Six Nutrition Workshops
Golden Ears Cheeseworks, Maple Ridge
Tuesdays at 7:00-8:30pm

In this series of workshops, Val acts as your shopping and cooking guide for real, whole foods, as Nature intended us to eat; unprocessed, unrefined, fresh and local. The result is to become empowered to take charge of your eating, and consequently, your health. This is not a diet that you go on and then go off of.  This is knowledge of what the body needs to thrive and how to find these all important foods in a world full of imitation foods and fad diets.  Through eating real, whole foods, cravings disappear and the body arrives at its natural weight. Often, health conditions reverse themselves. Energy and vitality are restored. Becoming empowered to take charge of your eating is one of the greatest gifts that you can give to yourself and ultimately, to those you love. The nutrition workshops were created by Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Val MacDonald. They are designed to meet the ever-growing need for practical information on how to get more out of your food, with better nutrition and better taste! Each workshop is presented in a relaxed, fun atmosphere and includes a delicious whole foods snack, an information booklet and recipes.

$35 +hst/class
$199+hst for Set of 6

Class #1 Simple steps to better health: February 21
Do you sometimes feel confused and overwhelmed by the food choices out there, not knowing if something you like is good for you or not? Living in the 21st century provides a lot of conveniences; one being processed foods. We all know there are drawbacks to eating fast foods and ready-to-eat foods. But we live in a busy world! Is it possible to improve the quality of what we eat without having to spend all day in the kitchen? Discover some simple steps you can take to better health for you and your family. In this introductory class we explore the whole foods way of living. There will be a delicious whole foods quinoa salad served, and you will be taking home the recipe!

Class #2 How to shop for healthy foods February 28
In this workshop we look at all the elements that go into your careful selection of the quality foods that you choose for yourself and your family. We introduce you to the art of reading food labels, including which ingredients to avoid and which ingredients to completely eliminate from your diet. We talk about when it is important to buy organic and free range foods, as well as how to recognize genetically modified foods and why you would want to avoid these. Find out where to draw the line when it comes to what you want to put into your body. Become a wise food shopper. Val’s Local Food Shopping Guide will be provided, along with a few samples of locally sourced snacks. Find out what you need to know before heading out to the grocery store.

Class #3 How sweet it is! March 6
In this workshop, we will be exploring the health hazards of refined sugar and artificial sweeteners, and the health benefits of natural sweeteners. Learn how to balance your blood sugar and satisfy your sweet tooth! By balancing your blood sugar, you can prevent type 2 Diabetes and you can reverse insulin resistance. You can also control mood swings, cravings and arrive at your ideal weight. You will be introduced to a variety of natural sweeteners that you can use in your everyday cooking and baking. There will be some delicious brownies served that are made without sugar!

Class #4 Eat fat, lose fat March 20
Did you know that your body needs fat in order to metabolize fat? Find out which types of fats help you burn fat and add to the health of your cells. Find out which types of fats actually damage your cells and contribute to disease. Learn to read food labels so that you can absolutely avoid the wrong kinds of fats. At the end of the class you will each take home a delicious surprise made with a healthy fat!

Class #5 Improve your digestion, improve your health March 27
The exquisite and finely tuned digestive system requires our utmost respect. The wrong diet can disrupt this system in two ways--by failing to provide nourishment and by delivering food that is difficult to digest. In this workshop we discuss the importance of good digestion and how it is the key to good health. Val shares with you her top ten ways to improve digestion which includes adding certain foods to your diet and making small changes to the way you prepare your foods, so that they can be digested more easily. We will discuss a few common digestive disorders and ways to improve them. We will be sampling a few foods that act as digestive aids. Come discover how to help your body be happier.

Class #6 Speedy Snack and Meal Ideas April 3
Eating wholesome food doesn’t need to be complicated, or take up a lot of your time. The key is in the planning of your meals and snacks. In this workshop we will cover which foods are best for stocking your pantry and refrigerator with, in order to be able to create some tasty and nourishing snacks and meals for at home and on the road. Val’s Eating for Energy Guide will be provided, along with tips for fast food preparation and recipes for light snacks and meals. We will be sampling several delicious whole food snacks, so come hungry!

Nutrition MasterClass Series
Cooks ‘n’ Corks, Coquitlam
Mondays 1pm-2:15pm

Master Class Series- Weight Loss
• Arriving at your healthy weight February 13
• Cleansing and Detoxifying foods February 20
• Pathways to natural weight loss February 27

Master Class Series-Anti-Ageing
• Foods that harm, foods that heal April 16
• Pathways to vibrant longevity April 23
• Brain power: the key to staying young April 30

Your healthy weight
Are you wanting to reach a healthy weight? Are you curious as to what your healthy weight should be, and how you might get there? Then this workshop is for you! We will not be discussing how to “go on a diet”, but rather how to respond to your body’s signals with healthy food and lifestyle choices. A healthy snack will be served.

Cleansing and detoxifying foods
Are you feeling the need to “go on a cleanse”? What if you could implement cleansing and detoxifying foods into your daily diet to keep you feeling healthy and balanced? In this workshop we will be presenting many of these foods, and tasting many of these foods. You will, of course, be going home with the recipes!

Pathways to weight loss
Are you following a path of healthy eating and lifestyle choices, but finding that at times there are roadblocks preventing you from achieving your goals? In this workshop we will explore some physiological conditions which prevent weight loss. We will also discuss the non-food nutrition elements that contribute to your overall health and natural weight. A healthy snack will be served.

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