Vegevore shares are Back! And Saturday Brunch at Anthony's in Somerville.

Hello Lovelies!

It's been so long since we spoke. How are you? I hope you have been well. I've been busy!

As many of you know, I work full time at Cuisine en Locale. We're an all-local catering and meal delivery service. Recently, we opened up a full-service event hall which is awesome! We took over the old Anthony's Function Hall at 156 Highland Ave in Somerville. We are now officially fully open, and we're cooking up some really exciting new projects that I think you might be interested in!

First, the Vegetarian Share is back! If you have thought you might be interested in our ONCE a Week meal delivery service, but you don't eat meat, this might be just the ticket. We do all the cooking and bring you a nice big bag of awesome food, any Tuesday you like! I am so excited to share that we've revived the Vegetarian version! It now sits in a place of honor, right next to the Omnivore version. It is not entirely gluten free, nor entirely vegan, but we are careful about cross-contact and there will be some items that fit each bill. If there are some folks in your household who are vegan and some who are ovo-lacto or omni, this could work. If there are some folks who eat gluten free and others who don't, this could also be a great choice. If even being cooked in a kitchen where gluten is present gives you difficulty, then unfortunately it might not be the right fit. It's not like the old days when I had a fully gluten free environment to work with, but it is amazing and wonderful food, different every week, and always made from scratch using all local ingredients. If you're interested, email luc@enlocale.com We actually still may have a share left for delivery tomorrow, but please move quickly before it sells out!

Second, we're offering weekly Saturday brunch! We use gorgeous, farm-fresh, local ingredients to make all kinds of brunch favorites. Most items are or can easily be vegetarian, and there are a few great vegan items too. Many menu  items are free of gluten ingredients too, or can be made so easily. Again, we do use gluten in some dishes in our kitchen here, but we are careful about cross-contact. My favorite vegetarian and gluten free dishes include the P.O.P. (Pile o'
Potatoes) - roasted potatoes, sauteed spinach, cheddar or bleu cheese, and poached eggs (great with a dash of Alex's Ugly Sauce), the Fratine (crustless quiche) of the Week; and the Mess in a Cup - flourless Taza chocolate cake with vanilla marscapone whip and chocolate ganache drizzle. (Just ask to skip the oat biscuit that often garnishes it if you're GF - the cookie isn't GF but the rest of the dessert is.) Vegan sides which can make a great meal all together include roasted potatoes, spinach, kale salad, and most of the tasty beverages. There is definitely a whole lot for omnivores too! Did I mention we have a full bar? We actually have two full bars. We serve brunch every Saturday from 10 - 3, and there's live music from 11 - 2. (If you do eat gluten, the reviews on our sticky buns have been off the charts.)

Third, we have some great events coming up, including a monthly comedy show, regular movie nights, and a lot of GREAT rock shows and other concerts. If you want to stay posted about these sorts of events, please email me back and I can add you to our weekly newsletter mailing list. You can also check our newsletters and blog posts at http://cuisineenlocale.com/

Finally, I'm teaching a bunch of classes! I've been teaching at the Boston Center for Adult Education and at Brookline Adult and Community Education. I'm
teaching a basic vegetarian cooking skills class next Tuesday evening, 3/25. I have a few more baking classes coming up too, both gluten and GF. In Brookline, I'm planning a GF cooking and baking series over the summer. This spring and summer, you'll find me hosting locavore events at Anthony's, teaching classes in Boston and Brookline, and also at lots of farmers markets, both selling and shopping.

Thanks for reading, and have a fantastic afternoon!

Much love,
Mary

Holidays are coming! Please place orders now!

Hello good people of Crafty Land!


I also posted this over at the new blog realfoodgourmet.blogspot.com but I can't resist posting here too! SPECIAL DELIVERIES for the holidays! Who can resist?

Oh my goodness, Easter and Passover are right around the corner! I've been working on some chocolate treats and other holiday deliciousness, and I'll tell you about them very soon. (It is not too early to start thinking about a plague of chocolate mint frogs for Passover, or raspberry-filled zombie chocolate bunnies for Easter. A variety of chocolate treats will be available both for holidays and regularly, and sold by weight. What, chocolates any time? YES. Email for details.)

But first, Pi Day and St. Patrick's Day! NOW IS THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT ORDERING FOR PI DAY AND ST. PADDY'S DAY! What? Ordering? Yup, I'm reviving orders and deliveries for the holidays, because I love cooking for you and I miss you! Plus I'm always happy to come cook for you and your family for a fantastic holiday or anytime! (I'm already booked for the first night of Passover and for Good Friday, but I have some other dates free. Please email me if you are interested in any menu for any date at all, and we'll talk!)

I'll be doing plenty of gluten free, real food, delicious, homemade awesome food for all those holidays. Most items will be vegan, and others will be non-vegan. All will be made with care and attention to your family's specific needs. As always, I avoid all gluten ingredients, all soy, peanut, GMOs, and weird stuff. Keeping your food delicious and safe is the top priority!

A Vegan Cottage Pie Begins

Gluten Free, Vegan Pot Pie

Sweet Potato and Local Beef Cottage Pie

For Pi Day, which is really soon, on Thursday, 3/14, I'll do a pie theme! I can do a vegan vegetable pot pie or a non-vegan, dairy-free chicken pot pie. Either way, it will be topped with a gluten free crust, similar to the one I did last year. I'll also do variations on shepherd's pie and cottage pie - I'm leaning toward a ground lamb filling with a mashed squash topping, and maybe a turkey one with a sweet potato topping, but we can figure it all out together based on customer interest. I'll pack these savory pies in recyclable foil pans so you can reheat easily - just pop them in the oven.

