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Over the past two years my work as a Kitchen Garden Nutritionist has grown and developed.  Soon you will see a website called heart2heart nutrition which will have my work and links to other projects I am involved with.

Most of my time I am working with Ceres Community Project as their Nutrition Director.  I thought I would let you know about our work, it has been and organically birthed circle of nutrition, health, education and community support. Our mission is to:

To restore food to its place as primary medicine for healing and healthy communities by:

• Providing organic, local and nutrient-dense meals to individuals and families who are dealing with serious illnesses;
• Training young people how to cook and eat organic, nourishing whole foods;
• Educating all sectors of our community about the relationship between what we eat and the health of our bodies, our communities and the earth.

Healing from cancer is more than elimination of symptoms; but a journey to the core of one’s life. It potentially may reawaken life’s passion and reason to live.  Healing requires community support.  As pointed out in the 2009 Cancer Guide II Conference, community support is the primary element of healing from cancer.

Ceres Community Project’s focus is supporting people’s healing with healthy organic food and educating all of our constituencies about food, cooking and nutrition within the larger context of our interconnected relationship with all of life. We know that what our clients eat contributes to their healing in at least three ways:

• the nourishment of the food itself
• the reduction in daily stress because the meals are provided,
• and the emotional support of feeling held and cared for by the larger community.

Since March 29, 2007 we have provided more than 35,000 meals to families dealing with serious illness. Over 95% of our meals have gone to cancer survivors.

 All our work is based in community.  Hence Michael Presley of Lynmar Winery farms, Nathan Boone of First Light Farm, Dan White - a local organic grower  is growing food that is prepared by High School Teens and delivered to families dealing with serious illness.  All compost goes back to the farm, Laguna Farm that is.

My specific piece is with teaching the Healing Foods Cooking Courses and organizes a free public lecture series on health and nutrition.  Though food is the topic, healing is the intention.  That means we have class in our organic veggie garden and practice deep breathing, visualizations, meditation, yoga, qigong, and art as well as learn about whole food nutrition.  Of course we make a delicious meal to be shared by the class. 

Participants are those that have dealt with disease, been part of our program or are in the community at large and are recommended to the program.  It is free this year due to the generous support of our community.  Please feel free to be part of that community. 

Take a tour of our site at http://www.ceresproject.org/   and join us in creating the circle of healing.

Blessings!

Jo