CLEMSON — Grow organic vegetables in your garden, then turn those vegetables into energy-boosting juices and healing foods. That’s the subject of a series of upcoming classes hosted by the South Carolina Botanical Garden.

Cheryl LeCroy of Creative Juices Consulting, a food addiction expert and breast cancer survivor, will talk about the health and healing benefits of the “flexitarian” diet. Not vegan, vegetarian or even pescatarian, the flexitarian diet is about eating a diet with a range of options.

“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I immersed myself with new diet and nutrition data from every expert and popular health book on the market, and I quickly became overwhelmed,” LeCroy said. “Under the leadership of Dr. Chasse Bailey Dorton, I found my perfect direction as a ‘flexitarian’. My cancer journey coupled with a lifetime of complex weight control gives me a great passion to help other survivors find their nutritional direction.”

Classes will be held at the Hanson Nature Learning Center on the grounds of the Garden. To register visit http://bit.ly/1nGB5kW

Introduction to Easy Organic Gardening 

Michael Pollen said it well: “Eat good food.  Not too much.  Mostly Plants.”  The best way to accomplish this is with an organic home garden and in this hands-on series you will learn how to start and maintain your own vegetable garden with Cheryl LeCroy of Creative Juices Consulting. This four-week series is packed with helpful information to grow and use vegetables: including organic seed sourcing, seed starts, soil amendment, raised bed gardening and using an abundant harvest.
Fee: Series $80 per person (10 percent discount for SCBG Friends and volunteers)
Tuesdays, Feb 16, 23 and March 1, 8;  10 a.m.-noon

Juicing for Health and Wellness 

In this two-hour workshop with Cheryl LeCroy, learn how to boost your health, energy and wellness with fresh organic blended smoothies and juices. Packed with a variety of vegetables and fruits, smoothies and juices are a powerhouse of vitamins and nutrients. In this demonstration program unlock the secrets of juicing and enjoy some health-giving samples.
Fee: $20 per person person (10 percent discount for SCBG Friends and volunteers)
Tuesday, April 19: 10 a.m.-noon

Food for Healing 

In this series, Cheryl LeCroy guides you through the basics of healthy cancer-fighting eating and cooking. Harness a rainbow of fruits and vegetables for their health-promoting nutrients, build an anti-inflammatory diet with herbs and spices, and build your immunity along the way. In addition, discover local sources for organic fruit and vegetables in our community.
Fee: Series $80 per person
Time: Tuesdays, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; 10 a.m.-noon