Who attends our classes? Our students include chefs, nutrition and health care professionals, and people who are interested in learning about healthful eating. Our courses are based on peer-reviewed science but are designed to be understandable for people with little or no scientific or nutrition background. People with a nutrition or health care background appreciate the scientific basis of the information presented. In short, people from all educational backgrounds have attended and enjoyed our courses! We also have many international students.
What type of course materials are included with the classes? In each class, students receive a binder with a comprehensive set of notes that follow along with the course presentations. Students find this to be very helpful, so they can focus on the presentations rather than having to take notes. Students for whom English is not their first language appreciate the completeness of the notes so that they can read and translate the notes on their own.
Students who attend the Benefits of Raw Food Nutrition Educator Course™ and the Advanced Raw Food Nutrition Educator Course™ receive a CD containing a power point presentation, in addition to a comprehensive set of notes. Click here for details on the presentations.
Are your classes available online? Our courses are available in person at the Living Light Culinary Institute on the scenic northern California coast in Fort Bragg, CA. The benefits of attending our classes include in-person presentations, opportunities to ask questions, class discussion, and student camaradarie. To round out the experience of students, raw food meals are available at the Living Light deli and eco-friendly lodging is available at the Living Light Inn.
Do you sell any products? The only products that we sell are educational products, which at this time, are our Science of Raw Food Nutrition classes. We do not sell raw food or other types of products because we want our information to be as unbiased as possible. Many of our students have commented that they appreciate this aspect of our teaching.
Do you just talk about raw food nutrition in your classes? In our advanced classes, we talk about raw food nutrition as well as many other approaches to healthy eating. We make sense of why different approaches work in different circumstances and empower our students with information to help them make choices that are best for them. Many of our students have said that they really appreciate our balanced, non-dogmatic, and non-judgemental approach to health and nutrition.
What have past students said about the Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ Series of classes?
Here are some comments from our Science of Raw Food Nutrition I students:
Dr. Rick (D.C.) and Dr. Karin (D.C.) always used scientific research. Very knowledgeable!
This class really taught me many things I didn’t know before. I like the demonstrations and how things were broken down to easily understand. You guys were great! And I like all the info. in a take home binder to refer back to.
Info. was informative enough without getting boring. Excellent presenters.
Wealth of information on protein, vitamin B12, and calcium too! Keep up the great work, it was perfect! Thank you.
Excellent class! I highly would recommend it for a great recap/overview of nutrition.
High level of information delivered by qualified instructors. Can’t think of anything that could be improved. Your comprehensive folders were an unexpected bonus. Your integrity and intelligence were refreshing. I never felt that your egos interfered with questions or answers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this class. I’ve absorbed an amazing amount of information, but the Drs. Dina delivered it in a very efficient and accessible way, so I never felt swamped. They willingly made themselves available for questions and no question was too unimportant for them to answer. Thank you.
All of it was very valuable. I enjoyed how the info. was presented and how you both remained unbiased.
A lot of info. to soak in, I am very grateful! Very glad that I have the notebook so I can review and expand my understanding.
The content was structured very well and I didn’t feel that the teachers were pushing the audience towards 100% as I have seen on other occasions with different speakers. The class is perfect!
The Dinas were very knowledgeable and the class was extremely informative. The class was lively and did not drag at all. … I am looking forward to taking additional courses from Drs. Rick and Karin Dina D.C.
A wealth of in-depth information with detailed explanations, presented very clearly. Thank you! I particularly appreciate your non-dogmatic, open minded approach. I learned a lot and enjoyed it thoroughly.
…the sheer quantity of quality information packed into 2 days, by extremely knowledgeable & professional presenters, was outstanding.
Clear explanations of (to me) complex topics. Class was great!
Doctor Rick (D.C.) and Doctor Karin (D.C.) presented complex information in a clear and concise manner. It is a wonderful opportunity for those who do not have a background in biochemistry or nutrition. Highly recommended.
I was very impressed with the ability to break down complex and technical info. in terms that were understandable.
I recommend this course to anyone wanting to gain knowledge about the science of raw food! Drs. Rick and Karin (D.C.) really empowered me and gave me the confidence I needed to share this valuable information with my friends, family, and anyone that is curious! Thanks you so much for an amazing course!
I expected the class to be boring and very scientific. The class was so much better than my expectations. I learned so much that will improve my life. The information was presented in a way that anyone would be able to follow. I loved the format of having breaks after each section. The time went so fast. I definitely got my money’s worth.
Both of you were amazing. I felt like everyone’s needs were addressed, and a tremendous amount of information shared. Because of this class, I definitely intend on taking levels II and III. I loved it! Thank you for an informative and entertaining weekend.
Comments from Science of Raw Food Nutrition II students:
I liked the fact that this class was actually scientific – a rare find in the raw food community!
I was very pleasantly surprised to find that both of you are extremely knowledgeable and scientific in your approach. I enjoyed your debunking of raw food myths rather than promoting them.
