THE HOLISTIC COOKING SCHOOL - COURSES

LOOKING AFTER YOUR HEALTH - Book for this course
Taught by Oliver Cowmeadow or Marijke De Coninck with Jean Netherway and other cooking teachers.

5 Day Courses

• June 23rd to 27th
• Sept 17th to 21st

Time: 9.30am to 7.30pm each day
Price: £395 (deposit £75)

Description
In our approach we view ill-health as an imbalance in energy flow, caused by an unhealthy diet or lifestyle, stress, old-emotions held in the body, negative thought patterns etc ., the purpose of this course is to give you the tools and understanding to take much greater control over your life and also your health. To achieve this we study the energetic effects of foods on our body and emotions and learn how to eat a balanced and health-promoting diet. You will learn the secrets of oriental facial diagnosis, which reveal the conditions of the physical and energetic body, and the changes in diet needed to remedy imbalances and problem areas.

With daily hands-on cooking classes and cooking demonstrations, you will learn how to prepare lots of health promoting dishes, helping you to make the transition to a healthier life.

The course has four main components :

Oriental medical theory primarily sees the body-mind as being driven by Chi, Ki or 'energy', and uses theories like yin and yang and the five transformations to understand how we function as a whole being. Illness is seen as an imbalance in energy flow, caused by an unhealthy diet or life style, stress, old emotions held in the body, negative thought patterns etc. Some Western nutritional theory will also be used to give a broader perspective on diet.

Oriental diagnosis includes facial diagnosis, in which different regions of the face relate to the internal organs, sclera diagnosis in which various parts of the whites of the eyes relate to different bodily systems, and other methods of reading changes in the skin, voice, posture, mood and emotions. Oriental diagnosis is invaluable in revealing our main energetic imbalances, and their underlying physical and psychological causes.

Food energetics shows us how foods interact with the body and whole being. It shows how to use specific foods and dishes to bring our energy back into balance. This can relieve many health problems, as well as promoting health and personal development, and help to avoid future illnesses.

Hands-on cooking classes are an essential part of putting dietary guidelines into practice. As well as preparing healthy lunches, you will also prepare specific healing recipes.

Practical Details

Benefits of this Course
There are many benefits from studying this course including:

• getting a clearer idea of your present state of health
• learning how to improve your health for greater joy and happiness, as well as how to avoid future illnesses
• learn lots of delicious and healthy recipes and meal plans
• learn how to help the health of your family and others you cook for or advise
• establish a healthier outlook and way of life that will benefit you for years to come.

A Typical Day
The days will vary, but will generally follow this format:

• 10.00 - 10.15 Stretching or breathing exercises
  
• 10.15 - 12.00 Study of Oriental medicine, food energetics etc.
  
• 12.00 - 1.00 Cooking class, preparing lunch
  
• 1.00 - 2.15 Lunch break
  
• 2.15 - 3.30 Further study or occasional cooking class
  
• 3.30 - 3.45 Tea break
  
• 3.45 - 5.00 Further study or occasional cooking class

The Cooking Classes
These will cover a wide range of topics including:

• cooking balanced and nutritious meals
  
• preparing vegetarian sources of protein including beans, tofu, tempeh, seitan
  
• preparing quick meals
  
• soups for different seasons
  
• using sea vegetables in everyday cooking
  
• delicious sugar- and diary-free desserts
  
• healthy snacks
  
• medicinal recipes for common ailments
  
• cooking for babies and children
  
• cooking by the five elements, including using the five flavours.

Recommended Reading
Various books will be referred to during the course, but any of the following will give a good basis at the beginning of the course. If possible, please read at least one before the course begins.

• Yin & Yang: A Guide to Eating A Balanced & Healthy Diet. Oliver Cowmeadow , Cornish Connection.
• Macrobiotics For Beginners. Jon Sandifer. Piatkus.
• Food and Healing. Annemarie Colbin. Ballantine Books. (Contains a lot of theory so you are not expected to have read it all before the course starts!)

Homework
There will be some homework set during the course, some theoretical and much of it practical. This is designed to add to your learning on teaching days, and will not be excessive.

To Bring
Please wear comfortable, loose clothing suitable for doing simple stretching exercises.
Pen and notepad (you will be provided with many notes, but you will also need to make some of your own).
You may wish to bring an apron for cooking classes.
Food containers, in case there is food left over from cooking classes.

Further Queries
If you have any questions about this course, please ring Oliver Cowmeadow at the school.- Book for this course