Class Schedule

Register for classes at the Wedge Customer Service Desk or call 612-871-3993 and sign up using a credit card.

Unless otherwise noted, all classes are held at the Wedge Co-op. If you need to cancel, please notify us at least 5 days in advance for a full refund.

February Classes

Follow the diet and lifestyle recommendations in Dr. Mark Hyman's bestseller, UltraPrevention. Let Jeff guide you through the strategies employed by one of the top health spas in America. This could change your life. Gluten-free, dairy-free meal.

Considering vegetarianism? Already meat-free or cooking for someone who is? We'll cover nutritional basics, especially how to prevent the common health consequences of vegetarian diets. We'll discuss ethical issues surrounding the use of animal products.

Sourdough breads are true traditional breads. They take patience and are rewarding. Some people bake with sourdough and some bake from sourdough. Learn to make and care for starters. Take starter samples home.

Eating the right kinds of food has a profound effect on heart health. The right mix of nutrients can help manage heart-related conditions and protect against new ones. Also on the agenda: compelling research about the benefits of cholesterol and saturated fats.

Discover the all-organic Raw Foods diet and learn practical tips for planning and preparing meals, including green smoothies, main dish salads, wraps, spreads and nori rolls. No gluten, dairy or soy. Some dishes include nuts or seeds.

Get the kitchen confidence you need to create full-flavored, healthful meals. Pump up your cooking skills with the best basic methods for cooking broccoli, spinach, chard, squash, beets, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, chicken, seafood and more.

Does portion control result in food-obsessed children who gain too much weight? Do children reject food that is pushed on them? Food agendas often backfire. Learn about the "Trust Model" of feeding and how it helps children respond to internal appetite cues and establish a healthy relationship with food.

Make healthful muffins quickly and cheaply! Don't settle for cupcakes in disguise. A few simple techniques, tools and recipes will put muffins in your oven in short order.

Suffering from unrequited love for homemade bread? Has your relationship with homemade bread been unsatisfying? Bring your stories to share with supportive class members and a former professional bread baker. Let's resolve kitchen heartaches and begin a successful relationship with homemade bread!

March Classes

Use a pressure cooker and slow cooker without fear or guesswork. Meals with root vegetables, grains, beans and meats can be made in 30 minutes or less using these time-saving cooking tools. Bring your pressure cooker or slow cooker to class if you have questions about how to use it. Gluten-free meal.

Fresh eggs and crazy chicken antics are just two good reasons to keep a few hens in the backyard. This class will cover everything you need to know to start up a small flock of chickens in your backyard, with an emphasis on coop design for weathering the cruel Minnesota winters.

More topics for the backyard chicken enthusiast! This class will cover chick brooding, common chicken health problems, parasites, chicken tractors, pasture-raised poultry and butchering. We'll also discuss a number of handsome chicken breeds that have made their mark in American history.

There are 15 dietary steps necessary to prevent, treat and lessen inflammation. Learn the best strategies for identifying damaging food allergens, adding anti-inflammatory fats to your diet and reducing low quality carbohydrates. Gluten-free, dairy-free meals.

Get your bike out of storage and back on the road this spring with the Hub's crash course in bike maintenance. Our seasoned mechanic will show you how to fix flats and change tires, adjust brake cables and derailleurs, straighten your wheels and properly lubricate moving parts.

Strong, flexible bones are essential not only for good health, but also for independent living. Maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis is about more than just getting enough calcium. Learn how to nourish your bones for a lifetime. Handout includes delicious bone-building recipes.

Vegetarians need a broad range of quality proteins to be healthy and stay well. Tofu, tempeh and beans are protein all-stars that help balance blood sugar and keep vegetarians healthy. Red Ancho Chili, Spring Rolls with Tempeh/Avocado, Tofu and Vegetables with Green Curry Sauce, Lentil and Asparagus Salad. Gluten-free, vegetarian.

