February '22 Newsletter
Hello and happy February!
We had an epic snow storm this past weekend, and the sidewalks are still covered with snow mounds taller than me. As beautiful as that was, February is usually the time I start looking up tickets to tropical places, and truly wondering if and how it will ever get warm again. I did notice that it was still light out at 4:50 pm yesterday, which is encouraging. Also, my favorite phone app, Dminder (which tells you approximately how much vitamin D you can get from the sun, based on the time of year, your location, the weather, and how much clothing you’re wearing) has been showing that it’s finally possible to get a little natural vitamin D, albeit for only about an hour a day. This was not the case just a few weeks ago, so we’re slowly moving towards lighter, brighter times :)
This month’s class is all about finding your back pocket basics and component cooking, which is my favorite approach to meal prep. It’s a full day with me in the kitchen prepping some simple staples, and then putting them together into colorful meals. I had tons of fun working on this month’s recipes, and I hope you’ll love them. We’ve got Coconut Cashew Yogurt, which tastes better than most store-bought, plant-based yogurt and is a breeze to make. There’s also Mushroom Alfredo, which would make a great Valentine’s dinner contender, and Kasha, Tempeh, and Squash Bowls, which are a delicious combination of a few of my favorite things.
Seasonal Pleasures
⁕ Citrus season continues, which in our house means that I make fennel and orange salad at least once a week. It’s one of my favorite winter salads, and it’s so simple to put together. I have a little video on how I make it here on IG (or here on Tiktok).
⁕ I’ve been really into making herbal infusions and drinking them throughout the day in place of (or in addition to water), for some easily accessible minerals. I’ve been making infusions on and off for years, and I especially like having them in the winter, whenever I feel that my system needs a little extra love. Here’s a good resource page on herbalist Susun Weed’s website, all about the subject.
⁕ A book recommendation: ‘Always Home’ by Fanny Singer. The author talks about what it was like growing up as slow food legend Alice Waters’ daughter. It’s part memoir, part biography, part cookbook, and I love Singer’s writing style.
Wishing you a beautiful February :)
