Closed Loop Cooking Weekly Newsletter 12.4.20

December 4th, 2020

Hi friends,

I live in a world with infinite tabs open. A digital landscape of good intentions I will most likely never return to but can find comforting solace in. I can’t be the only one with a tight chest and ringing ears when Chrome has had ENOUGH and forces quit, leaving me to wonder where my life of possible futures, other outcomes where I have finally learned how to backbend into a full split has vanished to. I was getting to it, mentally preparing myself for an impossibly flexible life sans tight hamstrings. If only.

What is it about letting go of our digital ephemera that keeps the streaming speeds so slow?

It’s akin to our kitchens. We buy produce, pantry staples, spices we aspire to and end up forgetting. I thought I was someone who knew what to do with flavored vinegars but it turns out I have not stepped into this higher, divinely acidic self yet. (Luckily, I can come back to these…) So why do we buy things we end up binning and insist on multiple (ok 100+) tabs that end up crashing? My best guess is our search for an aspirational self is far beyond internet queries and vegetables we don’t know what to do with.

We might save ourselves the guilt of wasted produce and tabs we should come back to by starting where we are. Introducing 1 new ingredient at a time until we’ve learned it’s full complexities, rather than take on a full fridge. Finding a moment to be fully present with everything we consume, be it content or cooking gets us one step closer.

It’s an ongoing, imperfect practice and so worth it.

If you are a one-at-a-time tab person, reply to this email and raise your hand. If you’re a multi-tab person, reply and tell me your favorite link you have open! Mine? Deep diving on the Goldman Prize 2020 recipients!

Stay hungry,Hawnuh Lee | Founder, Closed Loop Cooking

A dresser by any other name by Hawnuh Lee

To-do’sNab those holiday goodies for fam, friends, or yourself in our plant-based, low waste, ethical holiday gift guide! Hot stuff!Our friends at Feed The Mass continue to serve up meals hot ‘n fresh for the homeless on a daily basis in PDX and are looking for a van to get mobile. Resources or ideas to spare? Send ‘em a DM please.

This week’s required readingCozying up my place this winter and inspired by Maia’s latest piece on sustainable home swaps - upcycling made easy. While we continue to hunker down at home we can create beautiful, low-impact interiors with a few easy tricks.Ecstatic over the 6 winners of the Green Nobels - showing that environmental activism makes change! Our effort is the difference. I’m am OBSESSED with Ledy Pech, a Mayan beekeeper in Mexico who took on Mon-flipping-santo and WON, securing indigenous grow rights against agri-corp herbicides. Crying. Each of the Goldman Environmental recipients is doing phenomenal work. Must read.People over profits. The story of a 1,000 year old mochi shop in Kyoto, Japan. Continuing to value tradition and warm sweet snacks to passerby through the pandemic. Insightful look into the longevity of these age-old businesses and weathering change.

The body electricThere’s power in naming your anxiety (and even more so in addressing it with the formal Spanish Usted.) More on turning off after dinnertime from this short piece on how to stop worrying so damn much. Looking for those calm moments before bed.Why don’t we see more Indigenous-owned beauty brands? Native representation is necessary across all industries! Madeleine of The Wise Consumer shared 12 Indigenous-owned First Nations and Native American beauty + cosmetics brands over on Conscious Life and Style.

Cookbook clubA vital how-to guide on reclaiming land through the African-heritage lens. Farming While Black by Leah Penniman contains mesmerizing storytelling and super practical guidance in equal measure. A must read whether you are out planting seeds or just seeding your understanding of food justice. As we consider new beginnings at the end of a long year we can all do more to understand the foundational contributions of African-heritage people to renewable agriculture techniques. (Another good moment to check out Moji’s latest piece on a brief history of growing food while Black.)  - Maia

