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!

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!

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!

Winter’s Coming by mary elizabeth

It’s beginning to look a lot like winter.  First of all, we have quite a storm system blowing through Fort Bragg right now.  It’s very wet and although we have sunny skies in between storms, the down pours and winds themselves are quite impressive.  If you’re headed our way, be sure and check the roads for closures because there’s been some flooding.  I’ve been lucky both here at Living Light and at home as far as power outages – I’ve been all powered up so far.  Anyhow – it’s “between storms” right now and it’s a lovely day out.  Far out for now!

And secondly, looking forward to the beginning of winter means, of course, the holidays.  There’s so much to do every weekend this month!  This weekend’s holiday cheer is a benefit concert by Willits Brass (featuring my sweet boyfriend) at the Company Bar (featuring sweet Amanda) for Project Sanctuary.  All good fun for a good cause.  The weekends coming up will have lighted truck parades and lighted botanical gardens and more parties and gosh – what a whirlwind!  Sometimes…. I must admit…. I feel a bit overwhelmed by all of it and kind of wish I could just hide at home and read.  But, I always have a good time once I get myself to these things and I have such wonderful friends with whom to do them.  The holidays are all about connections – to your community, your family and your friends.  I’m feeling so good about the connections in my life right now I just know this winter will be beautiful.  As we near the solstice, let’s connect to all those things plus the planet.  As we move through these dark days, let’s light our worlds.

Lucky Me by mary elizabeth

I have so very much to be thankful for right now.  Oh my goodness – it’s ridiculous!  This week’s holiday really helped me to put it all in perspective.  First of all – I have some wonderful, beautiful, amazing friends.  I had the honor of seeing some of them on my holiday journey this week and it was such a fun reminder of why they’re my friends in the first place.  I’m so grateful to an often benevolent universe for these special gifts!  Second of all – I’m grateful for the opportunity to actually connect with my father.  I don’t do it very often, but have made the Thanksgiving journey so many times now it’s a real tradition.  It was just my daughter and me this year – no brother, son or boyfriend.  But – that’s okay.  If we felt a little lonely, so be it – we also felt connected to the past and were present for this year’s small celebration.  And thirdly – I am so very, very grateful for my coastal home and the people who fill it.  I love all of you!

Tonight is our Living Light holiday party.  This is always a good time. It’s a chance to get dressed up and hang out with work friends.  I’m looking forward to it.  We always play games and have a white elephant exchange and yummy food.  It’s another connection for which I’m grateful today – a chance to connect in such a festive way with the people I see almost every day.  And it’s another chance to be present for my life today and be honored by the opportunity to work for and with such wonderful people.  The holidays have begun in earnest and I’m happy to say I’m right there with them!

The Coveted Golden Spoon by mary elizabeth

 Last Friday, Living Light participated in the Fort Bragg Food Bank’s first annual soup and chili cook off.  And guess what?  We won!!  Our Corn and Sweet Potato Chowder beat all others – quite the vegan victory, if you ask me.  We were up against some local heavy hitters, too.  I’m so proud of Joe and his whole kitchen/café crew, especially Living Light Gourmet Raw Food Chef grad, café employee and chef extraordinaire Elyse who made a most beautiful hostess at the Living Light table.  I’m also proud of our own Amanda who planned the event and sits on the food bank’s board of directors.  I got to witness this sweet victory from behind the bar, where my boyfriend and I served local beer and wine to the soup-hungry attendees.  If you missed the event, you can come in and try this award winning treat in our café – just call ahead and see when we’ll have it available.  But be sure and come next year.  We’ll be defending our Golden Spoon against all comers and it’s for such a worthy cause – especially at this holiday time of year.

Speaking of the holidays, I think it’s time for fellow blog goddess Kristin and me to start rocking our holiday blogs for 2012.  We like to use this time of year to reminisce and share holiday stories and ideas.  It’s pretty quiet here at work as the school closes for a few weeks and the new year rush doesn’t usually kick in till after Christmas.  It gives us a chance to highlight some of the more personal sides of Living Light and its employees.  I bet we’ll have more examples of the role Living Light plays in the local community, too – more reasons to be proud.  The Golden Spoon is a great start, though.  I can’t wait to see how we’ll top it next year!