Certification Class Experience

[ReneeH]

:D. Hey Fellow RAWBIES!!!!

All I can say is WOW!!!! I have just completed Alissa's Level 1 Certification Class!!!!! (Day 1 of 4). You GUYS, it was incredible!!!! Just seeing Alissa again was absolutely wonderful, but being able to attend the class was totally surreal...!!!!

I had such an adventure getting here!!! I've met some wonderful people!!! The stories were just amazing!!!! I can definitely see how missing Day 1 would have been a tragedy because of the bonding that all of the students did. Not just sharing stories, but helping each other to get to class from the hotel, and participating in the activities!!! It really helped everyone to connect with one another...to develop a foundation for lasting friendships!

Today Alissa focused on "The FOOD". She DEFINITELY teaches from her heart. You can really see her sincerity and feel how much she LOVES what she does! Even though I have made all of the dishes she made today, I appreciated her style and technique. Everything was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!! What really stood out to me was her Collard Wrap and Broccoli Soup.

I want to download some photos, but I'm on my phone and I'm not sure how to do that from here, so bear with me! I also wanna just check to make sure it's ok with her before I do....

It's been a REALLY GREAT DAY!!!! My excitement is STILL through the ROOF!!!! I can't WAIT to get back home in the Kitchen and practice what I've learned today!!!!!

My goodness!!!! How am I gonna get ANY sleep tonight!!!! LOL!!!!

[T-Bird]

Glad you made it Renee! Looking forward to more updates!

Did you notice any difference in the taste of the foods?

Continue to have fun!

[DebB]

Wow Renee ~ It's so good to hear from you. Congratulations on your Certification, this is so exciting! *Ü*

(Earth to Renee - Earth to Renee)

[RawKnitster]

That is wonderful. Thanks for sharing. :)

[Raw Angel Mom]

I am taking the class too and i was so happy to meet YOU Renee in person. This course is totally amazing and so much more then i was expected. I can't believe i took so long to register. Hopefully, Alissa, will offer these class again down the road because they are so worth it.

So far everything that i tasted is so good.

[ReneeH]

Day 2 Certification didn't focus so much on the Food as Level one did....but, let me tell you, the food was GOOOOOD!!! Today Our Beautiful Alissa became "Alissa Wa Wa"!!!!! :). Yep, she opened the floodgates and the tears began to flow like a river!!!

Everyone really connected with their inner self and discovered that through healing and eating Raw Food, you can really began peeling the layers back and actually see your true self! We learned how important it is to connect and see how important Raw Emotion is. I will sum it up this way:

Through cleansing and tears there is:

Peace

Joy

Understanding

Connection

Beauty

Dreams

Sharing

Passion

And, A Letting Go Of Fear.....

I'm gonna continue to dream BIG and hold on to my VISION. It really is so much more than Raw Food. It's seeing what your passionate about and following your dream. Yea, today was a really good day... :)



NOTE: I will upload photos when I get home because it's too much to do it by phone....

[spicyfull]

I am Happy you are having a RAWonderful time with this Life's Experience. Give Alissa My Love........

[Lara]

Thanks for your update- wow- RAW emotions- powerful stuff. Can't wait to see pictures!

[Green_Woman]

POIDH, POIDH!!! :D

Keep the updates coming, 'Nee... some of us here are eagerly anticipating the Day we can take that Class too, and I'll bet your post motivates some Newbies to want to try it. ;)

[ReneeH]

Day 3 Certification was equally WONDERFUL!!! Very emotional for me!!! Today Alissa focused on developing our Teaching Skills as well as other aspects of the Raw lifestyle such as Fasting and cleansing. We learned different teaching techniques and how to run a successful Raw business.

What was also GREAT was getting to spend time with Alissa's Sister Stacy!!! She helped me discover YOGA!!! And....the "DREADED" Neti Pot!!!! I still can't believe how scared I was to do it!!!! LOL!!!! She was so kind in guiding me through it. Will I do it again? Yea, I honestly would!!! Hearing about Stacy's journey and Alissa's hubby's journey touched my heart!!! WOW!!! You can read Stacy's story in Alissa's book!!! If you haven't read it, you MUST read it!!! Believe me, it WILL inspire you!!!

You know, I have the food down--I can make any dish in Alissa's Book Successfully, but this class has given me the tools and confidence that I can REALLY run a successful business! I ***CAN*** do this, yau'll!!! It's not as complicated as I was making it out to be. All I need to do is focus on the positive energy and believe in myself!!!

Alissa has been truly wonderful...a real friend to me. I'll never forget her kindness. She has made this experience one I will never forget.

