From Garey Simmons: Learn from the best! I highly recommend taking a continuing education seminar, as I have done, with Vaughn Gray. A friend and a mentor, Vaughn brings knowledge and grace to the speaker's platform. Extremely knowledgeable of the bio-chemical background and the holistic systems of human health and development. A true visionary! If you have been wanting to make a lifestyle change and just haven't been able to see it through on your own, sign up for this 4 month course and your results are guaranteed.

This seminar is being presented over the telephone, with two 80 minute calls a month. There will be plenty of learning and time for getting your personal questions answered in group discussion and privately by email.

Class 1:

• Introductions, course overview and goals
• M.E.D.S. – Mind-state, Exercise, Diet and Sleep – The Core Four Pillars of Health
• What is health?
• How our ancestors ate, how hunter gatherers eat, and how we eat
• Basic nutrition principles – whole foods, organics, macro and micronutrients, phytonutrients
• Discussion of action steps and homework, time for questions
• Food Focus – Vegetables and Fruit

Class 2:

• Review of previous class
• New nutrition topics:
  • Blood sugar control
  • Effects of food on brain chemistry and mood
  • Metabolic typing, eating right for your body
  • Portion sizing, controlling cravings and managing appetite
• Basic exercise theory and practice – how to asses where you are and where to start
• Supplements: “The Core Four” (multivitamin, Omega 3, liver support, probiotics)
• Discussion of action steps and homework, time for questions
• Food Focus - Beans

Class 3:

• Review of previous class
• Getting serious about weight loss
  • Losing weight slowly
  • Weight loss as a symptom of improving health
  • Factors beyond diet and exercise
• How to sleep better and have more energy
• The “circadian rhythm” – our natural energy rhythm
• Stress and Relaxation
• Breathing mechanics
• Discussion of action steps and homework, time for questions
• Food Focus – Whole grains

Class 4:

• Review of previous class
• Nutrition and longevity, heart health, and skin health
• Detox – what is it, should you do it, and how to start detoxing
• How the mind and emotions work
• Meditation theory and practice, beginning with inner body meditation
• Discussion of action steps and homework, time for questions
• Food Focus – Dairy, Eggs, and Soy

Class 5:

• Review of previous class
• Gastrointestinal health
  • Food Allergies
  • Disbiosis (imbalance of gut flora)
  • Gut pH
  • Gut wall integrity
  • Liver health
• Digestive repair supplements
• Benefits and risks of vegetarian and vegan diets
• Discussion of action steps and homework, time for questions
• Food focus – Fish, Meat, Tofu, Seitan, and other meat substitutes

Class 6:

• Review of previous class
• How the nervous system works with the endocrine system
• How mind and body interact
• Meditating for physical and emotional wellbeing
• Adrenal and immune health
• Heavy metals – toxicity and removal
• Increasing exercise effectiveness
• Discussion of action steps and homework, time for questions
• Food focus – nuts and seeds

Class 7:

• Review of previous class
• Preparing healthy food – a fast, efficient food preparation system
  • How to create healthy meals in a minimum of time with a minimum of effort
• The bigger picture with meditation
  • Gaining clarity and control over your own thoughts and emotions
  • Using meditation to powerfully reduce stress, lower blood sugar, etc…
  • Using meditation to control food cravings
  • Meditating to overcome “inner blocks” (like actually getting to the gym)
• Discussion of action steps and homework, time for questions
• Food focus – bringing the various foods we’ve been experimenting with together into a weekly menu

Class 8:

• Review of the whole course
• MEDS as a lifestyle moving forward
• Troubleshooting – anticipating what derails our efforts
• Setting goals, putting action steps into place
• Course conclusion