Events Archive

Feed Your Brain: The MIND Diet with Laura Morris, CPT and Jennifer Ventrelle, MS, RDN, CPT

Presentation 1: The MIND Diet — Origins, Science, and Brain-Protective Nutrition
Core question: Why choose the MIND diet?
• Overview of dementia and the aging brain
• Background on research related to brain-protective nutrients and foods
• How the MIND diet was developed
• What makes the MIND diet different from other dietary pattern

Bridge to Presentation 2: If dietary patterns matter, which foods matter most?

Presentation 2: Food as Neuro-Protective or Inflammatory — A Deep Dive into the MIND Diet Foods
Core question: What is food actually doing to the brain?
• Reframing food beyond “good vs. bad”: food as signals and messages
• MIND diet foods to prioritize
• MIND diet foods to limit
• The role of enjoyment, culture, and satisfaction—why pleasure and sustainability matter for brain health

Bridge to Presentation 3: Knowledge is powerful, but how do we turn it into action?

Presentation 3: Making the MIND Diet Work for You — Behavior Change, Tools, and Real Life
Core question: How do you make lasting, sustainable dietary changes?
• Practical, science-backed tools using the SMART framework
• Self-monitoring
• Meal planning strategies
• Action planning and reflection
• Trust, support, and accountability

Bridge to Presentation 4: Food matters—but it’s only one pillar of brain health.

Presentation 4: The Bigger Picture — A Multi-Domain Approach to Brain Health
Core question: How does the MIND diet fit into lifelong brain resilience?

• The multi-domain brain health framework
• The U.S. POINTER study as a model for a brain-healthy “recipe”
• Exercise
• Sleep
• Cognitive and social engagement
• Managing health conditions
• Long-term mindset and sustainability

Conclusion: Bringing it all together—how food and lifestyle work together to support brain health across the lifespan.

Laura Morris, CPT is a professionally trained chef, certified personal trainer, and certified nutrition consultant with a deep commitment to brain-healthy living. She is the co-author of two books on nutrition and dementia prevention—Diet for the MIND and The Official MIND Diet—written with Dr. Martha Clare Morris and Jennifer Ventrelle. Laura specializes in translating cutting-edge research into real-life strategies that support cognitive health through food and movement. Through workshops, culinary demos, and her signature MIND diet programs, Laura partners with individuals, organizations, and healthcare systems to deliver evidence-based, engaging education that makes brain-healthy eating both approachable and enjoyable. She also leads professional programming for clinicians and caregivers seeking to integrate MIND diet principles into their care models.

Jennifer Ventrelle, MS, RDN, CPT, is a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and co-author of The Official MIND Diet. With more than 23 years of experience in clinical nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness-based lifestyle interventions, she specializes in reducing dementia risk and supporting long-term well-being through the MIND diet and sustainable behavior change. She is a trained mindfulness meditation teacher through the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness and integrates Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) into her work to support emotional resilience and lasting habits. As an Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical Center, Jennifer designs and leads behavioral intervention trials, including the U.S. POINTER Study—the largest lifestyle intervention trial in the U.S. demonstrating that lifestyle changes can improve cognitive function in older adults at risk of cognitive decline. She is also Co-Founder of The Official MIND Diet, LLC, partnering with individuals, organizations, and health systems to scale evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle programs. Jennifer is passionate about helping people build a peaceful relationship with food and discover the power of small, meaningful lifestyle changes to support lifelong health.

Leading Together with Jake Rainey

Leading Together is an experiential workshop designed to strengthen the family unit through the lens of leadership. By stepping out of daily routines and engaging in interactive team-building games and initiatives, families explore their unique communication patterns and problem-solving styles in real time.

The session emphasizes identifying core values to create a shared foundation for decision-making and navigating conflict. Through guided reflection and conversation, families work together to co-create a “Family Mission Statement,” helping ensure that daily rhythms align with their deeper purpose.

Participants leave with a renewed sense of their collective resilience and a clear roadmap for facing future challenges as a team.

Jake Rainey is an experiential educator, leadership specialist, and practitioner of human development dedicated to helping individuals and teams reach their sustainable peak. With a Master’s Certificate in Experiential Teaching & Learning and certification as a Life & Engagement Coach, Jake’s work is grounded in the belief that real growth happens when people are safely supported beyond their comfort zones. His commitment to holistic safety is reinforced by dual certifications as both a Wilderness First Responder and a Behavioral First Responder, allowing him to thoughtfully manage both physical and emotional risk in dynamic environments.

Currently serving as Student Life and Leadership Director at Key School and Program Manager for ISEEN, Jake has facilitated high-impact learning experiences around the world. From navigating the Colorado Rockies to leading cultural immersions in Ecuador, his work uses the “ultimate interruption” of adventure to spark deep self-awareness and meaningful growth. A former Colorado State Coach of the Year for Boys Soccer, Jake has a proven ability to transform groups into cohesive, high-performing teams by helping them resolve friction points and align around shared values. In addition to his work at Key School, Jake leads Living At Peak, an organization that designs customized retreats and transformative experiences for teams, groups, and individuals.

