If you are a Living Light Associate Chef graduate, you can take all three of our advanced classes, and stay for New Holiday Traditions beginning October 26th. Reach your goal of achieving Gourmet Raw Food Chef certification at Living Light this fall!

Ethnic Flavors in Recipe Development™
October 26-30
An empowering five-day advanced training course designed for our Associate Chef and Instructor graduates.  You'll receive personal guidance from outstanding chefs and instructors as you travel the world of Ethnic Flavors to India, Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, and other exotic locales.  Explore the tastes and textures of each region as you prepare its cultural cuisine.  Learn to write recipes suitable for publication and to create incredible new dishes without the need for recipes.  Reach new levels of creativity in the grand finale, our fabulous dessert extravaganza.

RawFusion Gourmet Spa Cuisine™
November 2-6
In this course, you'll experience the light and luscious fare served at healthy lifestyle retreats in exotic locations.  We designed RawFusion Gourmet Spa Cuisine™ to support an active lifestyle.  Starting with very simple ingredients, you will learn how to combine textures and flavors to produce a wide array of exotic dishes and gourmet feasts!  With recipes emphasizing fruits and greens, RawFusion™ is the favorite cuisine of the Living Light Staff.

Raw Event Catering and Elegant Entertaining™
November 9-13
Anyone interested in catering raw food events from intimate appetizer parties for 10 to elegant weddings for 100 or more will enjoy Raw Event Catering and Elegant Entertaining™.  Learn about menu planning, organizing, budgeting, pricing, negotiating contracts, and managing your catering team.  Discover secrets of plating and presentation that you can use for beautiful everyday meals or elegant dinner parties.  Gain hands-on experience as you participate in catering raw events.


Only a few spots left - call 707-964-2420 or 800-816-2319 to register!

Join Cherie Soria, Martine Lussier, Matt Samuelson, Elaina Love, Vinnette Thompson, and other internationally known Living Light Chefs for New Holiday Traditions of Raw Living Foods™
November 14-15, 2009

Sign up now for a fabulous chef showcase and sumptuous holiday feast beyond your wildest dreams. Learn fresh perspectives on favorite family recipes, special tips for creating culinary magic, fantastic and creative table décor, and the secrets of seasoning for the season while preparing healthful, elegant gourmet meals: appetizers, soups, entrees, desserts, candies, breads and more!

A few of the many holiday foods you will learn how to make:
● Holiday Nut Nog
● Cranberry Orange Relish
● Green Beans Amandine with Crispy Leeks
● Holiday Fantasy Stuffing
● Corn Cakes
● Spicy Gingerbread People
● Pumpkin Pie
● Black Bottom Pecan Pie & more!

No prerequisites for the course. Open to all from novice to chef!
Saturday and Sunday November 14-15
Saturday class includes breakfast, 11 demos, mid morning snack, afternoon tea, full lunch, and buffet dinner.
Sunday class includes breakfast, mid morning snack, 7 demos, interactive creative table design class and full festive holiday buffet. Class takes place at the Living Light Center in the Company Store.
Tuition: $575

Festive Holiday Buffet is open to spouses and guests of students taking the class:
Sunday, November 15, 2:00 PM
Cost: $45.00

Click here or call 707-964-2420 or 800-816-2319 to register!

December 1-4, 2009
Cherie Soria says, "I bow to the genius of Vinnette Thompson, our lead instructor for Pastry Arts - Unbaked!™ In my opinion, she is THE most talented raw food pastry chef in THE WORLD!"

Our students were very excited about our debut Pastry Arts - Unbaked!™ workshop last summer, and were grateful both for the exciting recipes and for the invaluable secrets we shared about dessert production. Exciting "tricks of the trade" included learning about which binders, thickeners, gelling agents, and emulsifiers were best for achieving desired textures, as well as how to choose the perfect sweetener to enhance the flavor, texture and appearance of each dessert. Many students had never used ingredients like cacao butter, Irish moss, or maca, and they were thrilled with what they learned about the properties of each ingredient. An added bonus: none of our pastry arts students will ever again dread the thought of opening a young coconut, since each student got plenty of practice learning that particular skill - so important in making wonderful raw desserts! Most of all we had an amazing time "playing" with desserts together. Students not only got to make and sample great desserts, but also catered an elegant dessert reception for Living Light alumni and Expo presenters on the Friday night after the class. Having the class right before the Expo was perfect - advanced students could take the class, have the opportunity to enter the Rawsome Pie Contest, AND enjoy the Vibrant Living Expo. It was a sweet experience for all!


