Coaching and Classes

What are your reasons for adding more plants to your diet? Are you aiming to lower your carbon footprint by eating less meat and more plants? Do you want to prepare healthier meals that are still delicious? Would you like to extend the circle of compassion to include farm animals?

Moving Towards a Plant-Based Diet

Whether you identify with only one of these reasons or all three of them, I’m glad to report that moving toward a plant-based diet — even if you don’t want to go all the way to vegan — can be a fun and positive experience.  And I would be happy to provide advice and guidance to you on this journey.

Please note that I am a certified Vegan Chef and a Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator. I am not a physician, dietitian, or psychologist, and I do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any physical or mental disease or malady, disclosed or undisclosed. I will work with you as an educator and guide, not as a health care provider.

My Qualifications:

Following a 25+ year career in the environmental nonprofit sector, I switched gears in 2014 and began earning the credentials listed below. All of my culinary and nutritional training has been specifically plant based. And in the past few years, I have aimed to make my cooking methods as healthy as possible by reducing or eliminating refined sugars and oils — so my current focus is whole-foods, plant-based cuisine. To gain addition training in that area, I recently studied the Forks Over Knives cooking methods through a course offered by Rouxbe, and I understand the SOS-free approach (with no added salt, refined oils, and refined sugars). So I can certainly can work with you if that is the direction you want to go. Please note that I do normally use a limited amount of salt in my cooking, because that is the ingredient which transforms the food and blends flavors — still, I understand that many people will want to eliminate salt, and that is fine, too.

My most recent training provided instruction in the skills that are required for effective coaching, and completion of that course resulted in my certification as a Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator.

• October, 2019 – Certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator, Main Street Vegan Academy in NYC
• August, 2019 – Graduate of the Forks Over Knives cooking class, Rouxbe online cooking school
• February, 2019 – Graduate of the Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate Program, e-Cornell
• June, 2016 – Plant-Based Chef’s Certificate, School of Natural Cookery in Boulder, CO
• December, 2015 – Northern Virginia Food Manager Certificate
• December, 2014 – ServSafe Certification (food sanitation)

Services:

I will be happy to tailor my services to your needs and interests. There are many different things that we can work on together. Maybe you want help in planning some great plant-based menus and finding recipes. I can do that! Or perhaps you need help figuring out which packaged foods are the best ones to buy at the store — and which ones to avoid. I can help with that task, too. Or maybe you want to know how to satisfy your sweet tooth without loading up on fat and sugar. I would be happy to help.  You get the idea — let’s figure out what you need and then find the way forward together. 

Educational Classes — I can provide your group with a single class or a series of classes on plant-based diets. I am located in the Washington, DC, metro area, and I can most readily accommodate groups within the region. My classes are designed to be informative, interactive, and fun. In each session I will provide information on a variety of key topics related to plant-based diets and will also conduct a cooking demo for your group. I can conduct the classes at your location using portable induction burners or can work with you to find another suitable venue.

Here are some comments from students in a recent class: 

• “The class covered a wide breadth of material and included easily-implemented facts and suggestions for everyday changes.”
• “Leigh’s knowledge was very thorough and extended well beyond the class itself.”
• “This class included a lot of good information. Leigh is warm and personable and knowledgeable.”

Sign up for my Chocolate Workshop in a Chef’s Kitchen! Upcoming Date: February 8, 2020 (with more dates to come). Learn how to make delicious vegan desserts that are healthy, too! Detailed information and registration form here.

One-on-One, Personalized Coaching – I will work with you to identify your goals and to develop a plan for your journey toward a plant-based diet.  Whether you want to move all the way to veganism, or you simply want to increase the amount of plants you eat, I will meet you where you are and help you move forward. I am not the vegan police, and I will offer you a judgement-free space. My personal coaching sessions are available either as single sessions or as multi-session packages, and I can work with you in person or online via Zoom.  I will provide suggestions to help you overcome any obstacles you might meet and will offer encouragement as you move forward. I offer a free, 15-minute consultation to determine if you and I want to work together. My fee for coaching is $50 per hour, and I offer a 20% discount for a three-session package.

If you have any questions about my services, please contact me using the form on my Contact page.

If you’re ready to embark on this journey with me, please fill out my New Client Registration form below and then click Submit.

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