Events Archive - Rancho La Puerta
Types of Events:

Embodied Healing & Transformation with Julie Cielo

1. Why You Need a Why: Discover How Your Purpose is Defined by Your Core Beliefs
Your core beliefs shape your reality. This session explores how the primary energies in your life influence your thoughts, emotions, and actions. Learn how to align with your true purpose and manifest a life that feels fulfilling and empowering.

2. Stress Addiction: Breaking Unconscious Patterns to Truly Thrive
Did you know that 2 out of 3 people suffer from stress addiction? Chronic stress rewires the brain and body, keeping us in survival mode. In this workshop, you’ll uncover how early trauma fuels stress addiction and discover somatic practices to regulate your nervous system, create resilience, and truly thrive.

3. The Body Keeps the Score: Discovering Somatic Therapy
Trauma is not just a story from your past—it’s stored in your nervous system, muscles, and fascia. This session will introduce you to Somatic Experiencing, breathwork, and movement-based healing, helping you release stored trauma and reconnect with your body as a safe and powerful ally.

4. How to Be ‘Mindful’ When Your Mind Feels Full
Overthinking, anxiety, and mental overwhelm keep us disconnected from the present moment. Learn practical tools to quiet the noise, regulate your emotions, and cultivate inner stillness—even when your mind feels chaotic.

5. Release Shame in the Body and Feel Vibrant Over 45
Shame keeps us small, silent, and stuck. In this empowering session, you’ll explore how shame manifests in the body and practice somatic techniques to release it. Walk away feeling lighter, freer, and more vibrant—at any age.

 

Julie Cielo is a veteran in the wellness industry, teaching her first yoga class, becoming a bodyworker, leading worldwide retreats, and sitting in silent meditation since the 90s. After a significant autoimmune health collapse in 2001, Julie became a gut wellness expert, later formulating the world’s first wildly fermented zero-proof cocktail, raising over $1.8M, and pioneering an entirely new beverage category.

As a Somatic Therapist & Coach, Julie helps clients  transform shame, freeze, dissociation, hyper vigilance, and hyper-independence into ease, safety, embodiment, and action. Her unique approach blends somatic therapy, shadow work, breath work, and nervous system regulation to help women reconnect with their true selves and reclaim their power.
https://www.juliecielo.com/

Violin and Cello with Pei-Chun Tsai and Abe Lieberman

Introduction to String Instruments:  Violin and Cello
Classically trained and Suzuki method certified, Pei-Chun Tsai and Abe Liebhaber will offer sample lessons and share the fun of playing string instruments with the kids.

The Joy of Classical Music
Violin and cello duet performance for adults and kids (including some blue grass and pops)

Violin and Cello Performance
Enjoy an early evening performance for the family.

 

Pei-Chun TsaiViolinist Pei-Chun Tsai received her Doctorate in Musical Arts from City University of New York with the publication of her dissertation on the violin writing of Richard Strauss. She also holds bachelor’s and master’s Degrees in violin performance from The Juilliard School. She is the founding director of the Campanile Music Festival at San Diego State University and has been a member of the San Diego Symphony since 2006 in addition to being violin lecturer at SDSU. She released an album of solo violin works entitled “Chaconne” in 2021 highlighting Baroque and contemporary masterpieces of this form. Pei-Chun performs on 2020 violin by Boston luthier Charline Dequincy and a bow by Abe Liebhaber in San Diego. Pei-Chun is certified Suzuki violin teacher. She has taught at School for Strings and Lucy Moses School in New York City.

Abe Liebhaber, from Santa Barbara, California, has performed frequently with the San Diego Symphony, the Santa Barbara Symphony, Camarada San Diego, as well as in chamber settings domestic and abroad. He holds a tenured position in the Arizona Opera and has performed for nine seasons with the Sarasota Opera in Florida. He received his degrees in music performance from University of California Los Angeles and California State University Sacramento. Abe is a trained violin bowmaker and restorer of fine bows, and enjoys teaching the craft at his workshop on Adams Avenue “Antiques Row” in San Diego.

Creaciones en Madera- Woodcraft y Barquitas with Abe Liebhaber

“Creaciones en Madera- Woodcraft y Barquitas”: Relaxation with Wood and Glue
Abe leads a hands-on experience working with wood in an open-ended program encouraging creativity and free play. Kids will create anything with high-quality finished wooden materials and fast-drying waterproof glues to make sailboats or floating votive platforms- or anything else. The boats could be floated in the pool in the evening with candles as a family activity.  Designed to be very low-key, fun, with child led creativity a priority.