I will also do some sweet pies, of course! Last year's gluten free vegan pecan pie was amazing, and I'll definitely reprise that. I've also been working on a raw vegan avocado lime pie that I'm pretty excited about, and a banana cream pie with coconut custard. Yum!

This is the best pecan pie ever. Ever!

For St. Patrick's Day, which is next Sunday the 17th, I will make you delicious gluten free, vegan Irish soda bread. Remember how yummy that was last year? I miss it, and I want to make it for you again. It was so darn good. I'll also make colcannon: mashed potatoes with kale and general yumminess (can be made vegan with olive oil, or with dairy butter) AND I'll do a cabbage side - with or without bacon. If there's enough interest, I might do corned beef brisket too. If you're interested, please email me soon so we can plan! Write to me any time at rathercraftymary@gmail.com

Looking forward to cooking for you all soon!

Much love,
Chef Mary

Moving

Hello wonderful people!

It's a new year, and with it I have a new focus. I've started another blog at realfoodgourmet.blogspot.com

It's about methods and recipes for making great food out of real ingredients, as part of a health-promoting lifestyle. It doesn't matter if you are in great health already or if you have a more challenging journey ahead of you. Abundant health is all about the process, and the choices you make every day along the way.

There will be a LOT more recipes and content than I usually post here. There will be some vegan recipes, some meat and egg recipes. Some raw recipes, some cooked recipes, some fermented recipes. All recipes will fit in with a gluten-free, allergy-friendly lifestyle. There will also be discussions about other important aspects of health - exercise, rest, friendship, fresh air, supplements, and what to do when you feel less than wonderful. Comments and lively conversations are encouraged!

A little bit of something for everyone who wants to feel great!

I may check in over here every now and then too, but for now, please do come join us over at realfoodgourmet.blogspot.com

Thank you all so much for your love and support!

Love,
Chef Mary

Just what I needed.

Happy New Year!

Last night, I enjoyed working a fantastic new year's party. This morning, I woke up and had some leftover kale salad for breakfast. I watched some anime then took the Longest Nap Ever. I got up again, did some reading, and had some other leftovers and more fresh salad.

A relaxing and quiet day. Just what I needed!

I hope your new year brings you all the things you need too. Happy (and relaxing) new year to everyone!

This morning at Jamaica Pond

The reports call for snow
They say we should hunker down
I choose to breathe the air
Run fast among the trees
For now, the water is still
The wind is calm
The pond is waiting

Thrift!

Happy End of the World, everyone!

I notice that despite the predictions, it is a sunny, calm day outside and the world has not come to an end. Huzzah! On top of that, the longest night of the year has passed and every day from here on out will get longer, brighter, and a little more hopeful.

I have to share some good fortune with everyone. The other day, I went to a thrift shop to look for some new-to-me work clothes. I love thrift shops, and not just for the thrift. There's also an opportunity to rescue clothes from being thrown away, saving valuable landfill space. I also prefer to choose to support a charity or small business instead of a mega-corporation producing new clothes in sweat shops.

I found some things that fit well enough and looked okay on: three pairs of brown pants, three brown tops, one black sweater, and one cookie cutter shaped like an apatosaurus (formerly known as brontosaurus.) Okay, I really didn't need the cookie cutter, but it's an apatosaurus! How could I say no?

I wasn't sure about the splurge, as it's the end of the year and with vet expenses finances have gotten even tighter than usual. But I decided to treat myself, and took my things up to the register.

You know how sometimes certain colors of price tags are further discounted? Well, every single thing I bought was half price that day! I spent just over $15 for all those things! They're downstairs in the wash now, and I might even wear some of them home for Christmas.

Happy holidays, everyone! I hope you have lots of little magical moments that make your days special too.

Beatiful morning!

Okay, it's actually rainy and dismal. But it is a new day, and a new opportunity to make a positive difference in your life! Just because it's rainy, or because it's the holiday season, or any other reason at all doesn't mean you have to abandon your healthy lifestyle choices!

The best way to stay on track with your healthy food choices is to be prepared. Cookies and candy at work tempting you? Be prepared by eating a homemade breakfast and lunch you find nourishing and filling. This morning, I enjoyed roasted kohlrabi, roasted beets, and sunny side up eggs. I'll be at the kitchen for lunch, but we are always well fed there. Nothing but real food, as far as the eye can see!

Naturally, this morning's eggs were laid by chickens raised by real, local farmers. They had the opportunity to get sunshine, which means more vitamin D in the yolks. They scratched for bugs and seeds outside, eating a healthy, natural diet. That translates to more omega-3 fatty acids in the yolks, and a better nutritional profile overall. And of course, happy animals and happy land means healthier food in all sorts of other ways too!

Happy chickens scratch outdoors!

Tempted by sweets? Get more protein and healthy fat in your diet. Don't think of it as depriving yourself of that treat. Think of it as seizing the opportunity to make a better choice!

Weather keeping you in, when you'd rather take a walk at lunchtime? Do what you can. Squats, lunges, triceps dips, and taking the stairs are all good ways to keep moving, even if you can't get outdoors or to the gym. Have a little extra time tonight? Take a yoga class. You will be so glad you did! I had been away from my favorite yoga studio for way too long, and I took a class last night. I feel better in my body and in clearer and calmer in my mind. At the beginning of class, I was frustrated by a shoulder injury that made it hard to use my full range of motion. By the end, I had a lot more freedom of movement. In fact, this morning it's still feeling a lot better!

