Space is limited – Reserve your place now!
A day-long retreat
May 31, 2025, 9 am – 3 pm
Bethany House, Arlington, MA
What if your struggle with food could lead you to a spiritual transformation?
Join us for a transformational day in a supportive community!
Break through old patterns and habits
Build a new sense of self-awareness and self-esteem
Align your lifestyle with your spiritual values
Lengthen your healthspan
Navigate life’s changes with grace
Immerse yourself in a supportive community
This Retreat Is For You If You...
- Struggle with food and feel powerless at times, caught in patterns that don’t serve your well-being.
- Find certain foods derail your health and wellness goals, leaving you frustrated and discouraged.
- Feel trapped in the “yo yo” dieting cycle, never quite finding lasting freedom
- Worry that if nothing changes, your physical or emotional health will suffer, and you’re ready for a new path.
- Want to build or deepen a mindfulness practice, bringing more awareness, peace, and joy into your life.
- Feel a deep, spiritual connection to the earth and long for your relationship with food to honor that sacred bond.
Here's our story
Dear friends,
We’re health coaches Karen Steiner and Karen Palmer, and we know firsthand what it’s like to feel trapped in a cycle of struggle and frustration with food. But we also know the freedom that comes from breaking free. Through our own journeys, we’ve discovered powerful ways to calm cravings, restore balance, and reconnect with a life of vitality, purpose, and resilience. Now, we’re excited to share them with you!
Join us for a transformational day of learning, discovery, and renewal. Nourishing your body will nourish your soul!
With love,
The Karens
Karen Steiner & Karen Palmer
What You'll Experience
Whole-Person Nourishment
Learn how to develop a peaceful, nourishing relationship with food that will ultimately nourish your whole life.
Integrative Activities
Participate in mind-body practices designed to foster self-discovery and build meaningful connections with fellow participants.
Personalized Plans
Create your own roadmap toward a healthier and more spiritually connected relationship with food, with guidance from experienced health coaches.
Whole Food, Plant-Based Cuisine
Savor a delicious meal that embodies the principles of true nourishment.
Where Will This Be Held?
Bethany House of Prayer, Arlington, MA
Bethany House of Prayer is a beautiful space for contemplation and renewal in a busy world. The gardens and meeting spaces are designed to nurture you soul and refresh your spirit.
What Will We Do During Our Time Together?
Our retreat is designed to be a day of deep connection, personal insight, and renewal. We’ll begin by building a sense of community—creating a space where we can feel safe to be open, share our experiences, and support each other on this journey.
From there, we’ll take a step back to look at the big picture of our lives. Through guided reflection, you’ll clarify your purpose, set intentions, and identify small, actionable steps to move forward with confidence.
We’ll then explore mindful eating—not just as a concept, but as a practice—learning how it can bring greater awareness, satisfaction, and joy to our relationship with food.
A nourishing, whole food plant-based lunch will provide an opportunity to put these insights into practice.
As we continue our journey, we’ll engage in mindful movement, walking the labyrinth, enjoying Bethany’s lovely gardens, and reflecting on how our bodies, minds, and spirits respond to nourishment.
In the afternoon, we’ll dive into mindset—exploring how to shift perspectives, cultivate resilience, and embrace a lifelong journey of growth.
Finally, we’ll share next steps and support one another as we carry the lessons of the day forward. We’ll conclude our time to gether with a closing circle.
This retreat is not just about learning—it’s about transformation, connection, and stepping into the next chapter of your journey with clarity and purpose.
About The Facilitators
Karen Steiner
Karen Steiner is a coach who combines personal experience with professional training to help clients break free from the cycle of yo-yo dieting and build a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food and movement. With the right support, you can create real, lasting change—Karen S is here to guide you every step of the way.
You can find out more on her About page.
M.Ed., Counseling Psychology, Penn State University
Life Coach Training, The Co- Active Training Institute
Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate, eCornell
Qualified Instructor, Mindfulness Based Eating Awareness Training
Karen Palmer
Karen Palmer is certified as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Nutritarian Coach, Heroic Coach, and Mindfulness Based Eating Instructor. She has also completed the Rouxbe Culinary School’s Forks Over Knifes plant based cooking course. Karen P guides her clients in a process of self-discovery and empowerment along their journey to living a well nourished life through balancing mind, body, and spirit.
For more information visit her website: betterbalancehealthcoaching.com/pages/about
FAQ
What does the price include?
The price includes all of the following:
- Facilitation by two experienced health and wellness coaches who will provide 6 hours of evidence-based content, mind-body connection experiences, and integration activities. Come prepared for a few aha moments
- A nutrition-packed and expertly prepared whole food plant based lunch
- A workbook
- A beautiful venue with opportunities (weather permitting) for communing with nature, mindful meditation, walking a labyrinth, and other ways you may find to obtain physical, mental, and spiritual renewal
Will special food needs be accommodated?
Our lunch will be whole food plant-based and therefor free of all animal products. Gluten free alternatives will be provided. Refined sugar, salt and oil content will be very low. We will do our best to work with you to accommodate any other food allergies. If it’s absolutely necessary, you are free to bring your own food. There is a microwave in the kitchen.
How do I get there?
Bethany House of Prayer is at 181 Appleton Street in Arlington, MA
There is plenty of on-street parking.
Bethany is accessible by two bus routes, both connect to the Red Line
- 62 from Alewife Station to Appleton Street, BHOP is one block away
- 77 from Harvard Square to Park Street. BHOP is three blocks away
For more detailed information is available at MTBA.com
Will you be talking about weight loss?
This is not about weight loss. This retreat is for anyone who is troubled by their relationship with food, regardless of weight. We recognize that many people of all sizes have difficulties with food and all are welcome. The focus instead will be on health, vitality, well-being and life balance.
Is this affiliated with any religion?
Our focus is on spirituality rather than any specific religion. To us that means living in a way that reflects your beliefs and values, and connecting with what gives your life hope, meaning, and purpose.
We ask you to take what’s meaningful and let the rest go.
DEI Statement
We are both named Karen, a European name, and identify as white cis women. We are aware of the privilege our identities bring. While we appreciate our names, we recognize the meme portraying a “Karen” as a rude, entitled person, which we firmly reject, as it contradicts our values.
We believe everyone deserves respect and dignity, regardless of gender, identity, ethnicity, culture, or sexual orientation. This workshop is open to all adults (18+), including those who are non-binary, transgender, or identify with any other group. It will be conducted in English. The meeting space is accessible, though the gardens have uneven terrain.
Register Now!
Bethany’s meeting space is comfortable, but not very big. We’re limited to 15 participants so don’t delay. Grab your spot now.
What's Included?
- A transformal program led by two experienced facilitators who know first-hand what it’s like to struggle with food
- A workbook with handouts, worksheets and room to take notes all in one place
- An expertly prepared whole food plant-based lunch
- Exquisitely beautiful surroundings
And a BONUS:
Four follow-up group coaching sessions (held on Zoom). These are included in the cost of registration, but you participation is optional.
We are committed to making this workshop accessible to everyone. Please choose the level that best fits your situation:
Supported Rate – $75 (For those who have financial circumstances that make an investment in themselves more challenging at this time. This rate is made possible by the generosity of others.)
Fair Value Rate – $100 (Covers the costs of the workshop, including venue, materials, preparation, facilitation, and lunch.)
Pay-It-Forward Rate – $125 (Your generosity helps to cover the costs for those with more limited financial resources and supports the sustainability of this work.)
We don’t want anyone to be left out. If you have very limited financial resources please send an email to Karen@vibrant-living.info We may be able to work something out.