Winter Warm-Up: Cooking Mouthwatering, Plant-Based Comfort Food
191 Cragsmoor Road; Cragsmoor, New York 12566
January 31 - February 2, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- Intimate setting with hands-on training
- All recipes provided
- Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
- Shamatha and guided meditations
- Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
- Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
- Extensive library of dharma books
- Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful paths, flora and fauna
About this Retreat
Eytan has been cooking professionally for nearly two decades, with deep experience in healthy, vegetarian, farm-to-table cuisine. A world-traveler, he has trained extensively in spiritual and retreat centers worldwide, as well as organic farms, New York City restaurants and as a caterer and private chef. Eytan enjoys making clean, nutritious food that is innovative and delicious, holistically nourishing, and supportive of an active life and spiritual practice. Among other metrics, his success if measured by consistent rave reviews from Dharmakaya retreatants. He is inspired by his grandmother, who was a cooking instructor and consummate entertainer.
Details of this retreat
A DHARMAKAYA CENTER RETREAT
When the temperature plummets and the wind is brisk, we all want a meal that brings comfort. But everyone's definition of comfort is different. For some it means a nourishing bowl of soup, for some a plate of noodles—and for some a sweet treat. The good news is that every one of those dishes can be as healthy as it is comforting. Join Chef Eytan Kurland as you learn to prepare delicious, nutrient-dense meals while embracing the joy of slowing down and cooking in community—then savoring your results. Come on your own or bring a friend. Hands-on cooking is on the menu, so class size is strictly limited to 10 people.
"The food was out of this world. It tasted like love."
"A wonderful variety of delicious vegetarian food. I want the chef to do YouTube videos."
BRING A FRIEND DISCOUNT: Do you know someone who would like this program, but hasn't been to the Center? Bring them, and you both get a 10% discount on your entire program package. For the discount to apply, there must be two reservations, at least one of whom has not taken a Dharmakaya Center class previously.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: We are pleased to be able to offer partial scholarships for this program. Please apply here.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Learn how to prepare vegetarian and vegan dishes that not only offer comfort during the long winter months, but that dazzle your tastebuds and improve your health. We will work side-by-side in the kitchen, chopping, stirring and tasting. You'll go home with the course recipes and some bonus ones—plus the knowledge to :
Prepare comforting meals that aren't heavy or rich
Scale recipes to feed a crowd easily
Choose ingredients to cook seasonally
Put on an apron, come hungry, and leave with confidence and recipes to replicate at future home meals.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Intimate setting with hands-on training
All recipes provided
Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
Shamatha and guided meditations
Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients—prepared by you!
Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
Extensive library of dharma books
Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful paths, flora and fauna
OPEN TO ALL
Suitable for any level of cooking experience, you will work alongside other students, receiving step-by-step instructions to create delicious, healthy comfort food.
SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Friday, January 31
3:00 PM
Check in
4:00-6:00 PM
Welcome and Introduction
Dinner Preparation with Guided Instruction
6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner
7:30-8:30 PM
Menu Recap and Open Discussion
Saturday, February 1
7:00-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation
8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00-10:00 AM
Simplicity: Foundations of Nutritious Cooking
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Lunch Preparation with Guided Instruction
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00-2:30 PM
Decadence: Creating Healthy Desserts Using Allergen-Free Ingredients and Natural Sweeteners
2:30-4:00 PM
Free Time
4:00-6:00 PM
Dinner Preparation with Guided Instruction
6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner
7:30-8:30 PM
Menu Recap and Open Discussion
Sunday, February 2
7:00-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation
8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM-10:00 AM
Putting it Together: How to Cook Healthy and Delicious Meals Every Day
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Lunch Preparation with Guided Instruction
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Checkout and Departure
Getting Here
Directions
CAR. You will find a link for driving directions on our website. The parking lot is immediately to your left when you enter the Center grounds. You may drive up and drop your luggage at the Welcome Center, but may not leave your car unattended there; someone will be happy to shuttle you back down to the parking lot.
TRAIN. From Newark, La Guardia and Penn Station, you can take the Metro North train into Middletown, New York, approximately a 30-minute drive from the Center. For teachings, retreats and other special events, we will provide van service at set times. Otherwise, please take a taxi from the train station to the Center.
BUS. From New York City, you can take the Shortline Bus into Ellenville, New York, approximately a 15-minute drive from the Center. For teachings, retreats and other special events, we will provide van service at set times. Otherwise, please take a taxi from the train station to the Center.
PLANE. Newark, La Guardia and Stewart Airports all offer convenient services. From Newark or LaGuardia you can complete your trip by train; from Stewart you may rent a car or take a taxi service.
Accommodation
Our two residence halls offer a simple, peaceful environment that supports your retreat experience, with rooms for those on both personal and solitary retreats. Each room has a meditation cushion and zabuton. Rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner with the resident community, as well as towels and housekeeping. All guests are welcome, but not required, to join the daily meditation and other activities (although separate tickets are required for all ticketed events).
• Our junior suites have a double bed, private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice.
• Our private rooms have a double bed and room for private meditation, with a shared bath.
Rooms may be shared by those in a committed relationship.
Commuter
Our Commuter Fee covers the costs of all meals during your retreat and the use of all our facilities.
Private Room: Single
This comfortable room has a double bed and ample room for meditation. It is outfitted with a desk and small table suitable for a meditation object; it shares a bath with one or two other rooms. All rooms are furnished with linens, pillows, blankets, coverlets, and towels, as well as a meditation cushion and zabuton. The room rate includes three delicious vegetarian meals each day; in addition, there is a tea station on every hall.
Private Room: Couple
This registration fee is for two people. This comfortable room has one double bed, and may be shared by couples in a committed relationship. With ample room for meditation, it features a desk and small table suitable for a meditation object. All rooms are furnished with linens, pillows, blankets, coverlets, and towels, as well as a meditation cushion and zabuton. The room shares a bath with one or two other rooms. Room rates include three delicious vegetarian meals each day (6 total meals for a couple room); there is also a tea station on each hall.
Junior Suite: Single
These large rooms have one double bed, a private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. Each room has a small table suitable for a meditation object and a meditation cushion and zabaton, as well as a desk and an armoire. Room rates include three delicious vegetarian meals each day; there is also an in-room tea station.
Junior Suite: Couple
This reservation fee is for two people and includes three delicious vegetarian meals each day (6 total for a couple). This large room has one double bed, which may be shared by couples in a committed relationship. In addition, it has a private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. Each room has a small table suitable for a meditation object and a meditation cushion and zabaton, as well as a desk and an armoire.
Meals
Menu Types
Ancient wisdom describes food as a source of prana, or life force. The Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing was founded on the premise that nourishing food is integral to wellbeing. Our chefs are passionate about creating meals that are both flavorful and healthy. We use the freshest, most nutritious, least processed foods available; when possible our ingredients are organic and locally sourced.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your accommodation fee. To promote good health, we serve delicious, varied, nutritious vegetarian food, with options at every meal. All our meals are served on a buffet, with ingredients listed next to each dish, enabling guests to avoid dairy, as well as glutens, nuts and other allergens.
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