Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ I
Join Rick and Karin Dina, the Raw Food Doctors™ from Vitality Wellness Center for a comprehensive, enlightening course on the science of raw food nutrition. This 2-day, 12-hour course covers hot topics including raw vegan sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, as well as blood sugar regulation, pH balance, how cooking affects foods, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and weight management. The Raw Food Doctors™ are known for their ability to make complex scientific concepts entertaining and easily understandable for the non-scientific person. This is a great course for chefs, health educators, or anyone else who wants to achieve optimum health.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the experts!
This class is offered 10 times a year. See the 2008 class schedule or phone 707-964-2420 for dates. Hours: Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a 1-hour no-host lunch break on both days.
Tuition: $375

One more opportunity to take Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ II in 2008
This comprehensive 5-day Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ II course covers essential information on raw food, living food, vegan and plant-based diets, and is a prerequisite for the 2-day Benefits of Raw Food Nutrition Educator Certification™ Course immediately following. It builds on the knowledge base learned in Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ I and introduces many new topics that are essential to understanding the big picture of raw and living food nutrition.

Prerequisites: Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ I

When:  Sunday December 7 through Thursday, December 11
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuition: $1075

One more opportunity to take Benefits of Raw Food Nutrition Educator Certification™ Course in 2008
This 2-day class follows Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ Level II and prepares students to present fundamental raw food nutrition information with authority, accuracy and confidence. It is highly recommended for health educators and raw food chefs who plan to teach the benefits of raw and living foods in an articulate and easy to understand manner. In this class, students will learn how to utilize information learned in both Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ I and II to deliver an interesting and comprehensible presentation that is appropriate for a variety of audiences. All participants will receive a CD containing two turn-key PowerPoint presentations on the benefits of raw and living food nutrition. The first is a 20-minute introductory presentation designed to be a free talk to invite participants to attend the second, more comprehensive two-hour raw food nutrition class. This class is designed to be presented on its own, or in conjunction with culinary demonstrations.

The Benefits of Raw Food Nutrition Educator Certification™ Course will also cover techniques on searching for and objectively evaluating raw food and vegan nutrition information. This will give students the tools to continue learning in a clear and accurate manner long after this course is over. Class is limited to 12 students, so register early!

Prerequisites: Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ Levels I and II.

When: Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuition: $575
Register Now for Science of Raw Food Nutrition Classes™

 

We are so excited about our 5th Annual (!) Vibrant Living Expo coming up this summer. Our roster of incredible presenters will include The "Mad Cowboy" Howard Lyman, Viktoras Kulvinskas, Fred Bisci, Dr. Doug Graham, and many more luminous raw luminaries and incredible gourmet raw food chefs including Cherie Soria, Elaina Love, Matt Samuelson and others! The Expo continues to amaze us, becoming better and better each and every year. Our attendees are always impressed by the intimacy of the event-they are able to meet the presenters and get to know hundreds of new raw food friends. Below are bios of two new presenters we can't wait for you to meet: the incredible Angela Stokes and the inimitable Matt Monarch. Stay tuned for exciting updates throughout the year. See you on the beautiful Mendocino Coast of northern California next summer!  Sign up now online and save!  Register online now for our early bird special rate of $165 for a three day pass (regular price $195).


Angela Stokes recovered from morbid obesity with a raw food lifestyle. She has been eating raw for more than 6.5 years now and has lost nearly 160 lbs. Thanks to her amazing transformation via the raw foods lifestyle, she now devotes her time to spreading the message of hope and renewed health as an inspiring example for others who have struggled with the physical and emotional aspects of being overweight. Angela has written several e-books including Raw Emotions and Raw Reform. She feels both blessed and grateful to be bringing the message of raw foods and health to people all over the planet.



Matt Monarch has been a 100% raw vegan for 9 years. Matt didn't go raw to relieve health issues; after reading Norman Walker and other health experts, being raw simply made sense to him. After five years raw, Matt wrote the book Raw Spirit to address the various physical challenges and spiritual shifts that happen when someone adopts a raw lifestyle. Matt considers his second book, Raw Success to be his "Raw Bible." He travels worldwide teaching about living raw and healing degenerative diseases.