Both Drs. Karin and Rick (D.C.) are dedicated teachers on the subject of raw food nutrition. I am grateful for the information they put together in this course. Whether you want to gain more knowledge on nutrition or educate others on the benefits of raw food, you don’t want to miss out on this invaluable course.
I liked the vast wealth of knowledge presented with honesty and integrity.
This is not a course for sissies! We came away with our money’s worth, and a huge knowledge base. The Dinas covered a broad range of subject matter, explained it in an accessible format and had high expectations for our levels of comprehension. I love it! Thank you!
I really enjoyed learning the nutritional facts about raw foods! Drs. Rick and Karin Dina (D.C.) are very knowledgeable and experienced in the field of raw food nutrition. I love their non-biased view and all the great detailed info they provided. You feel their love and passion come through and it strikes a cord with me! They are beautiful souls full of “Living Light” info! Thank you for sharing your passions with the world!
Karin and Rick have done an amazing job pulling together a large body of research to support a plant-based, raw-foods diet. They present the material thoughtfully and with humor. In addition to all that I learned in class I have an amazing collection of notes and references that I will use again and again.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn more about diet and nutrition in a relaxed, fun, and informative atmosphere. Drs. Rick and Karin (D.C.) really deliver!
I liked the level of professionalism with which the materials have been gathered, researched, and put into non-scientific and understandable English.
Though a registered dietician, I have not worked in the nutrition field for over a decade. This was a wonderful refresher of things I knew, and a great learning experience for exploring, scientifically, all the many things I always wondered about but never researched myself. It would have been near impossible to put together all the material on my own that you have provided in this condensed course. Thanks!
I came here seeking answers and not only did I get those in a clear, unbiased way, I got more than I could have imagined. I got details about both/all sides of the food arguments and feel like I have the best/most current information to make good/healthy decisions! Thank you!
Provides a good solid foundation for nutrition (in general) as well as a wealth of information on raw food nutrition.
Dr. Karin (D.C.) had a lot of knowledge. If I had Dr. Rick (D.C.) as a professor in college, I probably would have majored in nutritional science, and I don’t consider myself a “science person.” Engaging, insightful, and with a great sense of humor. I learned a lot and am excited to learn more. Thank you.
Comments from Benefits of Raw Food Nutrition Educator Course students:
You both are incredible!! I appreciate all the time that you put into making this easier for us to use. The PowerPoint is such a fabulous item to have and I feel so empowered. Thank you!!!
You both are awesome to be in the presence of. Thanks for all your education and time preparing this for us to share with others.
I thought this course was exceptional from beginning to end. The overall professionalism, dedication, and commitment to detail was apparent in all aspects of the course, specifically the binders and PowerPoint presentations that the students are given. These tools ensure that the student feel that he or she is empowered to continue the levels of professionalism and excellence that Drs. Rick and Karin Dina (D.C.) exhibited to each and every student. Thank you so much.
I left this course ready to take on the world! I now have many valuable tools to work with, and the student presentations and evaluations were very useful in being able to see my own presentation with a critical eye. Thanks Rick and Karin. It was great.
Stepping up to the challenge of speaking publicly … was exhilarating, terrifying, and ultimately beneficial. It was great to be given such extensive feedback from you both and evaluations from my classmates… I have gained a lot of confidence in my ability and will likely pursue teaching far sooner than I would have otherwise! Thank you for that! The student presentations in particular (and this course in general) were definitely to my liking! Evaluating others and myself was very helpful… Thank you for a wonderful experience 
I liked the opportunity to practice public speaking in a supportive environment.
I liked everything! Seriously, it is hard to pick just one thing. I love the material, the instructors, the fellow students, learning things at the Inn!
I learned a lot from watching others do their presentations; it gave me a chance to see how things “look” on “stage”. It was very helpful.
The feedback I heard the instructors give to my fellow students was positive, constructive, encouraging, very insightful. I was always impressed with what they told each student, it was personal and yet some of it could apply to all.
I found the course to be tremendously helpful. The instructors were very encouraging and supportive. I was very pleased with my first “talk.
Thank you very much for everything. Thank you for your time. You guys Rock!
I liked the chance to practice public speaking and hear/see others methods of presenting. I liked learning how to edit power point presentations – over and beyond! Thank you.
This class is wonderful at giving one the confidence and tools to teach the material learned. Definitely above and beyond other certification courses.
This was so valuable!
Experiencing the many different speakers gave me ideas for my presentation and provided more awareness of habits, gestures, expressions, etc. which don’t work as well! Great group! Great instructors! Thank you for everything!
I loved how people integrated their personal histories and how intimate the academic process of information dissemination suddenly became. Karin you are loveliness incarnate! Thank you for your generous support and your substantial contribution towards my personal growth. Rick and Karin, thank you for being the raw food nutrition pioneers you are, empowering me and others to make healthy, balanced, research supported, impartial choices to eat living foods. Ann Wigmore, I’m sure, would have been very excited about the positive, encouraging work you are conducting in the field! Thank you!
