My Healing Journey

For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the world of art and culinary mastery. Throughout my career, I have delved into various forms of creative expression, including visual arts, art administration, documentary film-making, and teaching. I also had the pleasure of owning a successful gallery, which provided me with a platform to showcase my passion for the arts.

But my creative journey was not limited to the studio or gallery walls. I was also deeply intrigued by the world of food and nutrition, which led me to explore various lifestyles, such as vegetarianism, macrobiotics, Thai food, baking, and the lost arts of foraging and wild fermentation.

Alongside my professional pursuits, I was also blessed to raise two beautiful children in the stunning town of Bend, Oregon. My life was a tapestry of creativity and passion, where I immersed myself in the breathtaking high desert and explored the wonders of yoga. I also took pride in pioneering many spectacular events in the arts community.

Join me on my journey towards a healthier, more sustainable future, where art and culinary mastery intersect with a living-foods lifestyle for optimal health.
Together, we can make a difference in the world.

Then one event changed the course of my life permanently.

I couldn't believe it

In the year 2010, I faced a grave threat to my physical well-being. I was involved in an industrial accident where a heavy piece of equipment fell upon me from two stories above. My arm was entangled in a rope attached by a pulley system, and as it was yanked skyward, my supraspinatus was torn in two spots, and three vertebrae in my neck completely collapsed upon impact.

The injuries were severe, and I was left with no choice but to undergo shoulder surgery. The surgeons informed me that I would need to get the vertebrae in my neck fused to alleviate the excruciating pain that was shooting through both of my arms. They warned me that I would most likely never regain full range of motion in my neck or shoulder again.

Despite the physical challenges that lay ahead, I remained steadfast in my determination to overcome this obstacle. With unwavering determination and a positive mindset, I embarked on a journey towards physical and emotional recovery. And in the end, I emerged victorious, proving to myself and the world that the human spirit is capable of enduring even the most challenging of circumstances.

As an active artist and outdoor enthusiast, this was absolutely unacceptable, and I immediately made the decision to educate myself on the methods for taking control of my own healing journey.

Regaining control

During my journey towards recovery from the industrial accident, I was determined to find alternative approaches to the proposed neck fusion surgery. Through my research, I discovered the critical role of PH balance in controlling inflammation, which led me to adopt a 100% raw, plant-based, alkalizing diet.

This decision allowed me to avoid unnecessary anti-inflammatory drugs and series of neck fusion surgeries. By strengthening the supporting muscles and stretching the neck with traction, I was able to heal without causing any additional inflammation. Not only did this expedite my healing process, but it also improved my overall health and vitality, returning my body to its prime state.

Prior to this experience, I had always prided myself on leading a mostly vegetarian and healthy lifestyle. However, the concept of living foods and its role in the healing process was entirely new to me. By implementing this approach, I was able to take control of my own healing journey and blow away medical professionals with my progress.

I was fortunate to find doctors and physical therapists who were willing to work with me as I shared the studies and peer-reviewed, solid science to better understand inflammation and the healing process. Although I did require a necessary shoulder surgery, I was told it could take 3-5 years minimum to regain full use of my shoulder and neck, if ever again.

But within just one year, I was fully healed from the surgery and had regained total control of my neck. This experience not only transformed my physical health but also paved the way for a passionate new career as a proponent of living foods and alternative healing methods.

The decision to teach...

As I continued on my journey towards healing, I realized that this experience was so profound that I could not simply return to my previous way of life. The concept of harnessing life-force energy and the alkalizing role of maintaining proper PH had already been understood for years, but had been purposefully ignored by western medicine due to the profit-driven culture that prioritizes big Pharma over people's health.

As a professional artist and instructor, I had a deep intuition about what would come next. I knew that I needed to embark on an educational journey to explore ways to take this incredible technique of honoring the life-force in food to new heights. With both of my children finishing up college, I knew that it was the perfect time for me to go back to school as well.

It was time for me to pursue my passion for transforming the (S.A.D.) Standard American Diet into delicious living cuisine and share it with the world. I decided to enroll in the most award-winning and original gourmet raw food chef certification program in the world for my new adventure.

