A detailed itinerary for your particular retreat destination will be sent upon receipt of the retreat deposit or upon earlier request.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE

The program begins at 4:00 p.m. on the day of arrival and completes on the final day at approximately noon.  Enrollment confirmation, driving directions, itinerary and retreat week details will be e-mailed upon receipt of the retreat deposit.

YOGA/MEALS

Most retreats offer morning yoga/movement class (see individual retreat listings) followed by a whole foods breakfast buffet. Daily cooking classes include a delicious organic meal from soup to desert.  Two evening meals are included in the program fee. 

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 common 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, plus time saving steps for your success in the kitchen.

We’ll go over each recipe in detail introducing you to their health-supportive ingredients such as grains, beans, natural sweeteners, high quality oils, condiments and a variety of staples--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.

Practice in each session includes:   

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

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 life-changing lecture/workshops, you’ll discover a whole new way to think about food and how to make conscious food choices that support your personal goals.
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 models such as expansive/contractive, acid/alkaline and Five Phases from Chinese medicine to identify and eliminate food cravings for nutrition deficient food; 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 your vacation destination’s unique offerings on your own or with the group.  Visit individual retreat sites for specific opportunities for sightseeing, hiking, shopping and gallery browsing or for spa services.  One afternoon and evening includes an optional group excursion and dinner.

PROGRAM FEE: $1545

The $1545 Core Program Fee includes the following:

• Orientation and Welcome dinner
• Knife skills class
• 1 demonstration cooking class  with complete meal
• 4 hands-on cooking classes with complete meals
• 4 lecture/workshops
• Conscious Gourmet breakfasts (except Thursday)
• 3 Yoga/Movement classes
• Conscious Gourmet apron
• Binder with recipes and lecture/workshop handouts

DISCOUNTS  (only one discount per enrollment)

• $200 discount for payment received in full 90 days before retreat start date
• $200 discount for two people enrolling together ($100 each)

Not included

• Airfare
• Car rental or shuttle/taxi services
• Accommodations (included in some retreat locations – check individual site)
• 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.

REGISTRATION

• A non-refundable, non transferrable,  $250 deposit reserves your space 
• $647.50 due 90 days before the retreat start date
• $647.50 due 60 days before the retreat start date
• Registration 59 days or less before the start date requires payment in full
• Accommodation fees (where applicable) are due with your final payment 60 days before the retreat start date

Register by calling 203-622-1189 or e-mailing Diane at dcarlsonsspirit@aol.com.  You will be notified where to send your deposit and remaining payments.  Please include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address as well as your selected program location.  Class size is limited to ensure the best learning experience.  Early registration is recommended to assure availability.

Your enrollment will be confirmed by e-mail (or mailed hard copy if requested).  A welcome packet and itinerary will be e-mailed to you with all the retreat details to make your journey as easy and enjoyable as possible.

CANCELLATION POLICY   Click here for Policies

 TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend purchasing travel insurance through the internet such as Travel Guard International whose travel insurance plans offer coverage for vacation and trip cancellation, travel interruptions and delays, emergency medical and health expenses, lost baggage and more.

Visit each individual retreat site locations for the following:

• RETREAT DESTINATION LOCATION AND OFFERINGS
• TRAVEL INFORMATION
• ACCOMMODATIONS
• YOGA/MEALS
• FREE TIME ACTIVITIES
• EXCURSIONS

Click here for complete Core Program Calendar