Feast, Lose Weight, Gain Energy, Feel Younger!
Cherie Soria and the Raw Food Doctors, Rick and Karin Dina, have created an exciting new transformational spa series for January! Start out your new year right--Join us for a life-enhancing, transformational program specifically designed to help you look better and feel younger in 21 days! Stay on for an additional 2-week culinary course that will prove to you how easy it can be to stay on The Raw Revolution Diet--for life!

Raw Food Revolution Fast Track and Spa Week 1
The Raw Food Revolution Fast Track weight loss program includes limitless green smoothies and green juices for breakfast, gourmet lunch feasts, and daily afternoon snacks--all designed to help you lighten up your body, mind, and spirit without feeling deprived. You'll learn easy meal preparation and participate in simple hands-on classes.

·     Re-organize and manage your kitchen
·     Learn to create simple meals that satisfy you and your family
·     Nutrition, weight loss/gain, and healing education with the Drs. Dina
·     Group discussion and connection programs
·     Yoga and movement classes for all levels
·     Optional body work and spa services

There will be time for relaxation, goal setting, and enjoying optional healing arts like massage, saunas, facials, pedicures, and other spa services.  Enjoy educational films, supportive conversation, and group connection. This is the perfect way to begin your 3-day juice fast and detox with less side effects.

Raw Food Revolution Fast Track with Juice Feasting and Detox Week 2
The gentle detoxification program begins with a three-day juice fast. We'll guide you in what to expect during the 5-day detox, weight loss experience and beyond! We'll help you stay raw with familiar foods and offer strategies for living well and incorporating a high percentage of raw food into your everyday life.

·     Nutrition education with the Raw Food Doctors™, Rick and Karin Dina
·     Hands-on classes: learn to make delicious green smoothies, juices and
      sprouts
·     Learn how to stay on a health promoting raw food diet once you return
      home.
·     Group discussion (optional private sessions available with the Drs.
      Dina)
·     Yoga and movement classes for all levels
·     Optional spa and beauty treatments

You'll learn about healing your life with positive thoughts and words, and we'll help you discover delicious foods that nourish your body and nurture your spirit. We'll also help you empower yourself for your new life, and teach you how to maintain and sustain the lifestyle as you go back "into the world."

Raw Food Revolution Diet Lifestyle and Living Light Culinary Training
Finally, you will continue your education with our three most popular classes, the life empowering Fundamentals of Raw Living Foods™, Essentials of Raw Culinary Arts™, and the Science of Raw Food Nutrition™. Learn how to nourish your body and nurture your spirit with delicious foods that will WOW your friends and help you stay raw when you return home.
 
Watch professional, well organized, culinary demonstrations of appetizers through desserts and learn to make:
·     Rich and satisfying nut milk, cream, and cheese
·     Kitchen gardening & sprouting
·     Life enhancing cultured foods
·     Dehydrated goodies and snacks
·     Delicious, people-pleasing foods using flavor balancing techniques
      known to all great chefs
·     Basic knife cuts using simple-to-learn knife skills
·     Textures that mimic cooked foods using kitchen gadgets and
      equipment; marinating and massage.
·     A myriad of raw gourmet recipes
 
Also included
·     The Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ with the Raw Food Doctors™, Rick
      and Karin Dina
·     Complete Recipe Binder and Resource Guide
 
Invest in yourself!
Experience a whole new you--for only $4975
 
This program happens only once a year and space is limited, so register today!
 
Click here or call 707-964-2420 for more information and to register.
 
Register for the Associate Chef and Instructor Training™ program at the same time, and receive 10% discount on the entire program!
 
Stay at the comfortable, eco-friendly Living Light Inn and maximize your transformational experience!  Space is limited at the Inn, so call 877-964-1384 (toll free) or 707-964-1384 for reservations.