Seasonal eatingRegardless of your seasonal affiliations, gingerbread is always a December favorite. My mother could never understand my desire for gingerbread menorah cookies as a child but here we are. These two-tone orange gingerbread muffins are a classic holiday flavor. A citrusy kick to contrast the richness of the gingerbread makes for a special treat even Jewish mothers will love.Getting broccoli just for the roasted broccoli stalk with toasted hazelnut + lemon. Hazelnuts are a wintry PNW seasonal fare and will continue to make an appearance on just about everything I’m making until spring. Broc stalk is full of the same floret flavor and can be eaten raw or roasted. Trim off the woody end and you’ve got yourself a full extra veg.More home-baked granola means more package-free plant milks. I love this 5-minute hemp milk you can whip up as-needed for that fresh-from-the-hull taste. Goes great with your seasonal baked goods, warm bevs, and on its own. Spice up to taste.

Here’s what’s for dinnerWelcoming @micks_magic into the fold with this sumptuous use-it-all fall salad. An awesome “let’s work with what we got” recipe using seasonal squash, greens, and a delicious creamy dressing. Top it off with a protein of choice and we are in business. Always one for a dinner template rather than a rigid recipe, our ingredients are subject to change from fridge to fridge, so let’s support an improvisational approach to cooking.

We’re cooking withA few bags of Renewal Mill’s okara flour brownie mix. Upcycled soybean pulp flour and chocolate–what’s not to like? This is an awesome DIY blend you can easily dress up with nut butters, mix-ins, and hey why not, ice cream. (Also makes for a perfect small holiday gift, if you’re looking.)The long handled measuring spoons I didn’t know I needed. A scooping savior to rid me of the single, sort-of measuring spoon I’ve had for the last 10 years. Is this the cause of my salty bakes? Hand-carved beauties, my kosher crystals have never looked so good.Inspired by the Blue Light Avoidance in this week’s must listens, I’m investing in a lavender eye mask to keep these lids closed. Sweet, floral dreams.

Listening inFrom the magically mindful podcast, Nekkid. Our fav yogi, Martissa Williams, spoke recently with Andy Mant on the ominous effects of Blue Light and our circadian rhythms. And y’all, night shift mode is not enough (tells myself.)In awe of the efforts of the Council of People's Organization, a Brooklyn, NY based food pantry led by Mohammad Razvi. This deep dive from The Daily recognizes the hurdles and humanity of everyone standing in line.Episode 1 of Dismantled, a podcast from Intersectional Environmentalism is out now, and it’s soo good! Please more podcasts from folx at the intersection of diversity / equity / inclusion! - Maia

RitualWorking on cultivating a joy practice. It’s easy to move through the day, focusing on maintaining balance and finding calm. But what about those moments of unbridled happiness, smiling ear to ear with a pep in my step? Easier said than done but joy still exists, despite this continuing trash fire of a year and we must actively seek it out.

Ideas for cultivating joy: 

• Spontaneous dance party. Here’s a playlist to get you grooving.

• Finding delicious, best you’ve ever had take-out from a new restaurant. (The search is half the fun.)

• Watching the last episode of Great British Bake Off (no spoilers.)

• Time with dogs outside.

How are you cultivating joy?

Can’t stop staringFinding solace in a hundred felt sewn Spam containers and everything else Lucy Sparrow puts to needle.Was shocked and awe-struck when I discovered how loofahs are made. Following along @cazoshay_marie’s zen luffa journey. Waiting with bells on for an upcoming how-to.Please DROP EVERYTHING and go watch Sophia Roe make cauliflower rice with Bon Appétit. - Maia

Sippin onMany rounds of salted hot chocolate. Heat 1 cup plant-based milk. Whisk in 3 tbsp cocoa powder, dash cinnamon, ¼ tsp vanilla, 1 tbsp maple syrup, and a healthy pinch of kosher salt (⅛ tsp.) Thoroughly combine and serve in a nostalgic mug. (Add splash of Bailey’s if you’re so inclined.)

Make changeSeeding Sovereignty out of New Mexico is providing mutual aid to Indigenous relatives and community members through the Indigenous Impact Community Care Initiative. You can support their incredible efforts by donating cold weather items via mail. Read on for their full list of requests and put your gently used threads to good use.

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