Review by Cindy Herzog – PDX Mama and avid PDX Kids Calendar reader

When I volunteered to take a pregnancy nutrition class, I imagined I’d hear more of what I thought I already knew. Eat more greens. Eat a rainbow of colors. So I was pleasantly surprised to see that I really didn’t know as much about healthy eating during pregnancy, or in general, as I thought I did.

Tressa Yellig of Salt, Fire & Time

This six-week long class begins with pre-pregnancy nutrition, takes you through each trimester to birth, homemade formulas (who knew that was even possible?), and introducing solid foods to your children. Naturopath Rebecca Asmar of the Bambu Clinic, and owner and chef of Salt, Fire & Time Tressa Yellig teach the class. Both are a wealth of knowledge on nutrition, digestion and food preparation. While the class is structured, it really is up to each participant to decide the path of the course. Questions are always welcomed, and if there are certain topics anyone wants, the instructors are happy to give further information.

Both Tressa and Rebecca focus on the importance of eating what I would refer to as whole foods. No, not food from the spendy grocery store, but getting back to a more ancient way of eating. Avoiding processed foods, not wasting parts of the animal, and eating more nutrient-dense foods. In each class time is spent in the kitchen, hands on, making different recipes. Tressa’s bubbly enthusiasm for food can make even the cautious eater feel safe eating pate.

I enjoyed that the course wasn’t only about nutrition during pregnancy. I think a lot of times we focus on those nine months, but nutrition is important before conceiving, and perhaps even more so after giving birth. The classes are small, which lets you get to know the other women in the class, and makes sure that you feel you get the chance to get as much information as you want. And even though the class is over, I know that if I have more questions in the future, Rebecca and Tressa would be happy to give me answers. This could be a course that starts you on a whole new approach to food, or you can just take some of what you learn and make adjustment to your daily routine to live a healthier life.

The next series of classes is scheduled start in January.

Salt, Fire & Time is a prepared foods grocery store open Tuesday – Friday from 11am-7pm selling bone broths, cultured vegetables, starter cultures, granola, pork lard, frozen meats & offal, fresh juices and nut milks, gluten free pies, tea, jams and chutneys, nutritional supplements and fermented soda,s among other locally-sourced items. It is also a classroom for traditional cooking techniques, a space for community nutritional resources, and a connection to value-added items from local farmers.

Bambu Clinic – The physicians at Bambú Clinic inspire, motivate, and empower their patients to build a strong foundation for health. They coach each patient to embrace daily dietary and lifestyle habits that promote optimal wellness while using gentle, effective medicines to restore normal physiology.

Cindy was given the opportunity to audit the Pregnancy nutrition class on behalf of PDX Kids Calendar at no charge, in order to write this review.