Pictures and Details from Past Retreats
With expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis, MS, RDN
3 day, 2-night all-inclusive learning, cooking, and living experiences
Immerse yourself in a supportive community that builds strong bonds of friendship and understanding.
Retreats sell out early every time!
The perfect gluten-free getaway.
Come relax in the beauty of Southern California throughout our retreat weekend as you learn about how celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity affect our bodies and what you can do about it. Dive deeply into nutrition for the gluten-free diet: key nutrients, labs to monitor, weight management, and resolving gastrointestinal symptoms. Watch food demos, talk about recipes, practice balanced gluten-free meal prep, and experience the cutting-edge nutrition resources available to help you live a healthy and fulfilling life. Plenty of time will be provided for Q & A with expert celiac dietitian Melinda Dennis and special guest, Chef Kristine Kidd.
Melinda Dennis, MS, RDN
Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat Founder/Instructor
the Beautiful location: La Casa de María center for spiritual renewal
Gluten-free guest chef:
This year, Melinda is delighted to invite special guest speaker Kristine Kidd-- former food editor of Bon Appetit magazine and author of Weeknight Gluten Free and Gluten-Free Baking. Kristine will do a cooking demo and talk about simple, fresh, and nutritious gluten-free cooking.
What's Included:
6 gourmet gluten-free meals featuring local and organic produce and carefully sourced ingredients
2 nights' lodging in a beautiful 1930's estate house all to ourselves
An entire weekend devoted to the gluten-free diet, nutrition classes, and food demos
8 hours of CEUs for participating dietitians
Relaxing tea/snack times
All inn's amenities, such as outdoor garden patios, expansive lawns and gardens on a beautiful Santa Barbara estate, swimming pool, walking and hiking trails, vegetable gardens and orchard, meditation center, tennis court
Optional, not included in registration fee: massage and reiki, yoga classes
The Heart Garden
Miramar Beach, Santa Barbara, California
Topics Covered in Your Intensive, Fun Nutrition Classes:
MAINE SHORELINE
Calming inflammation and Healing the Small Intestine
How to Select Foods with the Key Vitamins and Minerals You Need
Healthy Cooking Demos
Supplements (vitamins/minerals, probiotics, enzymes)
Labs and Nutrient Levels - what you need to know
Healthy Meal and Snack Planning
Gluten-free Grains and Fiber
Label Reading
How to Select High Quality, Healthy Gluten-free Products
Adjustment/living with Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
In Addition You Will Receive:
All gluten-free meals and snacks (approved by Melinda)
Healthy, tasty gluten-free food demo by Melinda and/or her guest speaker
Raffle prizes: cookbooks, resources, gluten-free food samples
Extensive handouts (>200 slides) based on the lectures
Sampling opportunities for specially selected gluten-free foods
A discussion with the retreat chef who exclusively prepares our meals
Extensive Q & A time with Melinda
Our wonderful Santa Barbara Wellness Retreat group from 2016
Who's Coming:
Individuals 18 years and older with celiac disease or a gluten-related disorder; their supportive families and friends; registered dietitians (CEUs) and nurses; chefs and cookbook author.
Food!!!
A chef trained by me and well versed in the gluten-free diet will cook delicious, exclusively gluten-free food for all of our meals and snacks. We select locally and sustainably sourced ingredients whenever possible.
For Dietitians/Nutrition Professionals:
8 CEUs through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (add $10 for administrative fees).
Hand-Selected Sponsors:
LOTS OF SAMPLES of top quality gluten-free food, supplements, and products that are hand-picked by Melinda for their commitment to safety, health, and taste.
Registration
Registration includes an initial personal conversation by phone with Melinda. Please email Melinda at: MelindaHealthyGarden@gmail.com to begin the process. Personal checks and a completed registration form will be accepted through the mail.
Testimonials:
This weekend changed my life!
“Melinda's knowledge and kind heart has given me confidence and hope in understanding my celiac condition and planning a positive path forward.”
— L.K.
This retreat was like heaven.
“To be with others that are dealing with the same issues, listen to lectures by Melinda who completely answered all my questions, and eat the delicious gluten-free food that was prepared went way beyond my expectations. Thank you for this excellent weekend!”
— J.A.
She gave me so much info in a way I could understand.
“I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease so the information from Melinda was invaluable. This is not just some new fad diet I am trying; it's now my lifestyle, not one that I choose, but a matter of health. I am so grateful for Melinda and was put at ease due to the overwhelming situation I was thrown into. She gave me so much info but in a way I could understand, not by reading the info but having it explained in a way that pertained to me.”
— J.Y.
Gallery
Please email me if you have any questions about a retreat: MelindaHealthyGarden@gmail.com
