A Holistic Approach to Health and Vitality
The Living Foods Lifestyle™
More Than a Diet. A Way of Living.
The Living Foods Lifestyle™ is the holistic approach to natural health and wellbeing pioneered by Dr. Ann Wigmore. Living Foods are at its foundation—but Ann Wigmore believed that true wellbeing involved more than what we eat. Her approach embraced nourishing plant foods, movement, connection with nature, self-awareness, self-care, and practices designed to support the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. That is why she called it a lifestyle, not simply a diet.
What Are Living Foods?
Living Foods are fresh, plant-based foods prepared and enjoyed with minimal processing. The Living Foods Lifestyle™ emphasizes foods such as fresh vegetables, fruits, sprouts, microgreens, greens, activated nuts and seeds, wheatgrass, and cultured foods. Preparation methods such as sprouting, soaking, blending, juicing, and culturing are used throughout the Living Foods approach. These methods make it possible to create a varied plant-based lifestyle built around fresh, simple ingredients.
Foods at the Heart of the Living Foods Lifestyle™
Sprouts & Microgreens
Sprouting seeds, grains, and legumes is an important part of the Living Foods tradition. These young plants are incorporated into meals and are also something participants can learn to grow for themselves.
Wheatgrass
Ann Wigmore became widely known for incorporating fresh wheatgrass juice into her approach to natural health. Wheatgrass remains an important part of the Living Foods Lifestyle™ practiced at the Institute today.
Rejuvelac™
Rejuvelac™ is a cultured beverage associated with Ann Wigmore's Living Foods approach and is used in a variety of Living Foods preparations.
Energy Soup
One of Ann Wigmore's best-known Living Foods preparations, Energy Soup combines fresh plant foods into a simple blended meal and continues to be an important part of the Institute's program.
Activated Nuts & Seeds
Soaking and preparing nuts and seeds is another foundational Living Foods technique and provides ingredients for a variety of plant-based meals and preparations.
Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
Fresh plant foods provide the foundation for the variety, flavor, and simplicity of the Living Foods Lifestyle™.
Why “Lifestyle”?
Ann Wigmore understood that food was only one part of wellbeing. The Living Foods Lifestyle™ encourages us to consider how we nourish ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Its principles extend into everyday life through practices such as mindful eating, movement, rest, time in nature, growing and preparing food, developing greater self-awareness, and learning to take a more active role in our own wellbeing. The result is an approach intended not simply for a short period of time, but as a collection of practices that can become part of daily life.
Learning to Become More Self-Sufficient
An important part of Ann Wigmore's philosophy was learning how to participate in your own nourishment.
Sprouting is a good example.
With simple techniques, Living Foods can be grown and prepared at home without requiring a large garden or complicated equipment.
Learning how to sprout, culture, prepare, and combine Living Foods gives participants practical skills they can continue using after leaving the Institute.
This emphasis on education and self-sufficiency remains an important part of the Ann Wigmore approach.
Nourishing Body, Mind & Spirit
The Living Foods Lifestyle™ looks at wellbeing holistically.
Living Foods provide the nutritional foundation, while movement, meditation, relaxation, nature, positive connection, and self-awareness support the broader lifestyle.
Rather than viewing these practices separately, the Ann Wigmore approach brings them together as interconnected parts of daily living.
Experience the Living Foods Lifestyle™
Reading about the Living Foods Lifestyle™ is one thing. Living it is another.
At the Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute in Puerto Rico, you can experience these principles as part of daily life while learning practical techniques you can take home with you.
Our immersive programs combine Living Foods nutrition and preparation with education, movement, relaxation, cleansing practices, nature, and community.
Ready to Experience It for Yourself?
Explore upcoming program dates, rates, and accommodations and begin planning your stay at the Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute.