Welcome to Seward Co-op's classroom! We are thrilled to be able to offer classes to our members and the general community. Take a look at our course offerings below. We are continually adding new classes so be sure to check our website often for our newest postings.

Interested in teaching a class at Seward Co-op? Download our classroom guidelines and course proposal forms.

You can register for classes at our Customer Service desk. ***

Read our teacher profiles here.

Upcoming Classroom Events:

September

Hail to Kale!
Demo/Tasting
Wednesday, Sept. 8, 7-8:30 p.m.
$17/$15
Linda Halley & Jennifer Nelson, Gardens of Eagan
Join us to pay homage to the greatest vegetable ever.  Cook and sample various kale recipes, learn about its grand nutritional value and go home with an All Day Kale cookbook including kale recipes for every meal.

Bread Without Fear
Demonstration/Tasting
Wednesday, Sept. 15, 7-9 p.m.
$25/$20 members
David S. Cargo, Saint Paul Bread Club
Learn to bake bread from scratch with confidence. Learn the three essential skills for successful bread baking and how to avoid bread baking failures. Learn how to choose recipes, shape loaves, and enjoy fresh baked bread out of your own oven.

Overstuffed: How to enjoy more, spend less, and be kinder to the planet
Lecture/Discussion
Thursday, Sept. 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
$20/ $15 members
Nicole Lynskey & Beth Wallace
What would it be like to have more space in your house, or an extra hour or two everyday to spend on what really matters to you?  Join us as we explore the connection between overflowing closets and mailboxes in Minnesota and thousands of gallons of oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.  You will explore your own “story of stuff” and learn how all our stuff is at the root of planetary environmental crisis.  You’ll leave knowing simple, concrete steps you can take to ease the pressure on your wallet, your life, and your planet.

Sweet Nothings
Lecture
Saturday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
$17/$13 members
Mary Langfield, CHHC
What do fruit juice, chocolate chip cookies, Twinkies, and nacho cheese all have in common? SUGAR! A potato chip may not satisfy your sweet tooth but it does add to your daily sugar intake. Why is all this sugar bad? While it’s not always hidden, sugar is everywhere.  And whether you’re counting your carbs, watching your waistline OR diabetic, hypoglycemic, or have food sensitivities, all that sugar could be dangerous.
In this class you’ll learn where to find the sugar in your everyday staples, cutting sugar from your diet, delicious and nutritious sugar substitutes, and tools to use against those evil sugar triggers.

Harvest of Health, Fall Flavors
Saturday, Sept. 18, 1-2:30 p.m.
Lecture/Tour/Hands On
$7/$5 members
Russ Henry, Giving Tree Gardens
From the fall garden to the kitchen, this class will help gardeners prepare for the winter to come.  We’ll start outside in the co-op gardens where we’ll talk about fall harvest, winter garden preparations, and bulb planting, then we’ll venture into the demonstration kitchen to learn how to best preserve our fall vegetable harvest through the delicious, nutritious art of vegetable fermentation!  Russ will bring in some of his favorite home made recipes to share with everyone!  This dynamic class will help gardeners wrap their hearts and taste buds around the connection between the garden and the kitchen!

Healthier Lunches for Healthier (and Smarter!) Kids
Workshop/Tasting
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 6:30-8 p.m.
$23/$20 members
Johanna Eager, Shine Health Counseling
Are you stuck in a rut with school lunches? Want your kids to eat healthier without complaints? This workshop will provide you with key lunch concepts---including how to get organized, involve your kids, and decipher what is truly ‘healthy’ food. Scads of ideas and quick and easy recipes provided!

Yogic Eating
Lecture
Thursday, Sept. 23, 7-8:45 p.m.
$17/$13 members
Mary Langfield, CHHC
Are you interested in learning about what Yoga has to do with your food choices? Have you found a peace with a Yoga practice, but still feel challenged in the food department? Find out how implementing a Yogic outlook towards your food can help you with portion control, emotional eating, and cravings.

