Private classes

Workshops and cooking classes are available on a range of topics. Please visit http://www.wisewayscookingschool.com/private_classes for more information. We strongly encourage classes for small groups in home kitchens! It's truly the best way to learn. Rates start at 300.00 for a 3-hour class, plus a 10.00 materials fee for each participant.

For a current class listing: click here

All events listed below are past classes and workshops. For a current schedule of cooking classes and lectures please visit the site for Wise Ways Cooking School or click here.

Past classes

Traditional Foods for Healthy Kids and a Strong Immune System

Date: Mon. 10/18, 6:00-8:00pm.......................................FREE ADMISSION! Hosted by the Holistic Moms Network Chapter of the Upper East Side

219 East 69th St. (btw. 2nd & 3rd Avenues), New York, NY                        

With the change of season and back-to-school time many kids experience colds, flus, ear infections, and a resurgence of asthma and allergies. Come learn how you can help strengthen your child’s immune system and overall health with traditional nutrient-dense foods that have kept people healthy and well for centuries. In this workshop we will present an overview of essential nutrition for children of all ages, and discuss specific ways to strengthen the immune system and enhance the body’s natural ability to heal. Recommendations for sourcing and preparing healing and health-promoting foods will be provided, as well as suggestions for getting over cold-season illnesses naturally. 

Timeless Principles of Infant and Child Nutrition, and Baby's First Foods

Location: Bend & Bloom Yoga
708 Sackett St., Park Slope (Brooklyn)

Contact number: (347) 987-3162

Tues. August 3, 12:30-2:30pm

Suggested donation: $15 

Should I feed my baby rice cereal? Organic "puffs?" Juice? What about Cheerios, cow's milk, soy, and wheat? When can I introduce meats? Is raw milk safe for my child? What about food allergies? Iron supplements? Does organic matter??

Let's face it: transitioning to solid foods is a time of exploration, conflicting information, trial-and-error, and just plain confusion. It's time to go way beyond the conventional wisdom and learn what your baby really needs to be healthy and well, what she can digest at these early stages, and what she needs for proper growth, steady development, and a strong immune system. We will cover the principles of child nutrition discovered by Weston A. Price in his study of healthy traditional communities, and will offer guidance on how to prepare your child for a balanced, varied traditional-foods diet, while preventing and addressing issues like food allergies, frequent infections, digestive problems, and pickiness. This workshop is a must for new parents, parents-to-be, and parents of toddlers.

Healing Foods for Children & Families: Understand and address your child’s inexplicable health and behavioral issues (a.k.a. "The GAPS class")

Class information: $165 for the series (3 classes), $60/individual class, $20 for healing foods starter kit. Classes are held in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9pm on Apr. 27, May 4, and May 11, and on Wednesday day-times from 11-1:30pm on Apr. 28, May 5, and May 12. Email Hannah@EarthBodyBalance.com to reserve your spot as these classes are filling quickly.

Fee includes three comprehensive handouts of health information, notes from topics covered in class, recipes, and sourcing recommendations, plus email support between classes. Classes are held in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (94th St. and Shore Road). On-street parking is available, and we are about a 10-minute walk from the R train subway stop.

Class description

This class is for families who are struggling to understand and address the inexplicable health and behavioral issues going on with their kids. Whether it’s a limited diet, stunted growth, inability to gain weight, learning and behavioral issues, chronic digestive problems, food allergies, carbohydrate cravings, Autism, low energy, depression, eczema, ADD/ADHD, asthma, troubled sleep, anemia, “acting out,” or poor immune function, this class will help you understand what’s really going on and how you can get your child started on the road to health and vitality. This class is also appropriate for people struggling to lose weight, to address hormonal imbalances, to correct immune and reproductive issues (including Hashimoto's hypothyroidism), and to prevent or address diabetes and blood sugar issues. This treatment approach has been used successfully for the past ten years by Dr. Natashia Campbell-McBride, author of Gut & Psychology Syndrome.

Tues. April 27, 6:30-9pm

Wed. April 28, 11-1:30pm

Class 1: Understanding the situation – presentation and discussion

• The inner ecosystem: why and how our body’s gut flora form the basis for good health
• Factors that affect inner ecosystem health
• What really causes eczema, candida, and yeast infections?
• Understanding “leaky” gut syndrome and food allergies/intolerances
• Understanding and improving digestive health, nutrient absorption, and energy levels
• How issues with texture, taste, and trying new foods are directly related to gut dysbiosis
• An overview of the psychological manifestations of gut dysbiosis, including Autism, depression, and learning & behavioral disorders
• Our gut -- our immune system
• What our kids need, nutritionally-speaking
• Assessing your child's situation

Tues. May 4, 6:30-9pm

Wed. May 5, 11-1:30pm

Class 2: Practical strategies for transitioning to a healing diet – presentation and cooking demo

• Setting up your kitchen and kitchen “detox”
• Navigating a supermarket, farmers’ market, and health food store
• Sourcing nutrient-dense foods outside of the mainstream
• Planning ahead
• Incorporating bone broths
• Cooking with healthy fats – how to substitute in your regular recipes
• Homemade yogurt & kefir made simple
• Beverage ideas & juicing
• Probiotic foods

