Passionate About Pastry by kristin

Our raw dessert guru/diva has just arrived back in Fort Bragg, which always creates a lot of excitement with both students and staff.

Vinnette Thompson is an amazing teacher and a remarkable person who brings a smile to everyone’s face – and not just because she makes terrific desserts. She also makes creating the desserts a memorable experience. Students learn how to work with a variety of ingredients – Pastry Arts classes are a combination of theory, culinary demos, and practical hands-on training, from a master in the art. Learn how to use binders, thickeners, emulsifiers and gelling agents; how to choose the right sweeteners and fats for a variety of classic pastry recipes and discover the secrets of making exquisite raw desserts that taste even better than famous cooked desserts!

It’s definitely a thrilling class for people, because they’ve learned a lot of fundamental skills in our other classes, and they can now translate those skills into unbelievable confections. The Pastry Arts – Unbaked! course is definitely its own reward…mmmmm.

The good news is that Vinnette is going to be here for an entire month. She’ll be teaching during all of our advanced courses, including Ethnic Flavors in Recipe Development, Raw Fusion Gourmet Spa Cuisine, and Raw Event Catering and Elegant Entertaining. Her bright spirit is a wonderful tonic for everyone who meets her! Yay, Vinette – we’re glad you’re back! And if you are interested in a Pastry Arts Certification, you can start with FUNdamentals of Raw Living Foods May 16 and stay through Pastry Arts – Unbaked! June 16- 19 – what fun! Call Mary Elizabeth or Amanda in enrollment for all the details: 707-964-2420

A classically trained chef, Vinnette earned her culinary arts degree from the Culinary Institute of America and is also a graduate of the Living Light Culinary Institute, where she now teaches a variety of classes. Vinnette has two culinary passions, vegetarian cuisine and culinary education. A chef for over 25 years, she caters privately and teaches culinary arts for the Palm Beach school district in Florida.

Sleep Well by mary elizabeth

I know I’ve talked about the tarot cards Terilynn and I are making before.  Each week we draw a card from the deck and recreate it on an artist card – or re-purposed playing card.  We’ve got a lot done and are really liking where this project is taking us and where the cards are going.  We are getting into the whole genre of artists’ cards in general, actually.   In fact, she and her daughter are doing a card a day for thirty days.  Isn’t that cool?  So – Bridget and I are going to do the same next month.   Anyhow – my tarot card for this week is the nine of swords.  This card is all about guilt and remorse.  Yikes.  I’m happy to say that a pretty rigorous daily spiritual program keeps me less abused by these feelings than I used to be.  But – the images this card in invoking for me are a little troubling.  Funny how just the memory of a feeling can powerful.  Our feelings are pretty darn strong forces in our lives, aren’t they?  Goodness.   Anyhow – a lot of the images traditionally associated with this card have to do with lying awake in bed.  Isn’t that fitting – nothing like a sleepless night to bring  on the guilt and remorse with super hero strength.  I honestly can’t remember the last time I had a sleepless night.  Age plus exercise I guess.  And maybe a pretty clear conscience.  That’s what I’m loving about this project – it’s not just about being a little creative each week – it’s also about exploring an aspect of the human condition for a minute that I may not have thought about in this way.  What will next week’s be?

Here at Living Light, the foundation of all our culinary programs is our Associate Raw Food Chef and Instructor certification.  This super comprehensive training will equip you with all the skill and confidence necessary to begin a whole new life as a raw food chef.  We have a training starting in May that still has a couple spots left.  I’d hate for you to lose any sleep over the regret of letting this chance pass you by.  And – there’s some super special savings involved if you act now.  So – act now!

 

 

Steps to Success by kristin

When we imagine a new life for ourselves – one that is in alignment with our core values as well as our hopes and dreams, it might seem as though the steps to reaching our goals are steep, if not impossible. The future stretches out; we have our daily round of responsibilities and must do lists. How do we take the first steps to making our dreams a reality? This is a question that comes up every day at Living Light. Our enrollment advisors, Mary Elizabeth and Amanda, talk to eager students from around the globe and hear many fascinating stories. The great part is that we help many of those who call our office find a way to take those first steps to success by attending our school. They are inspired to weave their dreams and plans together and make what seemed like far off possibilities a reality – often very quickly.

Our graduate success stories are truly amazing, and its encouraging to see that even those students who have completed only our first level certification, Raw Culinary Arts Associate Chef and Instructor Training™ are already moving forward with new careers! Next associate chef session begins May 25, and we have a special offer when you bring a friend. Check it out here! Sometimes it’s more fun to take the first steps with someone you know.