Well, tomorrow is my Final day... I'm so excited to spend the entire day with Chef Lea!!!! She makes incredible dishes @ Grezzo!!!! I will get to see the behind the scenes things only Chefs get to see!!!! I'm so EXCITED!!!! I can't WAIT!!!! Another night with NO SLEEP!!!!!! LOL!!!! :)

[Green_Woman]

I really, really.... really... REALLY gotta take this Class.

Now.

[Shine]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! What an amazing experience!! :)

[RawTrucker]

Do men take her class? I don't know if I can stand being the only guy in room full of sobbing women. I'm afraid I would break down too

Jake

[lovenlife]

Nuttin wrong wit dat Jake, is theyah????

[Green_Woman]

Aww, Jake. It was two men who taught me how healthy it is to cry.... the first, a manly-man Cowboy. The second, my dear one -- a manly-man Sustainable material designer, business-owner, Property-manager, etc.

:D

[lovenlife]

Crying is soooooo great. I love how I look all washed clean after a good cry. Also releases pain endorphins!

[contessa20]

Alissa's hubby's journey touched my heart!!!

Wait! Alissa is married? Huh... I had no idea.

So glad you're taking the classes Renee; it sounds like so much fun!!!!!

[tanishamarshall]

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time with Alissa, I can't wait to hear about day 4. I wish I would have had the chef class when I went to the Grezzo experience as well. I loved getting to know Alissa and learning from her and Elaine.

[Raw Angel Mom]

I cannot wait to share my experience with all of you. Every day was unique and wonderful. Spending the 4th day with Alissa's raw chef was more then i was hoping for. I feel more confident and understand better how to bring up the flavor in raw dish. I thought i was fine until i took their class, little that i know that i would learn so much more. It was worth the trip, the money and my time. I hope Alissa will continue to offer similar class so you get to experience a course with her in person. The people that work for her are breath taken and including her beautiful sister. She is so sweet and loving.

You must manifest and go to Alissa's restaurant. They only use the finest and top quality of ingredient. They even religious on how they use their vitamix for not heating up the food. I was totally blown away.

These four days course exceed my expectations. It was a spiritual growth, empowerment and a new vision with raw food preparration.

Alissa and your beautiful team you rock and are phenomenal

And Renee, was a treat it was to meet you in person. You are so fun and wonderful.

[tanishamarshall]

Sounds like you had a wonderful experience Raw Angel Mom. When I went to Alissa's class there was no Grezzo, but I have heard some wonderful things about it. Happy to hear that you had a wonderful time.

[lovenlife]

I think our Miss Renee stayed there? It has been a looooooong four days? No?

Sure she has got a lot of flights to catch(up on)...hahaha

Cant wait to heeyah with my eeayah!

[soulstar]

Thank you!!Renee and Raw Angel Mom!

What a wonderful treat to read about your empowering experience with Alissa and Stacy and the Crew at Grezzo! How I would love to manifest this in my life someday!
Your descriptions were so heartfelt and inpirational! I can see that this Training is truly a Transformational 4 days that goes way beyond simply Raw Food, but into the realm of High-Powered Personal Empowerment to set you on the path of your biggest Dreams!

I am so glad that both of you were able to partake, and I appreciate all of the insights you have shared about both of your experiences of the classes!

Wow, what a feeling!!!!!

Keep Rawkin' and manifesting your dreams, one and all!! The world is waiting for you!!

Blessings!

Elena

[Aleesha Sattva]

Ya this is definitely on my wish list...

[Green_Woman]

You and me both, Aleesha... I would seriously consider doing the unthinkable and taking out a LOAN to do it. :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

It's up there with my yoga teachers training I plan on doing... of course I have to get a passport before I could even think about attending Alissa's class... so that would be step one LOL But it'll happen... it will. *wink*

[Green_Woman]

I have a Passport. You can borrow it. :D

[lovenlife]

If that is what u would do, I guess we over here a lil ways away better GET ON IT HUH?

[ReneeH]

Hey RAWbies!!!

I just realized I didn't tell everyone about DAY 4!!!! Sorry to leave ya hanging!!!!

Day 4 was spent ENTIRELY at Alissa's Boston Grezzo Restaurant. We spent the entire day with Alissa's Chefs Lea and Sam and hostess Latisha. Alissa was also there most of the day. Lea made so many Dishes, I lost count of them!!!! We got to see the behind the scenes look at the life of a Professional Chef!!!

Lea made it look so easy!!! She constantly kept the work surface spotless while making the MOST AMAZING dishes!!! She really is such a sweet person and quite an Amazing person to watch!!! I truly learned so much from watching her!!!