What do vegetarians eat for Thanksgiving? Everything but the turkey, and a whole lot more! Living Light will host an organic vegetarian Thanksgiving potluck on Thanksgiving Day, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Attendees are requested to bring an organic plant-based dish, either vegetarian, vegan, or raw vegan to serve 10 people. There will be an appreciation circle and world peace meditation beginning at 2:00 PM, followed by a shared meal at 3:00 PM. RSVP appreciated. Event will take place at Living Light Center (upstairs) in The Company Store, Fort Bragg. 707-964-2420

What: Organic Vegetarian Thanksgiving Potluck & World Peace Meditation
Where: Living Light Culinary Arts Institute (upstairs)
When: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Thursday, November 27, 2008. Appreciation Circle and Meditation begins at 2:00 PM, Shared Meal at 3:00 PM. 707-964-2420

Please bring your own dishes, utensils and service ware

If you've dreamed of working at Living Light, now is the time to submit your application. Living Light has the following position open for a professional, committed staff member to join our dynamic team:

 
Download a job application (PDF)

Candlelight Inn Tour
December 12, 2008, 5:00 - 8:00 PM

Living Light Inn will participate in the 20th Annual Candlelight Inn Tour on Friday, December 12 this year. Visit our elegantly refurbished eco-friendly 1912 redwood mansion for refreshments and a tour of the facility. Living Light Inn's halls will be decked with holiday finery, and the warm glow of candlelight. We look forward to a warm evening of festive celebration, with all proceeds donated to MUSE and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Mendocino County. Tickets are $25 for adults, $5 for children, and include admission to all three evenings of tours. Wednesday December 10th will feature inns of Little River/Albion, Thursday December 11th are the inns of Mendocino, and Friday, December 12 visit the Fort Bragg inns, including Living Light Inn! Tickets are available for purchase at Living Light Marketplace in The Company Store, as well as Harvest Market and Tangents in Fort Bragg and Village Toy Store and Out of this World in Mendocino. Living Light Inn is located at 533 East Fir Street in Fort Bragg. Call 964-2420 or 964-1384 for further information.

Mushroom Days and Nights continue at Living Light Inn through December 3rd. Stay two mid-week nights (Sunday thru Wednesday) and get the third night free! Or stay over the weekend for three nights (Thursday-Saturday) and get the fourth night free! This special continues through December 3 and includes holidays. Sleep soundly in all-organic bedding at Living Light Inn. Prices range from $220 to $350 for 3 nights and $330 to $525 for 4 nights. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Visit the Living Light Inn website to make reservations or call 877-964-1384 (toll free) or 707-964-1384.

As we move into the cooler months, it's important to remember that raw foods don't have to mean cold foods. Below are a few timely tips for warming foods from Cherie's latest book The Raw Food Revolution Diet: Feast, Lose Weight, Gain Energy Feel Younger. Notice that all the recipes in the book contain measurements in U.S. Customary System of weights and measures as well as the more commonly used Metric System, making this book a great choice for Canadians and Europeans, as well as US citizens.

 How can I go raw if I live in a cold climate?

· Enjoy a warming breakfast of Buckwheat Muesli or Cinnamon Oatmeal, with warm Almond Milk and bananas (See recipes, below, and find more warming winter foods by Cherie Soria in The Raw Food Revolution Diet.)
· For breakfast or an afternoon snack, have raw almond butter, with apples or bananas. If you're brave, sprinkle a generous dose of cayenne on top for an extra kick.
· Use hot water instead of cold water in your smoothies and blended soups.
· Wash your refrigerated produce in warm water or put it in a warm water bath for a few minutes before using it.
· Have a cup of warm miso soup or warm ginger tea before eating your cooler raw meal. This will also reduce your appetite without adding calories.
· Pour nearly boiling water over your refrigerated broccoli or cauliflower and let it rest for a few minutes to warm it up before using it in salads, pates, or other dishes that will be consumed immediately.
· If you are on an 80% raw diet program, add some baked or steamed root vegetables or cooked sprouted lentils to your soups and salads.
· Make a warm soup of finely julienned vegetables and hot water. Add mushroom powder, tamari, and grated fresh ginger to boost the flavor.
· Use a dehydrator to warm dishes like raw stuffed mushrooms and marinated kale. Be sure to use a covered glass dish so the item doesn't dry out. Other foods, such as marinated vegetables, can be put in a jar and then immersed in hot water to warm them up quickly before serving.
· Drink a cup of warm ginger tea sweetened with a little agave syrup or stevia before bedtime. It will help you warm those cold sheets.

