Calendar of Events - East End Food Co-op, Pittsburgh, PA

Monday March 3, 7pm
The 5 Phase Optimal Health Program© - Part 2
A Functional Approach to Achieve Optimal Health for All
With Dr. Darrell Misak, ND, RPh of Pittsburgh Alternative Health, Inc.

Pittsburgh Alternative Health, Inc. is a center for health and wellness with a foundation on Christian and traditional naturopathic principles. Their focus is on offering services including: food/chemical sensitivity screening, consultation, lifestyle education and weight loss therapy, focused detoxification therapies, customized nutritional and herbal products, constitutional homeopathy and more.

Dr. Misak performs regular lectures that focus on health alternatives and integrative medicine from a traditional naturopathic approach. He was also the host of the weekly radio program, "A Natural Connection" from 2002-2007. Darrell S.C.S. Misak, ND, RPh is an Oregon licensed Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, a Licensed Pharmacist, a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Dr Misak will further discuss the health principles involved in the 5 Phase Optimal Health Program, which he designed.

Wednesday March 19, 7pm
Why Detoxify
Deborah A. Uttenreither CHHC AADP
of LIFEFUEL, Nutrition and Integrated Lifestyle Counseling

Feeling sluggish?
Have you lost the sparkle in your eye?
A discussion on the benefits of detoxification and some tips for a healthy kick-off to spring.

Free lecture but please register at the Customer Service Desk by calling 412.242.3598 or e-mailing memberservices@eastendfood.coop.

Monday March 24, 7pm
How to make your own biodiesel
With Steel City Biofuels

Heard about biofuels but don't really know what they are or how you can use them? Interested in learning how to safely make biodiesel for your personal use? Want to know more about the state of biofuels in our Region and how the Coop is considering getting involved? If you answered yes to any of these questions then come to a free presentation and workshop hosted by Steel City Biofuels. Free lecture, but please call 412.242.3598 or e-mail memberservices@eastendfood.coop to register.

Sunday March 30, 6-8pm
Fermentation Workshop
With Sandor Ellix Katz

Come experience how simple it is to make your own kimchi, kefir, and other fermented delicacies. Learn about the healing qualities and nutritional benefits of live-culture ferments and their illustrious history. Empower yourself with simple techniques for fermenting these healthful foods in your home. Be part of the fermentation revival!

Sandor Ellix Katz is a fermentation revivalist and author, who travels widely teaching and sharing fermentation skills. His passion for fermentation developed out of his overlapping interests in food, nutrition, and gardening. His books are Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods and The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America's Underground Food Movements. For more information visit www.wildfermentation.com.

Seating is limited. Please call 412.242.3598 to register. Suggested sliding scale donation of $5-$20 on day of lecture (no one turned away for lack of funds!)

Wednesday April 2, 6-8pm
Backyard Composting with PRC

PA Resources Council is once again providing an opportunity for learning about backyard composting in one of our most popular classes at EEFC. Composting basics will be covered during the class which costs $30 per person, or $40 per couple. Each person or couple will leave the class with their own backyard compost bin. Class size is limited, so please register by calling 412.431.4449 ext. 325.

Wednesday April 16, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Celebrate the Rain!
Rain Barrel/Watershed Workshop at the East End Food Co-op
Presented by the Pennsylvania Resources Council

Learn how to construct a rain barrel and protect your watershed and water quality

$30 -non-members of PRC

Spring is finally here and with its arrival comes the first "harvest" of the season -that precious and oh so valuable resource available for the taking right over our heads. That's right! You may be missing out on an abundant, free supply of the earth's most valuable resource-fresh, clean water! When you attend the Pennsylvania Resources Council's (PRC) workshop at the East End Food Co-op, you will learn how to harvest rainwater from your roof, store it and use it in your landscape. Take advantage of this free source of precious water while at the same time contributing to improved water quality in our rivers and streams and reducing your contribution to combined sewer overflow (CSO), flooding and polluted urban runoff. Learn how to practice watershed protection and conservation in your own backyard. It's easier than you think!