Tues. May 11, 6:30-9pm

Wed. May 12, 11-1:30pm

Class 3: Healing diet intro

• The 7 stages of the healing diet
• Easing into the healing diet: gentle transitions
• Eliminating and substituting for grains, fruit, bread, sweeteners, starchy vegetables, and fresh milk
• Breakfast – 2 ideas
• Lunch – 2 ideas
• Dinner – 2 ideas
• Foods to fall back on – 3 ideas
• Sensitivity tests & understanding how quickly your child can progress
• Supplement options: probiotics, fermented cod liver oil, and HCl (stomach acid)

Nourishing Wisdom Cooking Series: Foods for a healthy mother, healthy baby, and the whole family!

This series is also excellent for individuals with thyroid and adrenal disorders, low immune function, cravings, diabetes/pre-diabetes, hypoglycemia, fatigue, low energy, depression, fertility problems, and those who are struggling to lose weight. This class will be held some time in the summer, with emphasis on seasonal, cooling foods. Email me to be placed on the waiting list.

--please scroll down for registration information and reviews-- 

This series provides a solid foundation in sourcing and preparing nutrient-dense foods to support your health and the health of your little one at any stage, with a special emphasis on the sensitive times surrounding childbirth and raising young children.

In just four lessons you will learn simple, traditional preparation and cooking techniques that will allow you to incorporate the foods your bodies need most at these important stages: nourishing fats, mineral-rich broths, enzyme-enhanced foods (a.k.a. lacto-fermented or "super-raw"), properly-prepared whole grains, high-quality protein, and (where appropriate) raw and cultured grass-fed dairy.

Lessons are interactive and hands-on with lots of practical suggestions, recipes, lively discussion, and delicious food samples galore! This series is also appropriate for families with older children, and for single people and non-parents as well. Both novice and experienced cooks are encouraged to attend!

• Lesson One: Better breakfasts…are easy and nutrient-dense! Instructions on preparing whole grain hot cereals, fried oat cakes, thickened milk, savory quinoa, and pastured eggs for breakfast. All the favorites like oatmeal, pancakes, breakfast meats, Hollandaise sauce, hearty brunches, super-quick smoothies, homemade yogurt, and much more. Seasonal emphasis and variations for any taste. Guaranteed totally nourishing, quick, and truly delicious! We will discuss ways to combine and balance breakfast foods to ensure the whole family stays full and energetic for hours. This class is crucial for getting the whole family off to a good nutritional start each morning, in preparation for a day of active learning, work, and play.

• Lesson Two: Lunches, at home and on-the-go. This class teaches everything you need to know about what to have on hand so you can quickly throw together a healthful, sustaining meal, at home or on the go. Learn to put together easy meals that will be equally delicious and convenient at home, in the park, or at the office – no refrigerator or microwave needed! Special tips for baby- and toddler-friendly meals that are easy to pack and carry (get ready to throw away those organic "puffs" and Cheerios!). Meal ideas can be supplemented and combined to make a larger, more filling dinner, or pared down for a simple snack or light lunch. Lacto-fermented condiments and beverages (including ketchup, coconut oil mayo, and homemade ginger ale) are covered in this lesson, as well as creamy herb cheese, BBQ sauce, nourishing fish spreads, traditional refried beans, quick quiche, and easy gourmet chicken liver pâté. A complete discussion of sourcing and selecting traditional sourdough breads to prevent problems with gluten, wheat, and blood sugar issues is included. This class is essential for a healthy digestive system, avoidance of allergies, and for establishing "friendly" intestinal flora; it is also crucial for ensuring your little ones are getting the healthy fat-soluble vitamins they need for strong bones and immunity.

• Lesson Three: Drink your minerals! Carefully-made bone broths have nourished cultures around the world for countless generations, and are a fantastic source of gelatin and minerals in electrolyte form -- which means you can be sure your little ones will be getting plenty of minerals in their diet without sports drinks or pediatric beverages. Find out what to do with leftover bones, how to make delicious and nourishing chicken, shrimp, oxtail, and fish broths, how to make pan gravy, and how to cook beans and whole grains using homemade broth. This class is of particular importance for thyroid and glandular health, as well as for ensuring proper digestion of proteins.

• Lesson Four: Nourishing treats. How can busy parents or parents-to-be keep their kids healthy in the face of food advertising and peer pressure? Come learn some strategies for ensuring good health and energy, and keeping sugar out of your family's daily diet. Get ready to sample a full array of natural sweeteners and learn how to make some delicious nourishing desserts, like winter-squash custard, homemade ice cream, coconut macaroons, baked fruit with sweet cheese topping, and vanilla pudding. A snack alternative to Cheerios will be covered, as well as a discussion of cod liver oil and limiting sweets for ensuring a healthy immune system.

Fill out our contact form to receive e-mail updates on upcoming classes. Space is limited. Click here to download the series outline and pass it along to your friends!