Abe Liebhaber: I made my first bow with Lynn Hannings in 2011 at the University of New Hampshire Bowmaking Program founded by Bill Salchow, and continued my study of bowmaking with George Rubino, Matt Cooker, and Steve Beckley. Each of my bows is a handmade original from the preparation of the bow blanks from rough-sawn boards of pernambuco to the first application of hair before the final finish, wrapping and branding of the stick. Since 2016 I have participated in the Violin Society of America’s Bowmaking Workshop in Oberlin, Ohio, where I contribute to the group reproduction of interesting bows for great clients. This workshop has given me the opportunity to meet, work with, and learn from fellow bowmakers from the USA, North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

I love the materials of bowmaking and try to keep them in their natural, primary states as much a I can in the finished bow: Pernambuco, Snake, Ipe, and Katalox woods, ebony of many colors, abalone and mother-of-pearl seashells, and traditional as well as novel tip materials. I enjoy combining them to make bows that feel good in the hand of the musician with an emphasis on recreating models by makers known for bows with superior playability.

In addition to making bows, I continue to work as a professional cellist with a positions in the Arizona Opera and Camarada San Diego.

StageKids with Tom Birmingham

Tom Birmingham is an artist and teacher with a vast experience leading family enrichment programs. As a founding director of the Big Sur Arts Initiative, Tom has provided instruction and enrichment in the creative arts in a variety of mediums. For ten years he led the art department in the summer children’s theater program, StageKids in Big Sur. For over fifteen years Tom has taught photography and drawing at Rancho La Puerta. Along with his wife, Erin Lee Gafill, he’s been a part of The Ranch’s Family Week since its start. Tom was the director of the Big Sur JazzFest, founding member of Big Sur’s Hidden Garden’s Tour, and currently manages Studio One – Big Sur. Tom is the founder of 26Letter Press, a small press dedicated to printed materials celebrating and inspiring creative expression.

The Amazing Paint-Out with Erin Gafill

An award-winning painter and author, Erin Gafill has inspired people around the world with her inspirational art, heartfelt stories, and uniquely engaging teaching methods. Her work bridges art, craft, and community, weaving observation, intuition, and imagination into her painting, writing, teaching, and public speaking. A fifth-generation California artist, she was born in Big Sur, California in 1963, the daughter of a beatnik and a flower child. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Carmel’s first artist-in-residence. Growing up at her grandparents’ legendary restaurant, Nepenthe, a mecca for poets, bohemians and dreamers, she drew inspiration from its ever-changing cast of characters as well as the stunning and mystical beauty of the coast. Erin is the founder of the nonprofit Big Sur Arts Initiative, and a founding member of the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association (MBPAPA). In 2001 Erin was honored to serve as the first American Artist-in-Residence at the Hamada International Children’s Museum, Hamada, Japan. In 2009, she and her husband Tom Birmingham were named Champions of the Arts by the Arts Council of Monterey County and were honored by the United States Congress for their service to the community through the arts. Her exhibit Color Duets was the featured 2021 Spring/Summer show for the Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey, California, followed the next summer by a solo exhibit, California Atmosphere at the Morris Graves Museum of Art, Eureka, California. She is the author of a coffee-table art book, Color Duets, with Kaffe Fassett, and a memoir about life/work balance, Drinking from a Cold Spring, a Little Book of Hope.

Bone Up! with Susan McCandless

Session 1: Discover 5 Surefire Ways to Power Up Your Bones
Let’s get personal…I’m sharing a nutritionist’s perspective on lessons learned over the last decade.  You will go home with recipes and tools for you to assess your bone-supportive nutrition and personalize your plan.

  • Be strategic with a 2-pronged approach
  • Make it an integrated plan
  • Know your numbers
  • Keep your eye on the prize… preventing a fracture
  • When it comes to nutrition, bones don’t rely on one nutrient or food alone!
  • You need a healthy gut to absorb nutrients 

Session 2: The Calcium Conundrum
Conundrums surrounding dietary calcium, minerals and our bone health.  Get the facts!

  • Optimize your calcium intake and absorption.
  • What are the best sources of calcium?
  • Directing calcium into the bone and away from soft tissue/arteries.
  • Beyond calcium; other key minerals.

Session 3: Let’s Solve the Protein Paradox
Optimal protein status improves bone health but how much is optimal? Discover how to create a delicate metabolic balance.

  • Global eating patterns and bone health
  • Sarcopenia and the relationship with protein intake, bone health and fracture risk.
  • What are the best dietary sources?
  • Protein requirement for your stage of life.
  • The Better Protein Formula to optimize bone health.

Session 4: The Gut-Bone Connection
You are not what you eat, but what you absorb! The connection may seem surprising, but ultimately optimal bone health is dependent on a good healthy gut.

  • Assessing your gut health – What’s normal?
  • Get a better gut microbiome to improve bone health.
  • What to add and what to remove:  Key nutrients.
  • Consider healing foods and favorite herbals to stimulate digestion and nourish the gut.

