Why Go Veg

Linda Scotti has been working in the healthcare field for over 50 years. She is a registered nurse and has her master’s degree in education. She is well-versed in Ayurveda as a healing modality. She has lived and traveled all over the world, from Japan to Mexico and from India to South America. Her love and fascination with healing have taken her on a journey of discovery in the use of herbs and spices. She says that their healing properties can be effective when used in the kitchen to create delicious meals and aromatic teas and infusions.

Monica is a retired school and public health nurse who has been vegetarian for four decades. Summertime finds her bicycling anywhere from 15 to 100 miles. In the off season, she swims and hikes. She fuels these activities with healthy, home-cooked meals and dark chocolate! Monica and her husband raised three sons who are lifelong, active vegetarians. She’s looking forward to sharing all of the amazing benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.

Aastha Saggar is the founder of Still Strength Wellness, where she empowers individuals to take control of their health through mindset, movement, nourishment, and presence. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Master of Public Health, and brings over 5 years of experience as a health coach, along with more than a decade of experience in the healthcare field. At the age of 24, Aastha was diagnosed with breast cancer – a life-altering experience that transformed her perspective on health and healing. Through her journey, she discovered the profound impact of daily practices such as movement, gratitude, stillness, and plant-based nutrition in supporting recovery, but in creating a foundation for long-term well-being. As someone who lives a vegan lifestyle and deeply values the power of movement, Aastha integrates both science and lived experience into her work. She is passionate about helping people shift from reacting to illness to proactively creating vitality, resilience, and balance in their everyday lives. Aastha will be continuing her journey in healthcare by beginning nursing school this fall, further expanding her ability to support and care for others.

Today, she shares her story to inspire others to take ownership of their health in times of crisis, as well as a daily practice of self-care, awareness, and empowerment.

Simran is a tech professional and a life-long vegetarian. Her favorite way to learn a new recipe is to make it 10 different ways: Ask her about her high protein sourdough toast recipes! Simran is deeply passionate about holistic health and is excited about the continuing research surrounding whole food plant-based diets.

Robyn is a certified human resources professional from Naperville, IL. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Communications from Southern Illinois University and completed an HR certification program from DePaul University. As the first vegetarian in her family, her interest in vegetarianism began when she was 12-years old. She has since discovered the indisputable, life-affirming benefits of eating a whole food, plant-based diet and has done so for the last 20 years.

Annette is an oncology infusion nurse at Northwestern Memorial’s Warrenville Cancer Center.  She is passionate about empowering her patients to take wholistic charge of their health during treatment through healthy diet, exercise, and meditation. She received her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through T. Colin Campbell’s Center for Nutrition Studies in 2018 and continues ongoing study through the readings of Michael Gregor’s How Not to Die, William Li’s Eat to Beat Disease, and David Servan-Schreiber’s Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Life (to name a few).  She has been a vegetarian for almost 10 years and credits meditation as the catalyst that has connected her to her life’s purpose. She is grateful for the opportunity to support others in their health journey.

Anna Dauksa is a marketing strategist, nonprofit co-founder, and wellness advocate who keeps her meals as intentional as her work. Eating vegetarian and gluten-free, she’s found that simplicity, creativity, and a well-used tortilla go a long way—without breaking the budget. In this talk, Anna shares how easy, flavorful, and affordable meals help her stay nourished while juggling a full life in leadership, community, and self-care.