Learn from the Best by kristin

Living Light Triple Win at Sedona Raw Living Expo!

It’s official! Dan and Cherie looked glamorous and were absolutely beaming as Living Light was acknowledged in three categories at the Sedona Raw Living Expo February 22-24, coming away with the  Best Raw Chef Training Program, Best Eco Raw Company, and a special “Peer to Peer” award for Achievement in Culinary Arts Training.

As someone who has worked in the company for nearly eight years, I was so happy to see them rewarded for years and years of hard work getting the word out about a gourmet raw food diet.  Cherie has been teaching vegetarian cuisine for 40 years! And finally, they’ve published a book together, too.

Raw Food For Dummies is their first collaborative writing project. Dan has been behind the scenes, behind the camera, and supporting the businesses with his tech savvy, so it’s heartening to see him in the spotlight these days, too.

Raw Rocks! Tour Rocks California Next

So now they’re in LA at the big NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO WEST event, and will be touring the state in their mobile home – covering lots of territory in California through the month of March. It’s a nice time of year to see the state and connect with raw restaurants and healthy venues, and most of all the people. Cherie says that meeting with people in the various communities is so rewarding – everyone is excited to meet them and learn about raw food, our school, and all of the amazing things Living Light graduates are doing in the world.

Raw, Raw, Raw by mary elizabeth

Have you ever won anything?  I’m trying to think if I have, and I’m not coming up with anything.  I’d like to say I won the Living Light employee valentine haiku contest last year but I didn’t.  Kate did.  Anyhow, guess what?  Living Light won “Best Culinary Arts Training” in the Best of Raw Awards at the Raw Living Expo last month.  This is really cool because these awards are decided by popular vote (that’s people like you and me), rather than bestowed by some mysterious board somewhere, proving that we really and truly are the best raw culinary school there is.  And we have been for fifteen years now.  That’s something to be proud of.  Cherie gave the keynote address for the weekend which is a great honor and something to be proud of, too.  What an impressive place Living Light is – and how fortunate I feel to be a part of it!

Last Friday was my four-year anniversary of working here, speaking of being a part of it.  That’s a while, for the likes of me.  What’s the difference?  Well – obviously – I’m much more grown up and settled than in the past.  But beyond that, this company has really taken the time to work with me and find a place where I fit and can continue to be an asset and all that good stuff.  And as they even continue to pay me for it; it’s a mutually beneficial relationship.  Congratulations, Living Light, for being voted the best.  And thanks for making me a part of the Living Light family for such a long time!

50 by mary elizabeth

So – in about a month I’ll be turning fifty.  FIFTY.  I mean, it’s no big deal, and just a number, and you’re only as old as you feel, blah, blah, blah.  I get all that.  But – if fifty is indeed the possible midpoint, then I could conceivably have as much to do as I’ve already done.  Yikes!  That, dear reader, is a bit daunting.  I mean, I’ve already done a lot of the time fillers like school, college, having little kids, etc., and I’ve already got a lot of the mistakes out of the way as well, knock on wood.  So what – I have a whole lifetime’s worth of beauty and wide open possibility ahead of me?  Far out.  I guess.  What are my goals?  Do I even have any?  And are goals called a bucket list now?   I don’t know – maybe write another book, only this time make it one someone might actually want to read.  Is it too vague to say, “be the sort of woman I’ve always wished I were”?  Actually, vague or not, I’m sticking with that one, in hopes that all good things will naturally follow.

If you have somewhat more concrete goals, and Living Light figures into them, why wait?  We have a lot of wonderful classes coming up.  Or maybe you just want to add some living benefits to your diet.  Why not come into our Café for a wheat grass shot a couple times a week?  Or maybe you just want to read up on raw food.  We have all of Cherie’s books available in our Marketplace at a discount if you buy them all together.  Making a commitment to a more planet friendly way of eating on any level is a beautiful and noble thing.  Living Light would be honored to be a part of it.

Feels Like Spring by kristin

The past couple of days have been relatively warm and sunny – in the low 60s here on the Mendocino coast. Hardly any frost on the ground for the past two mornings, after several weeks of frost covered grass. I’m sort of obsessively monitoring the daffodils in my yard – waiting for the first golden bloom to emerge. The paperwhites I forced on my kitchen windowsill have kept me company during the cold, frosty mornings, but they are nearly finished, and I noticed that the alyssum, which appeared nearly dead as I transplanted it in a few key places last fall is popping up all over. Success! Spring is in the air, if only temporarily – but it is on the way. Hooray!

Besides bringing flowers, Spring showers and longer days, maybe thoughts of Spring cleaning – or better yet, a Spring cleanse. It is the perfect time of year to renew not only our spirits but our bodies. Drinking plenty of green juices and a adding a squeeze of lemon to fresh water first thing in the morning cleanses the liver and removes some of the sluggishness we might feel from eating some heavier foods to keep us warm and spending more time indoors during the long winter. That puts a spring in our step and the longer days motivate us to get outside and get our mojo working again!

If you’d like to know more about how to be the healthiest you can be, why not sign up for our Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ series with those inimitable gurus of green – the Drs. Dina! Honestly, the feedback we get from students about their classes is amazing. Drs. Rick and Karin have a way of making even the most complicated scientific information seem accessible and even fun! And they are both approachable – no question is too complicated or too simple – you’ll see! Series begins March 16!

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!

I Love You by mary elizabeth

Are you one of the people who love Valentines Day or could you take it or leave it?  I’m one of the ones who loves it, but I have plenty of friends who don’t – so I guess I get both responses.  Well – no I don’t.  Seriously?  What’s not to love?  First of all, don’t you have any sweet childhood memories, oh cupid haters?  Like – making valentines out of pink and red paper and doilies and stickers and glitter?  How about the little paper ones you got at school?  I have to say some of my sweetest, most favorite memories are of my dad coming home from work with big heart shaped boxes of chocolates for my mother and me.   Now I  make sure my kids get something from me.   Maybe it’s always been more of a family holiday for me so I don’t associate it with a bunch of heart hurts and disappointments – just love and pink and flowers and chocolate.  All good things!

If you are feeling up against the wall to make sure this isn’t one of the disappointing sort of Valentines Days, how about a romantic coastal get away?  The Living Light Inn is offering a Sweetheart Special this Thursday through Saturday: buy two nights, get one free.  Pretty sweet, huh?  And what better way to say “I love you” than a few nights on the coast in our all organic, planet-friendly inn?  You could get some super delicious raw chocolates from our café, too.  Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?  And sometimes last minute plans are the most romantic of all.  So there you go – give me a call and reserve your room today!  Happy Valentines Day!

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.