 

Susan McCandless, RDN, IFNCP, a Functional Dietitian Nutritionist, is a sought-after speaker known for her expertise in delivering engaging educational workshops. She is an effective health coach with a distinct ability to translate the science right to the plate and inspire powerful diet and lifestyle habits. Board Certified in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, Susan understands how body systems work together. She focuses on improving client function and performance by treating the root cause of nutrition imbalances. In her private practice with MINT Nutrition, Susan is delivers clients proven results through in-depth assessment, food-first solutions and a personalized nutrition toolbox.  Susan holds advanced certifications in integrative and functional nutrition, digestive health, immunology, genetics, food sensitivities and intuitive eating.

Bone Up! with Susan McCandless

Session 1: Discover 5 Surefire Ways to Power Up Your Bones
Let’s get personal…I’m sharing a nutritionist’s perspective on lessons learned over the last decade.  You will go home with recipes and tools for you to assess your bone-supportive nutrition and personalize your plan.

  • Be strategic with a 2-pronged approach
  • Make it an integrated plan
  • Know your numbers
  • Keep your eye on the prize… preventing a fracture
  • When it comes to nutrition, bones don’t rely on one nutrient or food alone!
  • You need a healthy gut to absorb nutrients 

Session 2: The Calcium Conundrum
Conundrums surrounding dietary calcium, minerals and our bone health.  Get the facts!

  • Optimize your calcium intake and absorption.
  • What are the best sources of calcium?
  • Directing calcium into the bone and away from soft tissue/arteries.
  • Beyond calcium; other key minerals.

Session 3: Let’s Solve the Protein Paradox
Optimal protein status improves bone health but how much is optimal? Discover how to create a delicate metabolic balance.

  • Global eating patterns and bone health
  • Sarcopenia and the relationship with protein intake, bone health and fracture risk.
  • What are the best dietary sources?
  • Protein requirement for your stage of life.
  • The Better Protein Formula to optimize bone health.

Session 4: The Gut-Bone Connection
You are not what you eat, but what you absorb! The connection may seem surprising, but ultimately optimal bone health is dependent on a good healthy gut.

  • Assessing your gut health – What’s normal?
  • Get a better gut microbiome to improve bone health.
  • What to add and what to remove:  Key nutrients.
  • Consider healing foods and favorite herbals to stimulate digestion and nourish the gut.

 

Susan McCandless, RDN, IFNCP, a Functional Dietitian Nutritionist, is a sought-after speaker known for her expertise in delivering engaging educational workshops. She is an effective health coach with a distinct ability to translate the science right to the plate and inspire powerful diet and lifestyle habits. Board Certified in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, Susan understands how body systems work together. She focuses on improving client function and performance by treating the root cause of nutrition imbalances. In her private practice with MINT Nutrition, Susan is delivers clients proven results through in-depth assessment, food-first solutions and a personalized nutrition toolbox.  Susan holds advanced certifications in integrative and functional nutrition, digestive health, immunology, genetics, food sensitivities and intuitive eating.

Bone Up! with Susan McCandless

Session 1: Discover 5 Surefire Ways to Power Up Your Bones
Let’s get personal…I’m sharing a nutritionist’s perspective on lessons learned over the last decade.  You will go home with recipes and tools for you to assess your bone-supportive nutrition and personalize your plan.

  • Be strategic with a 2-pronged approach
  • Make it an integrated plan
  • Know your numbers
  • Keep your eye on the prize… preventing a fracture
  • When it comes to nutrition, bones don’t rely on one nutrient or food alone!
  • You need a healthy gut to absorb nutrients 

Session 2: The Calcium Conundrum
Conundrums surrounding dietary calcium, minerals and our bone health.  Get the facts!

  • Optimize your calcium intake and absorption.
  • What are the best sources of calcium?
  • Directing calcium into the bone and away from soft tissue/arteries.
  • Beyond calcium; other key minerals.

Session 3: Let’s Solve the Protein Paradox
Optimal protein status improves bone health but how much is optimal? Discover how to create a delicate metabolic balance.

  • Global eating patterns and bone health
  • Sarcopenia and the relationship with protein intake, bone health and fracture risk.
  • What are the best dietary sources?
  • Protein requirement for your stage of life.
  • The Better Protein Formula to optimize bone health.

Session 4: The Gut-Bone Connection
You are not what you eat, but what you absorb! The connection may seem surprising, but ultimately optimal bone health is dependent on a good healthy gut.

  • Assessing your gut health – What’s normal?
  • Get a better gut microbiome to improve bone health.
  • What to add and what to remove:  Key nutrients.
  • Consider healing foods and favorite herbals to stimulate digestion and nourish the gut.

 

Susan McCandless, RDN, IFNCP, a Functional Dietitian Nutritionist, is a sought-after speaker known for her expertise in delivering engaging educational workshops. She is an effective health coach with a distinct ability to translate the science right to the plate and inspire powerful diet and lifestyle habits. Board Certified in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, Susan understands how body systems work together. She focuses on improving client function and performance by treating the root cause of nutrition imbalances. In her private practice with MINT Nutrition, Susan is delivers clients proven results through in-depth assessment, food-first solutions and a personalized nutrition toolbox.  Susan holds advanced certifications in integrative and functional nutrition, digestive health, immunology, genetics, food sensitivities and intuitive eating.

