December 27, 2022 3:20 a.m.

Umpqua Community Veg Education Group has its Lifestyle and Nutrition Course beginning on Thursday, January 5th.

Participants will be able to meet in-person at the new Aviva Health classroom and teaching kitchen next to Costco, or the new satellite location in Elkton. The virtual option will continue for those living outside the local area, or with transportation barriers or mobility impairments.

Since 2015, the course has served over 3,300 participants. Organizers say that through lifestyle medicine, the course shares simple, safe, affordable and practical methods that result in health restoration. New topics are covered each week, addressing the leading causes of death in the United States and Douglas County, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic illnesses. It also addresses how to manage stress, mindfulness, avoiding toxins and chemicals, moving more, and practical strategies for lasting happiness. The theoretical portion of the program is complemented with practical cooking demonstrations and sampling, along with informational packets full of helpful handouts and easy and affordable recipes.

UC Veg Executive Director Juliete Palenshus said over 80 doctors, medical providers and partners around the county are referring their patients to the course as a preventative measure and means to address the root causes of illness that many are affected by.

Registration for the course and more information is available at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_3V6t42Pc02t_TWAeqSf4jjIMBUEJGg7f1lhJnSeFWgRCxA/viewform