Understanding Gut Health & Digestion

Back by popular demand!

Did you know that bacteria outnumber cells in our bodies nearly 10:1? Michael Pollan suggests thinking of it this way: 99% of the DNA in our body is not our own. In this way, we are more microbial than human! The implications for caring for one’s body and health are at a new frontier. Most of these bacteria live in our digestive tract and together make up a sort of organ whose functions have only recently begun to reveal themselves. Many of these microbes are symbiotic and help perform important functions for our body, but they can get out of balance due to outside influences. Join gut health specialist and Certified GAPS Practitioner Melanie Christner to learn how to care for the healthy microbiome within, how to help the microbiome when it has gone awry, and learn all about the amazing role our gut bacteria plays in total body health and well-being.

*Please note that this is not a hands-on class, but if you want to get hands-on and learn to prepare foods that promote a healthy gut, Melanie is teaching a Cooking for Optimal Gut Health class on Thursday, April 20th! Click here to read more about it.

To register for classes, please contact Denise Senesac at the Hannaford Career Center by calling (802) 382-1004, or emailing dsenesac@pahcc.org. Please register at least one week in advance. Classes are capped at 12 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. All classes are $30, or FREE for members of the Co-op’s Food For All Program.

Composting & Reducing Food Waste

Is your household ready for the rollout of Act 148 – Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law? Under this new law, curbside food scrap collection will be an option, but why not choose to save time, money, and precious resources by composting those scraps or, better yet, reducing food waste at the source?  Join Jaclyn Hochreiter from the Addison County Solid Waste Management District (ACSWMD) to learn all about home composting, plus lots of inspiring strategies for ensuring that the food you grow or purchase doesn’t go to waste!  Approximately 40-50% of food waste in the US occurs at the household level. We can do so much better! Whether we’re eliminating food waste through better planning and use of available food, donating food, or learning to compost food, we all have better options that don’t involve throwing food into the garbage. This class will leave you equipped with the tools and strategies needed to make it happen!

*As an added bonus – Jaclyn and crew at ACSWMD are offering class participants the opportunity to purchase a Soil Saver Composter at half price!!

To register for classes, please contact Denise Senesac at the Hannaford Career Center by calling (802) 382-1004, or emailing dsenesac@pahcc.org. Please register at least one week in advance. Classes are capped at 12 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. All classes are $30, or FREE for members of the Co-op’s Food For All Program.

Healthy Cooking on a Budget

Looking for new and creative ways to feed yourself and your family healthy foods without blowing the budget? Personal Chef and Food Educator Elissa Castelli is on a mission to prove that eating healthy need not cost a fortune! Join her in this hands-on class to learn to make delicious, nourishing meals using recipes and strategies that work within your budget.

To register for classes, please contact Denise Senesac at the Hannaford Career Center by calling (802) 382-1004, or emailing dsenesac@pahcc.org. Please register at least one week in advance. Classes are capped at 12 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. All classes are $30, or FREE for members of the Co-op’s Food For All Program.

Getting Started with Beekeeping: Organically

Join beekeeping expert Ross Conrad of Dancing Bee Gardens for an introductory-level class for folks interested in small scale backyard beekeeping. The workshop will present a balanced view of natural and organic beekeeping topics and practices including:  location and equipment requirements; basic honey bee biology; swarming as an expression of the bees’ vitality; presence and mindfulness in the beeyard; non-toxic pest and disease control; and an appreciation for the role that pollinators and beekeepers play within Earth’s ecosystem.

Registration for the fall series begins on August 1st. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the class date. Classes are $30, or free for members of the Food For All program. Classes are capped at 12 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, please contact Denise Senesac at the Hannaford Career Center by calling (802) 382-1004, or email dsenesac@pahcc.org.

Adaptogens & Other Herbal Allies for Immunity

Adaptogens are medicinal herbs that help our bodies adapt to stressors of all kinds, including those that stress our immune systems in the winter. Join Certified Clinical Herbalist Emily French of Sweetgrass Herbals to learn about adaptogens and other herbal allies for winter immune support. Emily will discuss immune strengtheners for prevention, and immune boosters for when you’re feeling a cold coming on. And because staying healthy is about more than just the immune system, we’ll also talk about adaptogens for other kinds of stress: emotional, digestive, chemical, and more.

Registration for the fall series begins on August 1st. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the class date.  Classes are $30, or free for members of the Food For All program. Classes are capped at 12 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, please contact Denise Senesac at the Hannaford Career Center by calling (802) 382-1004, or email dsenesac@pahcc.org.

Co-op Favorites

Do you love the MNFC deli’s Kale Artichoke Salad? Or maybe you just can’t get enough of the Wheat Free Vegan Vanilla Cake? By popular demand, we’ve cooked up this fun class where our deli’s own Emily Fleming will share the Co-op’s most popular deli recipes and cook up a batch of your favorites!

Registration for the fall series begins on August 1st. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the class date.  Classes are $30, or free for members of the Food For All program. Classes are capped at 12 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, please contact Denise Senesac at the Hannaford Career Center by calling (802) 382-1004, or email dsenesac@pahcc.org. Please specify food allergies and/or dietary restrictions during registration.

Gluten Free Baking

Going gluten free shouldn’t mean missing out on your favorite baked goods. With the holiday baking season just around the corner, it’s a perfect time to join Personal Chef and Educator Elissa Castelli to learn how to bake mouth-watering gluten free baked goods without sacrificing great texture and flavor.

Registration for the fall series begins on August 1st. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the class date.  Classes are $30, or free for members of the Food For All program. Classes are capped at 12 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, please contact Denise Senesac at the Hannaford Career Center by calling (802) 382-1004, or email dsenesac@pahcc.org. Please specify food allergies and/or dietary restrictions during registration.

Gut Health & Digestion

Did you know that bacteria outnumber cells in our bodies as much as 10:1? Most of these live in our digestive tract and together they make up a sort of organ whose functions have only recently began to reveal themselves. Michael Pollan suggests thinking of it this way: 99% of the DNA in our body is not our own. In this way, we are more microbial than human. These microbes can be benign and/or symbiotic. They help us, we help them. They can also get out of balance, due to outside influences. Join Certified GAPS Practitioner Melanie Christner to learn how to care for the healthy microbiome within, how to help the microbiome when its gone awry, and learn all about the amazing role our gut bacteria plays in total body health and well-being.

Registration for the fall series begins on August 1st. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the class date.  Classes are $30, or free for members of the Food For All program. Classes are capped at 12 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, please contact Denise Senesac at the Hannaford Career Center by calling (802) 382-1004, or email dsenesac@pahcc.org. Please specify food allergies and/or dietary restrictions during registration.