Herbal Medicine for Everyday Living with Dawn Petter

Join Herbalist, Dawn Petter for an engaging and creative workshop series on the wonders of plant medicine and its many uses.

The Art of Herbal Medicine: Learn the basics of how herbs can support your health and well-being, in both food and medicinal forms. Herbalism is the oldest form of medicine and every culture has its version, discover how you can incorporate botanical remedies into your daily life using a variety of methods from this traditional approach.

Botanical Support for Digestive Wellness
Good digestion is the foundation of health and herbalists use a range of herbs to offer support. If you are curious to learn how to calm inflammation, release tension, move stagnant energy, and heal the gut, then taking a look at what and how we eat is key. We’ll discuss the importance of bitters, aromatics and prebiotic herbs and delicious ways to use them.

Herbs and Foods for Brain Health
This thought-provoking class will introduce you to the herbs and foods that have traditionally been used to stimulate circulation to the brain, helping to clear mental fog, improve memory and cut down on inflammation. Learn delicious ways to incorporate these healing herbs into your daily routine enhancing your overall wellness and reducing the effects of cognitive decline.

Herbs For Stress Relief & Sleep. Life’s challenges can leave us with frazzled nerves and sleepless nights. Herbal medicine and nourishing foods can support the body to remain calm and centered during the day, and, if necessary, offer sleep support at night. This class is filled with delicious ways to use botanical medicine to bring the body into balance, reconnect with our inner joy, and let go of tension to receive the nourishment of deep rest.

 

Dawn Petter is a clinical herbalist and flower essence practitioner based in New York City. She is a graduate of Arbor Vitae School of Traditional Herbalism and is trained as a flower essence practitioner with Delta Gardens and Findhorn Essences. Dawn offers in depth health consults and custom formulated remedies to her clients. She teaches classes and retreats at corporations and institutions including, the NY, Brooklyn and Chicago Botanic Gardens, to name a few. Her classes are imaginative, accessible, and encourage students to use herbal medicine in everyday life. Dawn is the owner of Petalune Herbals which specializes in wild and organic herbal skincare. Visit www.petaluneherbals.com to learn more about her offerings, and follow her on social media @petaluneherbals.

Herbal Medicine for Everyday Living with Dawn Petter

Join Herbalist, Dawn Petter for an engaging and creative workshop series on the wonders of plant medicine and its many uses.

The Art of Herbal Medicine: Learn the basics of how herbs can support your health and well-being, in both food and medicinal forms. Herbalism is the oldest form of medicine and every culture has its version, discover how you can incorporate botanical remedies into your daily life using a variety of methods from this traditional approach.

Botanical Support for Digestive Wellness
Good digestion is the foundation of health and herbalists use a range of herbs to offer support. If you are curious to learn how to calm inflammation, release tension, move stagnant energy, and heal the gut, then taking a look at what and how we eat is key. We’ll discuss the importance of bitters, aromatics and prebiotic herbs and delicious ways to use them.

Herbs and Foods for Brain Health
This thought-provoking class will introduce you to the herbs and foods that have traditionally been used to stimulate circulation to the brain, helping to clear mental fog, improve memory and cut down on inflammation. Learn delicious ways to incorporate these healing herbs into your daily routine enhancing your overall wellness and reducing the effects of cognitive decline.

Herbs For Stress Relief & Sleep. Life’s challenges can leave us with frazzled nerves and sleepless nights. Herbal medicine and nourishing foods can support the body to remain calm and centered during the day, and, if necessary, offer sleep support at night. This class is filled with delicious ways to use botanical medicine to bring the body into balance, reconnect with our inner joy, and let go of tension to receive the nourishment of deep rest.

 

Dawn Petter is a clinical herbalist and flower essence practitioner based in New York City. She is a graduate of Arbor Vitae School of Traditional Herbalism and is trained as a flower essence practitioner with Delta Gardens and Findhorn Essences. Dawn offers in depth health consults and custom formulated remedies to her clients. She teaches classes and retreats at corporations and institutions including, the NY, Brooklyn and Chicago Botanic Gardens, to name a few. Her classes are imaginative, accessible, and encourage students to use herbal medicine in everyday life. Dawn is the owner of Petalune Herbals which specializes in wild and organic herbal skincare. Visit www.petaluneherbals.com to learn more about her offerings, and follow her on social media @petaluneherbals.