Through his Leading Together workshops, Jake brings these leadership principles into the family setting. Using hands-on challenges and reflective dialogue, he guides families in exploring their communication patterns and problem-solving styles. Rather than traditional lectures, Jake emphasizes active engagement, helping families identify their core values, create meaningful mission statements, and build the resilience needed to navigate challenges together.

Grounded in curiosity, wisdom, and practical tools, Jake’s mission is to equip families and leaders with frameworks they can carry forward long after the experience ends.

Peter Bradley Adams

Peter Bradley Adams was one half of the duo, Eastmountainsouth, signed to Dreamworks records in 2003 by Robbie Robertson (The Band). Adams has since released seven solo records, with his latest “Are We Able” set to be released this summer. In addition, his side project, “Down Like Silver”, a collaboration with singer-songwriter Caitlin Canty, has released 2 EP’s and numerous singles.

IG @PeterBradleyAdams

https://www.peterbradleyadams.com/

Joy Clark

Joy Clark is a New Orleans singer-songwriter, lyrical guitarist and composer who creates soulful original compositions that celebrate peace and the undeniable power of love. Her intricate rhythms and warm melodies reveal a sweet vulnerability that enchants her audiences around the world. Like so many other artists in New Orleans, Joy’s first stage was in church. Growing up the daughter of a minister, she learned to create an atmosphere ripe for an emotional experience. So it’s no wonder she believes music is her ministry and intimacy is her superpower. Joy’s melodic offerings are a healing balm to an anxious heart. Each song welcomes the close listener in with open arms always beckoning truth, authenticity and courage to tell one’s story. The Boot says “Joy’s music is rhythmic like the pulling of a tide”. Her latest single “Good Thing” beautifully captures her craft and depth of artistry and musicianship and has garnered radio play along with an official video debut with DittyTV. Joy can also be seen on tour with 3X Grammy Award nominee, Allison Russell in her ensemble of phenomenal artists. 2022 has brought beautiful beginnings for Joy.

I love boots, guitars, mangoes, horses, jasmine blossoms, road trips, cloud watching, donuts and my family. I believe in the power of inner peace. I understand the glory of a righteous twist out. I make time to marvel at the mysteries of the world around me. I pour my fears and anxiety into vectors for healing. Pedicures make me giggle but music is my gateway to happiness.

IG: @JoyClarkMusic

Achieve Optimal Performance through Nutrition with Kim Ross, MS, RD, CDN

Achieve Optimal Performance through Nutrition: Boost Mental Clarity, Mitigate Stress, and Improve Energy
How does food affect energy, blood sugar levels and mood fluctuations? Approximately 2/3 of all disease is caused by suboptimal diet and lifestyle. Learn how to take control of your health and well-being.

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. Get educated on how you can improve your metabolism, manage your weight, reduce inflammation, enhance your brain function, and repair your cells.

The Perils of Sugar: How to Get off the Sugar Roller Coaster & 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.

The Aging Eye with Dr. Janine Tabas

The Aging Eye and Common Ocular Conditions
You may have noticed that your vision is not as sharp as it once was. Our eyes naturally change over time, often beginning with difficulty reading in our 40s and gradually progressing to challenges such as night driving or adjusting to changes in light.

In this presentation, we will explore the normal changes that occur in the aging eye, as well as several of the most common ocular conditions and diseases.

Cataracts — Everybody Gets Them!
If you live long enough, you will likely develop cataracts. In this informative session, you will learn what cataracts are, how they affect vision, and when treatment becomes necessary.

We will review surgical options and the wide range of lens implant choices available today, helping you better understand which options may be right for you. Surgical videos can be shown upon request.

The Eye–Body Connection
The eyes truly are windows to overall health. In this session, you will learn how serious medical conditions are sometimes first detected during a comprehensive eye exam. We will also discuss how various diseases and medications can impact vision, the role of diet and vitamin supplementation in ocular health, and which medications may need to be adjusted prior to eye surgery.

Dr. Janine G. Tabas is a practicing board-certified comprehensive ophthalmologist with a specialty in cataract surgery. She graduated Dartmouth College in 1985, and Medical College of Virginia with honors in 1989. During medical school, she was elected chapter President of AOA, the National Medical Honor Society. Dr. Tabas completed her residency at the prestigious Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia in 1993. She is an active member of the Wills teaching staff, as well as a surgical mentor each year to the residents. Dr. Tabas is the Founder of the Women of Wills Organization, which promotes leadership skills in women physicians. In 2022 Dr. Tabas became Co-Director of Cataract and Primary Eye Care Department at Wills Eye Hospital, and currently serves as President of the Wills Alumni Society.

Autobiography and the Memoir with Larry Grobel

Memoir Writing Workshop – 3 sessions
A memoir writing workshop that may change the way you feel about writing? It’s possible. A chance to get to know people in a more intimate way? Very possible. The Ranch offers so many ways to explore oneself physically, spiritually and, with a workshop like this, mentally as well. Have you ever thought of writing about your life, but just haven’t found the time or discipline to begin? Come make the time. Treat yourself to the opportunity to express yourself through the written word. It’s challenging, but not hard. Rewarding, but not demanding. You’ll be presented with choices. A memoir can be many things—a snapshot or a portrait. You decide.