Farm visits!

Going to visit two different farms this afternoon! How lucky am I to be a locavore chef, that this is how I get to spend my day?

Healthy fermented foods! And a recipe for cultured cashew creme.

Hello everyone!

Today I want to write about natural fermentation. There are so many different kinds of fermented foods and beverages. Of course we all know about beer, wine, cider, and vinegars. Those are all the products of yeast fermentation.

Sourdough breads are also a product of slow yeast fermentation. This makes the grains much more digestible. If you are able to digest wheat or other grains, sourdoughs are the healthiest ways to enjoy them.

There are also fermented soy products. For those of you who are not allergic to soy and choose to eat it, organic, naturally fermented soy products like miso and natto can be much healthier additions to the diet than unfermented soy. I don't consume soy nor do I endorse it as a food, honestly, but if you do eat soy please use only fermented, and certified organic!

Right now I am really interested in lactofermentation. Lactofermented vegetables (and dairy if you tolerate it) can be nourishing ways to add probiotics to your diet. Unlike the breads, beers, wines, and hard ciders which all use yeast, lactofermented veggies are made by bacteria.

Some of the bacteria that create the lactofermentation process produce vitamin K2, which is so important for your health! We all know about K1, the one found in dark green leafy veggies, that helps with correct blood clotting. Yay green leafy veggies! But K2 is just as important! It helps you use vitamin D and calcium. It helps feed all the organs and tissues in your body. You need K2! There is debate about whether the body can make K2 out of K1, then use it. It used to be thought that you could, but now researchers are not so sure whether you can absorb it properly. Best to eat lots of healthy fermented foods with healthy fats for proper absorption to be sure! As a bonus, some of those healthy bacteria from the food will hang out in your gut and help with digesting everything you eat.

Once upon a time, I made my own dairy yogurt every week. Sometimes I used pasteurized goat milk, and sometimes raw cow milk, depending on what I could get. I stopped doing this when we went vegan, but I am thinking of trying it again. I'm looking into places to get raw unpasteurized cow and goat milk for yogurt and cheese. There are some in Massachusetts. I'll keep you posted, and then I'll do some posts about dairy yogurt and raw milk cheeses. (I'll also mention which cheeses have a lot more K2 than others - different cultures produce different amounts of it.)

While I was vegan (and even now that I am no longer vegan) I made cultured cashew creme. I'm going to teach you how to do that a little later in this post.

I also love lactofermented vegetables. Sauerkraut is amazingly nourishing stuff. It helps with digestion. It is delicious. It is full of that awesome K2 I was talking about earlier. Real kim chi is also lactofermented cabbage with lots of other healthy seasonings. I'll do posts about how to make both in the future.

But cabbage isn't the only vegetable you can do this with! It is definitely one of the cheapest, but far from the only one. I am going to try making a healthy fermented drink called beet kvass, and tell you about my adventures with that soon too. So many adventures!

For now, here's the recipe (more of a method, really) for cultured cashew creme!

You'll need:

Raw cashews (preferably the really raw sort, where heat isn't used in extracting them from their shells; but the ones labeled as raw in the grocery store will do)
Filtered water
Lemon juice (freshly squeezed and organic)
Probiotics
Sea salt

First, soak the cashews. You can get away with an hour, but I like to soak at least a few hours. This isn't like with other nuts where you really need to soak 8 or 12 hours; cashews are special like that. When you soak your cashews, take your lemons out of the fridge. They produce the most juice when they are at room temperature.

So you soak your cashews, then drain and rinse them. Put them in the blender jar, squeeze your lemons, and add the lemon juice to the blender. How much, you ask? Well, for a cup of cashews you might use the juice of a small lemon or half the juice of a large lemon. It's to taste, and you'll be adjusting it later.

Add a splash of water and blend. Start slow, scrape down a few times, and keep blending and adding a TINY bit of water at a time until you have a thick, smooth, creamy consistency. You want it to be thick like yogurt. It will only thicken up a little while culturing, unlike dairy yogurt. So make it only a tiny bit runnier than you want your finished product to be.

Once you have a beautifully smooth texture, stir in some probiotics or yogurt starter culture. Most starter culture packets contain traces of dairy. If you are dairy-free and/or vegan, use probiotic capsules instead. I like Country Life's Powerdophilus, but you should use whatever vegan probiotics you like that come in a capsule or powder format. I add about three capsules for about a cup to a cup and a half of cashews. Stir it in, transfer to a glass bowl or jar, and cover loosely. Set in a warm place.

If you have a dehydrator and are using it to dehydrate something else, set your cashew creme on top or on a towel inside. (I rarely turn mine above 105, and that's about the temp you want here. Cooler is okay, warmer will kill enzymes and damage these sensitive bacteria.) If you don't have one, just find a warm place. The cupboard above your fridge is a warm stable place. Any safe shelf is fine - just don't close the cupboard or forget where you put it!

Let it culture overnight or longer, up to about 24 hours, depending on how warm or cool your kitchen is, and how strongly you would like it to taste.

Now you can season to taste with more lemon and some sea salt, chill it down, use it in dips and dressings, or whatever you like! To make a ranch-like dressing, add some fresh or dried dill, parsley, garlic, and onion. Add a little more lemon or some raw apple cider vinegar and a pinch of sea salt. Let it sit in the fridge for an hour while the flavors meld (it won't taste like much at first if you use dried herbs, but the flavors will blossom and combine as the dressing chills.)