Cultivating a Brain Healthy Environment with Stephanie Peabody

Brain Health Capital: Investing in Your Greatest Asset for a Thriving Life

Brain-Healthy Environments: Creating Spaces That Fuel Your Mind and Soul

The Joy of Play: Reignite Your Spark and Boost Brainpower at Any Age

Caring for Others Without Losing Yourself: Brain-Healthy Strategies for Caregivers

 

Dr. Stephanie Peabody is a neuropsychologist with over 30 years of experience as a clinician and program designer, consistently working to improve outcomes in brain health, development, aging, and performance at the individual and community levels.  In collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital and a global team of scientists and clinicians, she is the Founding Director of the Brain Health Initiative. Dr. Peabody has developed and co-leads several academic courses at Harvard, including Culinary and Nutritional Neuroscience, Lifestyle Medicine for Brain Health & Performance, Women’s Brain Health, and Positive Neuro Psychology.  She researches, teaches, and advises Harvard undergraduate and graduate students and a large cohort of Brain Health Scholars representing more than 30 high schools and undergraduate, graduate, and medical school programs globally.  She is also an advisor to the World Economic Forums, New Frontiers of Nutrition, and the Future of Personalized Wellbeing platforms. Dr. Peabody is a brain health expert and is often called upon to serve on global think tanks and consult on national and international brain health initiatives.

The Artful Mind with Carrie Geraci

The Artful Mind: Creativity for Cognitive Wellness.  Presentation.
Unlock the power of creativity for a sharper, healthier brain. This engaging presentation explores how creative activities—whether painting, writing, music, or problem-solving—boost cognitive function, reduce stress, and support long-term brain health. Backed by neuroscience and practical insights, you’ll discover how tapping into your creativity can enhance memory, resilience, and overall well-being at any stage of life.

The Artful Mind: Plein Air Workshop.  Four sessions.
A hands-on workshop for both the absolute beginner and for seasoned artists. Practice tapping into your creative energy by beginning each session with a silent walk and painting what you see and feel, on site, drawing with soft pastels on sanded paper. By looking closely at the world around us, we can enter a contemplative and meditative state that promotes relaxation. By depicting what we see through creative problem solving, we can open new reward pathways in our brain.

 

Carrie Geraci is a plein air painter and public art curator based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She has been an active part of the Jackson art scene since 1995, showcasing work that blends intuition, expressive mark-making, and unexpected color juxtapositions. Specializing in soft Sennelier pastels for her plein air pieces, her studio practice also includes oils and acrylics.  Geraci earned a BA in Visual Arts from Brown University, where she also studied printmaking and photography at the Rhode Island School of Design. She further expanded her artistic perspective during a semester abroad in Florence, Italy, immersing herself in sculpture, photography, and drawing while exploring the region’s rich art history.  A dedicated arts educator, she has taught at Portsmouth Abbey Summer School, Snake River Institute, and the Jackson Hole Community School.  Beyond her personal practice, Geraci is the founder and executive director of JH Public Art, a nonprofit she established in 2010. Under her leadership, the organization has commissioned dynamic, free, and accessible public art, enriching the cultural landscape of Jackson Hole.

https://www.carriegeraci.com/

www.jhpublicart.org

Following Your Gifts with Nicole Andreatta

Learn about the discipline of positive psychology and explore the life-changing opportunity of understanding and accepting your unique gifts.

Glimmer Gazing

What triggers us seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue and it’s leaving us in a collective funk. Let’s change the conversation. Out with triggers and in with the glimmers. A glimmer is the exact opposite of a trigger; it’s a spark of joy, engagement, or connection. This can be anything from taking in the view on a beautiful hike or savoring a compliment on a job well done. In this session, Dr. A will outline the practice of identifying glimmers and savoring them daily. Surprise! It’s harder than triggers because our brains are hardwired for negativity.

Edge Your Way to a Meaningful Life
Being well-rounded is boring. Our edges are what bring excitement and meaning to life. Defined by the scientific discipline Positive Psychology as character strengths, our edges give us the tools to make our unique contributions. Join Dr. A in discovering the joy of embracing your edges to stand out in a world that has lost its way blending in.

Applying the Gift Lens to Your Life
Understanding the power of our gifts can give us a different lens for looking at our life and its meaning. Join Dr. Nicole Andreatta in this afternoon session to unpack life’s virtues and the gifts they represent. You will be invited to take a survey to get a glimpse into your own unique gift profile and learn how it can help you set goals in new ways. This invitation is not theoretical, it is practical evidence based, and leads to deep, meaningful and positive changes in your life.

Responding to Challenging Times:  A Call to Ground in Our Gifts
Moments of adversity give us an opportunity to pull from our core strengths to bring meaning to hard times and give hope to those around us. In this workshop, Dr. A will discuss how our gifts are called upon during challenging times and what role they have in finding our way through?

Dr. Nicole Andreatta (Dr. A) is an executive coach that leverages a multidimensional approach to the science of human thriving. Combining decades of experience in neurorehabilitation and psychotherapy with the discipline of positive psychology, Dr. A helps people harness their gifts to focus their purpose–bringing more meaning to their work and more joy to their lives.