I have downloaded all of my photos from Class!!! It's a HUGE FILE...410 PHOTOS!!! I'll put a few on the board (SEE PAGE 3 OF THIS THREAD), but most I'll just leave there on Photobucket and put a link to the photos so that everyone can see them. I'll do that later...I've been so busy and I'm tired!!!

My family did SOOOO good today RAW!!! My DH and kids are going RAW with me!!! So, as soon as I got home yesterday, I made Lea's Broth. I put some Veggie Scraps in the "D" for that... Then I made dinner which was Stuffed Portabellas, which Hubby LOVED!!! I made "mini" ones for my kids with the Salad and they LOVED it!!!

Well, I am just BUZZING from class this past weekend!!! Alissa, Janet, Stacy, Sam, and Lea were all WONDERFUL!!! I feel like an 18 year old who is just going out into the world for the first time!!! The weekend was SOOO incredibly overwhelming!!! I need to just sit down and process it all.

Here's the menu for yesterday:

breakfast--Chef Lea's Granola w/Almond milk and Fruit for the side.

Green Smoothie

Lunch--Salad left over and Sunny Pate on it
Corn Chowder

Flax Crackers and Onion Bread which I used as crutons or for dipping the Pate!

Dinner--Zucchini Pasta w/Marinara Sauce, Marinated Sliced Portabellas, Broccoli Salad, Guac on the Side

Everyone LOVED it!!!

Right now in the "D" I have Eggplant Bacon, French Toast (for today) from RFRW's Book, and more of Flax Crackers....they don't last around here!!
Since my family is eating RAW with me, i'm trying to keep plenty of food available since they're used to mostly SAD diet. I will try to download my photos from class today, so stay tuned!!!

And, Stay RAW!!!!!

[ReneeH]

Wait! Alissa is married? Huh... I had no idea.

So glad you're taking the classes Renee; it sounds like so much fun!!!!!

look at the front of her book....clock that wedding ring, Yo! :)

[Conscious Midwife]

Anxiously awaiting those pics

Glad you had a blast!!! What a wonderful way to end the year and enter the next.

INSPIRED!!

[lovenlife]

congratulations....what an accomplishment.!!!!


I felt it was a lil anti-climactic as we awaited with baited breath to hear. And want to hear more and see more. Know u r tired tho, so we put out head between our knees or bring out the paper bag and breathe into it....just breathe..ahhh and wait patiently.
~phew. um yup a lil dramatic but we want to hear all of your exciting things! Bless you for sharing.

[ReneeH]

Lovin' Life, you crack me UP!!!!!!! :D

Yea, I have been INCREDIBLY BUSY!!! I'm on my phone right now cuz I have to work a flight tonight...after homeschooling all day!!!!! Whew!!!!! I'm SOOO tired!!!

My family's STILL Raw with me!!!! DH's been "cheating" tho....but it's all good! As long as I don't have to cook for him!!!!

I'm gonna attempt to put the URL thru my phone...

(didn't work....so see below...)

[Green_Woman]

'Nee, how did I miss that you're a Homeschooling Mom???

I was Homeschooled...!!! K-12...!!!

Way to GO, Raw Momma!!!!

[Conscious Midwife]

'Nee, how did I miss that you're a Homeschooling Mom???
...
Way to GO, Raw Momma!!!!

Ditto, where have I been!

I'm an eclectic world schoolin' sort, anxiously awaiting your class pics;)

[ReneeH]

Hey RAWbies!!!

Here's the link to my photobucket!!! Sorry it took so long! I've been incredibly busy since getting home!!!

note: when I downloaded the photos they got mixed up... So, I'm trying to sort them out so that you can see the steps in making each dish, so bear with me!!! I am also in the process of labeling each photo, so some have labels and some don't. Enjoy!!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ENTIRE ALBUM.....OVER 400 PHOTOS!!!!:

http://s517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/



Here are a few photos of the main dishes:


PAPAYA STEAK

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AlissasCLASS12-4-09296.jpg

TOMATO SURPRISE WITH BREADSTICKS

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AlissasCLASS12-4-09376.jpg

ALISSA'S PIZZA

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AlissasCLASS12-4-09146.jpg

[ReneeH]

MAIN PHOTOS CONTINUED:

RAVIOLI

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AlissasCLASS12-4-09397.jpg

ALISSA'S COLLARD ROLLS--*****ISN'T ALISSA JUST GORGEOUS YAU'LL!!!!!*****

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AlissasCLASS12-4-09188.jpg

CREPES FOR BREAKFAST!!!