Where to Go “Green”: Eco-Updates that build Equity in Your Home
Lecture
Saturday, Sept. 25, Noon-1 p.m.
Free To All.  Pre-Registration at Customer Service Required.
Samantha J. Strong, Metamorphosis Realty/Design & Build
Join us for an hour as we discuss the best eco-friendly up dates for your home and wallet.  Learn about the impact sustainable updates have on the value of your home, its potential resale value, and your monthly utility costs... not to mention, the comfort and joy of owning a greener home!

Making Weight Loss a Lifestyle
Workshop
Thursday, Sept. 30, 6:30-8 p.m.
$17/$15 members
Johanna Eager, Shine Health Counseling
Are you tired of dieting? Sick of the weight loss/weight gain roller coaster? It’s definitely time for a new approach! This workshop will introduce you to achievable tips for permanent weight loss that can be integrated into your lifestyle.  Deprivation and dieting NOT included---rather, you will learn simple strategies that will change your approach to food and weight.

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October

Chocolate Bliss
Lecture
Saturday, Oct. 2, 10:15-11:30 a.m.
$13/$9 members
Mary Langfield, CHHC
Calling all choco-philes! This delicious, interactive workshop extols the astounding health benefits, delicious taste and mythic lore of "the food of the gods". Participants taste naturally sweetened, organic and mouthwatering chocolate goodies, while learning the history behind this superfood and how to pick the highest quality, environmentally friendly chocolates.

Introduction to Homeopathy
Lecture
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
$22/$18 members
Heather Sawdey, Holistic Health Practitioner
This class Ccovers a brief history of homeopathy and then gets into practical usage using the Boiron family of remedies currently sold at the co-op. I cover 4 recommended remedies for first aid and an additional 3 that are good for everyday use.  We round out the class with a discussion of when and when not to use certain remedies and why.

Introduction to Holistic Nutrition
Lecture
Thursday, Oct. 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
$22/$18 members
Heather Sawdey, Holistic Health Practitioner
An introduction to a holistic approach to nutrition starts with a discussion about the basic nutrition requirements humans’ need; emphasizing some of the ways to increase the nutritional density in the foods we eat.  We will go on to talk through how to read food labels and end the class with a discussion about the some easy steps to take to increase sustainable eating. 

Small Batch Preserving with Fall Produce
Demonstration/Hands-On
Saturday, Oct. 9, 1-3 p.m.
$30/$25 members
Jill Jacoby
Discover the possibilities in preserving with the bounty of the Fall garden.  In this class, participants will prepare and preserve small batches, as well as sample some of the ways to use these items in cooking throughout the year.  An emphasis is placed on canning and preserving safety, selection and preparation of ingredients, and canning method.  Recipes include grape walnut conserve, tangy sauerkraut, marinated red bell peppers, and tomatillo sauce. *Recipes may change subject to availability of fall produce.

Everyday Toxins: They’re Everywhere!
Lecture
Wednesday, Oct. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
$20/$17 members
Katherine Krumwiede, Diamond Stone Oriental Medicine
As a result of our advanced technology, we now live in a very toxic environment.  Learn guidelines for reducing your exposure to everyday toxins and steps to reduce your body’s toxic load, which will improve your health, both in the short-term and long-term.  You’ll be able to identify toxins in your toothpaste and other toiletries, learn to implement a valuable “internal” spring cleaning via a modified liver cleanse plus discover healthy alternatives for cleaning products and skin care.  Or people with allergies, this is a must attend event!

Healthy Holiday Eating
Lecture
Thursday, Oct. 14, 7-9 p.m.
$15/$10 members
Mary Langfield, CHHC
Are you dreading the Holidays? Does temptation grab a hold of you and you cannot seem to shake it? Do all the sugarplums, bars, cake, cookies, and turkey call your name when you are at a Holiday gathering? Do you want specific tools that you can use during this holiday season to stop the overeating pattern? Then join the Healthy Holiday Eating class and learn how to break the cycle of Holiday weight gain.