Returning to School

I am thrilled to share that I completed the Mastery of Raw Vegan certification, Advanced Raw Vegan Pastry Arts certification, Raw Vegan Nutrition certification, and the Gourmet Raw Vegan Chef certification from Living Light Culinary Institute located on the breathtaking Mendocino coast of Northern California.

During my time in their programs, I dedicated every ounce of my creative soul to studying every aspect of this new, groundbreaking cuisine. Upon graduating, I was immediately hired to join their teaching staff.

Within a year, I rose to become the lead instructor for the chef and instructor training program, and eventually took on the role of Creative and Culinary Programs Director for Living Light Culinary Institute.

It's difficult to put into words how incredible the experience of teaching, consulting, and graduating over a thousand chefs from all over the world has been for the past 10 years. The living foods kitchen/classroom was a melting pot of ideas from every ethnic culture imaginable. As the lead chef instructor, I embraced and incorporated all of these amazing traditions as we carved new pathways in living foods.

The aspiring chefs absorbed the concepts of living foods transformation, and together, we alchemized new, healthier versions of nearly every conceivable cuisine. We worked hard to understand the techniques and tools for transforming classic cooking styles and animal-based cuisine into brilliant, delicious, life-changing food.

These new techniques spread across the globe as our chef graduates returned to their home countries and expanded upon our teachings. Everything from the simplest recipe to the most complex gourmet dish is possible, and the reward is a new, exciting, healthy life.

Taking it Global

My initial passion for exploring the role of food as medicine remains paramount as I continue to expand my knowledge and follow the evolving science on plant-based healing. I seek out, and take part in, amazing programs like the Culinary RX nutrition course, which can be prescribed by doctors to enhance the healing journey.

I regularly appear on various national & international radio, podcast and television shows, present at Veg Fest events and festivals, and attend the latest conferences to keep up with the ever-expanding plant-based nutritional science. I consult with professionals that rely upon true, peer-reviewed science as we all work to perfect this nutritional understanding of food.

As with many educators, the pandemic forced us to rethink the classic brick and mortar classroom and innovate.
I am excited to bring over 12 years of my knowledge from healing, studying, teaching and eventually directing the most award winning raw/vegan training for students from across the globe, to my interactive online adventure...Plant Food Culinary Arts

Since 2020, my new academy has burst upon the international whole food plant-based culinary scene with over three thousand enrolled students worldwide!

Join me as we explore this living food-as-medicine curriculum based on solid science, groundbreaking new techniques and the joy of manifesting a creative kitchen studio. Together we will change the world, one bite at a time.

Learn about the Program

Testimonials

Chef AJ - Celebrity Plant-based Chef, Influencer, Author & Instructor

YouTube-ChefAJ

"There's a lot of wonderful plant-based chefs that are not necessarily great culinary instructors, and a lot of good culinary instructors that are not great chefs, but you are really the best of both worlds!"

Liliana C. Vallejo

"One of my best experiences in culinary was learning from Chef James at Living Light Institute. Being able to share that experience with my beloved niece Paula during a customized workshop is something that I will always cherish. Thanks Chef James for such an amazing experience.
We look forward to more amazing experiences in the kitchen with you."

Cherie Soria- Founder-Living Light Culinary Institute, Author

"First and foremost,
James was a joy to work with. He is passionate about healthy plant-based cuisine and devoted to sharing it with our students. James held a space for the students to grow at their own pace while still holding them to a high standard of excellence. Our international students in particular have very high expectations and James didn't disappoint."

Miguel Gouveia - Chef/Instructor at Glass House Retreat, UK

Instagram

"I just wanted to thank you and your team for making me feel welcome and at home. The work and passion you and your team put into teaching us students is amazing. Great tips and amazing food! Please keep it going because you are pioneers of the new era of great plant-food based cuisine. I want to look back in 10 years and say that the teacher that inspired me to be the chef I will be was James Sant."

Subah Saraf-India

"This experience has been so educational and I can’t wait to go back and revolutionize Indian food. I feel so confident that now, I will be able to actually make food that is both healthy and delicious. I can gladly say that the last one month was one of the best months of my life. I feel like I got what I had come for. And I owe all thanks to you."