An Afternoon of Stories
Writer Larry Grobel will read from his three books of Short Stories (The Narcissist; Stuck; Schemers, Dreamers, Cheaters, Believers)

An Evening with Truman Capote, Miles Davis, Allen Ginsberg, John Huston, Norman Mailer, and Debbie Reynolds
Writer Larry Grobel shows video interviews he did with these icons and discusses what he’s learned from four decades of talking to such people.

Larry Grobel is the author of 30 books. Among his honors are a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship for his fiction; Special Achievement Awards from PEN for his Conversations with Capote, and Playboy for his interviews with Barbra Streisand, Marlon Brando and Al Pacino; and the Prix Litteraire from The Syndicat Français de la Critique de Cinema for his Al Pacino: In Conversation with Lawrence Grobel. He has been a Contributing Editor for Playboy, Movieline, World (New Zealand), and Trendy (Poland) and has been called “A legend among journalists” by Writer’s Digest. He served in the Peace Corps, teaching at the Ghana Institute of Journalism; created the M.F.A. in Professional Writing for Antioch University; and taught in the English and Honors Departments at UCLA. Since 2007 he has served as a jury member at the annual Camerimage Film Festival in Poland. He has appeared as himself in the documentary Salinger and Al Pacino’s docudrama Wilde Salome. His books have been translated into 14 languages.

Sounds for Self-Empowerment and Healing with Lisa Rafel

Discover Vocal Sounds as a Tool for Understanding Energetic Boundary and Spaciousness
Experience the delight of honoring your individuality and your connection with the world around you. Sounding bypasses the linear mind. By adding intention to simple sounds, remarkable things can happen. Gain insights as I demonstrate vocal and other sounds for you. No singing is required!

Explore Sounds for Self-Empowerment and Healing
Enjoy the freedom of sounding! These sounds do not need to be loud or complicated to strengthen, ground, align and alleviate tension! Learn the secret of sounding.

Using Sound to Open Your Heart
This gentle way of sounding can be so restorative and healing. If you are recovering from overwork, emotional or physical challenges or being in too much stress, learn simple vocal tools to reset, recenter and renew your heart.

Easy Sounding Tools to Reduce Stress, Fear and Anxiety
This unique way of using your voice in alignment with simple energy techniques provides an excellent way to experience freedom and possibility.

Lisa Rafel has taught about self-empowerment, self-healing and using music and sound for healing for over 25 years. An internationally recognized expert in Vocal Sound Healing™ she presents at conferences and teaches workshops all over the world. Lisa is a composer, poet, playwright, shamanic healer and spiritual teacher. Her harmonic overtone singing with crystal bowls has been called, “the sound of language before the languages divided.” Her concerts attune the listener to a deep experience of peace. Lisa has taught and sung in extraordinary sacred sites including in Chartres Cathedral in France, The Great Pyramid of Giza, The Sakya Monastery in Tibet, Shaman Conferences in Mongolia, and Sacred Music Festivals in Glastonbury, UK, San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA. Lisa co-created the award-winning book/music set, Safe in The Arms of Love with collaborators Emmy Award winning composer/producer Gary Malkin and psychologist, David Surrenda, PhD. Their Positive Intention Music™ creates a measurable energetic connection between a mother and her baby that improves the baby’s health. Lisa’s remarkably empowering program, theFive Worlds, is taught on-line once or twice a year. Her video, The Question of Our Time, is a call to action to stop pollution. Performed by Lisa, with lyrics by Lisa, the music was written and produced by Grammy Award winners Lili Haydn and Itai Disraeli. All of Lisa’s projects support greater health and well-being.

Concerts with Juan Pablo Andrade, Kevin Mills and María Lourdes Lobo Arias

“Reflections and Rhythms: A Piano Recital” by Juan Pablo Andrade

“Between Two Voices: An afternoon of Violin and Cello music” Lourdes Lobo (violin), Kevin Mills (cello)

“Johannes Brahms: Trio Opus 8 for violin, cello & piano” Lourdes Lobo, Kevin Mills, Juan Pablo Andrade

Juan Pablo Andrade, Juan Pablo Andrade is a renowned Costa Rican pianist with a dynamic stage and academic presence. He has earned top honors at international competitions and the Costa Rican National Prize of Music, and has performed widely as a soloist with various orchestras and at major festivals. A familiar ear with the Costa Rican National Symphony, he has toured the Americas and Europe, and his CD War to Peace received favorable reviews. In academia, he is a Professor of Piano at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and has taught at several prestigious universities. He also volunteers at international festivals and founded the La Frontera International Piano Conference in Brownsville, Texas, to foster musical exchange in the region.

Kevin Mills is a cellist from Orange County, California who studied under Darrett Adkins at both The Juilliard School and Oberlin Conservatory receiving his Masters in Cello Performance and Artist Diploma respectively. Kevin received his Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from California State University of Fullerton and has toured, taught, and performed nation-wide and abroad in Denmark, Korea, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and Hungary.

María Lourdes Lobo Arias

María Lourdes Lobo is a Costa Rican violinist and chamber musician whose entire life has been shaped by music. Trained in the Youth Program of the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, she earned her degree in Violin from the University of Costa Rica and further refined her artistry over two years of advanced study with the renowned Bulgarian violinist Krassimira Vaseva in Colombia — an experience that proved decisive in her development as a mature interpreter.

