Closed Loop Cooking Weekly Newsletter 3.17.23

March 17th, 2023

Hi friends,

Eschewing doomism. Chewing on what low impact really means in 2023. Yes, intentional effort still matters. Small habit shifts are of the zeitgeist, and caring is timelessly cool. Infinite wisdom to my younger self and deeply proud to see these values reflected in Gens Z - A.

But how to make low impact effortless, unconscious as the inevitable pull towards apathy creeps in during our day to day? I’m not immune to the ease of delivery, convenience foods, and disconnect from our food systems. I still need sustainable practices that satiate the cause and can more often than not be low-to-no extra thought. Otherwise, the eco-anxiety builds paralysis and any attempt at getting so called shit together is like compost without consistent aeration–it stinks. (You’re forwarding to a friend now, right?)

For myself, it’s embracing what not to do. Finding small moments where my lack of effort has a mutually beneficial low waste intention. Like only peeling produce if absolutely necessary. Aside from the thought that my mother would roll over in bed if she caught a naked carrot in my kitchen, most veg peels are still in fact, food. Less is more pals and the best place to start when reconsidering your relationship to mindful method in this new year. 

now go eat, but

Stay hungry,Hawnuh Lee | Founder, Closed Loop Cooking

Sleeping yeasts. // @hawnuhlee

The dish >>

• Low efforting with 7 low waste swaps for plastic wrap.

• Artists >> UneARTh's 2023 Collective call for creatives is open.

• Beautiful seed packet sugar cookies for the bakers / gardeners / eaters in your life.

• Preparing for Passover and fawning (crying?) over Helen Levi’s custom plates.

• Incredible regenerative work on Oaks + Sprouts Farm with Tonni Oberly.

• A quick and necessary briefing on prairie strips + farm conservation.

• The Ted Lasso x Smitten Kitchen crossover I’ve been waiting for.

• Winter veg inspo on with purple cabbage steaks with herb scraps chimichurri and chickpea crumble.

Closed Loop Comics

Introducing our low waste comix corner. A place for paneled inspiration, motivation, or just inane comic relief. We love this low-fi narrative form <3Kicking off with yours truly, Hawnuh Lee on eco-anxiety management hot tips.Just for newsletter readers!

Support Portland famed vegan chef–Salimatu Amabebe’s top surgery with a lovely tee.

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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