March 2010 -- four lessons -- series fee: $180, materials fee: $20, TOTAL SERIES FEE: $200. 10% discount for both people when you bring a partner, spouse, or friend. The rate for individual drop-in classes is $55. **If you are struggling financially and cannot afford the cooking series, please contact me about assisting with the class in exchange for reduced-price attendance (only $40 materials fee required). One assistant accepted for each session. One half-price scholarship ($100) is also available each session for low-income participants.**

Fee includes four comprehensive handouts of recipes, tips, health information, and sourcing recommendations, plus delicious food samples to take home, and email support between classes.

Classes are held in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (94th St. and Shore Road). On-street parking is available, and we are about a 10-minute walk from the R train subway stop.

If you would like to purchase a gift certificate or sponsor someone for the cooking series, please contact me.

A few responses from class participants:

"I never ate oatmeal, now I eat it everyday with lots of butter and cream. I feel a lot better throughout my morning shifts."

"I feel like my unabashed consumption of fat has made me calmer."

"I’m very happy we took the class. It helped to get us [my wife and me] on the same page."

"Great class! Very informative, well researched and extremely interesting even for someone who is familiar with WAPF [Weston A. Price Foundation] principles."

"I loved the breakfast class. I have made the oat cakes, thickened milk, rice, etc. a lot since the class. I have also started saving my bacon fat drippings as per Hannah's recommendation! All the classes were great, especially for the tidbits that I picked up that may or may not have been a part of the official 'curriculum'- Just seeing Hannah's cooking techniques, kitchen supplies, hearing interesting notes, etc. were all great."

"I get hypoglycemia almost never now! My breakfast holds me over until 2 or 3 pm! All the healthy fats and protein really fill me up. Also, I am less bloated around my belly."

"[I've been incorporating] soaking (this was a big one, since before the class I was intimidated by this prospect!), using natural sweeteners (and very little!), eating more liver. Wow - I loved your chicken liver pate!"

"I feel better, more energetic, healthier, etc. My biggest issue was/is having things sustain us for longer periods of time and I think this is happening. I feel more calm in general. We've been healthy through this very cold and wet winter. The broths really have boosted us on a few occasions. We are also relying less and less on any convenience foods (crackers/cereal/bagels) - this is a huge shift for us. The sweets/junk food was not really our issue but running out of food or still being hungry after just eating was our issue and this seems to be changing. Also, I just seem to have more food in the fridge. These types of foods seem to stretch farther."

"I liked the teaching style. I thought it was informal but with a clear structure and pace. I really appreciated that you were calm and not rushed or trying to accomplish too much in one session and yet I thought you covered a great deal in each class."

"We are now members of the raw milk club and have had 2 pick ups! We are soaking grains, soaking flours, practicing fermenting cabbage and beets, I have also made ice cream. Both my husband and I notice feeling fuller longer. Feeling more satisfied with what we have eaten. I have also noticed that the more I practice the easier it gets."

"I found it very informative. I really liked being there watching how things are made and seeing how things taste."

"I liked the informality of your kitchen."

"I think you are very professional and well organized. I love the handouts. They are a wealth of information that I can refer to again and again."

Earth/Body Balance workshops

Nourishing Wisdom: The Fertility, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding Diet, and Baby's First Foods

Next presentation: Sat. June 26, 2-4:30pm

93 St. Mark's Place, 2nd floor (labeled ROC on buzzer), East Village (New York City)

Fee: $10-20 sliding scale suggested donation (proceeds to benefit the NYC chapter of the TNG Parents' Group)

Throughout history, humans have prized certain foods that were known to provide the special nourishment needed for creating -- and raising -- healthy children. In this workshop with co-presenter Angela Davis (health counselor) we will discuss what these traditional foods are and why they are of vital importance for fertility, pregnancy, lactation, and feeding babies. We will cover the pioneering work of Dr. Weston A. Price, his study of healthy traditional communities, and the underlying factors in a variety of traditional diets that conferred fertility, beauty, strength, and freedom from disease. Come learn how you can transition to a way of eating that will help maximize your chances of conceiving a healthy baby, how to eat for the growing child within you, which foods will increase the nutritional value and volume of breast milk, and which foods to emphasize when transitioning your little one to solids.

"I was at your workshop last night about Traditional Nutrition for Fertility, Pregnancy and Babies' First Foods. I didn't get a chance to speak with you at the end of the workshop, so I just wanted to shoot you an e-mail and say thank you so much for your presentation. You did such a wonderful job presenting vitally important and potentially life changing information to the group. Although I am not yet a mother I do plan on becoming one within the next several years. I know that the important nutritional information I learned at your workshop will one day help me grow more healthy (physically and mentally), robust children who I hope will grow up to become happy and productive members of society. In advance, thank you for your impact on their future... The presence of your son Oliver at the workshop spoke strongly in favor of the efficacy of your traditional eating philosophy. What a beautiful and healthy looking child he is!"

-K.M., Brooklyn NY