (in development)
💬 First message idea: “I’m interested in joining. Are you welcoming newcomers, when is the next gathering, and what should I know about cost, language, accessibility, and food expectations?”
🩺 For the nursing team: this page is safe to share with patients and families. How to share it within your role ↗
Our pathway, their programs. “Flourishing Pod” is Kitchen Monk’s informal name for small support circles; it is not a program, membership, or certification, and groups listed here keep their own names. Building Healthy Communities, Plant Powered Metro New York, and every other group named here are independent and are not affiliated with, partners of, or endorsers of Kitchen Monk™ or Flourishing Nursing. We earn nothing from these links. Details checked September 29, 2026; confirm times, costs, and eligibility with each group. Community support is not medical care. If you take medicine for blood sugar or blood pressure, talk with your clinician before big diet changes. Know a group we should add? ✉️ Tell us about a group near you.
💃 Move to Music. Flourish Together.
Free dance videos, seated and gentle options, and classes near you or online. Start with one song, and invite someone to join you.
🤝 A little joy for the friends you make here
Community grows one hello at a time. These playful designs by May Mac celebrate friendship, hugs, and showing up for each other.
Let’s Avocuddle Wood Pin
Friend-CHIP Goals Wood Pin
Free Hugs Wood Pin
Artwork and product photographs: May Mac / Wood Be Remembered. Your purchase goes directly to May’s business; we receive no commission.
✉️ Started a pod, or know a group we should list? Email rfjeep@gmail.com.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” 