Throughout her career as a soloist, she has performed on stages across Costa Rica and South America, sharing the concert platform with ensembles of the caliber of the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Costa Rica, the Youth Symphony Orchestra of the National Music Institute, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Cali, among others. In 2023, she was invited as guest soloist alongside the Chamber Orchestra of Terrassa, from Barcelona, at the BAC Credomatic International Music Festival, one of the region’s most prestigious musical gatherings. Her excellence as a performer was recognized in 2012 with the Best Performer of the Year Award, granted by the Costa Rican Ministry of Culture and Youth.

In the realm of chamber music, Lourdes founded the Alma String Quartet in 2005, an ensemble that has brought together outstanding musicians over the years and was reactivated in 2026 with new members, with performances at the National Theatre of Costa Rica and the Costa Rican Art Museum. Together with Brazilian pianist Rubia Santos, she forms Dúo Alma, a project born five years ago and crowned by the complete recording of Beethoven’s ten Sonatas for violin and piano — the result of two years of sustained work. The CD is scheduled for release in the second half of 2026. The duo has carried their music beyond Latin American borders: in 2026 they performed at the University of California, Riverside, in a concert that featured world premieres of works composed especially for them by student composers at that institution.

Alongside her artistic work, between 2021 and 2024 Lourdes served as a professor of Violin at the National Music Institute of Costa Rica, bringing to that role the same dedication and rigor that have defined her entire career.

Why Today Impacts Tomorrow’s Success with Mark Wuttke

Join us for a transformative four-session journey as we unveil the art of crafting a fulfilling day and its profound impact on your tomorrow. In this exploration, we’ll challenge common misconceptions about success while navigating the realms of personal reflection, growth, and self-discovery.

During these sessions, you’ll be encouraged to take vital incremental steps that pave the way for daily success by delving into six key daily practices over four sessions.

Session 1: Why Today Matters – Because tomorrow is created today
Unveil the secrets of a fulfilling day and how today shapes your future in this inspiring introductory session.

Session 2: Choose Your Day Before It Chooses You – the Power of Attitude & Priorities
Discover how your attitude opens doors to endless possibilities and how setting priorities sharpens your focus on the path to success.

Session 3: Don’t Trade Your Health For Your Success – Building a Life Worth Living
Explore the vital role of health for enduring strength and the stabilizing influence of family in shaping your journey.

Session 4: Become Better, Not Just Busier – Thinking Differently. Growing Intentionally
Harness the power of strategic thinking for a competitive edge and unlock your boundless potential through a focus on growth.

Remember, the most remarkable miracle is transforming who you are today into who you want to be tomorrow. Your canvas is today, start now to create a brand-new ending. Join us to embrace the significance of Today Matters!

Mark Wuttke is a Vistage CEO Coach and Chair, leadership advisor, and former global C-suite executive with more than 30 years of experience in wellness and beauty. Born in Australia and now based in Jupiter, Florida, he has led companies across five continents while championing sustainability and conscious leadership.

Today, Mark coaches founders and executives to align their decisions with their values and to build lives that feel as successful as they look. His work is rooted in the belief that who we become tomorrow is shaped by how we live today.

He is honored to return to Rancho La Puerta to share Today Matters

Marbled & Collaged Art

Marbled & Collaged Art
Where creativity and color flows. Step into the peaceful calm of the art studio and check in with your creative self. When we’re surrounded by quiet, ideas move through us more freely-color seems brighter, and even the simplest materials begin to spark new possibilities. In this hands on workshop, you’’ll explore the magical, meditative process of paper marbling- a playful technique that transforms ink and color into swirling, one-of-a-kind patterns. The method is unexpected, the results are always surprising, and the experience itself is calming.

Once your marbled paper prints are complete, we’ll move into editing, where you’ll layer, reassemble, and mount your designs into expressive notecards and personal works of art. It’s a beautiful way to let go of perfection and allow your hands and intuition to lead.

What you’ll leave with:
A set of handmade notecards using your marbled papers and a fresh connection to your creative rhythm rooted in stillness and play.

Both the process and results will surprise you.

Brent Hedstrom From the bright lights of Broadway to the vibrant chaos of the art studio, Brent’s journey is nothing short of eclectic. His resume spans theatrical stage makeup for iconic productions like The Lion King, Romeo and Juliet, Terracotta Warriors and Medea, to owning a salon where his mastery of color and form took on new dimensions. A self-proclaimed “art junkie,” Brent Hedstrom channels his creativity into a wide range of visual art. In his studio he works with acrylics and oils on wood panels, resin finishes, metal and paper weaving, and a special passion: marbling all kinds of paper into mesmerizing patterns.

Sarah Livia Brightwood

Sarah Livia Brightwood has been President of Rancho La Puerta for over 20 years, the pioneering 4,000-acre resort and spa founded in 1940 and located in Tecate, Baja California. For 30 years, Sarah designed the gardens and many buildings at the resort and created its organic farm and culinary center. She is a champion of regenerative, earth centered practices and a passionate steward of the land.