Make an antioxidant-rich curry dip by stirring in some fresh ginger and your favorite curry powder.

You can even add some raw honey or local maple syrup and a little raw cacao powder, and have a healthier and very satisfying sweet snack or topping.

You can also stir this creme into raw or cooked veggie "pasta" dishes, salads and slaws, chilled soups, anywhere you might otherwise have used yogurt or sour cream! For some people, this is easier to digest than dairy. And it's so much healthier than the non-dairy yogurts you can buy in the store. Live active cultures, no stabilizers or fillers, nothing but what you put in there. Nothing but real, honest food. Enjoy!

How we can help

It is a beautiful morning. As I breathe deeply and appreciate the sun, I can not forget the tragedies that have been happening in our communities.

The most recent tragedy was a school shooting in a town near the one in which I grew up. If there can ever be said to be a typical school shooting, this wasn't it. A young man killed his mother, then drove to the elementary school where she taught. He killed twenty children and six adults there, then killed himself bringing the toll to 28 that I am aware of at this time.

Flag at half mast in Newtown, CT this morning.

Breaking news this morning has revealed no motive.

I am one of the lucky ones - no one I know happened to be hurt or killed. Knowing how lucky I am just amplifies how unlucky some others were. There are 27 families who will never again hold their loved ones who were lost. 20 sets of parents of tiny children who will never see their babies grow up.

If you are able and wish to help the community, here is a story from a local paper that explains how you can help.

http://southbury.patch.com/articles/ways-to-help-sandy-hook

If we wish to make sure this doesn't happen again, we have a lot more work to do. Why did this young man snap? Why do we attach a stigma to asking for mental health help? Why don't we have a system in place to recognize and help people who are in such a dark place that violence seems like a reasonable choice? How can we make changes to assure that this won't happen again?

Healing with broths and stocks

Good morning fantastic people!

Did you know that you can make stocks and broths while you sleep, and have a nourishing drink in the morning? Last night, I simmered some broth in the slow cooker overnight. This morning, I strained it out and drank a warm cup to wake my body up.

Then I enjoyed a smoothie made with frozen banana, fresh spinach, and a little raw coconut butter. I blended it with just enough water to make it smooth. Having a little healthy fat with your green veggies helps you absorb all the good fat-soluble vitamins in the greens.

How do I make broths? It sounds daunting, but it is really easy. When you use carrots, celery, and onions in your cooking, keep the trimmings. Not the yucky bits; you don't want yucky stuff in your stock. But the tops and tails of nice, fresh carrots, ends of crunchy celery, and the skins and outer layers of onions that are clean all work beautifully. If you are fortunate to have leeks, use the green part in stock. If your carrots have green frondy tops, pick through, wash, and use all that gorgeous mineral-rich green stuff. Any time you use fresh parsley, keep all the stems in this bag too. Whether you are making a veg broth or an animal bone broth, these veggies come in really handy. Some people use all sorts of other veggies in their broths, but I find that I like the balanced flavor of carrot, onion, celery, garlic, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorn in mine.

The stems of mushrooms are great too. Usually I store mushroom stems separately, because I like to have both veg broth and mushroom broth. Put all those trimmings in a freezer bag, squeeze out all the air, and pop it in the freezer. After a week or two of eating lots of veggies, you've got a lot of trimmings!

To make veggie broth, simply dump your collected veggie trimmings and some chopped fresh veggies in a big stockpot, and cover with fresh filtered water. If you don't already have herbs in there, add them. My favorite combo for basic veg broth is to have lots of carrot, celery, and a good amount of onion or leek, a few cloves of garlic, parsley stems, peppercorn, bay leaf, and some fresh or dried parsley and thyme.

Bring up to a simmer. Simmer away for hours. You can simmer on the stove top, or if you'll be away or asleep, use a slow cooker set on low. Cool a bit, strain through a colander then a fine mesh sieve, chill it down or just use straight away.

To make an animal bone stock, add chicken, beef, or lamb bones. (You can also just simmer the bones without the veggies for a less flavorful broth, if that is what you need for a specific purpose.) Leg bones with joints and connective tissue will release their natural gelatin into the liquid as it simmers. Gelatin-rich stocks will gel up when chilled. Broths made primarily with back bones and gizzards with less collagen won't gel up as well, but do have other nutrients. Simmer bone broths even longer than veg broths to extract all the nutrients. You can use the leftover carcass of a roast chicken this way with excellent results too.

For mushroom stock, simply simmer your mushroom stems with lots of dried shiitake mushrooms, some garlic, peppercorn, and thyme (fresh and dried both work fine.)

For Rather Crafty, I make a huge batch of veggie broth every week and use it in soups, sauces, and often as a cooking liquid for grains. When I'm making mushroom-based soups and other dishes, I make mushroom broth.

Since choosing to incorporate some animal foods back into my diet, I find that making stock from chicken and turkey bones is a nourishing way to try to heal my digestive system and my joints. I also feel better about using every possible part of the animal. While I would rather not have to use animal products at all, if my health demands that I do then it feels a lot better to use every scrap. No waste!

Healing, and a resolution

Hello wonderful people!

I am in the process of transforming this blog from a place to announce menus into, well, a blog. I'll be posting recipes, kitchen adventures, and a little about my health journey. Hopefully, my experiences can help others along their journeys too!

