I know a number of people who give cooking and nutrition classes and I like to promote people that I know. Here’s an introduction to three four:

Meghan Telpner, certified nutritionist and holistic lifestyle consultant: I could make a diagram of the ways that Meghan fits into my life. I first discovered Meghan and her column in the National Post online via link from another website (likely TasteTO). Then I checked her blog and liked it because of its content and our similar interests. I realized that I know her brother and we have other people in common and other connections. She’s one of my favourite people.  Meghan’s website.

Marni Wasserman, nutritionist: I think that we got acquainted through Meghan’s blog. We’re connected on Facebook and Twitter and recently met at the Canadian Organic Food Growers conference. Marni’s website.

Leehe Lev, Personal Trainer and Nutrition and Wellness Coach, founder of Whole Self Fitness: I met her through synagogue, we started hanging out, then became neighbours. Whole Self Fitness website.

Added: The Cutting Veg.  I volunteered on the Cutting Veg farm last fall. I attended one of Daniel’s canning and preserving workshops last spring and previously met him at a food ethics discussion series (and at some point came across him in my high school yearbook). He too is my neighbour. The Cutting Veg can be found at farmer’s markets. The Cutting Veg’s website. Daniel announces workshops via email so get on his email list by emailing him (see below).

Below is a list of upcoming events, workshops, classes, etc. that these women are facilitating. I’ve only attended one of Meghan’s classes and none of Marni’s or Leehe’s so this isn’t an official endorsement. If you’ve been to Marni or Leehe’s classes and liked them, let me know.

**

Wednesday March 10th
6:30pm-9:30 pm
Super Suppers with Marni Wasserman
Contact Marni for location
$105

It’s tough being creative during the workweek, and its time to stop ordering in or eating out! Treat yourself… and come learn new and innovative recipes to kick start your weekday dinners. This class will teach you how to prepare recipes that are unique and delicious – they are even simple enough to prepare in an hour! [Learn more]

Sunday March 14
10am-12pm
Planning Your Organic Veggie Garden with Daniel Hoffman of The Cutting Veg
21 Kenwood Ave, Toronto
$32

Are you interested in growing your own organic veggie garden this season? Come and meet with Organic Farmer Daniel Hoffmann, from The Cutting Veg Organic Farm, and clarify your vision for a flourishing veggie patch. Explore some of the core concepts of organic agriculture, such as plant propagation, plant care, soil preparation and health, pest management, and composting, while doing some gardening right in the workshop. All levels of gardener are welcome.

Email Daniel to register.

Monday, March 15, 2010 (March Break)
2-4pm or 6-8pm
Creative Kids in the Kitchen with Marni Wasserman
Bayview/York Mills (contact Marni for exact location)
$85 (one parent and one child – add $25 for each additional child.)

With food sensitivities and intolerance’s becoming increasingly predominant, it is even more important for parents and children to learn healthy, enjoyable alternatives.

For kids ages 8-12 (Parents Welcome). Gluten and Allergy Free [Learn more]

March 15-May 3 (excluding March 29)
7-9pm
Workshop Series: Cultivating a Thriving Agribusiness with Daniel Hoffman of The Cutting Veg
21 Kenwood Ave, Toronto
$300 for the 7-week course.

Cultivating a Thriving Agribusiness: an Agribusiness Preparedness Course

Have you started (or dreamed of starting) your own Agriculture based business? Could you benefit from a little guidance in order to make your Agribusiness a thriving success? Come and learn with Organic Veggie Farmer Daniel Hoffmann, from The Cutting Veg Organic Farm, how to make your Agribusiness a reality. Whether you’ve been growing plants for years, or several seasons away from starting, come and prepare yourself for a business that is financially viable, community enriching, eco-friendly, and personally satisfying. Eligible business ideas include market gardens, homegrown catering & value added products, Agri-Education Services, Growing and Production of Personal Care Products (eg. Hand Salves, Natural Cleaners), Landscaping, etc. One does not need to be clear on their business idea in order to take the course. This course will also help you to establish your agricultural network within Ontario by connecting you with key farmers, organizations, and websites. Email Daniel for course outline.

