Soup’s On!
Like many of you, when I learned last March that my best “gift” to 
humanity was to hibernate, I decided to embrace this moment as a time for introspection and reflection. I also decided (on a less philosophical note) to clean out every cabinet in my house and instituted a strict 3 pm stop time on work each Friday to clean our home.
With a home office and a virtual team, my days didn’t have a beginning, middle or an end. So I made up daily cues each day to create transitions away from my many hours on Zoom. One of the shifts became a “classic cocktail” hour complete with Marcona almonds, Moroccan olives and Majorero cheese.
When the weather warmed up and we were able to begin a little semblance of the past, Steve and I started to host small gatherings with our “social isolation bubble.” With an attire ranging from yoga pants to a maxi-dresses I didn’t appreciate that my scales were shifting.
I’m sharing a little glimpse into my life because to my dismay (and honestly a bit of horror) I realized on Sunday, August 23rd that I had gained 6 pounds.
With the shift into Fall temperatures I decided it was time “clean-up my act”
How am I doing it? One step at a time … with my tried and true friend – the slow cooker.
Step 1
I headed out to Whole Foods Market and loaded up with fresh veggies and several quarts of broth
Step 2
I pulled out my trusty slow cooker which was tucked away for the summer.
Step 3
I sautéed 2 leeks, 1 fennel bulb and rummaged through my fridge to find a couple of carrots.
Step 4
I tossed everything in my slow cooker with a quart of veggie broth, a packet of Indian Dal spices and a 1/2 tsp of salt and set the timer to 3 hours on high.
Step 5
3 hours later I took out my Vitamix and pureed a batch of delicious, steaming hot soup for a 3:00 pm pick me up.
With a cup of nutrient rich soup I no longer craved something around 5 pm to break-up my day.
We all have an array of unused vegetables – this is a great way to put them to good work! With that spirit in mind, Jane will be sending out some of our favorite soups perfect for the autumn weather ahead.
And … fresh off my 2 week road trip out West I’m starting a cleanse with my friend Pam Gross at the Bread and Buddha kitchen. With Pam’s encouragement, my trusty slow cooker and some simple recipes I’ll be back in my jeans by the end of the month!
Looking Ahead
Yoga & Cooking Class
We would love to have you join us on Sunday, October 25th as we partner with our friend Mary Beth Johnson. Mary Beth will be leading us through a mindfulness exercise, yoga followed by a cooking class presented by Jane on how to create a plant based Buddha bowl. A spice blend is included in the class and part of the proceeds will be a gratitude donation to the Urban Growers Collective. Please contact Meg@thezenofslowcooking.com if you are interested in learning more.
Holiday Zen
In celebration of being a Certified B Corp, Women Owned Business we have created a “B the Change” holiday gift box for the holidays. Each box will have 2 of our exclusive whole spice infusions and a beautiful, hand-crafted Peace Candle created by another Women Owned B Corp, Prosperity Candle. With the purchase of each box we’ll be making a donation to the North Lawndale Employment Network. As a home-grown Chicagoan I love my city and NLEN is working hard to offer a brighter future. If you are interested in having a customized enclosure card, please please email me at meg@thezenofslowcooking.com. We’re able to customize each gift enclosure with your signature if received by October 15th. I’ll be personally hand-packing each box and would be happy write a personal message on your card.
Blends & Broth Instagram Giveaway
? Not 1, not 2, keep going – 4 bottles of Five Way Broths! Slow simmered and packed with nutrients with nutrients
? A variety pack of all natural herb and spice blends for the Instant Pot or slow cookerSampler pack and 4 slow-cooked broths (your choice.)
We’re excited to work with Five Way Foods this month as both of us are 
committed to creating food that is good for your body and soul. As their Founder, John Hopkins, says In 2016, “There are no shortcuts to making the finest, most delicious bone broth. At Five Way Foods, our slow-cooked broth is crafted with care from beginning to end. ”
Stay tuned for a discount code to use on Five Way Foods next week!
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
October is breast cancer awareness month and we are raising funds and awareness for this disease. This month we are celebrating the life of our beloved National Sales Manager and breast cancer survivor Vonda Britt! Each time you place an order this month we’ll be making a donation in her honor (15% of all proceeds). To Vonda!
Zen Moment
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow’.”
-Mary Anne Radmacher.