She has been President of Fundación La Puerta since 1996, a nonprofit serving the city of Tecate which created and maintains Parque del Profesor, providing environmental education, wildland conservation and extensive programs for youth and families. Twenty years ago Fundación La Puerta initiated a citywide campaign to rescue the Tecate River from being channeled in concrete and championed the development of the Tecate River Park. The Tecate watershed continues to be a focus of Fundación La Puerta’s programming through city wide river clean ups spanning 20 years, curriculums and workshops on water and educational festivals such as Olipiaguas, a collaboration with the State Water Authority. Currently, water treatment, water healing and reuse are part of the effort to restore the Tecate River and the watershed.

Norma Meza

Norma Meza is from the traditional Kumeyaay lands of Ja’aa, also known as Alamo (Cottonwood) Creek in Baja California. She grew up learning from her ancestors how to interact with the local plants, animals, and the unique spirit of the land.

She is an authority of the Mescuichs clan and has taught special workshops on Kumeyaay ethnobotany, language, and traditional culture.

She is involved in efforts to safeguard white sage (Salvia apiana), a plant deeply rooted in the cultures and lifeways of Indigenous peoples that is currently threatened by poaching to supply international demand.

Hands-On Cooking Classes and Chef’s Table Dinner with Steve Sando

Chef Steve Sando offers hands-on culinary experiences, 3.5 hours each, during which you will enjoy preparing your own meal along with fellow cooks. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta, our culinary center, on Tuesday and Wednesday at 4pm. In addition, Chef Steve will collaborate with La Cocina Que Canta’s Head Chef, Vivian Mercado and her team to create a special feast (with wine pairing!) on Thursday at 4:45pm.

Hands On Cooking Classes and Chefs Dinner Sign Up

Tuesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.

Wednesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.

Thursday Farm-to-Table Dining Experience 4:45 PM
Celebrate the abundance of our organic farm and the connection to community with a Farm-to-Table dining experience – a perfect blend of health, tradition, flavor, and fun! Cost is $150 per person, tax and wine pairing included. The maximum number of guests is 30. Sign Up at the Appointments Desk or through the link above.

Steve Sando is the founder and president of Rancho Gordo, a company that has transformed heirloom beans from a humble staple into a celebrated culinary ingredient. Since 2001, his commitment to preserving the indigenous crops of the Americas has driven the growth of a business that grows, imports, and promotes heirloom beans, corn, and chiles. Rancho Gordo works with chefs, farmers, and home cooks alike, creating a vibrant market for these once-neglected ingredients.

Steve’s journey began as a frustrated home cook in the San Francisco Bay Area. Unsatisfied with the limited selection of beans available in stores, he decided to grow his own, discovering a treasure trove of heirloom varieties with rich flavors and fascinating histories. Recognizing their culinary potential, Steve set out to share these “superstar” beans with the world. Today, Rancho Gordo grows more than 25 varieties on the West Coast and partners with small-scale indigenous farmers in Mexico to bring rare, traditional beans to the U.S.

Steve’s work has caught the attention of chefs like Thomas Keller, Deborah Madison, and Paula Wolfert, as well as home cooks eager to elevate their meals with quality ingredients. Rancho Gordo’s products—including beans, corn, chiles, and other staples—have become key components in the New American cuisine movement, with Steve at the forefront of the seed-saving revolution. His efforts have been widely recognized: Saveur named Rancho Gordo number two on its “Saveur 100” list in 2008, Bon Appétit included Steve in its “Hot 10” for 2009, and Food & Wine praised him as a leader in the seed-saving movement. His most recent cookbook, The Bean Book, is a New York Times Bestseller.

In addition to running Rancho Gordo, Steve is an accomplished author. His books include:

Heirloom Beans (with Vanessa Barrington) (2008)
The Rancho Gordo Heirloom Bean Grower’s Guide(2011)
Supper at Rancho Gordo (2014)
The Rancho Gordo Vegetarian Kitchen (with Julia Newberry) (2017)
The Rancho Gordo Pozole Book(2019)
The Rancho Gordo Vegetarian Kitchen, Volume 2 (with Julia Newberry) (2021)
The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans, from the Rancho Gordo Kitchen (with Julia Newberry) (2024) (NYT Bestseller)

His publications combine recipes, storytelling, and practical advice, helping readers bring the magic of heirloom beans into their kitchens.

Based in Napa, California, Steve continues to champion the indigenous ingredients of the Americas. Whether traveling to Mexico to work with small farmers, developing new recipes in his kitchen, or connecting with customers through Rancho Gordo’s Bean Club, Steve remains dedicated to his mission: preserving the agricultural heritage of the Americas and sharing its incredible flavors with the world.

Mindfulness with Lynette Toma

Immersive Sound Journey
This signature sound experience offers guests a deeply restorative escape through therapeutic vibration and refined soundscapes. Using crystal singing bowls, handpan, chimes, and gentle tonal instruments, Lynette creates a serene sensory environment designed to quiet the mind and soothe the nervous system.

Guests are invited into a state of effortless rest while sound waves promote relaxation, emotional release, and energetic balance. The experience supports deep restoration, improved sleep, and a renewed sense of inner calm.

Guided Meditation & Mindful Restoration
This calming meditation experience gently guides guests into stillness through breath awareness, grounding practices, and mindful visualization. Designed to counter the pace of modern life, the session encourages mental clarity, emotional balance, and a deep sense of presence.