There are still a few spots left in Pastry Arts - Unbaked!™ December 1-4, 2009.

Prerequisite:  Associate Chef and Instructor Training™ Series

Click here or call 707-964-2420 or 800-816-2319 to register!

Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ I
Join Rick and Karin Dina, D.C., 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 12 times a year. See the 2009/2010 class schedule or phone 707-964-2420 for dates. Hours: 1st day 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and 2nd day 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a 1-hour no-host lunch break on both days.

Two more chances to take Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ I in 2009:
October 10-11 and December 4-5
Tuition: $375

Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ II
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

One more chance to take Science of Raw Food Nutrition II™ in 2009: 
December 6-10
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuition: $1075

Benefits of Raw Food Nutrition Educator Certification™ Course
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.

One more chance to take Benefits of Raw Food Nutrition Educator Certification™ Course in 2009:
December 11-12
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuition: $575

Testimonials from Rick and Karen Dina's Science of Raw Food Nutrition classes:

"Thank you! I have been reading books regarding diet for the past 15 years; I have a lot of information but you have helped me to put all the puzzle pieces together!"
- Choo Yeh Fung

"Drs. Rick & Karin Dina bring great enthusiasm and understanding to the science behind nutrition, and they provide documented validity for incorporating raw food into any lifestyle. They are easy to understand, and yet took us to the deeper sciences behind nutrition for body, mind & spirit. I am leaving prepared to serve others with not only the tools and information I need, but a desire to explore the sciences of raw food nutrition even further."
- Jill Seebantz

"Practical - a nutritional course that is truly focused on food, not supplements! Exactly what I have been looking for!"
- Anita Singorahardjo

"This course is very scientifically based. It brings about a level of understanding and learning that is at the very least on the same level as a college course. It has encouraged me to go forth and do my own scientific research through peer reviews and studies. It has given me a solid foundation for which I can stand on in the arena of raw food nutrition when teaching. Also, I have been taken to a new level in my growth as a rood foodist and the way I will balance my raw diet. The Dina's are just lovely and a joy to sit under. This helped one want to listen, focus, and be fully present each and every day. They have been a blessing and they have poured their whole hearts into the material which they put together. Very, very dedicated!"
- Karen Benson

"You exceeded my expectations. Your presentation was skillful, well organized, clear and facilitated learning, and while it was rooted in the fundamentals of physiology along with the current research, it was clinically focused and useful. You conveyed all of this to us with great care, care that we understand and learn, and care that we can effectively use the information to help many others, as well as ourselves. Thanks Drs. Rick and Karin. This was an exceptional course."
- Gil Alvarado, N.D., L.Ac., Dipl, Ac. (NCCAOM)

"I am so glad I took this class. It was just what I needed to organize my thoughts of my own health and raw food knowledge and answer many of the unanswered questions that I had remaining. Thank You! - Drs. Karin and Rick for putting it all together for me and giving me an excellent starting point for bringing my passion for health education and raw food into the world. I also appreciate your depth of knowledge, well researched and peer reviewed material presented with accuracy, integrity, and professional non biased format. You were thorough and entertaining as well as organized. I was very impressed! This was probably the best overall presentation I've ever attended. I only have one complaint! Where is level III?  Thank you again."
- Shelly Armstrong, RN


Click here or call 707-964-2420 or 800-816-2319 to register!