Fermented foods have been used for thousands of years for good health. This class offers tastes of many variations of kombucha and a walk through the ins and outs of making it in your home. Take home your own starter culture and a 1 liter bottle of Kombucha Divine.

Poor sleep can lead to weight gain, inflammation, difficulty concentrating and fatigue. This class explores the dietary, biochemical and hormonal requirements for getting the sleep your body needs. Gluten-free, dairy-free.

Come and learn about Fair Trade Shea Butter with the founder of Alaffia Sustainable Skincare, Olowo-n'djo Tchala. Alaffia builds community empowerment through the fair trade of indigenous, handcrafted Shea Butter and skincare products.

Tired of dieting? Stop! Come learn how to make peace with food and find your way to a healthy weight. This class covers the physiological factors associated with weight gain, the emotional road blocks people encounter and how to feed yourself what you really need.

April Classes

A class specializing in natural, gentle, pore-minimizing and wrinkle-reducing facial formulas. We'll make Creamy Facial Cleanser, Facial Serum, Rose Face Lotion, Toner and Clarifying Facial Mask using plant oils and botanicals.

Moist, tender chicken is a snap if you know how to prepare it. Learn the best methods for poaching, baking, grilling, frying and sautéing chicken for soups, salads and main dishes. Creamy Mushroom and Chicken Soup, Chicken and Red Cabbage Salad with Smoked Chipotle, Sautéed Chicken with Tomato, Olive and Caper Sauce and Lemon and Thyme Butterflied Chicken.

Fresh eggs and crazy chicken antics are just two good reasons to keep a few hens in the backyard. This class will cover everything you need to know to start up a small flock of chickens in your backyard, with an emphasis on coop design for weathering the cruel Minnesota winters.

More topics for the backyard chicken enthusiast! This class will cover chick brooding, common chicken health problems, parasites, chicken tractors, pasture-raised poultry and butchering. We'll also discuss a number of handsome chicken breeds that have made their mark in American history.

Get professional help developing a specific shopping and cooking plan for your lifestyle, budget and condition. Between classes we will communicate via email for support, diet review and recipes. This is a cost-effective way to learn to cook the right food and get individual support at the same time. Gluten-free, dairy-free.

Plan now for a garden of herbs to use in skin care for soothing and healing benefits. We'll make Herbal Healing Salve, Gardener's Hand Balm, Violet Leaf Lip Balm and Calendula Hand Creme.

Good nutrition keeps all our organs in optimal condition—including our brains. Eating the right foods can help us to think more clearly, regulate our moods and increase our ability to concentrate. You can improve your memory and keep your brain young, healthy and sharp through diet.

Fermented foods have been used for thousands of years for good health. This class offers tastes of many variations of kombucha and a walk through the ins and outs of making it in your home. Take home your own starter culture and a 1 liter bottle of Kombucha Divine.

"Meze," Eastern Mediterranean appetizers similar to tapas, can be as simple as cheese, olives and a drink, or an elaborate spread including fish, meat, poultry, vegetables or pastries. The joy of meze lies in savoring these dishes over relaxed conversation. We will make a variety of meze, including Circassian Chicken with Creamy Walnut Sauce.

Teacher Bios

Al Bourgeois builds chicken coops and compost bins around the Metro area with his company, 'The Chicken Enthusiast.' He keeps a small flock of chickens for entertainment, eggs and fertilizer.

Barb Bredesen has been making Kombucha Divine for four years. She loves experimenting with different teas, as well as making "second ferments" with different flavors.

Anna Dvorak is a personal guide for living a vibrantly healthy life. She teaches about healthy choices for our skin, home environments and bodies.

Canan Karatekin is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota. She is originally from Turkey and loves to cook Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.

Jennette Turner consults with private clients and develops recipes for the Wedge demo program, What's for Supper? Her on-line subscription meal-planning service is "Dinner with Jennette."

Jeff Woodward is one of the premier natural foods cooking teachers in the US. He has presented his unique approach to creating joy and vitality through food to over 10,000 people.

Offer a class at the Wedge