Hello Joyful Cooks,

We have three new cooks in our circle this week: Diana Fish in Madeira Beach , Florida, found us through the Plum Village website; Bonnie McKinlay, here in Portland, is a recent Cowspiracy watcher and without a doubt Portland's most energetic climate activist; Maria-Constanza Garrido, an artist in Carrollton, Georgia, is adding a new state for us, our 23rd! She learned about us through the recent Mindfulness Bell article. Welcome Diana, Bonnie and Maria-Constanza! Last week we welcomed Barbara Burkart and this week I know where she is------Amherst, Massachusetts----where she heard of us through Lucy's mother, Eliza. I love all the little connections among our growing group.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, here is the recipe for Sigrid's Rich Crumbly Coconut Wedges. Some of us got to enjoy these at our Fall Potluck in Portland a couple of weeks ago: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Rich Crumbly Coconut Wedges

Also from Sigrid, we have a tomato-free variation on our Noodleless Zucchini Lasagna, which, as a result of the new comment, now appears under Active Discussions (below the map). I'm sending you to the Home page in case you would like to look around---at her variation, at the new close-up photo added to Bob's Chocolate Almond Midnight Cake, at the new places on our map and other things. The note on Cowspiracy reminded me-----I saw a friend a few days ago and learned that she went to the movie showing and resolved to give up her paleo diet as a result! It's a powerful documentary. Here is our home page:
http://mindfulcooking.org/

Cowspiracy looks at the impact of livestock on global warming and asks why the big environmental groups are not talking about it. I got to wondering if there is a group that is doing something about this issue, and a friend recommended the Center for Biological Diversity. They do indeed have a project aimed directly at the livestock problem, called Take Extinction Off Your Plate: http://takeextinctionoffyourplate.com/

I heard from Donna in Portland this week, who sent a link to a film called Animals and the Buddha:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0MWAAykFuc&feature=youtu.be

Several of us in Portland met at the Compassionate Thanksgiving last Sunday----imagine a turkey-free Thanksgiving potluck feast for 300 people! This is an annual NWVEG event, quite wonderful for those of us who so often feel alone and out of step on this meat-centered holiday. It was a happy time with lots of food and music including singing by our own Daniel Redwood.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Eve