PRC's Watershed Awareness/Rain Barrel Workshop will raise your awareness of watershed issues, demonstrate how to assemble and install a retrofitted 55-gallon drum/rain barrel, and offer other rainwater harvesting options. Participants will receive the necessary hardware to assemble and install a rain barrel for rainwater harvesting and on-site usage.

Someone will win the rain barrel used in the workshop. You must attend the class to win. For more information and/or to register call Nancy at (412) 431-4449 x247.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council's mission is to promote conservation of our natural resources and protection of scenic beauty through public education and outreach in a collaborative effort with government agencies, business, charitable foundations and other nonprofit organizations.

Thursday April 3, 7pm
Are You…Bee Curious?
Beginners Beekeeping Discussion

If you have ever thought about becoming a beekeeper but didn't know where to start, this is the event for you! Join area beekeepers Robert Steffes, Jennifer Wood and Christina Joy Neumann for an informal conversation about bees and beekeeping all aimed at helping the bee curious decide if this is the hobby for them. Anyone with a little time and inclination can become a backyard beekeeper-you don't need a big yard in the country! Urban beekeeping is a real possibility. Bee hives are kept on both the roof of the Chicago City Hall and the Paris Opera House. Our discussion will cover basic bee care, equipment, time, expense, and regulations. We'll also be sampling a variety of local honeys. For those seeking more hands-on experience, there will be an opportunity to sign up for a day-long beekeeping seminar at the Steffes-Wood Apiary and a native pollinator plant hike at Raccoon Creek State Park later in the Spring when things get buzzing. Join us!

Roughly one in every three bites of food you eat can be attributed to the work of a pollinator. Agriculture depends greatly on the honeybee for pollination. Honeybees account for 80% of all insect pollination. Free lecture, but please call 412.242.3598 or e-mail memberservices@eastendfood.coop to register.

Monday April 7, 7pm
Naked Idealism: Creating a Sustainable Life and World
as an Overachieving Do-Gooder
Naked Idealism: Authentic Doing
Dave Wheitner, MS, MA of Idealist Coach, Strategic Life Coaching and Consulting

Want to create a sustainable life AND world?

Saving the planet doesn't have to mean self-sacrifice and despair! We will discuss two strategies for catalyzing positive change while creating what's important to us in our personal lives: shifting from a problem-solving to a vision-based approach, and integrating our personal and community-level visions. Participants are asked to remain fully clothed but open-minded!

Free lecture, but please call 412.242.3598 or e-mail memberservices@eastendfood.coop to register.

Wednesday April 9, 7pm
Acupuncture De-Mystified
With Melissa Sokulski, Lac of the Birch Center

Gain an understanding of what we do in an acupuncture treatment, why we ask so many (seemingly unrelated) questions, and some of our thought process. Ask questions about certain conditions or other questions relating to acupuncture, and learn how it may help you. More information at birchcenter@yahoo.com. Free lecture, but please call 412.242.3598 or e-mail memberservices@eastendfood.coop to register.

Co-op Tour- from a Doctor's Perspective
with Marty Seltman, M.D of Metro Family Practice

Part lecture, part tour, Dr. Seltman will be providing a look at the Co-op from a doctor's perspective. He practices at Metro Family Center, which is a healthcare center in Wilkinsburg dedicated to caring for the whole person and responding to the needs of their patients with respect for the individual and their beliefs about health and healing. Free lecture, but please call 412.242.3598 or e-mail memberservices@eastendfood.coop to register.

Wednesday April 30, 7pm
Astrology-Find Out Why You Are More Than "Just A Taurus, Cancer, or Libra"
With Cathy Bednar

We are much more complex than "just a Taurus, Cancer, or Libra". Learn how your entire astrology chart is instrumental in defining who you are, what motivates you, and many other intricacies about yourself-what truly makes you you. Free lecture, but please call 412.242.3598 or e-mail memberservices@eastendfood.coop to register.