Closed Loop Cooking Weekly Newsletter 3.10.23

CLC Weekly đź”® Surfing the celestial drift.

March 10, 2023

March 10th, 2023Hi friends,

Floating seemingly untethered in this shifting Pisces season, I’m leaning into the loose ties. A few of you may know I upended my entire life this winter, leaving the comfort of the last five years. Towards what, I’m still sorting. But knowing full well my chronic need for stability might not be satiated by single-girl Costco sized pickles. The vinegar helps though. With two dogs at the table but no other opposable thumbs, the desire for dinner can easily be remedied with a leftover bag of $10 stadium popcorn I refused to toss because stale popcorn is still a meal for one. (Eyeing Molly Yeh’s most controversial salad.)

When feeding partners and friends is my deepest form of connection, scavenging for the solo plate feels like a painful reflection of my own survival. A reminder that deep care does not always extend to myself, even when trying to practice radical self love. But it is the act of habitual ritual that is meaningful. The practice I am making stubborn effort to return to, time and again, pushing past this inherent survival mode and finding something to orbit around. 

So, awash in the celestial drift, I’m connecting dots of small attempts into larger constellations. Imperfect practices I can see on clear nights and much needed stability in moving tides. And if I squint a little, that popcorn almost looks like stars.

Stay hungry,Hawnuh Lee | Founder, Closed Loop Cooking

Evening rituals. // @hawnuhlee

The dish >>

The celestial kitchen

It’s time for the divination you didn’t know you needed! CLC’s recipe horoscopes are here for your spiritually-aligned meal planning needs. This week, lean back and let the stars decide what’s cooking.

We drew from writing by Ace of Alice Sparkly Kat for your March 2023 recipe horoscopes. Order their book, Post Colonial Astrology: Reading the Planets Through Capital, Power, and Labor, and follow them on Instagram at @alicesparklykat!

PISCES

For Pisces, March’s theme is compassion. Ask yourself, what motivates yours? Compassion is not a goal-oriented emotion, so let it blanket you and the people close to you in a warm burrito of love. Nourish your sweeties or set up self-care night with a plant-based charcuterie board — heart shaped crackers not required, but encouraged.  

ARIES

This month is about closure for Aries. We all know what it’s like to get swept up in a sourdough project only to neglect your starter after the first feeding, or leave beans soaking “overnight” only to be rediscovered at the back of the fridge two weeks later. Try taking on a one-and-done project that is equal parts satisfying and efficient. Latkes are a year round dinner fav and an easy way to use up any root veg, herbs, and seasonings you’ve already got lying around.

TAURUS

Tauruses are showing up to be fully themselves in March. It can be scary to feel like you’re exposing the tender parts of you to the world, but this month invites you into gentleness. Don’t seek to impress, journey ahead where your curiosity leads you. Choose your own adventure with homemade hummus! Plan ahead and cook your own chickpeas or strain em from a handy dandy can. Get fancy with your spices or keep it simple with lemon and garlic.

GEMINI

It’s a great time to make big changes for Geminis. Think about what kind of impact you want to have on the world and ask yourself what you might want to adjust in your life to better align with your goals. Change is overwhelming but also exciting. Celebrate this moment with a sweet and snackable cinnamon apple spelt cake. Equally ideal for scrumptious breakfast and delightful dessert.  

CANCER

March has got Cancers questioning hierarchies around them that may be less justified than they once thought. Get clear on what mechanisms of authority are impacting your daily life and see if you can extricate yourself from those that don’t serve you. Embrace your chaotic side with this use-it-all warm salad. Throw your favorite mix of veg on a pan and revel in the symphony of flavors that appear.   

LEO

This month asks Leos to be honest with themselves about feelings of disappointment. Whether in relationships, career, or personal development, it’s normal to feel disappointed about where you’re at sometimes. Ask yourself what would best support you in moving through those feelings, and then remind yourself what you’re proud of, and what you’re still hungry for. Red lentil soup with parsnip and sweet potato will keep you cozy and nourished through it all, and can be prepped ahead to savor all week long.    

VIRGO

For Virgos, it’s time to clarify what anxieties are useful for you and what is making you question yourself for no reason. Sometimes stress directs us toward something that needs our attention, but other times it’s responding to BS social expectations or self doubt that can be thrown right out the window. Stress Baking™ is a perfectly valid way to expel pent up anxiety and we really can’t recommend two-tone orange gingerbread muffins enough for your next project.     

LIBRA

Any Libras in the house feeling burned out this month? Among many things, burnout can be a sign that you don’t have enough autonomy over the way you spend your time. Take stock of the ways you may be overexerting yourself and whether that exertion is really serving you. How can you take back power over your energy supply? Salty sweet squash seed granola is a perfect make-ahead breakfast or snack to help you move swiftly through your routine.

SCORPIO

Scorpios are famously loyal, so it’s important for them to check in with their boundaries once in a while. This month, don’t force yourself to be social when you don’t feel like it and practice being deliberate about the quality time you spend with those you hold dearest. Roasted winter squash gnocchi with shallot and sage oil is a cozy dinner project that’s fun to do with friends and fam or a delicious way to treat yourself on a night in.  

SAGITTARIUS

Sags among us are feeling a playful vibe this month. The urge to switch up the routine is met with an extra boost of optimism and flexibility thanks to Mercury in Pisces. Lean into it by trying something new and a little ~extra~ at breakfast. Loaded breakfast sweet potatoes are one part sweet, one part savory, and wholly delightful. Make a slow morning of it and have fun with the toppings.   

CAPRICORN

For Capricorns, March is about taking a look at your habits and recognizing what is supportive and what might be autopilot-ing you to places you don’t want to be. Having a fermented snack on hand is never a bad idea and tangy ginger turmeric sauerkraut will take any bland lunch up several notches. Get on your probiotic game and whip some up this weekend.

AQUARIUS

March invites Aquariuses to look for contentment. What would make you feel safe, fulfilled, and comfortable right now? Now is the time for ultimate comfort meals and what better way to satisfy that than vegan mac and cheese? Let this umami rich pasta bowl warm your soul from the inside out.

Seemingly fitting bread glows to wind down.

Newsletter read breaking up sourdough discard crackers for midnight snacking.

Love this newsletter? We do too. Share the love with a friend y’all <3

Forward to a Friend

CLC might make a small commission from links in this newsletter. So we can keep crafting rad content for free!

>> New here? <<

Have an idea we should feature in the newsletter? Want to work with us? Drop a line at [email protected]. We can’t wait to see what y’all cook up next! #closedloopcooking