This month, Support Connection Inc. will host a free program, Cooking & Stress Reduction: A Summer Retreat to Nourish Body and Soul, for women with breast, ovarian or gynecological cancer. The program will be offered May 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hilltop Hanover Farm, located at 1271 Hanover Street in Yorktown Heights. Preregistration is required.

“This hands-on, interactive program begins with a morning of learning about nutrition and wholesome cooking. After a delicious meal with good company, there will be a workshop on the use of herbs for stress reduction,” says Barbara Cervoni, director of services and communication at Support Connection.

The first part of the program, Cinco de Mayo: Conscious Cuisine and Resilience, will focus on simple ways to cook whole-food, nutrient-dense meals. Topics will include Mindful Meals and Snacks, Colorful Foods and Plant Protein, Sourcing and Supplies, Your Mighty Microbiome and Lifestyle Lessons. The workshop will be led by Sheila Emery Murphy, a Conscious Cuisine developer along with Karen Rigney. Both are board-certified holistic health coaches who trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Murphy also trained at the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute.

The second part of the program, Herbal Allies for Stress and Anxiety, will focus on how simple herbs can help the body relax. Among the topics: herbal medicines and foods that alleviate stress; herbs to use for acute situations and that help rebalance the nervous system over time; herbs that soothe and relax, such as rose, lavender and chamomile; and herbs that aid sleep and digestion. Instructor Bonnie Rogers is an herbalist and health coach in private practice. Her goal is to help people use nutrition, herbs, balanced pH and lifestyle changes to achieve optimal health and feel great. Founded in 1996, Support Connection is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides free, confidential support services and programs to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.

Founded in 1996, it is based in Yorktown Heights but serves people throughout the country via its toll-free hotline. Services include one-on-one peer counseling and support groups, ongoing wellness classes, holistic health workshops, public education programs, and information and referral services, as well as its information and support hotline (800.532.4290).

To learn more about Support Connection, visit SupportConnection.org. To preregister for the Cooking & Stress Reduction program, call 914.962.6402 or 800.532.4290.