Paula Andrea Betancur-Colombia

"I did a workshop with chef James and it was an incredible experience to have with my aunt. He has extensive knowledge about the whole food, plant-based lifestyle and philosophy and he transmits that knowledge in a simple and easily digestible way. We enjoyed it fully and learned so much from him.

Once you get the concept, each part of his recipes are easy to combine with different preparations, and to create versatile dishes out of them. We were able to see his whole beautiful kitchen and learn about different tecniques that we could see and follow very clearly."

Aoife Carroll-Ireland

"I have been lucky to have worked with James Sant in the past and I can 100% say, that he is a wonderfully passionate and creative plant-based chef. His vast knowledge of the plant-based world is obvious the minute he begins to speak about his passion."

Renee Dupont-USA

"James was THE MOST IMPORTANT instructor/chef at the culinary institute I achieved my gourmet certification from...he's beyond talented and a very grand instructor!!"

CURRICULA

Starter Culinary Course

Transform Your Kitchen, Transform Your Life

27 Lessons

Your journey into an optimal plant-based kitchen studio starts here! A comprehensive guide for creating the optimal living foods kitchen, including printable checklists and links for top quality equipment (many of which are available in my online store).

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Personal & Certification Courses

$395 or 3 monthly payments of $140

Delightful Desserts For Every Season

10 Lessons

8 workshops with acclaimed CHEF JAMES, exploring healthy, vibrant desserts w/o dangerous processed ingredients. Learn easy gourmet techniques using simple seasonal ingredients to create memorable desserts to impress family & friends. The comprehensive, seasonal lessons will be recorded and posted (2 per season) through 2025.

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$255 or 3 monthly payments of $89

Knife and Equipment Mastery for the Plant-Based Kitchen

45 Lessons

A comprehensive training covering all the tools and equipment necessary for the optimal plant-based kitchen. A comprehensive chef knife training, with additional insights into all aspects of mastering the most common equipment.

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$799 or 3 monthly payments of $275

Living Foods Mastery

114 Lessons

This course offers a well-paced, methodical dive into every aspect of healing with gourmet living foods, backed by nutritional science. From fermentation to salads, creating amazing staples, entrees, and desserts - all without using processed, unhealthy, addictive ingredients. The course includes interactive feedback, exams, bonus seasonal culinary sessions, and an optional private online community.

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$899 or 3 monthly payments of $310

The Living Foods Culinary Bundle

4 Products

For those seeking a Living Foods Mastery Certificate, this discount bundle covers everything. It includes the courses paramount to grasping all the culinary terms, cuts, and techniques involved in preparation, including Kitchen Transformation, Knife Skills, Mastery, and Vibrant Vegan. Whether you plan on teaching, coaching, or creating a career as a living foods chef, this bundle delivers the complete journey.

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$295 or 3 monthly payments of $100

Vibrant Vegan For Every Season

14 Lessons

8 seasonal workshops exploring the power of Whole Foods plant-based food preparation with Chef James Sant. Learn how a chef’s mind contemplates, tests, and balances healthy vegan conversions of classic cuisines from around the globe using seasonal, local ingredients.

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Seasonal workshops

Brussels Sprouts Holiday Salad w/Pomegranates, Spicy Candied Walnuts, Vegan Bacon & Oil-free Dijon Vinaigrette-workshop

1 Lesson

A fantastic dive into recipe conversion. Experience the process as Chef James transforms a classic salad into a beautiful living foods version. The result includes three amazing recipes that all come together to transform this holiday favorite.

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Wild Huckleberry Sprouted Seed Bars - Workshop

1 Lesson

Join Chef James as he alchemizes a recipe on the spot with seasonal berries, sprouted seeds and Almonds. This superfood, living foods power bar is just one of over 100 amazing, life changing lessons in the Living Foods Foundations course for Plant Food Culinary Arts. The course will start enrolling now! Make the commitment to enjoy optimal health this year. Your body will thank you.

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Private Coaching

One on one coaching session with Chef James

2 Lessons

This session can run anywhere from 1 to 1 1/2 hours. We will cover everything you need to step into the most healthy, healing life imaginable. Transitions can be difficult without a clear, defined path. The goal of this session is to clarify what it will take to embrace food-as-medicine and step into optimal health.

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