Pilates Week | Darien Gold

Darien Gold, returning for her second time at the Ranch, has great news to share. Her Pilates studio, located in Los Angeles, was named one of the Best of 2007 by City Search, a national Web-based business service. Darien is a gifted teacher, trained and certified by Romana Kryzanowska, the principal disciple of Joseph Pilates and designated by him to carry on his work. Your week at the Ranch with Darien will focus on Pilates theory and technique through basic and intermediate mat work. For a deeper experience, private and semi-private classes are available, but they do fill early. Darien has a rare ability to inspire and motivate. You’ll discover what you didn’t know about your body and its potential for change. With her unique sense of humor, a fun time is included. On the Web: www.studiodarien.com.

Cooking Classes at La Cocina Que Canta | Creative Chef Jesús González

La Cocina Que Canta’s Creative Chef Jesús González teaches classes on a weekly basis, as well as representing Rancho La Puerta’s cooking school at culinary events far and wide. An at the Golden Door for 14 years, working side by side with famed spa chef Michel Stroot. A native of Mexico City, Jesús joined the culinary team at Rancho La Puerta as Creative Chef in 2004 where, along with co-founder Deborah Szekely, he completely revised the spa menu. He is known for the resort's organic, modified-vegetarian menu (which also features fresh seafood), and he regularly receives accolades from guests and food writers alike. An experienced culinary teacher, his hands-on classes offer a fun experience, delicious food and new cooking techniques.

Chef Jesús offers hands-on cooking classes during which you will enjoy preparing your own meal along with fellow cooks, and a demonstration cooking class with tastings included. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta. You also will have the opportunity to harvest produce you use from our organic garden, Tres Estrellas. Transportation will be provided.

For more information and registration for the hands-on or demonstration cooking classes, please click here. information. And we anticipate that Saturday classes will begin soon. These classes will be open to guests and one-day visitors alike, and should be of special appeal to San Diegans who wish to visit the farm and cooking school for "a day in the garden."

Elements of Personal Style | Lynne Glassman

Accessories are the way to put your own personal signature on the clothes you wear.  Come learn from the “Doctor of Dress” how to use accessories or collars to visually lengthen or shorten your face, how to alter a hairstyle to balance your face shape, and what type of eyeglass frame would best suit you. 

Lynne Glassman is a certified image consultant, professional color/silhouette analyst, personal shopper and "closet surgeon" with over ten years of experience and expertise in the world of fashion. Lynne applies her doctoral degree in education to teaching men and women how to create their best personal style. She regularly teaches courses in metropolitan Washington, DC, and provides seminars for national trade associations, law firms, corporations, boutiques, department stores and women's groups, among others. She has been featured on the Discovery Channel and in Cosmopolitan magazine and other media.  Lynne's clients include men and women of all ages and professions.

Book Discussions | Dena Lash

Reading can change your life, and reading as a group can be a wonderful experience,
Join Dena Lash in the discussion of two powerfully written bestsellers. You also will have an opportunity to share favorite books and receive a list of great ones to read after you return home. And, you will discover how the books you read speak to you about your own life.

Monday:
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeanette Walls
This nonfiction autobiography recounts the childhood of Jeanette Walls, an MSNBC journalist. Walls tells, with childhood optimism and wonderment, how she rose above a life of poverty and coped with an irresponsible mother and alcoholic father.

Tuesday:
Snow Flower and The Secret Fan by Lisa See
A language kept a secret for a thousand years is the backdrop for an unforgettable novel of two Chinese women whose friendship and love sustains them through their lives.

Dena Lash is a management consultant and job training coach. Her love for books has allowed her to take all of her skills and use them to organize, develop and facilitate book clubs in Sonoma County -- one of which has been meeting for over 12 years. Dena holds a Masters Degree in Counseling and certificates from UCLA in Training Development. She has also hosted her own local TV show where she interviewed various book authors.

Where Are My Keys?® | Judy Marcus

Judy Marcus, Memory Lady, makes remembering unforgettable! Say good-by to being a “scatterbrain” and say hello to a great memory! You’ll laugh as you learn brain-friendly lifestyle strategies to clear away the cobwebs, increase your mental energy, and remember everything you choose to remember, instantly, upon demand! (like names, phone numbers, and even where you left your cellphone…). Author of WHERE ARE MY KEYS?®, and creator of the LOVE Memory Method®, Judy’s powerful lessons are easy to learn, fun to do, habit forming, and best of all – they work!