Each experience is thoughtfully curated to help guests slow down, reconnect with themselves, and leave feeling centered, refreshed, and internally nourished. Suitable for all levels, this offering blends accessibility with a refined, tranquil entertainments

Restorative Breath Ritual
This guided breathwork experience uses gentle, intentional breathing patterns to promote relaxation, release tension, and restore nervous system balance. Guests are supported through calming breath sequences combined with somatic awareness and moments of integration and rest.

The practice encourages emotional clarity, mental spaciousness, and a renewed sense of vitality. Designed with a soft, restorative approach, this offering invited guests to reconnect with the rhythm of their breath and the wisdom of their bodies.

Lynette Toma is a Sound Healing Practitioner, Meditation and Breathwork Facilitator, Speech Therapist, and Author known for creating refined, deeply restorative wellness experiences that support nervous system regulation and whole-person well-being. She is the founder of Pure Sound Bath, a boutique sound healing practice offering elevated, immersive sessions designed to help individuals reconnect with stillness, clarity, and inner balance.

With over six years of experience, Lynette blends therapeutic sound, mindfulness, breathwork, and somatic awareness into carefully curated experiences that invite guests into profound relaxation and presence. Drawing from her clinical background in speech therapy and her extensive work in holistic healing, she offers a grounded yet luxurious approach that feels both nurturing and intentional.

Lynette has facilitated private sessions, group experiences, and corporate wellness events for adults and children, and is known for creating calming, sensory-rich environments that feel safe, restorative, and deeply rejuvenating. Her work is ideal for luxury spa settings, wellness retreats, and high-end hospitality spaces seeking meaningful, memorable offerings that elevate the guest experience.

Health as Abundance with Dr. Sharon Bergquist, MD

Bioharmony
Restoring the Connection Between Your Body’s Innate Intelligence, Community, and the Earth
Wellness is not created in isolation; it emerges in response to the environments we live in—our food, movement, light, relationships, and sense of meaning. Drawing on how human biology was shaped over millennia in conditions of variability, connection, and challenge, this talk reveals the growing mismatch between our ancient biology and modern life, and how that disconnect drives many of today’s chronic conditions. You’ll leave with the six pillars of bioharmony, a framework that translates these insights into practical ways to restore alignment, support your body’s innate intelligence, and build lasting health, resilience, and vitality.

Living Abundantly
How to Activate Your Body’s Regenerative Capacity for Vitality and Longevity
Health is often framed as the avoidance of disease or the slowing of decline. But true health is far more expansive, encompassing the presence of vitality, resilience, and the capacity to fully engage with life. This talk reframes health through the lens of abundance: a mindset of growth, agency, and belief in what is possible for the body when given the right conditions. Drawing on 30+ years in medicine, patient care, and longevity research, Dr. Bergquist explores how the body is designed with powerful regenerative systems capable of cellular repair and renewal that can be activated through intentional daily choices. At the center of this are longevity genes built into our DNA that are designed to respond to key lifestyle signals that promote mental and physical resilience. Rather than living in a model of depletion or avoidance, this talk offers a proactive, science-based path to activating these innate regenerative programs, restoring vitality, and investing in a longer, healthier, more fully alive life.

Sharon Horesh Bergquist, MD, is an award-winning physician, innovative healthcare leader, and visionary researcher renowned for spearheading a science-based approach to personalized, precision lifestyle as medicine. She has helped lead numerous clinical trials, including the Emory Healthy Aging Study and the NIH funded Emory Healthy Brain Study. Dr. Bergquist is widely published in peer-reviewed journals, has been invited to the White House to collaborate with presidential advisers on healthcare reform, and has contributed to over 300 news segments, including Good Morning America, CNN, ABC News, The Wall Street Journal, and NPR. She hosts The Whole Health Cure podcast and her popular TED-Ed video on how stress affects the body has been viewed over eight million times. Her book, The Stress Paradox (HarperCollins, 2025) distills years of research into daily habits that help us reach our highest potential for health, happiness, and longevity, offering hope and empowerment through our innate capacity for resilience and regeneration.

She received her Bachelor of Science in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale College, medical degree from Harvard Medical School, and completed her residency in internal medicine at Harvard’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital. She is an associate professor at Emory University and medical director of Emory’s Executive Health program.

Links:
Website: https://drsharonbergquist.com/
The Stress Paradox book: https://drsharonbergquist.com/the-stress-paradox
Good Stress Digest newsletter: https://dr-sharon-bergquist.kit.com/newsletter
Social media:
LinkedIn: Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist
Instagram: @thegoodstressdoctor

Healing through Naturopathic Medicine

Here we explore foundational principles of wellness from the perspective of a Naturopathic Doctor (ND). The Ranch offers an ideal place to dive deeply into practicing the principles discussed, and participants will leave with practical, creative ideas for implementation in daily life. We begin with an introduction to Naturopathic Medicine, followed by a lecture on the therapeutic benefits of water through the application of hydrotherapy, as well as the importance of hydration and the critical role of electrolytes. Finally, we will gather for an experiential session on mindful eating, and explore the various ways we nourish our minds and bodies.