Managing the Blood Sugar Rollercoaster
Lecture
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
$30/$25 members
Nutrition Educator from Nutritional Weight and Wellness
Are you diabetic, pre-diabetic, or concerned about your blood sugar? If so, you know high glucose levels can damage your health. If you haven’t been successful in managing your blood sugar, are you ready for a new approach?  Learn nutritional strategies that are based on cutting-edge research and clinically proven. You will be surprised how well you can eat. Leave this class knowing how to take control of your blood sugar.
(This class qualifies for 2.4 continuing education credits for registered nurses.  RNs are responsible for determining whether this course meets their needs.)

Sweet Treats, Healthy Eats:  Gluten-Free
Cooking Class
Thursday, Oct. 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
$40/$35 members
Johanna Eager, Shine Health Counseling
Gluten-free, love dessert, and want to eat less refined sugar?  This class is designed for you!  Learn to make gluten-free desserts and sweet treats that are delicious, nutritious and use natural sweeteners. You will bake, cook, and eat your way through an evening of tasty and simple gluten-free recipes without a sugar crash in sight!

Intro to Raw Food 
Lecture/Demonstration/Tasting
Saturday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
$35/$30 members
Alissa Barthel
Raw food is a meat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, natural and unprocessed way of eating. Simply put, it is a cuisine consisting of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouts where nothing is heated above 118 degrees.  In this class you will get an introduction to this healthful cuisine.  We will talk about the fundamentals of raw food, how to outfit your raw food kitchen, and demo a few raw food recipes. 

Vitali-Tea:  Steeping For The Health Of It
Lecture, Demonstration
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
$20/$17 members
Katherine Krumwiede, Diamond Stone Oriental Medicine
What we eat and drink are investments in our health.  A simple cup of green tea relaxes the mind, strengthens the body and soothes the soul.  Drinking tea brings us back in touch with nature which is often needed in our technologically advanced society.  This class will discuss green tea at length as well as three different herbal brews for stress relief.

Yeast Gone Wild
Demo/Tasting
Thursday, Oct. 28, 7-9 p.m.
$25/$20 members
David S. Cargo, St Paul Bread Club
Sourdough breads are the truly traditional breads, going back hundreds and thousands of years.  Sourdough takes patience, but it can be rewarding.  There are sourdough purists and others who bake with sourdough (instead of from sourdough).  Learn how to make your own starters and about their care and feeding.  Get samples of starters to take home.

Raw, Vegan Desserts
Lecture/Demonstration/Tasting
Saturday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
$35/$30 non-members
Alissa Barthel
Raw vegan cuisine is a healthy way of eating using fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouts.  In this class, we will create some delicious and satisfying desserts which do not contain wheat, sugar, or dairy (three elements which are notorious for exacerbating health issues).  We will also discuss ingredients which are commonly used in raw vegan dessert making, demo a few recipes, and debunk the myth that food has to be bad for you to taste good.

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 November
Multigrain Breads
Demo/Tasting
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 7-9 p.m.
$25/$20 members
David S. Cargo, St Paul Bread Company
Learn to bake multigrain breads with interesting flavors and shapes.  Learn three different methods for combining different grains into the same loaf.  Learn about enhancing the flavor of breads with starters and added ingredients.

Small Batch Preserving for the Holidays
Demonstration/Hands-On
Saturday, Nov. 6, 1-3 p.m.
$30/$25 members
Jill Jacoby
Discover the possibilities in preserving to prepare fantastic holiday gifts including vinegars, fruit butters, herbed jellies, and marmalades.  An emphasis is placed on canning and preserving safety, selection and preparation of ingredients, and canning method.  See and sample recipes including herbed jellies, apple caramel butter, and spicy vinegars.

