Tucson, Arizona
Culinary Retreat and Core Program

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Casa Estrella Luxury Hillside Estate
Tucson, Arizona

Extend the warmth of your summer by joining us for our Fall retreat in fabulous Tucson, Arizona—well-known for its world class spas, magnificent mountain ranges, national parks and hiking trails, age old saguaro cactuses in the surrounding Sonoran desert, and the best Southwestern cuisine this side of the border.

The Casa Estrella 10,000 square foot family estate is an extraordinary site for our retreat.  Located high on a hillside in a gated Tucson community (once occupied by Dean Martin, Alice Cooper and other celebrities), it offers both indoor and outdoor gourmet kitchens, 5 bedrooms grand in size with incredible views; roomy shared spaces for both singles and couples alike; newly heated swimming pool, entertainment space with home theatre system and stereo; DVD and reading library; private solarium with windows overlooking the city, and more!  

Enroll early to assure your accommodations in this extraordinary estate. Enrollments exceeding the bedroom capacity of the estate will be accommodated in a nearby hotel. 

Meals

Mornings begin with a whole foods breakfast buffet.  All cooking classes include a delicious full course (organic) meal with a dinner class on Wednesday evening.   

Culinary Classes

Daily four-hour demonstration and hands-on cooking classes include the orchestration and preparation of delicious health-supportive meals from soup to dessert using the highest quality, organic ingredients available—free of the most allergy producing foods such as wheat, dairy and refined sugar.  Menus include both raw and cooked foods.
Before each of the five cooking sessions, we’ll practice a quick and easy exercise to center and focus the group.  Diane will review the daily menu and together we’ll create a master plan or map to guide you through the menu preparation, and the time saving steps for your success in the kitchen.
 
We’ll go over each recipe in detail introducing you to their health-supportive ingredients. why we use them and the resources available for stocking your own pantry.   Then we’ll head for the kitchen where you’ll begin cooking in small groups under Diane’s expert guidance. 

In each session, we’ll also practice:

• honing your knife skills
• the art of seasoning
• fundamental health-supportive culinary techniques for preparing delicious organic meals including:
  • appetizers
  • non-dairy “cream” soups
  • salads and vinaigrettes
  • grain, bean and pasta dishes
  • seasonal vegetables 
  • calcium rich greens
  • and mouth-watering desserts

One meal will include fish as well as a vegetarian option.  Following each cooking class, you will feast on the gourmet meal you’ve prepared to experience the satisfying results. You'll go home with tips and techniques for a lifetime of healthy eating and enjoyment for yourself and your entire family.

Lecture/Workshops

In these eye-opening workshops, you’ll discover a whole new way to think about food and how to make conscious food choices that support your personal goals.

You’ll discover how to:

• connect the dots between the food you eat and what you experience physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually
• use the Three Levels of Food Consciousness, the use of Intention, and how to become a conscious gourmet
• understand a variety of diets and how they apply to your particular constitution
• use both Eastern and Western models of nutrition such as expansive/contractive, acid/alkaline and Five Phases from Chinese Medicine to identify and eliminate food cravings; the connection between food and mood; and how to create menus that maintain a healthy Ph for maximum nutrition and weight maintenance
• prepare meals that balance YOU and leave you free of cravings and food binges
• break the food allergy/addiction cycle and eliminate the toxic bloat we call fat that accompanies it
• identify the underlying health conditions that often sabotage our best efforts to maintain a health supporting diet
• select and use high quality fats and oils, and the use of Omega 3’s
• use the ABC’s of menu planning for creating both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals and how to use leftovers creatively
• use both local and Internet resources for health-supportive foods, condiments, staples and more!

You will receive a Conscious Gourmet apron and binder filled with recipes, numerous handouts and resource lists to support your continued learning.  Knives are supplied for your use during class and will be available for purchase.

Free Time

Most afternoons are free to explore the Tucson area on your own or with the group.  On Wednesday morning, an optional group outing will include a carpool trip to the artist’s town of Tubac and lunch in one of its many fine restaurants. 

• $200 early bird discount for payment in full posted on or before August 1
• $200 program fee discount for 2 or more participants enrolling together

Note:  Only 1 discount applied per enrollment.

A non-refundable $250 deposit reserves your space.  If you are not paying in full at time of registration, one-half the remaining program fee is due 90 days before the retreat start date, with the remaining balance due 60 days before retreat start date. Registration 59 days or less before the start date requires payment in full.

The 6 day, 5 evening Program Fee includes the following:

• Welcome dinner in Tucson Restaurant
• Knife skills class  
• 5 hands-on cooking classes with complete meals
• 4 lecture/workshops
• Daily breakfast buffets
• Conscious Gourmet apron
• Binder with recipes and lecture/workshop handouts
• 3 Yoga classes (pending)

Plus the fun and camaraderie of like minded people
enhanced by a retreat setting!

ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations at Casa Estrella will be reserved on a first reserved basis and include the following:

1 king master suite with large sitting area,space flat screen television and fireplace area, ceiling fan and Jacuzzi tub, large walk-in shower, private deck with spectacular views: $195 single; $225 double, per night

2 king rooms with sitting area and private bath: $145 single, $195 double , per night
2 twin bed rooms with sitting area, private shared bath: $95 pp

Contact Diane at 203-622-1189 to discuss which accommodation in Casa Estrella will best suit your needs. Retreat enrollments that exceed the bedroom capacity of the estate will be accommodated in a local hotel.

Not included

• Airfare
• Car rental or shuttle/taxi services
• Meals or beverages other than listed above

Additional tours or services are available at the participant's option and expense. If you choose to participate in activities outside of the group itinerary, no deductions, allowances or substitutions will be made.