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AlissasCLASS12-4-09256.jpg

STUFFED PORTABELLAS

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/1259979987.jpg

[ReneeH]

ENCHALADAS

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AlissasCLASS12-4-09350.jpg

DATE NUT TORTE

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AlissasCLASS12-4-09344.jpg

CHILI

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AlissasCLASS12-4-09287.jpg

CALZONE

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AlissasCLASS12-4-09319.jpg

[ReneeH]

CLASS PHOTO:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AlissasCLASS12-4-09244.jpg

I hope that you all enjoy my photos!!! It was truly a WONDERFUL experience!!! I will never forget it!!! :)

[ReneeH]

'Nee, how did I miss that you're a Homeschooling Mom???

I was Homeschooled...!!! K-12...!!!

Way to GO, Raw Momma!!!!

That is SOOO COOL!!!! We're so much ALIKE!!! Definitely separated at birth!!! :D We've been homeschooling 5 years now!!! We did use K-12, now we're using a similar program...less stressful!!!

[cara4art]

Renee H.!!! big hugs here - this is so awesome!!! I'm over on your Photobucket site now starting to look at your photos - thanks so much for sharing this with us, and it really is a window into what you were all doing! Alissa looks like a real dear too - vibrant, healthy and joyful! I'm so happy for you, and so many of us have followed your progression with first going raw, and now this big step - you rock! Your husband and kids are very lucky people to have someone as vibrant and loving in their lives. I've looked forward to all your photo posts and enjoyed them along with your stories too. I'm sure you're going to make a wonderful raw chef! BRAVO!

[ReneeH]

What a tremendous compliment!!!! I just saw this!!! Thank you so much!!!!

[monkapotapus]

Wow! Thanks for sharing all your photos :D

[ReneeH]

You're so Welcome!!!!

It was such a WONDERFUL experience! Getting to see Lea in action was such a privilege!!! Thank you so much Alissa!!!

[Green_Woman]

You ARE gonna make one Rawkin Raw Chef, 'Nee!!!!


And I agree.

Alissa just looks amazing - young, glowing, healthy and vibrant!


I LOVE these pictures!!! Ooooooh... I just can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ReneeH]

Thanks Greenie! I hope that you get to meet Alissa one day! She's REALLY GREAT!!! It's like talking to an old friend you've known all your life! Her Sister Stacy was such a joy to meet also! Go to the class, if you can! You WON'T regret it!!! :)

[lovenlife]

I would like to hear about the other experiences besides the food. Where you speak of the emotional sharing and such. I feel this piece is highly important and the one most often left out of raw talks.

For me, my personal growth is of higher importance than any food I eat. Raw food and raw food prep is so great and I love it yet this piece I await to hear.

[ReneeH]

Thanks you guys!!! :o I really appreciate the kind words!!!

Yea, the class was quite emotional on some days... It was about so much more than just the food. This lifestyle really helps you to see what you truly are inside and helps you to see clearly what you want to do with the knowledge you aquire.

It's difficult to discribe...you really have to experience it for yourself. But, it also helped me to see that Eating RAW is just ONE aspect of cleansing the whole person. Detoxing is another, Dry-Brushing, etc... It's taking care of yourself...the WHOLE individual. Alissa really tapped into that well. Just by asking a simple question and getting everyone to open up about their feelings and things they wanted to share helped everyone to connect with one another. We REALLY began to feel like a family and wanted to help one another.

For instance, one day she helped a student to build confidence in herself by using a technique that involved everyone helping her which drew all of us closer. Another student who was so used to helping others was herself helped. We all took turns doing things for her instead so that she could see what it felt like to have others help her!!! :)

So, yes, the class WAS about the food. But, then it WASN'T. When it needed to be about the food, Alissa focused on that. But, she also helped us to see beyond the dishes into ourselves and the people we will be helping when we teach them. Alissa was always "in the moment". She taught us to REALLY be a listening ear to people we teach. Students need to connect with their teacher as well as with other students.

I took so much away from my experience with Alissa! I have TOTALLY GROWN as a RAW Chef and as a person because of her. Words cannot express what going meant to me. I hope that you all get to have such an AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!!! :)

[lovenlife]

I love this. For me, food has always had its proper place....nourishment for the body. When going raw, I was more into growing as a person that focusing on the food.

I am working on a video right now that deals with raw emotions. I am so happy her class dealt with this a bit. I have seen, since going raw, that the challenge of raw emotions are not openly discussed very much..

People do offer exercise and writing and things like that. However I am seeking to talk about it, really talk about it.

We are all here to help one another. When we step outside of ourselves and see how we can be of service to other humnas, THAT is where true happiness lies. All their is.

I have had to be the receiver of things in recent times vs giving and it is a challenge for me.

I am so happy you had such a great time.