Nutrition with Kim Ross

Fasting for Nutrition and Health: Do’s and Don’ts
Fasts can be very beneficial for our health and involve partial or complete food abstention. Common methods include intermittent fasting, juicing and elimination diets.  All types of fasting can lower the risk of many diseases and re-set your mind and body. Come join us for an eye-opening presentation on fasting for nutrition and overall health. Learn how to fast and detoxify safely and effectively for various time periods to achieve myriad goals.  Get educated on how you can improve your metabolism, manage your weight, reduce inflammation, enhance your brain function, and repair your cells.

Achieve Optimal Performance through Nutrition: Boost Mental Clarity, Mitigate Stress, and Improve Energy
Knowledge is power. How does food affect energy, blood sugar levels and mood fluctuations?  Approximately two-thirds of all disease is caused by suboptimal diet and lifestyle. Learn how to take control of your health and optimize your well-being.

The Perils of Sugar: How to Get off the Sugar Roller Coaster and Improve Health 
Sugar can wreak havoc on the body, acidifying it, leaching vitamin and minerals, and cause inflammation and disease. Cut cravings and learn about healthy foods that satisfy a sweet tooth.

The Benefits of Adaptogenic Supplements  
Understand supplements in the form of tinctures, teas & supplements: how they work, safety and efficacy.  Learn what might be helpful for you based on your individual needs.

 

Kim Ross, MS, RD, CDN is an integrative nutritionist with a holistic approach to health. Treatments are aimed at enhancing the body’s ability to heal and detoxify itself to prevent and reverse illness. Goal-oriented, Kim creates flexible nutrition programs tailored to the specific objectives of each individual and company. She incorporates a variety of modalities that enhance optimal health including cutting-edge testing, nutraceuticals, homeopathy and herbs. Currently, Kim lectures nationwide and consults to businesses and investors. Kim maintains a private practice in Manhattan.

Kim received a BA from University of Michigan and an MS from New York University in clinical nutrition and dietetics. She completed her dietetic internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. Past affiliations include Equinox fitness clubs, Rockefeller University, NYU Langone Corporate Wellness and NYU Fertility Center. In addition, Kim has a certificate in holistic nutrition through Designs for Health Institute and completed a fellowship in herbal medicine through the Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine (AARM). Kim is also a certified meditation teacher through the School of Positive Transformation.

Nutrition with Kim Ross

Fasting for Nutrition and Health: Do’s and Don’ts
Fasts can be very beneficial for our health and involve partial or complete food abstention. Common methods include intermittent fasting, juicing and elimination diets.  All types of fasting can lower the risk of many diseases and re-set your mind and body. Come join us for an eye-opening presentation on fasting for nutrition and overall health. Learn how to fast and detoxify safely and effectively for various time periods to achieve myriad goals.  Get educated on how you can improve your metabolism, manage your weight, reduce inflammation, enhance your brain function, and repair your cells.

Achieve Optimal Performance through Nutrition: Boost Mental Clarity, Mitigate Stress, and Improve Energy
Knowledge is power. How does food affect energy, blood sugar levels and mood fluctuations?  Approximately two-thirds of all disease is caused by suboptimal diet and lifestyle. Learn how to take control of your health and optimize your well-being.

The Perils of Sugar: How to Get off the Sugar Roller Coaster and Improve Health 
Sugar can wreak havoc on the body, acidifying it, leaching vitamin and minerals, and cause inflammation and disease. Cut cravings and learn about healthy foods that satisfy a sweet tooth.

The Benefits of Adaptogenic Supplements  
Understand supplements in the form of tinctures, teas & supplements: how they work, safety and efficacy.  Learn what might be helpful for you based on your individual needs.

 

Kim Ross, MS, RD, CDN is an integrative nutritionist with a holistic approach to health. Treatments are aimed at enhancing the body’s ability to heal and detoxify itself to prevent and reverse illness. Goal-oriented, Kim creates flexible nutrition programs tailored to the specific objectives of each individual and company. She incorporates a variety of modalities that enhance optimal health including cutting-edge testing, nutraceuticals, homeopathy and herbs. Currently, Kim lectures nationwide and consults to businesses and investors. Kim maintains a private practice in Manhattan.

Kim received a BA from University of Michigan and an MS from New York University in clinical nutrition and dietetics. She completed her dietetic internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. Past affiliations include Equinox fitness clubs, Rockefeller University, NYU Langone Corporate Wellness and NYU Fertility Center. In addition, Kim has a certificate in holistic nutrition through Designs for Health Institute and completed a fellowship in herbal medicine through the Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine (AARM). Kim is also a certified meditation teacher through the School of Positive Transformation.

Organizing with Amy Carstensen

Learning to Live with Less and Why it Matters
What are the financial and psychological costs that clutter can have on your personal and professional life? Leave this session with solutions to help you declutter and be motivated to discard unneeded ‘stuff.’ Presentation will include group discussion related to struggles with letting go of items in your home.

