Our growing circle

Our circle is growing --- we are welcoming three new cooks this time: Devin B lives in North Vancouver, Canada. Jewel N is a quilter with her own quilt shop in Bend, Oregon. She found us while searching for a recipe for a dish she enjoyed at Deer Park Monastery involving seitan and pineapples. Does anyone happen to know that recipe? Catherine D in Sarasota, Florida tried a recipe from our site --- Tahini Rotini---- and told me "It sure was delicious. I only have a mini food processor, which wasn't large enough to puree the ingredients, but I took my time with a potato masher, and that did the trick. Loved the lemon zest garnish!"
I was so glad to be reminded of this recipe, a pasta dish with broccoli and a tahini sauce, because she is right, it really is delicious, and I'm so pleased to learn that it can be made without a food processor. Here it is: Tahini Rotini

Nancy here in Portland recently gave me a butternut squash, which inspired me to do a cookbook search for a new squash idea. I'm delighted to pass on to you my new discovery --- this too was delicious! It's called Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili: Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili

I heard from Christel in Germany this week. Maybe you recall she signed up for the Culinary Rx course, part of the "Plantrician Project" dedicated to helping physicians and patients find the path to health with dietary changes. Here how the course is going so far:
Started with Culinary Rx. I feel grateful for this opportunity and blessed. At the beginning now they provide us with profound nutrition information, partly presented in videos ( for instance a lecture of Dr. Scott Stoll ). The whole program has a structure of succeeding steps. I give myself time to do all these steps thoroughly.
Thank you, Eve, for informing us on Thay's health. He knows that we need him and therefore he is fighting for health.
Hugs from me.
Christel

Christel also sent a note about "Super Healthy Kids":
here is one of my favourite foodblogs for kid-friendly-recipes: Super Healthy Kids.
http://www.superhealthykids.com/healthy-kids-recipes/
They have vegan recipes, but are not always vegan.
It's just a question of "translating", I think. In this week's mail they have such beautiful summer-party-treats, for instance the frozen watermelon-popsicles.
Enjoy.
Christel

Ummm --- I looked at those popsicles and would be glad to have one right now ----Portland weather is heating up again!

Portland people, there's been one more change in the potluck plan ----- we found out that a picnic in the park these days involves a remarkable amount of red tape ---- so we are going to have our picnic at our own little private park, namely my backyard. I'll send details when it gets closer. The date is still Saturday, August 22.

Welcome to Devin, Jewel and Catherine!

Happy cooking to all-

Eve