At Living Light we are continually thinking of new ways to enhance our curriculum and provide everything our students need in order to be able to follow their dreams as they return to their communities.  Our goal has always been to support students in developing their ability to create delicious meals for themselves and their families, as well as to share with others the benefits of the raw food lifestyle.  With our new one-day FUNdamentals of Raw Living Foods™ format, we are now able to honor student requests by offering our newest three part series:  Sharpen Up Your Knife Skills!™

The first two parts of the series, Basic Knife Skills 101 and Knife Skills 102 will be offered on the Sunday immediately following each FUNdamentals™ class, so that when students begin hands-on training during Essentials of Raw Culinary Arts™ their knife skills will be properly "honed" and they will have increased confidence as they continue with their education.  Or, students may opt to take the knife skills series at a separate date, depending on personal schedule and finances.

The 3-Part Sharpen Up Your Knife Skills!™ Series (which will include Precision Knife Skills and Decorative Cuts 201) are included in the core curriculum required to complete the Gourmet Raw Food Chef Certification™ and Raw Culinary Arts Professional Chef Certification™ programs.

When you register for any of the Sharpen Up Your Knife Skills!™ classes at the same time as the 3-part Associate Chef and Instructor Training™ Series, you will receive 10% off on all classes!

When you register for any of the Sharpen Up Your Knife Skills!™ classes at the same time as the Gourmet Chef Training™ Series, you will receive 15% off on all classes!

Sharpen Up Your Knife Skills!™ is designed for all levels of expertise, from novice through professional instructor - taking a progressive approach to the development of knife skills through demonstration, hands-on practice (not in all classes) and reference materials. Basic Knife Skills 101 and Knife Skills 102 provide all necessary equipment with the exception of the required text. The 200 series requires that the student provide their own knives and chef wear.

We have 3 classes, which must be taken in order:
● Basic Knife Skills 101
● Knife Skills 102
● Precision Knife Skills and Decorative Cuts 201

Testimonials for Sharpen Up Your Knife Skills!™

Taking the basic knife skills class was very helpful to me.  Reviewing all my weak points and taking them to a better understanding about the how and why to do it right was a truly remarkable experience and [I'm] looking forward to the advanced class. 
-  A. R. from Mexico
 
The hands on work with personal attention from the "cutting edge experts" at Living Light really allowed me to solve a problem I'd been having with my knife technique.  The time spent was truly worthwhile.
-  B. McC. from California
 
I have been teaching raw food classes for nearly 5 years.  It wasn't until Cherie mentioned the knife skills 101 class that I realized I needed to review.  We are starting a catering business and definitely saw the need to refresh my own personal skills.  In class I learned the proper ergonomics, safety, knife holding techniques.  If you are venturing into the Raw Food world this class is a must!  You will learn how to be able to work hours and days at a time without fatigue.  Knife safety and handling is critical to your success in order to be able to teach others.
-  S. F. from Nevada
 
As a novice chef, Basic Knife Skills 101 and Knife Skills 102 were so helpful in my developing efficient and safe knife handling skills.  I had bad habits!  The instruction was informative, and the one-on-one time with professional chefs during the hands-on portion was worth the cost alone.
-  K. F. from Northern California

Click here for more information or to register for Sharpen Up Your Knife Skills!™ Series

If you were NOT here for the 2009 event, you can now experience the wonder that is the Expo with our exciting new Expo LIVE Encore program!!!

We are thrilled to be able to offer the Expo LIVE Encore program so you can watch our outstanding Expo presenters and chefs, at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home. We have received dozens of letters so far from people who have signed up to watch the nearly 100 hours of top leaders and chefs in the health industry share their expertise. Here are a few comments we have received:
 
"I love watching these presentations in my own home and being in full control of how and when I watch it. It's changed the way I look at food and my food choices."
- Barbara H
      
"Wow! What a beautiful gift you have given the world. I can't stop watching all the amazing speakers and I've learned so much. This is just what I needed! Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
- Micaela S
 
"I don't know of any place in the whole world that has so many great minds and so much information available at the click of my mouse."
- Gene H

Registering for your virtual seat at the Vibrant Living Expo and Culinary Showcase™ LIVE Encore will give you access to nearly 100 hours of talks, workshops, culinary demos and documentary-style films by some of the world's premier experts in nutrition, health, environmental sustainability, vegetarianism, veganism, raw lifestyles, animal welfare, and more - all at your own convenience on the Internet.

