Raw Rag™

Do raw food teachers need to be certified? What do YOU think?

Last week, at the goneraw.com forum, someone asked if certification is necessary in order to teach about raw foods. Excerpt:

I am starting a raw foods business. Currently I have been teaching classes and am also working on my recipe book. My question is: HOW MUCH CAN I TEACH PEOPLE WITHOUT BEING A NUTRITIONIST OR DOCTOR?? Can I only show them how to prepare food or can I teach what to eat and what it does to the body? Do I need to be a nutritionist to recommend foods to eat? Who certified the original "raw food teachers"? Can i start my own raw food certification program/school?

So far there has only been one response. Excerpt:

People don't like hearing this, but in my view the very best thing to do for anyone who is really serious about becoming a professional nutritionist is getting a 'real' college degree in nutrition, becoming a registered dietician, and coupling that with a holistic nutrition course (which is a walk in the park compared to a B.S. in nutrition, where you take biochemistry and anatomy and physiology and so on). That way, you can *legally* dispense nutritional advice without worrying about lawsuits, since R.D.'s are licensed by the state. I'm not saying that I would only go to a person with the credentials I have described, but I would know that the person really knew his or her stuff.

What are your thoughts on certification?

How I spent my Saturday afternoon - Fun and yum: Raw Foods 101 (And I took videos)

Yesterday the Denver temperature was high, the air sweltering, but I was cool. I was in the kitchen at Colorado Free University, attending a class on preparing raw foods. The instructors Yvonne Greenbaum and Terry Roth were engaging, and well-prepared to demonstrate several recipes. The class culminated in our sitting down to relish what Yvonne and Terry dished up.

In addition to the flavorful and delectable food, the conversation was enjoyable. Because those of us who are following the raw foods lifestyle are in the minority (for now), comparing notes with, and learning from, kindred spirits is an all-too-rare treat.

Attend class with me by watching my video clips of the two capable instructors preparing:

• Cheezecake (Terry and Yvonne modified this recipe as you will see in the video clip)
• Sticky Hazelnut Clusters (recipe halfway down the page)
• Italian Pizza Cheese (go to almost the end of the page), which they put on this Pizza Crust (Crust was prepared and dehydrated prior to class)
• Raw Chili

Click to watch the videos.

If those in the Denver area take the class, they will learn the same recipes as above (plus one for Green Smoothies) in the July class. In August through November, Terry and Yvonne change up the recipes; new ones will include:

• Kung Pao Almonds with Mung Beans
• Not Tuna Pate
• Raspberry Ganache Fudge Cake
• Donut Holes

You leave the class with leftovers (maybe to impress some skeptical family members at home), and a booklet with raw-related information, recipes, and resources. Thanks, Terry and Yvonne.

Note: To learn about my Colorado Free University class Brains on Purpose™, go here for the session on September 25, and here for the one on November 13.

 

On-site classes to learn about the raw food lifestyle

If you want a hands-on, face-to-face experience, you have many options for learning to prepare this cuisine. Below are several.

Some of these programs offer certification training with the idea that you will then become a trainer of that particular program's methods and systems. I am not sure what the benefits of such programs might be; if you have pursued any of the programs, please send along your thoughts and feedback in the comments section here.

I will continue to add to this list. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for additions.

• The Living Foods Institute (I have e-mailed with founder Brenda Cobb; she is extraordinarily helpful and kind)
• Living Light International (Cherie Soria)
• Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center (Gabriel Cousens)
• Ann Wigmore Institute
• Raw Teacher (Alissa Cohen)
• Hippocrates Health Institute
• Learn Raw Food (Jennifer Cornbleet)
• Creative Health Institute