Urban Chicken 101
Lecture
Wednesday, Nov.10, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
$12/$10 members
Albert Bourgeois, Chicken Aficionado
Everything you need to know about keeping a small flock of chickens for the typical city citizen.  There will be an emphasis on chicken coop design for weathering the cruel Minnesota winters.  My own chicken flock and coop adventures are found throughout the presentation.

Sweet Treats, Healthy Eats:  Holiday Baking
Cooking Class
Thursday, Nov. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
$40/ $35 members
Johanna Eager, Shine Health Counseling
Holiday baking without sugar shock? Absolutely!  Holiday baking using whole grains? Yes! Stay nutritionally balanced this year by enjoying seasonal baking using natural sweeteners and whole grains.  Arrive hungry!  Recipes, laughter, and merriment provided!

Healthy Holiday Eating
Lecture
Saturday, Nov. 13, 10:30 a.m.-noon
$15/$10 members
Mary Langfield, CHHC
Are you dreading the Holidays? Does temptation grab a hold of you and you cannot seem to shake it? Do all the sugarplums, bars, cake, cookies, and turkey call your name when you are at a Holiday gathering? Do you want specific tools that you can use during this holiday season to stop the overeating pattern? Then join the Healthy Holiday Eating class and learn how to break the cycle of Holiday weight gain.

No-Knead Breads
Demo/Tasting
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 7-9 p.m.
$25/$20 members
David S. Cargo, St Paul Bread Company
Learn three different methods for creating no-knead breads and their different advantages and disadvantages.  These methods are simple, but have equipment needs and limitations to take into consideration.

Sweet Treats, Healthy Eats:  Gluten-Free Holiday Baking
Cooking Class
Thursday, Nov. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m
$40/ $35 members
Johanna Eager, Shine health Counseling
The best time of year for gluten-free baking is during the holidays!  You will bake and eat your way through seasonal, gluten-free recipes that can easily be replicated in your home kitchen.  Be prepared to bring gluten-free goodies to your holiday gatherings that will surprise your gluten-eating friends---that is, if you decide to tell them!

How to Shop the Co-op on a Budget
Lecture/Tour
Saturday, Nov. 20, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Claudia Rhodes, Events Coordinator, Seward Co-op
Has the iffy economy got you wondering if you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck at the grocery store?  Get the inside scoop on how to squeeze more out of a dollar while still eating healthfully here at Seward Co-op. Earn a money saving Co-op coupon, too.
Free to All.  Pre-registration at Customer Service required. 

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December

Chocolate Bliss
Lecture
Thursday, December 2, 7- 8:15 p.m.
$13/$9 members
Mary Langfield, CHHC
Calling all choco-philes! This delicious, interactive workshop extols the astounding health benefits, delicious taste and mythic lore of "the food of the gods". Participants taste naturally sweetened, organic and mouthwatering chocolate goodies, while learning the history behind this superfood and how to pick the highest quality, environmentally friendly chocolates.

 January

Baking with Minnesota Flours
Demonstration/Hands-On
Saturday, January29 , 1:00-3:00
$30/$25 members
Jill Jacoby
As the second largest producer of wheat and oats in the United States, Minnesota definitely has flour power.  This class features flours from small-scale grain mills near Wadena, Welcome, Milan, North Branch, and others.  These mills produce whole grain flours for both food production and home bakers alike.  As a bonus, these whole grain flours provide greater protein content and fiber to foods, and provide unique flavor to nearly any of your favorite recipes.  See and sample the following recipes: Chile Corn Muffins; Pumpkin Soy Bars; Savory Buckwheat Crepes; Cranberry Oat Flour Cookies; Wild Rice Flour Scones.

*** Please pre-register at Customer Service, as space is limited. Prepayment of your class is required to reserve your spot. If you cancel prior to 48 hours before the class, a full refund will be given. No refunds will be given for cancellations received after the 48-hour deadline or for no-shows. If you have any questions, please contact Claudia Rhodes: crhodes@seward.coop