Sunday March 21, 2010,
2:00 – 4:00pm
Natural Body Care with Meghan Telpner*
26 Noble Street, Unit 6 (Queen and Dufferin)
$60

In this two hour workshop, you will learn how to make everyday personal body care products out of the most basic kitchen ingredients. [Learn More]
(* I took this last year and had a lot of fun.)

March, 24th, 2010,
6:30-9:30pm
Preparing for Passover with Marni Wasserman

Be the one to turn your passover table into an interesting and innovative array of healthy dishes. Learn how make healthy and nutritious passover friendly recipes for your family. You will use delicious ingredients that are safe to use and that won’t leave you feeling guilty, bloated or tired. [Learn more]

March, 24th, 2010,
6:00-8:30pm
Cooking for Diabetes: Management and Prevention with Whole Self Fitness/Leehe Lev
Whole Foods Market- Yorkville
$45 + GST

A poor diet, inactivity and obesity are risk factors for getting Type 2 Diabetes. During this class you will learn practical skills to cut your risks, your waist line and your budget. Join Leehe from Whole Self Fitness to learn to prepare four delicious dishes and practical skills to apply to your kitchen. Gain some efficient cooking techniques & ingredient substitution tips, with emphasis on how to make one creative preparation stretch across several meals. [Learn more]

Monday, April 5th
7:30 – 9:30 pm
Fuel Your Life with Meghan Telpner
26 Noble Street, Unit 6 (Queen and Dufferin)
$24

We are what we eat and we become what we think.

Imagine a life where you eat what your body needs and think the thoughts that build you up, rather than eat and think in a manner that brings you down and breeds less than optimal health. In this two hour seminar and workshop, Meghan and Jennifer will provide you the information and tools you need to fuel all aspects of your life. [Learn more]

**

Edit:

To avoid creating a second post for this, so here are two more events from The Stop:

Sunday March, 27th, 2010
1-5pm
Get Cooking With The Stop: Perfect Pasta
$120

Join Chef Gabriele Paganelli of the acclaimed Romagna-Mia Restaurant in this hands-on cooking class. Chef Paganelli will demonstrate the authentic way to prepare four kinds of pasta: tagliatelle, passatelli, ravioli and strozzapreti. [Learn more]

Thursday, March 29
6 pm
Food for Change dinner
$75 ($120 with wine pairings by Coyote’s Run)

Join the Stop for an extra special Food for Change dinner. As a finale to Stop for Food, Chef Chris Brown will be joined by the Cross Town Kitchens chefs (Anthony Davis, Jason Inniss, Luis Valenzuela, Bertrand Alépée and Ted Corrado) and the whole team will produce a sumptuous five-course meal for you to enjoy in our beautiful greenhouse. (Kitchen crew opportunities will not be available for this dinner.) [Learn more]

The following is the text of an email that I received from Daniel of The Cutting Veg a few days ago:

For those of us who wish to eat locally year-round, the climate of Southern Ontario can pose some challenges. However, if we put some energy into preserving the harvest, eating locally in the winter is very achievable. This workshop will provide an in-depth look at the four primary methods of preserving food: canning, drying, freezing, and storing. This workshop will occur partially within a kitchen so that we can practice some of the preserving methods right in the workshop.  Through participation in this workshop, you will learn the skills necessary for preserving, while developing a plan to approach the 2010 Harvest season that lies ahead.

Details: Sunday, Feb 28th, 10am-12pm, at 21 Kenwood Ave, Toronto, M6C 2R8, $32

To register:

• Email Daniel Hoffmann at daniel@thecuttingveg.com to rsvp
• Complete Payment to secure your spot.  Payment can be completed by sending a cheque (made out to The Cutting Veg) to 21 Kenwood Ave., Toronto, ON, M6C 2R8, or through Paypal (http://www.paypal.ca), with payment directed to daniel@thecuttingveg.com

[The photo above is of me with a tomato that I'd just harvested during a visit to the Cutting Veg farm last fall.]