As some of you know, I haven't been in the best of health lately. As part of my healing, I have made a resolution: I will choose to be near a body of water almost every day. Walking to work at CeL, I am fortunate to cross the Charles. Walking to JP, I go via the Pond. I always feel better when I spend time in the woods and/or near some water. I'm also noticing that I feel better when I don't work all day, every day. I didn't work yesterday. I rested, I napped, I went for a walk, and it was amazing. Some people only work five days a week, and only eight hours at a stretch! Sounds crazy - I'll have to look into that.  ;)

Today, I only had a few hours of work to do. When I was done, I had the opportunity to go to Wellesley and walk around Lake Waban. I haven't been there for years. It was awesome. Here's a crooked picture I took with my phone:

On the right, you can see Galen Stone Tower. That's where the carillon is. In front of it, the Clapp Library is mostly obscured by trees. On the left, you see the Tower Court dorm complex, including Severance Hall where I lived during my first year.

I had almost forgotten how many rhododendrons there are on and near the campus. So very many! Some things have changed on campus, but that is not one of them.

Something that has changed for me this year is my digestion. I have always gone through periods when digestion was easier and periods when it was more difficult. Since July, I have been experiencing consistently very difficult digestion, and it has affected every area of my life.


I've gone through lots of tests. I'm tired of tests. Last week I swallowed a camera. It took pictures of my esophagus, stomach, and small intestine over a period of nearly eight hours. Crazy! Maybe there will be results to discuss tomorrow.

The next round is lactulose breath testing. What does that mean? I have to fast overnight (no water or anything) then tomorrow I will go in and drink a solution of lactulose in water. Lactulose is a disaccharide (double sugar) made of fructose and galactose. I will drink the solution, then hang out in the doctor's office. At regular intervals, I will breathe into a device that will measure hydrogen and/or methane in my breath. This will tell us if there are too many bacteria in my small intestine. The bacteria should mostly be in the large intestine, not the small intestine. If they're hanging out in the small intestine, that would explain the excessive tummy bloat and some other symptoms. It would also mean that there's something we can do to treat this and then I can start feeling better!

So far, things that seem to help include:

Vitamin D
Pantothenic acid
Drinking homemade broth
Relaxing
Taking a day or two off from work
Increasing and diversifying my protein intake
Diversifying sources of fat
Simple meals - Not combining too much starch into protein meals, and not too much protein or fat in meals that contain fruit or other sweets

Things that cause trouble:

Grains, other than occasionally a little white rice (some are worse than others)
Beans, and all legumes (some cause anaphylaxis, and others cause other symptoms)
Too many seeds
Too many nuts
Too many onions at once
Too little protein or fat
Combining protein and fat with fruit or sweets in the same meal
Eating too often. I get really bloated if I eat again within a couple hours after eating a prior meal or snack.

I can't figure out all the factors yet, because I still get bloated after most meals, even some that should be easier to digest.

And here is the hard part, where I have to tell you that I am no longer eating a vegan diet.

I was vegan for two years. There were so many things I loved about it, but here's the thing: I'm allergic to most legumes, highly sensitive to the rest, and I can't digest grains or pseudograins anymore. I've been dealing with chronic inflammation and other issues, and I basically ran out of protein sources. I tracked my diet, and discovered I rarely consumed more than 30 or 40 grams of protein a day. That's just not enough. I had almost no significant sources of lysine, or of a few other essential amino acids. I stopped being able to digest flaxseed, so I had very limited sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. I was worn out and feeling brittle. I was experiencing wild weight fluctuations, completely unrelated to calorie intake. I had muscle tears that weren't healing. I was consistently getting inadequate pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid insufficiency is not something Western doctors even test for, because normal diets are very rich in it. It's very plentiful in egg yolks, grains, all animal foods, and legumes. It's also plentiful in avocados, which may explain why I craved them so much! But woman can not live on avocado alone.

So I'm again eating a careful omnivorous diet.

It has been a challenging journey to get here; I am sorry if it offends anyone.

Some aspects of my health have been improved by starting to eat fish. Some aspects have greatly improved by including eggs, especially the B-vitamin-rich yolks. I get the eggs from our friends at Stillman Family Farms. I have been out to their farms, and I have met the animals. I know that they are treated humanely and live happy lives. The chickens scratch outdoors. The lambs and calves grow up in pastures with their mothers. They're not fattened up with hormones or antibiotics. If you're going to eat animal products, it is so important to know how the animals are treated.

So that's what's up here in Craftyland. I hope you are all doing well! I hope to be doing well soon too.

Love,
Mary

Muffin Mania!

Twelve dozen banana buckwheat chocolate chip muffins. That is what I have baked. Twelve. Dozen. My oven only holds two dozen at a time, people. *WHEW* Okay, now on to the scones!

Bunny emergency! Delivery postponed until Friday.

Hello everyone,

I am very sorry but I have had an emergency and I must postpone the cooking and deliveries this week. I can deliver on Friday. Please let me know if this is ok, and if you need to adjust your order accordingly. If you need to amend or cancel your order, I will understand completely.

Our bunny, Penelope, has been sick. She spent the weekend in the hospital. Hopefully, she will come home tomorrow or the next day. She has great doctors and nurses, and is making good progress. In the meantime, I just haven't been able to spend time in the kitchen to cook this week's food.

I will be able to deliver the same menu to you on Friday, December 7.

I am very sorry for the inconvenience. It's been a rough couple of days!

Thank you for your understanding.

Love,
Chef Mary

One Last Menu: Monday, December 3

Hello CraftyLand!

