The decision to complete a CNM Natural Chef course eventually gave Ursula Lake the skills to set up her own yoga retreat business
ADVERTISEMENT
I have always been fascinated by nutrition and the way our bodies work, especially the holistic side of things. I became a vegetarian at the age of 16 and a vegan five years ago, increasingly aware of the impact of the food industry on the environment and the connection of food to our general wellbeing and mental health.
I wanted a course that would give me a vegan food qualification and also teach me more about nutrition. I thought the CNM Natural Chef course was the perfect marriage of nutritional and holistic information and practical food skills.
Having become increasingly involved in the yoga community globally, attending retreats (many of my friends run yoga retreats across the world), I decided to combine my passion for vegan food and yoga and qualify as a naturopathic chef so that I could concentrate on nurturing others through food and run yoga retreats with my friends.
What I especially loved about the CNM course was the lecturers, who really stood out as being excellent in their knowledge and expertise. It was great to learn from them. I also enjoyed the camaraderie of the group I was in.
Lockdown publishing
Educational, practical and fun, the CNM course gave me the confidence and skills to run my own yoga retreats and set up my own business collaborating with yoga teachers.
This has been rather impacted by Covid-19 and I am not sure when I will be able to run another retreat, but I am excited and optimistic about the future.
During lockdown I wrote a vegan recipe book and donated 30 per cent of the funds to the Trussell Trust charity to support food banks across the UK. It contains 40 recipes that I wrote and photographed. I crowd-funded the book and have been overwhelmed by the great response I have received.
What I love about being a chef is all the time spent in the kitchen. Time when I am pottering about, researching and creating; it’s my happy place. I live on my own so it’s a joy to create food for others, especially knowing that I am actively contributing to their health and wellbeing. I think it’s a true expression of love!
I have really enjoyed the process of adult education at CNM. It’s a joy to learn again and at an age when I really understand the value of what I am learning. It’s also great to be involved in a profession that actively encourages the wellbeing of the planet and its inhabitants.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ursula Lake is a CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine) Natural Chef graduate. CNM trains successful natural therapy professionals, online and in class with colleges across the UK and Ireland. Visit naturopathy-uk.com or call 01342 410505.