With the Expo LIVE Encore program, you will be able to switch channels, fast-forward, rewind, watch again, and skip over segments as you wish. We recorded three full days of talks in four different venues to put together this amazing package that you can now enjoy. You can watch these videos as much as you choose between now and October 31.

To give you a taste of what to expect with the Expo LIVE Encore, click on the link below. As an added feature, you will be able to view the free bonus videos that are available online from prior years. Plus, you will gain access to the compelling 2 1/2-hour special program with keynote speakers John Robbins, author of Diet for a New America, Will Tuttle, author of The World Peace Diet, Howard Lyman, author of Mad Cowboy, and Cherie Soria, Director of Living Light International.
 
This is a terrific opportunity, and a great value, and we wanted you to know about it. Please feel free to forward this message on to anyone who would benefit.

Even if you don't plan to sign up for the Expo LIVE Encore program, take advantage of this free opportunity to view these inspirational speakers with our compliments!

Click HERE to view the Vibrant Living Expo LIVE Encore website. Enjoy!

Join us at the 10th Annual World Vegetarian Day Celebration in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, sponsored by the San Francisco Vegetarian Society and In Defense of Animals. Cherie and her team will be doing a culinary demonstration titled, "A Mexican Fiesta" on Saturday, October 3 in the Main Hall and share her secrets of "Making Healthy Living Delicious" on Sunday, October 4. Living Light will also serve a gourmet raw vegan Mexican Meal at 6:45 PM Saturday night and will donate the first 25 meals to the 2009 World Vegetarian Day Celebration. Tickets for the meal are limited, so buy tickets now, while they last.

If you are attending World Vegetarian Day, you can purchase your Gourmet Raw Mexican Meal in advance for $25, click here to purchase on the Living Light Website, or purchase at the Living Light Booth the day of the event. Buy early - we sold out last year!!!

Living Light Raw Vegan Menu for Saturday:  Mexican Fiesta
● Hibiscus Cooler
● Salsa
● Spicy Flax Corn Chips
● Gazpacho Soup
● Romaine Boats with Guacamole
● Vegetable Enchiladas with Chili Colorado Sauce
● Mexican Seasoned Cabbage "Rice"
● Chocolate Orange Flan

Other luminaries at the event will be John Robbins, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Milton Mills, and Howard Lyman. This is a fun and enlightening event and well worth the trip to San Francisco!

 

Cherie Soria on Supreme Master TV - videos now available online!

The first two videos in a series of eight videos have now been shown on Supreme Master TV.  Supreme Master TV is available around the world on satellite and cable TV (www.suprememastertv.com).

The first two videos in the series are now available for free viewing on the web as part of the show VEGETARIANISM: THE NOBLE WAY OF LIVING
 
Harvesting Sea Vegetables from the California Coast with Chef Cherie Soria of Living Light Culinary Arts
 
Chef Cherie Soria of Living Light Culinary Arts: Sea Vegetable and Cucumber Salad
 
Both videos are subtitled in 15 different languages: English, Au Lac, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Arabic, Persian, Portuguese, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese , Korean, and Mongol.

Living Light is pleased to honor Teresa Ravella as our Employee of the Month for August. Teresa is regarded by her managers and peers at Living Light as reliable, cheerful, hardworking, fun, open-minded, and easy to get along with. She is responsible, motivated, positive, likeable, and students know that Teresa is always willing to help in any way possible.

Teresa appreciates working at Living Light because she "loves her coworkers and the food!" Besides being a devoted wife, Teresa is a loving mother to her daughter, Julia, whom she loves spending time with and enjoys bringing to work on occasion. Her friends and companion animals are also central to her life. Other primary goals, she says, are "to work and play hard!"

Teresa enjoys reading, gardening, bowling, walking, and riding her bicycle. She also likes watching football - especially the Dallas Cowboys!

Teresa is a conscientious employee and thoughtful coworker. All of us at Living Light agree that Teresa Ravella is the perfect choice for Employee of the Month. Teresa, we want you to know how much we love and appreciate you, the month of August, 2009 and always!