The holiday season is upon us! Shops are decorated for Christmas. Hanukkah begins soon. And the weather is finally turning just a bit wintry.

As you know, this will be the last menu for delivery for a while. Of course, I am available to come and cook in your home or for special events of almost any size. I can accommodate a wide range of dietary needs and tailor cooking specifically for your needs.

There will be plenty of opportunities to see me around town, too! I'll still be cooking at Cuisine en Locale, for large and small events, pop-ups, and ONCEs. And don't forget to check out the Downtown Crossing Holiday Market - lots of local small businesses (including Alex's Ugly Sauce for the next couple weeks) are set up there every day until 7 pm to help you finish your holiday shopping!

Without further ado, here it is! A delightful new menu with a touch of holiday flair. This menu will be ready for delivery on Monday, December 3.

Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Much love,
Chef Mary

************************************

SOUP:

Pumpkin Apple Soup! Not spicy, but richly flavored with sage and nutmeg, this soup will warm your soul on any winter night! $9

PLATES:

Vegetable Lasagna: Gluten free brown rice pasta layered with plenty of seasonal veggies and cashew "ricotta." What kinds of veggies? That's up to the farmer's market, but I expect to see butternut squash, tasty greens, and more. $13

Carrot Masala Dip: Vivid flavors warm you from your tastebuds to your toes. With sesame tahini, fresh ginger, and warming spices. Served with fresh veggies to dip. $12

Red Bean and Seasonal Veggie Chili: Nourishing, warm, and just a bit spicy. Served with brown rice. $11

BAKERY:

Banana Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Muffins! Everyone's favorite! I can do them without chocolate on request. $10 half dozen, $18 dozen

By popular request, my famous Chocolate Hazelnut Spread! Served with chocolate chip scones so yummy you'd never know they were gluten free and vegan. (I can do a chocolate-free, cinnamon-vanilla version with cream scones on request.) Yum! $12

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Please inform me or remind me if you have any allergies or sensitivities. I do not use wheat, gluten, meat, fish, egg, dairy, soy, or peanut in any Rather Crafty dishes. I do use tree nuts and seeds in some dishes, and while I am careful to minimize the risk of cross-contact, some risk exists. I use fresh fruits and veggies, local and/or organic when possible. Below is a guide to help you choose based on allergies, but it is not a comprehensive ingredients list.

SOUP: Small amount of cooked garlic and onion in broth and soup itself. No nuts.
LASAGNA: Will probably contain some cooked garlic. Will definitely contain cashews.
DIP: Contains some garlic. Contains sesame. No tree nuts. Richly flavored with Indian spices, but not super hot.
CHILI: Some cooked onion and garlic. No nuts. Contains beans. A little spicy.
MUFFINS: No nuts. May be done without chocolate on request.
CHOCOLATE SPREAD: Contains nuts. Scones contain cashews.

RAW: Choose carrot dip and the chocolate spread without scones.
GRAIN FREE: Choose soup, carrot dip, chili minus the rice, and chocolate spread without the scones.
ACD: Savory dishes are good choices for most. Muffins and chocolate spread are somewhat sweet; use your best judgement.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Love,
Chef Mary

Gratitude and Vitamin D

I'm feeling inspired to post an actual, you know, blog post here on the blog. For almost two years, I have only really posted weekly menus. Now that I'm taking Rather Crafty in a new direction, I think I will start using the blog as an actual blog every now and then.

I was inspired by Lillian's Test Kitchen. Lillian is not a professional chef, she's just a person with food sensitivities. She very bravely makes recipes for the first time on camera, then tells the whole internet about them. How brave is that!

On top of the recipe testing, she has been doing a series lately about what she calls GratiTUDE - simply the attitude of being grateful. Today was day 42 and she posted about avocados. As you know, the avocado is my favorite fruit! I'm incredibly grateful for avos too! They are creamy, satisfying, go great in sweet or savory dishes and salads, and are amazing on their own with just a sprinkling of sea salt.

Another thing I am grateful for is vitamin D. Some of you know I have been experiencing some challenges lately. One of the things tests have uncovered is a low level of vitamin D. I suspect that in addition to not making much of it (Boston is not the best place to get direct sunlight, especially this time of year) I was probably also not correctly absorbing or utilizing what I was making.

I've made some significant diet and lifestyle changes recently. I've been working on uncovering hidden sensitivities and nourishing my body back to its best health. One thing that I recently started doing is supplementing with a high dose of vitamin D. I've also introduced a wider variety of fats, in an effort to better absorb fat soluble vitamins and other micronutrients. The difference is noticeable already!

I recommend that everyone get their vitamin D levels checked, especially those of us with sensitivities and weird, hard-to-explain symptoms. If you are low, even if you're not that low, you might consider supplementation. Making this hormone yourself in the sunshine is the best way to get it, but it's November and the sun's rays are no longer direct enough for that plan to work. There's a lot of controversy about indoor tanning; enough to warrant an entire post of its own. Eating foods naturally rich in D is helpful, but there aren't many and it is very difficult to get enough that way. If you want to try to get enough from diet, wild caught salmon and cod liver oil are among the best natural sources. Supplementation through enriched foods can be a pretty good backup plan for some folks, but that means you have to actually eat those enriched, factory-produced foods.

I've never been one for taking a whole lot of pills, but I do suddenly find myself taking some now and I feel better for it.

(I am not a doctor. This is not to be construed as medical advice and so forth. It is my opinion. It is supported by the science.)