Cinnamon Oatmeal
Yield: 2 cups/500 mL (2 servings)

Oats are one of those comfort foods that remind us of childhood. This porridge goes a step beyond the old-fashioned rolled oats with brown sugar and cream that Grandma used to make. Instead of cooked rolled oats, soaked oat groats are used. Cinnamon Oatmeal is excellent served alone or with warmed Almond Milk (page 113 of The Raw Food Revolution Diet) and apricots or bananas.

Nutrition Note
Each serving of Cinnamon Oatmeal provides 387 calories, 12 grams of protein, 9 grams of fiber, and over 50% of the RDA for iron.

1 cup (250 mL) oat groats
1/2 apple, chopped
2 tablespoons (30 mL) purified water
1/2 (2 mL) teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons (45 mL) raisins
Pinch of salt

1. Soak the oat groats for 8-12 hours in 3 cups (750 mL) of purified water.
2. Drain the groats, rinse, cover again with fresh water, and allow to soak for another 8-12 hours. Drain and rinse the oats once more. Use the groats immediately or store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
3. To make the oatmeal, combine the soaked groats, apple, water, and cinnamon in a food processor fitted with the S blade and process into a coarse porridge. Add the raisins and process for 10 seconds longer. Serve immediately.
Notes
· To serve warm, rinse the sprouted oats and chopped apple in 2 tablespoons (30 mL) purified HOT water, and blend as directed.

Buckwheat Muesli
Yield: 4 1/2 cups/1 L (3 servings)

This comforting breakfast cereal can be served in a bowl with bananas, walnuts, and raisins or poured into a glass for breakfast on the go. It can be served gently warmed in the winter months or chilled in summer. Leftovers can be spread onto dehydrator sheets and dried to form crisp, sweet crackers.

Nutrition Note
One serving of this muesli provides 21 grams of protein, 16 grams of fiber, 152 mg of calcium, and over 35% of the RDA for copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorus, and thiamin. With 2.8 mg of omega-3 fatty acids and 4.9 mg of omega-6 fatty acids, it also offers an excellent complement of essential fats. Soaking nuts, seeds, and grains helps to increase their mineral availability.

1/4 cup (60 mL) pitted dates, packed
1 1/4 cups (310 mL) raw buckwheat groats, soaked and sprouted (see notes)
1 cup purified water
1/4 cup (60 mL) ground flaxseeds
1/4 cup (60 mL) pumpkin seeds, soaked for 4-6 hours, rinsed, and drained
1/4 cup (60 mL) sesame seeds, soaked for 4-6 hours, rinsed, and drained
1/4 cup (60 mL) sunflower seeds, soaked for 4-6 hours, rinsed, and drained
1 1/2 ripe bananas, sliced
2 tablespoons (30 mL) raisins or currants
2 tablespoons (30 mL) chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) ground cinnamon

1. Loosely separate the dates. If they are very hard and dry, soak them in warm purified water for a few minutes to soften. Drain before using.
2. Place the dates in a blender with the buckwheat, water, flaxseeds, pumpkins seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds. Process until smooth.
3. To serve, top with the bananas, raisins, and walnuts, and sprinkle with the cinnamon.
4. Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Buckwheat Muesli will keep for up to 1 day.
 
Notes
· To serve warm, rinse the sprouted grains and seeds in purified HOT water, and process as directed.
· Toasted buckwheat, also known as kasha, is a very popular Middle Eastern grain and can be easily confused with the raw groats. Make sure to buy only raw, hulled buckwheat groats.
· To sprout buckwheat groats, first soak them in water to cover for 8-12 hours. Drain and rinse them, and put them in a colander over a plate to catch any water. Allow them to germinate for 12-24 hours, rinsing them every 12 hours. These sprouts do not need to grow tails; in fact, they are better if they are only soaked and allowed to germinate for a short time.