Closed Loop Cooking Weekly Newsletter 11.20.20 (copy 01)

November 27th, 2020

Hi friends,

I think we’ve just established a new holiday tradition. We don’t go anywhere or do anything remarkable except eat homemade sourdough cinnamon rolls, sip red wine, and read comics in bed and it’s flipping fantastic. There’s no pressure to cook, remain bipartisan at the dinner table, or eat yourself sick out of politeness. I may never go back. (Love you dearly though, fam.)

Why is being uncomfortable such a ubiquitous love language? Up until this year, I hadn’t noticed how readily I would spread myself like barely any butter on too much craggy toast for the people in my life. Fulfilling holiday obligations, household duties, pro-bono work favors, just to prove to these people that I love you and I MEAN IT. I would offer up the best bits of myself until the only things I had left were a sickly demeanor from lack of iron and clumps of hair floating on high behind me. But I was a good person and I made my love known and that would keep me warm at night because anemia couldn’t.

It took a pandemic for me to say “No. I can’t. We’re not coming. Global shut down, you know.” And I was ready for wrath. But it never came. Those people still loved me, love me. Without any expectation, without an offer of my time, energy, or sanity. We’ve found different ways to connect, reciprocal means of closeness that keep us together, apart. No doubt a skill we’ll continue beyond the dystopian kaleidoscope of 2020. For this, I am deeply grateful.

Leaning into the word “no” as a new language of love. A respect for boundaries, so I may show up a better person, a stacked piece of delicious jammy bread. It’s an ongoing process, learning any language, but give yourself and the people in your life the chance to learn together. I love you and ME and I mean it.

Please send pie pics.

Stay hungry,Hawnuh Lee | Founder, Closed Loop Cooking

Plant life memoir by Hawnuh Lee

To-do’sYou’ve still got time to check out our plant-based, low waste seasonal gift guide! (And if anyone is asking, no, you can never have too many cutting boards.) If you’re shopping, making it count on Small Biz Saturday folx. <3

This week’s required readingI’m making it a point in 2021 to try new flavors from a diverse selection of chefs on a regular basis. Here’s 10 cookbooks from plant-based BIPOC chefs you should definitely have on the shelf. Get cozy and try a new recipe from any of these talented foodies. Let me know what you’re cooking up!On “Food Work.” Thoughtful piece from Anne Helen Peterson on our literal labors of love in the kitchen, especially relevant this holiday. From her interview with food studies and gender specialist, Dr. Emily Contois, “Food can be a powerful way to express love and signs of genuine affection. But food is also labor that is all-too-often uncompensated and unrecognized.” I’ve been had.It’s not you, it’s flour. This is why most of America is terrible at making biscuits. Dissertation worthy look at the difference between conventionally processed flours and a plea for a better biscuit.

The body electricTime for meat-free Monday to span Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. The case for eating more plant-forward food to meet the world’s toughest climate targets. Including a global switch to plant-based eating, reducing food waste, and greater farming efficiencies. We’re not saying give up the bacon indefinitely, just more carrot bacon when it counts. Who knows, you may be swayed by a root vegetable. Keep your eyes peeled for potential policy around food emissions labeling.

Cookbook clubCooking light this week and re-reading one of my favorite eco-explainers from author Josh Tickell. Kiss the Ground: How the Food You Eat Can Reverse Climate Change, Heal Your Body & Ultimately Save Our World is a deep dive into the world of regenerative farming. You will fall into and in love with soil in a new way. A practical solution to reducing climate emissions you can hold in hand and a world of possibilities just under our feet y’all. AND lucky us, Woody Harrelson’s sultry pipes narrate the recent documentary on the ‘flix. Follow up discussion anyone?

Seasonal eatingWinter slaw with creamy tahini dressing. Show off the best of those winter veg colors with a medley that’s quick to whip up and a great side or add a protein for a main dish.A non-seasonal item, but the perfect pair for all of your seasonal produce, tender chickpeas from scratch are simple and always better than the can. The secret? Soak em overnight with a handful of kosher salt to soften them up. And make sure you save that cooking liquid (aquafaba) for soups, stir fries, and baking.Spreading cinnamon maple sunflower seed butter on toast, fruit, and anything with a flat surface. Love this nut-free butter alternative. The cinnamon and maple syrup make for lovely fall flavor.

Here’s what’s for dinnerSomething easy, filling, and warm. This vegan leek greens + potato soup is in my winter rotation starting now. Our spin on traditional potato leek soup, just throw in those delicious, nutritious leek greens and dinner is on the table in about 30 minutes. Make a pot ahead of time for lunch next week and enjoy with some chewy, cast-iron skillet bread. Soup now, soup forever people.

We’re cooking withCloud feet. Making dinner with the coziest of slippers on and a glass of vino in hand is my new night out. I’m high-key enamored with these wool beauties hand made by Patagonian women artisans. (Repair kit included for long term comfort baby.)Adult candlesticks that cast my home in a warm, sexy glow while I eat popcorn at midnight for dinner. I want ritualistic ambience on these cold, dark nights and I want them in natural, New England ash.

Listening inOn Brené Brown’s latest rendition of Unlocking Us, she speaks with master facilitator, Priya Parker on The Art of Gathering. Trying to understand intentional connection in a virtual world takes practice.Really loved Sarah Paiji Yoo’s interview on this recent episode of Second Life. Founder of Blueland, Sarah’s cleaning supply company is reducing plastic consumption through refillable products to keep up with the circular age. Sustainable business models exist y’all!

AttendThread Caravan out of Oaxaca, Mexico is about to launch a digital workshop for eco printing–natural flower pigment on fabric. The next best thing until we can travel for one of their in-person events. Wondering what autumnal finds I can put to print. Drop em a comment to sign up.

RitualThree screen-free activities for winding down this weekend:

1. Thumb through your favorite cookbook and bookmark the recipes you want to make. Pick one or two that you’ll try this week.

2. Google top 40 songs from the year you were 16 years old (okay, almost screen-free). Put on the playlist and have a solo throwback dance party.

3. Free write. I’m talking full-on stream of consciousness alla Julia Cameron. Could be things you’re looking forward to, the lyrics to the song you just danced to, or a ranking of your favorite citrus fruits. Write it on scrap paper and don’t worry about ever reading it again. 

- Maia

Can’t stop staringIndigenous worldviews to inspire conscious shifts. From our friends at Loam Magazine, this collaborative walkthrough invites proponents of western ecological agriculture to recontextualize what they know through an Indigenous lens. Beautifully done. Must read in conjunction with “Kiss the Ground” as we are not separate from nature, we are nature.Love love love this series from Hannah Yoon documenting Restaurant Kids, growing up in Chinese eateries. Poignant, playful, intriguing. Check it out.

Sippin onLow waste tea concoctions. Awkwardly starting the Tik Tok thing for CLC and have to say I am very much into my own food doodles and animations. More hot tea tips and Chopped inspired shorts to come, just go watch.

Make changeJust a lil' reminder that politics have a bigger impact on the environment than reusable straws. Reducing your plastic consumption is important but so is being engaged in politics. If you want to do something about climate change, pay attention to Georgia. Donate (Warnock, Offof, Fair Fight), write non-partisan letters to Georgia voters encouraging them to vote, or phone bank. - Kaitlyn

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