So I'm grateful for the flexibility to adapt. And I'm grateful that my health is improving!

I'm also extremely grateful for all of you who have made Rather Crafty great. It's been a fun ride so far, and while it's changing, it's far from over! I look forward to writing and cooking for you lots more in the future.

Much love,
Chef Mary

New Menu for Monday, November 26 and an Announcement

Happy Thanksgiving week!

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to cook for you and your families these last two years. I am very lucky to have gotten to know you!

I have a difficult announcement to make. I will be delivering Monday, November 26 and Monday, December 3, and then I will be putting Rather Crafty's weekly deliveries on indefinite hiatus. This hasn't been an easy decision, but it is what I must do.

I will continue to be available for events and special orders. I will definitely be available to come and cook in your home. I can spend an afternoon cooking for you or with you in your kitchen. When I'm done, there will be plenty of yummy food tailored specifically to your family's needs and preferences. I can put some in the fridge for that week, and some in the freezer for later. I can also teach you some of my recipes! It's fun to gather your friends in the kitchen and learn a new recipe or method. Always wondered how I make the muffins so tender and delicious? Why my soups are so nourishing? Here's a great chance to learn! I can even teach your kids and their friends age-appropriate techniques and recipes. I have years of experience baking with and for kids.

So I hope to remain part of your culinary lives! In the meantime, I'll be working on a cookbook, among other projects. You'll still see me at the farmers' markets. (Our friends the Stillmans will be in JP Saturdays through December, then at the Winter Farmers Market at the Somerville Armory on Saturdays through May. Our friends at Alex's Ugly Sauce will be at the Downtown Crossing Holiday Markets a lot in the next month and a half. Check them out!)

So with a bold look forward, and some sadness too, here is the second to last weekly menu. I will deliver this menu on Monday, November 26.

Thank you so much, and I look forward to cooking for you soon!

Much love,

Chef Mary

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SOUP:

Roasted Beet Soup! Liven up your chilly evening with this lovely fuschia soup! Great hot or cold. $9

PLATES:

Southwestern black bean dip, with crunchy veggies on the side. Yum! $10

Roasted root veggie medley, with millet and green veggies du jour. Topped with toasted pumpkin seeds. $11

Butternut squash stuffed potatoes! One of my all-time favorites, with green veggies to round it out. Served with a dollop of cultured cashew creme on the side. $12

BAKERY:

Cranberry ginger muffins! $10 half dozen, $18 dozen

Maple walnut granola balls $9

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Please inform me (or remind me) if you have any sensitivities or allergies. Everything is free of dairy, egg, meat, and other animal products. I do not use wheat or other gluten grains. I do not use soy or peanut. I do use fresh fruits and veggies (local and/or organic when possible), tree nuts, seeds, beans, and non-gluten grains.

SOUP: Contains cashews. I can do a small batch without on request. Contains just a little onion and garlic.
BEAN DIP: A little onion and garlic. Slightly spicy, but won't knock your socks off. Safe for most.
ROOTS: I think this one is safe for everyone!
POTATOES: If you're sensitive to cashews, skip the creme. Should be safe for everyone that way. Filling contains nutritional yeast, which is not related to candida. Also contains a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar and just a little garlic.
MUFFINS: Safe for all; ACD use your judgement.
GRANOLA BALLS: Contain almonds and walnuts. ACD use your judgement.

Corn-free: There is no corn in anything this week.
Grain-free: Choose soup, bean dip, and potatoes.
Garlic and onion: a little in the soup and bean dip. Tiny bit of garlic in potatoes.
Nut-free: Choose bean dip, roots, potatoes minus cashew creme, soup minus the cashews, and the muffins.
ACD: Savories are all great choices. Sweets in moderation are reasonably good choices for later stages.

Thanks for reading!

Love,
Your very favorite personal chef, Mary

A Crafty Thanksgiving Menu for Tuesday, 11/20

Happy Thanksgiving!

That's right, next Thursday is Thanksgiving Day!

Some of you will spend it with family, some with friends, and some will choose a quieter evening. I'm told that some folks even watch parades or football games on TV. Holidays bring their own challenges though - sometimes a holiday buffet offers few choices for the sensitive. Some of you are vegetarian or vegan. Some need help finding something that's gluten-free or soy-free. And of course some of you just want a hand with delicious veggie dishes that you could serve as sides or mains!

Well, here in CraftyLand, I've got some great dishes to help you out! All could serve as mains, sides, or food for days other than the holiday itself. Bring a few to a potluck, and save a few for yourself. Some dishes are particularly Thanksgiving-y, and others are versatile enough to enjoy any day of the year.

This week I will be delivering on Tuesday, November 20. Why Tuesday? Well, many of you will be travelling Tuesday or Wednesday, so I want to get your food to you as early as possible. But I also want to make sure it's fresh and awesome for your big meal on Thursday. Tuesday just makes sense this week.

If you have a different location or schedule on Tuesday (for example, you're leaving for the airport at 3 so want to make sure your food is in your hands earlier) let me know and we'll work something out.

Thanks, and I look forward to helping you have a fantastic and relaxed Thanksgiving!

