Whole Foods Market Offers a Weekend Immersion to Kickstart a Healthier Lifestyle

The Wellness Club's Weekend Immersion program is intended for people who want a quick but thorough introduction to living a healthier lifestyle. You’ll build a healthy foundation with 13 nutrition, cooking and fitness classes. In addition, participants will enjoy five multi-course meals throughout the weekend. Sample classes include: The Four Pillars of Healthy Eating; Reading Labels and Understanding Health Claims; Healthy Techniques and Quick and Easy Meals on the Go cooking classes; Menu Planning and Goal Setting Workshop; and Yoga. (Learn more the Wellness Club at the Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park.)

The Whole Foods Market Wellness Club Weekend Immersion is Saturday, October 13 – Sunday, October 14, 2012. Kickoff breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. on October 13. Classes then start at 9:30 a.m. On October 14, there is an optional Circuit Training class at 8 a.m. followed by breakfast at 9 a.m. and classes starting at 9:30 a.m. Both days will go until about 7 p.m. with lunch and dinner provided.

Whole Foods Market Wellness Club Weekend Immersion will be held at the Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park store, 1550 N. Kingsbury in Chicago (North Avenue and Sheffield).

Cost is $34 for Wellness Club members (Classes are free. This cost is for the meals only.) and $199 for non-members. Wellness Club membership is $49 per month and includes a host of benefits including 10% certain at the Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park; unlimited nutrition, fitness and yoga classes: and cooking classes. Learn more about the Wellness Club at the Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park.

Examples of classes offered at the Whole Foods Market Wellness Weekend Immersion include:

An American Epidemic: Preventable Disease -- We’re facing a health crisis in the United States today, burdened by diseases that are largely preventable. What has happened over the past few decades to contribute to such high rates of these diseases? This class explores the major factors that contribute to these preventable diseases, and how we can take control of our health.

The Four Pillars of Healthy Eating -- The Four Pillars: Whole Foods, Plant Strong, Nutrient Dense and Healthy Fats are the foundation of the Wellness Club program. This class will explain why we make each recommendation and how to determine which foods support your health and which don’t.

Reconfiguring Your Plate using Calorie Density -- This is the foundation of the Wellness Club eating plan! Learn how to incorporate more plant strong, nutrient dense, whole foods into your everyday diet by reconfiguring your plate to include the Four Pillars of Healthy Eating.

Other classes that will be offered include a Fitness Walk; Reading Labels; Nutrition Fundamentals: and Food Addiction.

In addition to nutrition, fitness and yoga classes, the Wellness Club Weekend Immersion will also offer cooking classes, including Meals on the Go and a fundamentals class where you learn how to your kitchen a Wellness kitchen. In both classes you will taste a variety of recipes that show how easy a healthy dinner can be, including how to add more fruits and vegetables to your plate, cook whole grains, use healthy fats, and incorporate spices and herbs.

The Wellness Club Weekend Immersion will also include a shopping tour of Whole Foods Market where you will discover all of the foods that are "Wellness Club approved." (As a Wellness Club member, you receive 10% off of all Wellness Club approved items sold at the Whole Foods Market in Lincoln Park.) The Weekend Immersion will also include Menu Planning and Goal Setting.

Registration is required. Please e-mail chicagowellness@wholefoods.com or call 312-202-6444.