Foundations and Applications of Naturopathic Medicine

- What is an ND – our training, scope of practice, and licensure in the US and Canada
- 7 Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
- When to seek out an ND
- How to find an ND in your area

Hydrotherapy: The Healing Power of Water

- - Brief history of Hydrotherapy and Dr. Sebastian Kneipp
  - Hydrotherapy at home for daily wellbeing
  - Hydrotherapy for times of illness
  - Hydrotherapy at the Ranch

Hydration: When Water Isn’t Enough

- - Overview of dehydration statistics nation-wide
  - Common causes of dehydration
  - The role of electrolytes in hydration during times of health and illness
  - Practical strategies for staying hydrated in day-to-day life

Mindful Eating: An Experiential Journey with Food

- - 9 types of Hunger, as identified by Dr. Jan Chozen Bays
  - Experiential exercise with food
  - Opportunities to practice mindful eating at the Ranch (including a potential silent meal with light mindfulness guidance following the lecture)
  - Taking and sharing mindful eating practices at home

Dr. Amanda Watters is a licensed naturopathic physician who enjoys lecturing nationally on topics such as nutrition and mental health. She has worked in clinical practice in pediatrics and family medicine for over a decade, and is also the CEO and Co-founder of EllyPop, which makes organic freezer pops out of herbal tea, fruit juice, and electrolytes. Dr. Watters is adjunct faculty at National University of Natural Medicine where she teaches in the Pediatrics, Psychology, and Business Classes, and finds joy in teaching the art and science of medicine to the next generation of physicians.

Pandora Thomas – Reclaiming Earth Wisdom: Applying Ecological Principles to Social Design

Reclaiming Earth Wisdom: Applying Ecological Principles to Social Design
Most, if not all, cultural traditions have practices embedded in Ecological Wisdom that can help guide humanity through the challenges we face today. How can we tend to the land, our communities, and our more-than-human kin in ways that honor the abundance of mutually beneficial relationships in which we exist? Through an intergenerational, ancestry-honoring conversation that weaves storytelling, Pat Mitchell and Pandora Thomas will share examples of these practices and lineages while exploring how they are being reclaimed, restored, and brought into our present-day.

The experience begins with a guided sacred yoga practice in the garden led by yogi and Afro-Indigenous permaculture teacher Tarah Hines.

Join us on Wednesday’s Garden Breakfast Hike for this inspiring experience.

“The Earth is Her Employer”
Pandora Thomas is a passionate global citizen: a caregiver, teacher, farmer, designer, and speaker. Her work emphasizes the benefits of applying ecological principles to social design and reconnecting humans to our more-than-human kin.

For the last 15 years her earth service has included being a carepartner for her mother(now an ancestor) who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; co-founding the Black Permaculture Network; working with Toyota to design and serve as a coalition member of the Toyota Green Initiative, which supported African Americans in understanding the benefits of adopting sustainable lifestyles; co-designing, teaching with and directing Pathways to Resilience-a permaculture and social entrepreneur training program that worked with men and women returning home after incarceration; and working with the Urban Permaculture Institute in Marin City supporting a People’s Planning Process that helps community members assess and design strategies for their own resilience. Her lifelong commitment to honoring the ancestral legacies of earth stewardship among peoples of African Ancestry culminated in her most recent gift to the planet: founding the Earthseed Farm, the first Afro-Indigenous permaculture center in Sonoma County. Earthseed’s farming and center programming elevate the earth stewardship contributions and legacy of people of African ancestry throughout the Diaspora.

Tarah Hines

Tarah “Rah” Hines (they/she) is an international facilitator and advocate for holistic wellness, eco-spirituality, food sovereignty, and environmental liberation. Over the last 15 years their work has included serving as an international delegate to Miriam Miranda and Bertita Caceres in Honduras, co-founding the Black Permaculture Network, co-organizing the 2 Defend Black Women March in Washington D.C., and curating healing and rest spaces for conferences and convenings and Through their work and partnerships, Tarah (re)connects individuals to the wisdom and power within themselves and nature in order to heal and strengthen communities. They create safer spaces for cooperative learning and help bridge gaps to healthier, more heart-centered ways of moving through the world. Currently, Tarah passionately serves as the Programs and Outreach Manager for Earthseed Farm (the first Afro-Indigenous permaculture center in Sonoma County), centering interdependence, outdoor education, and ancestral practices for wellness through land stewardship. A yogi since 2015, Tarah is 200hr YTT certified and trained in Trauma Conscious Yoga. While experienced in many asana styles, they love teaching Yin and Restorative as well as Yoga Nidra, Meditation, and Pranayama. Known for their gently powerful style as well as their bright, welcoming energy, Tarah is exploring ways to integrate yoga into future Earthseed Programming.

Claudia Sandoval

Claudia Sandoval was born and raised in sunny San Diego, California, to a family originally from Mazatlán, Sinaloa. Chef Claudia grew up with her mother and grandmother, who taught her how to cook from a young age. In 2015, she went on to become the winner of the sixth season of MasterChef U.S. with Gordon Ramsay.