Too Much Clutter?  How Do I “Let It Go?”
Are you stuck?  Feeling overwhelmed, too many clothes, piles of paper, photos, bags, spices, magazines, craft projects, China, and antique furniture? Have you inherited boxes of family heirlooms and have let them sit?  Participants will learn the 5-step method of organizing items in your home and office.  Clearing out the clutter will create space for new things to enter your life that are in alignment with your values and priorities.

 
Amy Carstensen, a San Diego based Professional Organizer, started her business “Organizing  with Amy” in 2013. Amy holds a master’s degree from UC San Diego in International Relations. She has taught high school Spanish, worked for the International Community Foundation and was the Founder and Executive Director of Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center.  When she’s not out helping clients let go of excess Tupperware and bags, she’s home annoying her husband and two teenage boys reminding them “to never leave a room empty handed.”

A Jazz Week

Experience the power of music during an unforgettable stay featuring top artists at The Ranch for Jazz Week! The tranquility of The Ranch provides the perfect backdrop for jazz musicians to fully transform and transport you. Join us for a sensory retreat that you won’t forget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Information About The Week

 

Sean Jones, Trumpet & Curator
Billy Childs, Piano
Ben Williams, Bass

A Family Week

Family Week

July 26 – August 2, 2025

Discover a world of fun for the whole family at The Ranch. Children ages seven and above are welcome to join in the fun with a wide range of classic camp activities, hiking, fiestas, family bonding, and more. While your kids play sports, create art, and have other exciting adventures, you can enjoy activities such as yoga, sculpting, and strengthening, and indulging in spa treatments. Come together as a family over delicious meals, group sing-alongs, and family-friendly events.

More Information About The Week

 

Featured Presenters:

Aakansha Maheshwari, Creator of Bollypop
Tamara Duker Freuman, MS, RDN, CDN, Dietitian & author
Marcela Valladolid, Emmy-nominated celebrity chef
River Morgan, Yoga, meditation & Gyrotonic instructor
Eden Vardy, Founder of The Farm Collaborative
Brent Hedstrom, Multi-faceted artist
Alex Freuman, Teacher
Matt Roben, Founder of Rancho Roben Rescues
David Williams (aka Super Dave), Self defense instructor

A Women in Sustainability Week

Celebrate the Earth and women who are passionate about making a positive impact. Engage in inspiring talks, workshops, and hands-on experiences with sustainability experts. Connect, share ideas, and participate in activities that promote a greener future. Discover how you can make a difference in your community. Join us for an enlightening and transformative week dedicated to nurturing both the planet and the powerful women leading the way.

See more information about the week

Featured Presenters:

Pat Mitchell, Co Founder and Partner of Project Dandelion
Laura Turner Seydel, Director, Turner Foundation
Vasser Seydel, President of The Oxygen Project
Gay Browne, CEO of Greenopia
Chef Sheyla Alvarado, Lunario restaurant in Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe
Amber Rubarth
, Songwriter

A Women in Sustainability Week

Celebrate the Earth and women who are passionate about making a positive impact. Engage in inspiring talks, workshops, and hands-on experiences with sustainability experts. Connect, share ideas, and participate in activities that promote a greener future. Discover how you can make a difference in your community. Join us for an enlightening and transformative week dedicated to nurturing both the planet and the powerful women leading the way.

See more information about the week

Featured Presenters:

Laura Turner Seydel, Director, Turner Foundation
Vasser Seydel, President of The Oxygen Project
Pat Mitchell, Co Founder and Partner of Project Dandelion
Gay Browne, CEO of Greenopia
Chef Sheyla Alvarado, Lunario restaurant in Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe
Amber Rubarth
, Songwriter

Amber Rubarth

“Songs so strong they sound like classics from another era.” – ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE

“You will leave with a crush on her.” – BOSTON GLOBE

Every so often an artist arrives with a lyrical ability to convey the simplest of things. With Amber Rubarth it’s all in the detail. Refreshingly unique in her styling, Rubarth has built an eclectic collection of songs from the fun and frivolous to the raw and destructive – her voice knows no bounds where genre is concerned.  But it’s in her lyrics where the most satisfaction is found. Inspired by the works of Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen, her musings on life are delightful in their innocence and have the capacity to appeal to the most diverse audience.

Touring from South Africa to Japan and all throughout Europe and North America, her appearances have included everything from a sold-out Carnegie Hall and Glastonbury (UK) to being handpicked to open for legendary artists including Emmylou Harris, Richie Havens, Dr. Ralph Stanley and Kenny Loggins.  Grand Prize Winner of the prestigious NPR Mountain Stage contest, songwriting is always at the heart of how Rubarth navigates the world.