 

So Shiny by mary elizabeth

The weather is so nice here in Fort Bragg right now I can’t stand it.  It’s sunny and bright and not windy – just lovely.  It’s been like this for, like, twenty four hours and already I can’t remember what a pain it was to defrost my car window for about a million mornings in a row up until now.  Everything’s beautiful today and that’s all that matters.  Valentine’s Day was lovely, too, by the way – just as I suspected it would be.  We had yummy, heart-themed treats here in the office and my sweet boyfriend took me out to a lovely vegan dinner at the Ravens Restaurant at the Stanford Inn in Mendocino.  It’s funny how sometimes life seems rather dismal and then all of a sudden it seems shiny and full of potential.  I know, I know – it’s me, not life that fluctuates like that.  But still – I’m sure at least some of you can relate to what I mean.  And I’m proud to say that I’m getting better at moving through the dismal times as quickly as possible in hopes of getting to shinier ones.

If you are feeling a little dismal, why don’t you go ahead and make that call to Living Light and sign up for our next Associate Chef and Instructor training today.  We’re extending our deadline for all the super fabulous discounts we offer, so it’s not like it’s too late.  Sometimes, the way to making our days shine is by getting into action.  Procrastination is a sure-fire trick for prolonging the darkness.  At least I know it is for me and so often, taking the necessary step isn’t half so scary as I thought it would be and the next thing I know – all is well.  Try it!  Embrace the light!

Live Your Passion

What are you passionate about? Here at Living Light most of our students are passionate about living a healthy lifestyle, feeling energetic and inspired, and making a difference in the world. Pretty wonderful goals – we’re lucky to work among such people – they’re good role models.  We’ve found over the years that the secret ingredient for living an inspired life is always the same – it’s love. And since it’s February, the month of love, we are especially happy to welcome a new group of students – starting today. They are arriving to start at the beginning of their path to becoming raw food chefs, with the  FUNdamentals of Raw Living Foods course. It’s always an exciting day for us. Welcome beautiful people – we love you! Meanwhile, Dan and Cherie are continuing the Raw Rocks Tour. They are in Florida right now, but after stopping to catch us up on their latest adventures, they’ll be moving on to magical Sedona, Arizona and the Raw Living Expo, where Cherie will be a keynote speaker, and Dan and Cherie will do a talk, a culinary demo, and a special workshop on how to create a successful raw food business in today’s economy. We’ll be raffling a few tickets to the Raw Living Expo very soon, so stay tuned to our Raw Food For Dummies  Facebook page and look for an upcoming bulletin to enter for your chance to win! Exciting times here at the school and on the road. Don’t forget, it’s never too late to Live your passion at Living Light!

The Boss of Me by mary elizabeth

Here we are again at the second of February.  That’s Imbolc for the pagans, St. Bridgid’s Day for some of the Christians and Groundhog Day for all.   I have written so many blogs about it, though, I’m going to let it go this year….but happy February 2^nd everyone!

I’ll bet most of you think this blog is my only creative outlet.  Well, it isn’t.  Living Light Executive Assistant Terilynn Epperson and I have been working on an art project for a few months now.  Every Monday we draw a card from a tarot deck and have a week to recreate it using collage.  It’s been very fun and very rewarding.  We wanted to come up with a plan that would force us to create something every week that wouldn’t be so big we wouldn’t do it.   So far – we’ve been dedicated and successful.   It’s sort of like a Sunday School project for grown ups.   And we’re enjoying ourselves immensely, thank goodness, because it’s going to take us, like, a couple years.   Anyhow – I’ve been all about commitments these past few months, like the new juicer, the gym membership and this project and it feels really good.  As I’ve said before, I’m better at  sticking to things when I’m bossed around, but lately it seems like I’m getting to where I can boss myself around.  Progress!

Speaking of progress, next week Jennifer Cornbleet will be teaching her class Advanced Instructor Training.   I spoke with Jennifer this week about this advanced level class and let me say, if you’re at all interested in being a raw food educator, this is the class for you.  Especially if you’re anything like me, and maybe need some direction (bossing) to get you started.  Jennifer’s experience is invaluable – she can edit your recipes, get your demos television ready and make your website the best it can be!  This class is a great jumpstart for your raw career.  Unless you want it to be a years long project like the cards, I suggest you sign up today!

Commitment vs. Obsession by mary elizabeth

Have you ever become caught up in a book or television program or anything, really, that consumed you?  And even though you knew it was going to end and you were going to miss it when it did, you just couldn’t stop until it was over or used up?  According to my kindle, I am 46% of the way through the last “game of thrones” book.   And seriously, on so many levels – what a relief!   I mean, I’m enjoying them wholeheartedly and am sure that this last book will leave me hanging on a cliff of excruciating torment and I know I have to wait, like, three years for the next one.  But… I feel like I’m giving a whole lot of my disposable time, which isn’t that much anyway, to this series.  What about trashy TV?  And writing? And art projects?  Not to mention my kids, my boyfriend and Amanda.   Oh well – 54% to go.   Look for a follow up piece on the separation anxiety I’m sure to experience when I’m done.