After winning the coveted title of MasterChef, she began a successful culinary consulting and catering company under the name “Claudia’s Cocina,” in addition to working with major brands like Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, Nestlé, Disney, T-Mobile, and Tajín. Chef Claudia also published her bestselling cookbook, Claudia’s Cocina: A Taste of Mexico.

Chef Claudia has moved on from contestant to judge on various shows such as Chopped, Chopped Jr., and MasterChef Latino on Telemundo. She is now a judge on MasterChef Latinos on Estrella TV. Most recently, she released a new food travel show called Taste of the Border on Discovery+.

Chef Claudia never stops, and most recently launched her own Celebrity Chef Meal Delivery line through a partnership with Home Bistro, ensuring that people all over the U.S. can enjoy a taste of what she’s cooking.

@chefclaudiasandoval

Yarn Painting, Prayer Arrows, Art & Story with Timothy Hinchliff

Teens | Create. Imagine. Express.
Teens are invited to explore this intricate art form in a hands-on, expressive workshop. Designing their own yarn pieces, crafting personal Prayer Arrows, and experimenting with storytelling and poetry, participants discover art as both creative expression and quiet focus. Each teen leaves with something original, meaningful, and entirely their own.

Children | Color & Texture in Motion
Children delight in the sensory magic of warm beeswax and brilliantly colored yarn. Pressing and shaping strands onto wooden boards, young artists watch their images come to life thread by thread. With gentle guidance and plenty of room for imagination, each child creates a joyful, one-of-a-kind piece to treasure.

Timothy Hinchliff is a master yarn painter whose work has been part of the artistic and spiritual landscape of Rancho La Puerta for over three decades. Inspired by traditional Huichol art, he is known for his Circle of Angels paintings in the Ranch dining hall and for founding the beloved Prayer Arrow tradition.

The Amazing Paint-Out & Community Mural with Erin Gafill

Get ready to think BIG.

Award-winning painter and author Erin Gafill brings her vibrant Big Sur spirit to Family Week with an outdoor Paint-Out — and a collaborative mural project that may take center stage at Rancho La Puerta’s Got Talent.

Throughout the week, children, teens, and families will explore color, light, and atmosphere through hands-on painting sessions. Together, participants will help design and create a large-scale mural — layering imagination, bold brushstrokes, and shared ideas into one dynamic work of art. The finished piece will become the backdrop for the Talent Show performance, making it part of the week’s grand finale.

Teens | Paint Big. Make It Matter.
Teens are invited to take creative ownership — contributing design ideas, experimenting with expressive brushwork, and helping shape a mural that will be seen by the entire community. It’s collaborative, high-energy, and a chance to leave your mark on Family Week.

Children | Color in Motion
Young artists will dive into joyful, hands-on painting — mixing colors, making big gestures, and watching their creativity grow across a shared canvas. It’s playful, expressive, and wonderfully messy in the best way.

Erin Gafill is an award-winning painter, author, and founder of the Big Sur Arts Initiative. Known for her vibrant use of color and community-centered teaching, she inspires artists of all ages to paint boldly and joyfully. 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.

StageKids with Tom Birmingham

Rancho La Puerta’s Got Talent – Performance Workshop

Got talent? Let’s put it on stage.

This week, Tom Birmingham is coaching for Thursday night’s Rancho La Puerta’s Got Talent Show — and yes, this is your moment.

Whether you sing, act, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes, or have a hidden talent you’ve been waiting to share, Tom will help you shape it into a performance you feel confident about. From stage presence and timing to overcoming nerves and owning the spotlight, this workshop is all about helping you shine.

Tom directed Big Sur’s StageKids theater program for over a decade and has spent years mentoring young performers at Rancho La Puerta. He knows how to make rehearsals focused, fun, and full of creative energy.

No pressure. No judgment. Just a supportive space to rehearse, refine, and get stage-ready.

Thursday night = your spotlight.

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.

Run Away with the Circus with Matt Roben

Ever dreamed of running away with the circus? This is your chance — no packing required.

Matt Roben spent 25 years traveling the world as a professional circus artist, performing everywhere from the Joffrey Ballet to the Grand Ole Opry and even at a Chicago Bulls halftime show. Now he brings that big-top energy to Rancho La Puerta for a week of laughter, skill-building, and showmanship.

Through hands-on juggling workshops and playful circus challenges, children and teens will learn real tricks — from scarf juggling and balance skills to stage presence and performance confidence. Along the way, Matt shares unforgettable stories from life on tour, proving that courage, practice, and a little humor can take you anywhere.

Teens | Step Into the Spotlight
Teens can level up their skills, refine a short act, and develop the confidence to perform — whether solo or with friends — at Rancho La Puerta’s Got Talent. It’s bold, active, and surprisingly empowering.

Children | Laugh, Toss, Repeat!
Young circus hopefuls will delight in colorful juggling scarves, playful challenges, and lots of encouragement. It’s joyful, high-energy fun that builds coordination and confidence — and maybe even inspires a Talent Show debut.

Matt Roben spent 25 years as a professional circus artist performing around the world before serving as a Chicago police officer and bagpiper. Now known as the “Kilted Auctioneer,” he continues to entertain and inspire while raising millions for charitable causes.

Events Calendar

Filter Gallery:

Types of Events:

Spa Services

Looking for something?

Archives: Events