 

Amber Rubarth made her acting debut starring alongside Joe Purdy in the feature film AMERICAN FOLK (out now on Amazon) winning numerous festivals and awards and being called “Superb… A heartfelt homage to American folk music,” by HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, and “Two wondrous new voices steeped in the folk tradition,” by ROLLING STONE.  She has scored and composed for many films including Sundance Film Festival winner ‘Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work’ and the award-winning documentary ‘Desert Runners,’ and recently co-produced a double album of 24 artists for the documentary ‘Fantastic Fungi.’  Her latest album COVER CROP is a meditation on sustainability and interconnectivity through the lens of 15 cover songs self-produced and recorded at her cottage in the woods of the Hudson Valley, New York.

– Official website:  https://www.amberrubarth.com/
– IG: @AmberRubarth
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmberRubarthMusic/
– Youtube video: https://youtu.be/7CIeq-EK3gg?si=7UKmPDqV_08z8K4G

Sustainability with Vasser Seydel

Vasser Seydel is the President of The Oxygen Project, an organization on a mission to ignite a community of nature champions and accelerate collective action through campaigns, education and storytelling to create a conscious, regenerative and climate-resilient reality. She serves on the board of directors for Dr. Sylvia Earle’s, Mission Blue, the National Center of Family Philanthropy, and the Turner Foundation. Vasser is an Arctic Angel for Global Choices and serves on the Advisory Board for One Earth and the University of Georgia’s Sustainability Certificate.

President, The Oxygen Project

Sustainability with Laura Turner Seydel

Laura Turner Seydel works with organizations that are solving the biggest existential threats facing humanity. Laura serves on the board for the Turner Foundation, the UN Foundation, Project Drawdown, Waterkeeper Alliance, Nuclear Threat Initiative and is a Patron of Nature with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Chair Emeritus with the Captain Planet Foundation.  In the field of regenerative agriculture, Laura serves as an Executive Producer for the documentary film “Common Ground” and the soon to be released film “Groundswell.”

Director, Turner Foundation

Stronger Bones, Longer Life with Dr. Lani Simpson

Dr. Simpson’s presentation will provide practical tips to promote strong bones and strong muscles so that we can maintain our physical independence as we age. She will also dispel myths about certain supplements and gadgets that are recommended on the Internet that claim to reverse osteoporosis.

This program will focus on building and maintaining healthy bones and muscle strength at any age. Come join us as we learn how bones develop and how they can decline as we age, threatening our physical independence. There is so much that we can do now to reduce our fracture risk.

Our Beautiful Bones, Introduction
Our bones are brimming with life. We will learn about how our bones develop as we age, through the influence of hormones, and for most women, significant bone loss following menopause. However, this bone loss is not inevitable with the right bone health program. Come and find out how you can continue to support your bones, regardless of age.

How are our Bones are Diagnosed and what Bone Fractures tell us?
Bone density testing by a DXA machine is considered the gold standard to evaluate bone density. How dependable is this testing, and should doctors only rely on this test before prescribing a bone medication? In this presentation we will also learn about fractures and bone quality. Bone quality refers to the flexibility of bone to resist impact.  Strong bones = good bone density and bone quality/bone flexibility.

Nutrition and Digestive Health
Don’t miss the forest for the trees. In this class we will learn about the importance of a well-rounded whole foods diet for our bones. Think about our healthy Rancho La Puerta food options. Our bones need healthy proteins, fat and carbohydrates and don’t forget about hydration. Can eating a bone healthy diet and improving digestion improve bone health at any age? YES!

Exercise and our Bones
Strong bones and muscles require exercise to maintain and build both bone and muscle strength. Bones respond to impact, as well as strength training. We will learn about the importance of learning how to move mindfully. Posture, balance and mindfulness are the most important elements needed to reduce fracture risk. Almost all fractures occur due to falls and most falls occur in and around the home. Time to get rid of those household hazards!!!

 

Dr. Lani Simpson DC, CCD, is a Certified Clinical Densitometrist (analyzes bone density exams), chiropractor and author of the best-selling book, Dr. Lani’s No Nonsense Bone Health Guide. In 2016, her PBS show: Stronger Bones, Longer Life was aired nationally. She herself was diagnosed with osteoporosis in her mid-40’s and as an avid biker, runner, and tennis player she had never fractured a bone. Her own diagnosis set her on a course to learn about the complexities of bone health. She went on to develop a well-rounded diagnostic approach that includes bone density testing, lab tests, nutritional analysis, and exercise. She learned that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and she supports the wise use of bone medications. It is her life’s mission to educate the public regarding osteoporosis prevention, and an osteoporosis diagnosis so that they are better able to advocate for themselves with their healthcare providers. Now at the age of 75, Dr. Simpson continues to teach bone-related courses and she is still fracture free.

#1 Best Seller: Dr. Lani’s No-Nonsense Bone Health Guide
New release: Dr. Lani’s No-Nonsense SUN Health Guide
PBS show, Stronger Bones, Longer Life – SHOW TRAILER
Website: https://lanisimpson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1625656326
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.lanisimpson/