By Dr. Karin Dina, D.C.
Living Light Inn is an eco-friendly lodging choice for Living Light Culinary Institute students and conscious travelers visiting the scenic Mendocino coast in northern California. Most of our students over the years have stayed at the Inn while studying at Living Light and we’ve always heard nothing but praise about it. It wasn’t until we had the opportunity to stay there ourselves while Rick and I were teaching our Science of Raw Food Nutrition series of classes earlier this year, that we realized how truly unique the Living Light Inn is in comparison to similar accommodations.
Here are our Top 10 reasons to stay at Living Light Inn
- Our bed was comfortable. It actually felt similar to our bed at home, which is a rare find in our travels.
- The Inn was quiet at night. Our room was on the top floor and certainly lived up to the name “Peace”. The only sounds we heard at night were the crickets and wind.
- The Inn uses eco-friendly cleaners and laundry detergent. Even eco-friendly cleaners can sometimes have a scent, but I found during my stay that the cleaners used in our bathroom did not. This is especially welcome information for people who are sensitive to fragrances in conventional cleaners. The sheets and towels did not have a fragrance and we loved it! At home we use unscented eco-friendly detergent for our laundry, so this experience made us feel right at home.
- The kitchen has a good amount of refrigerator and freezer storage space. So many times, Rick and I have stayed in rooms that have a small college dorm-sized fridge with a supposed freezer compartment. Since we are big produce-eaters, invariably there is not enough space in this type of fridge to accommodate our food and very often we find our produce frozen the day after we check-in, even when we make sure that the temperature is set correctly. The Living Light Inn provided enough freezer and fridge space for us in the dedicated fridges and freezers that they have available for guests, and we did not have to contend with frozen lettuce.
The kitchen has all sorts of raw food equipment, like high powered blenders (Vitamix and K-Tec), juicers (several types), dehydrators, vegetable spiralizers, cutting boards, plates and bowls, utensils, etc. It is basically a full-service raw food kitchen, so travelers need not be concerned with bringing their own equipment – it’s all there.- The Inn has a whole-house water filtration system. Usually when Rick and I travel, we have to bring our own drinking water with us from home. Since the Inn had its own system, we had an alternative. When staying at other accommodations, I have noticed that my skin has a drier consistency after showering when compared to the Inn. For us, the whole house water-filtration system is a huge plus for these and other reasons.
- The Inn composts. Produce scraps are placed into compost bins in the back yard which in time become soil. This takes eco-consciousness to a new level! I have never seen this in any other travel accommodation.
- The surrounding neighborhood is residential and is located within walking distance to Living Light Culinary Institute. Many students who attend Living Light do not have cars so having the Inn this close is convenient. Students who bring bikes can park and lock them on the Inn front porch. For students who do bring cars, there is off street parking at the Inn parking lot. I like to run and have found it easy get in a substantial number of miles on roads, the nearby scenic Coast Trail, and other local trails.
- The grounds of the Inn are lovely. They are landscaped with low-maintenance, drought-friendly plants.
- The Inn itself is lovely. The Inn was constructed in the early years of the last century and reflects the built-to-last values of the prominent family who used it as a primary residence. The ceilings are high, the architectural details are charming, and the redwood paneling is classic. There are numerous sitting areas for reading and relaxation, including a chair next to the fire for warmth on cold nights. There’s even a piano for those who want to play.
There are so many other great reasons that make Living Light Inn unique, like sharing space with a community of like-minded raw food enthusiasts. So many times I have heard from students how their education and overall experience was enhanced by their stay at the inn. After staying at the Inn, Rick and I now share their enthusiasm. After a long day of teaching, it was great to prepare food in a large dedicated raw food kitchen and relax in a comfortable, conscious, eco-friendly environment.
Drs. Rick and Karin Dina, D.C. developed and teach a Science of Raw Food Nutrition™ series of classes leading to certification at Living Light Culinary Institute. They have also just published a new book, The Raw Food Nutrition Handbook. There are specials in place for the next full Advanced Raw Food Nutrition Educator Certification™ which begins July 25. Enroll today! Call 707-964-2420 or Skype: living.light.international for more information. Live Chat available at RawFoodChef.com
