Send us your plant-based slogans!

I have two recipes for you this time. The first comes from Mary in Kentucky, our cracker maker. Here is her version of Sun-dried Tomato Bread or Crackers --- thanks, Mary!
Sun-Dried Tomato Bread/Crackers

Our second recipe comes from Sigrid in Portland who created these unusual "cookies" for our potluck last Sunday. They look like cookies but have a spicy, cheesy flavor. You don't have to wait for the dessert course to enjoy them --- thanks, Sigrid!
Savory “Cheese” Cookies

At this, our 30th potluck in Portland, we had 13 of us around the table, and, as always, a world map on the wall showing where the other 187 of you are. Erin, our "world nomad", told us how she loves to visit markets wherever she goes, finding food the comforting, common element that makes her feel at home as she travels. She always strives to know the "lineage" of foods --- where did they come from --- who was involved in supplying them. Hilary described feeling "grounded" by food, which makes me realize food does indeed bring us all back down to Earth in a literal way --- right down to the good soil that grows the plants that feed us. As Hilary pointed out, food is our common language and a way of communicating with each other as we give and receive Earth's bounty.

Several of us, energized by the political situation, see food as a way to use our personal power to combat global warming --- "every bite is a political statement". We are trying to spread the message about plant-based eating, and Sally has an innovative idea: embroidering slogans on baseball caps and t-shirts. She would love to hear from all of us with ideas for "one-liners" that will get the message across, such as "eat beans, not beings". If you have ideas for food/environment slogans, send them to me and I'll get them to Sally.

John told us that some churches believe meat-eating is required, yet this may be changing. Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham and himself a famous evangelical pastor, has gone vegan. We heard of the "Daniel Diet", a plant-based diet based on the Book of Daniel, that gives people a Biblical endorsement of this way of eating.

We spoke of many things ---- books we've been reading (Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable Mineral; John McDougall's Healthiest Diet on the Planet; Garth Davis' Proteinaholic) --- the challenge of baking without eggs and butter --- the fun of exploring gluten-free flours ---- practicing mindfulness of food by putting the fork down between bites --- the heartache of watching relatives suffer from diseases that could have been prevented by diet --- and an opportunity to help a friend who is open to changing her diet. It was a stimulating conversation and a very tasty dinner. We'll be posting the rest of recipes in the near future.

Meanwhile, Glenn in Colorado has a film suggestion for us:
We were able to attend a pre-screening of a new documentary, “Eating you Alive”. They had showings in LA and NY in early December so it can qualify for the 2017 Academy Awards. It was very well done and had many of the usual folks (Esselstyn, Campbell, MacDougall, Esselstyn, Greger, Popper, Reinfeld etc.). Keep an eye out for it in your local theaters.

Christel in Germany sent a link to an article by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau on steps we can take to become politically active on behalf of animals;
http://www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/national-rifle-association-of-anim...

I'll end with one more link, from Christel --- a 3-minute Danish video -- a beautiful expression of the spirit of inclusiveness I see arising all around us (except, at the moment, in the White House ;-) Maybe you will find it moving, as I did:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jD8tjhVO1Tc

Happy cooking,
Eve