Sometimes, we have to make a choice to put the rest of our life on hold for a greater purpose.  That’s what Living Light students do.  They come here and spend all day every day for up to nine weeks in class, preparing themselves for new lives as raw food chefs.  It’s overwhelming, and I’m so inspired by all of them.  Their commitment is commendable.  And I know that most of them, at some point, wonder if it’s all worth it or if they’ll even make it through.  But – it is and they do – hundreds of them each year.   As I’ve said before, it’s a labor of love – for themselves and for the planet.  I’m proud of our students and am honored to be a part of their commitment.

Hibernation by mary elizabeth

So – due to holiday driven financial constraints plus a broken juicer part, I have been in a wintertime retreat from fitness and fasting.  There’s something about these cold dark days that makes curling up in bed with a full belly very attractive.   It’s been kind of nice, actually.  I mean, who doesn’t want to stay in bed until 7:00 rather than rolling out of it at 4:30?  Who wants a dumb old green juice when there’s such a thing as homemade macaroni?  Usually I do, actually, but I’ve been spending the last couple weeks sleeping in and eating heartier fare than usual and it’s really kind of growing on me.  Tomorrow is the first pay day of 2013, though, and the juicer part will be ordered and the fitness club membership will be purchased and the hibernation will be over.  I know for a fact I’ll feel better once I start working out and juicing again, but there’s definitely a part of me that couldn’t care less.  I am proud to say that amidst all this hedonism, I have kept pretty fit emotionally and spiritually, so climbing back on the physical fitness horse will be easier.  There’s nothing quite like balance and clarity.  The more clouded with fear or self-pity I allow my mind to get, the more difficult any sort of attempt at health becomes.  That being said, I’m positive that when my alarm goes off at 4:30 Friday morning I will be cursing at it with all my body, mind and spirit.

Living Light has been hibernating in a way, too.  School’s been out since mid-December and it’s been super quiet around here.  This Saturday will be the first training of 2013 beginning with the Fundamentals of Raw Living Foods.  We’ll be checking in our first group of students since last October on Friday evening.  Hooray!  It’s really been too quiet around here.  I’m ready to get this year started – personally and professionally.  I want to get all my healthy routines going.  I want to jump in with both feet so as to be ready for all this year holds for me.  I just know this year’s going to super fantastic – so long as I’m awake for it.

Remember the Three by mary elizabeth

Well – here we all are in 2013.  The world didn’t end and we’re all good to go.  The new year is a great time to reassess.  We make resolutions and set intentions.  We look forward to new possibilities.  Of course, the fact of rolling over to another year doesn’t actually change anything – we all know that.  We also know that change only comes from within, though, and if it takes remembering to write a three instead of a two on everything to kick off that change, then far out!  Let’s set our hearts and minds on what it is we really want and let that three be a reminder to focus on it.  Let’s stay open to all the positive possibilities we see ourselves realizing this year.  By the time the three becomes automatic,  I bet we’ll be closer to our dreams.  Just think where we’ll be when it’s time for the four!

The new year means nine new sessions at Living Light – nine new groups of students, nine new sets of possibilities.  Our first session starts on January 12th – super exciting!  What better way to start 2013 than putting your focus into planet-friendly, life prolonging food?  If part of your vision for the new year is to become a raw food chef, set your intention and check us out.  Give us a call and set up a tour or just request an information packet on-line.  It’s easy – just like remembering the three.  Happy, happy new year everyone – really and truly.  Let’s have a beautiful, abundant 2013 full of love and dreams come true.

Almost Xmas by mary elizabeth

Today it’s officially winter and the winter holidays are upon us. I’m actually feeling kind of excited about Christmas being so close.  At least I am right now.  This morning I was feeling quite differently.  Sometimes it just seems like there’s so much pressure and so much to do.  Anyway, my morning got off to a marginally rocky start which was enough to put me in a holiday hating mood.  I’m over it now, and since we’re all still alive today, I think I can soldier forward with a big fat holiday smile on my face.  I’m feeling pretty good about the commercial part of it, which this year just includes my kids and my boyfriend.  Every year I scale back a bit more.  Obviously this is about as far back as I can go, so let’s call that a success!

How about you?  All done with your shopping, wrapping and all that stuff? If you aren’t, you know what would make a great gift?  Cherie and Dan’s new book Raw Food for Dummies.  It’s such a complete, comprehensive guide to raw food, I guarantee you it’ll be perfect for anyone you know who’s new to raw.  Dan and Cherie’s combined experience makes them the perfect guides to this planet friendly lifestyle.  Get a copy in our Marketplace along with one of our pretty green gift bags – shopping done!