Much love,
Chef Mary

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SOUP:

Broccoli potato soup! A lovely green, this mostly-pureed soup is richly flavored, nutritious, and surprisingly creamy, even without dairy or nuts. $9

PLATES:

Pumpkin salad! Fresh greens topped with roasted sunshine squash and maple-cayenne walnuts. With a balsamic dressing on the side. My favorite! $12

Boston baked beans are the official state bean of Massachusetts! The ever-popular, slow-simmered beans, served with veg du jour and a sweet potato corn muffin. $11

Carnival squash stuffed with mushrooms, wild rice, and local sage. A sophisticated main or side for your festive table. Served with some of my delicious mushroom gravy on the side.  $13

Just groovy mushroom gravy. How often do you get to enjoy a vegan, gluten free gravy that is even better than the traditional kind? 100% homemade, including the veggie-mushroom broth. $9/ pint

BAKERY:

Sweet potato corn muffins! Will they keep well until Thursday? Yes! These muffins stay fresh and the flavors develop for days. So get extra for the Thanksgiving table, and for breakfast the next morning! $10 half dozen, $18 dozen.

Pear and apple crisp, with a crunchy topping of gluten free oats and warming spices. With cinnamon vanilla cashew creme on the side. $9

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Please inform me (or remind me) if you have any allergies or sensitivities. Everything is free of dairy, egg, meat, soy, peanut, wheat, and gluten ingredients. Below is a helpful guide to choosing with sensitivities, but is not a comprehensive ingredients list.

Soup does not contain nuts. It contains a little garlic. Broth also contains some garlic and onion.
Pumpkin salad contains walnuts. I can put them on the side if you like, or substitute pumpkin seeds. Dressing contains balsamic vinegar. No alliums.
Baked beans contain a small amount of fully cooked onion and garlic.
Stuffed squash contains some cooked onion, but not a whole lot. Gravy contains cashews, but it's on the side. Both contain mushrooms.
Muffins contain cornmeal. No nuts.
Crisp contains almonds. Cashew creme contains cashews.

ACD: There's some brown sugar in the baked beans. There's balsamic vinegar and just a splash of maple in the salad dressing. Nuts on salad contain maple. Salad with pumpkin seeds instead of nuts is a great ACD choice, if you tolerate balsamico. Soup is an excellent choice. If you tolerate cooked mushrooms, then the squash is a great choice too. Baked goods are naturally a little sweeter; crisp moreso than muffins.

Grain-free: Choose soup, pumpkin salad, and baked beans without the muffin.

And we're back! A Crafty new menu for Monday, 11/12

Welcome back to autumn. I've missed you!

It's been an exciting season for all of us, with lots of events, challenging weather, suspenseful elections, and plenty more going on. I hope you are all weathering the latest storm comfortably!

I'm writing to you from my family's home in Connecticut, where it is snowing hard. The internet was down all day, but it's finally back up. Huzzah!

I will be back in Boston in time to cook this delicious menu for you. Please place orders through Saturday night. I will deliver to your home or workplace on Monday afternoon, November 12. If you are a teacher or otherwise not planning to be where you usually are on Veterans' Day, let me know and we'll make alternate arrangements.

Thanks so much, and I look forward to cooking for you soon!

Much love,

Chef Mary

SOUP

Curried Carrot Almond Soup. Bring some warm sunshine into this snowy, slushy weekend! $9

PLATES

Autumn Bento featuring black rice onigiri, local veggie kinpira, and delicious farmers market treats! $12

Sweet Potatoes with caramelized onions and homemade dried local apples. (Contains a very small amount of honey.) Served with quinoa and veg du jour, and topped with cashews. $12

Raw sprouted sunflower seed hummus with crunchy veggies to dip.  Yum! $10

BAKERY

Pumpkin muffins with chocolate chips! One of Earnest's favorites. (Chocolate may be omitted on request.) $10 half dozen, $18 dozen

Mint Chocolate Frogs! Harry Potter fans will especially appreciate these peppermint-filled chocolate critters. $10

Please inform me (or remind me) before ordering if you have any allergies or sensitivities. All menu items are free of soy, peanut, wheat, gluten, meat, egg, and dairy ingredients.

The following is not a comprehensive ingredients list. It's simply a summary that I hope will help the most sensitive among us order.

SOUP: Contains almonds, and some cooked garlic and onion. Will be flavorful, but not super spicy.

BENTO: Contains sesame, nuts, beans, and garlic.

SWEET POTATOES: Contains cashews, which can be omitted or switched to pumpkin seeds on request. Contains cooked onions.

HUMMUS: Contains sesame and sunflower seeds. No beans or tree nuts. Contains raw garlic.

MUFFINS: Chocolate may be omitted on request.

FROGS: Contain chocolate and coconut.

Raw: Choose hummus.

Grain-free: Choose soup, hummus, and frogs.

Low sugar: All the savories are good choices. Muffins are not too sweet. Frogs are dark chocolate; use personal judgment.

ACD: As above, all the savories are good choices, depending on tolerance to vinegar. Bento fillings may contain a little rice vinegar, ACV, and coconut aminos (made from naturally fermented coconut sap, this sauce tastes similar to soy sauce, but is 100% GF and soy free too! Sugar free; generally considered safe for ACD.) Hummus contains nutritional yeast (not related to candida) and a tiny bit of raw apple cider vinegar. The dried apples on the sweet potatoes add only a little sweetness, but I can leave them off if you don't tolerate dried fruit. There is only a trace of honey, to keep them from oxidizing while dehydrating.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Much love,
Chef Mary

A Short Break

Hello Crafty Land!

I am sorry to tell you that there will be no menu for delivery next week or the following week. I have some extended family matters that I must attend to.

I am so sorry I was not able to give you longer notice!

I hope to see you all and cook for you again soon.

Much love,
Chef Mary