January 2013

2013 - The Year The Earth Began To Sing - 

     Happy, Joyous, Mirthful, Exuberant, Ecstatic, Full of Possibility 2013! We're so thankful for all of your enthusiasm and love; it's exciting to be part of such a vibrant community, that continues to move forward and embrace a sense of deeper place in this world. In addition to our January Specials (which are simply delectable) we have some exciting things coming up soon. We're excited to announce our next Special Dinner! Every year on Valentine's Day, we close our University location early, and flip our cafe into a full service fine dining establishment. For anyone who has not attended, this is no ordinary dinner. Our chefs collaborate on 2 separate, 3 course meals - 1 simply Vegan, 1 Vegan & Raw. This is when our staff has the ability to dream a vision, flex their creative muscles, and sculpt gourmet vegan delights that would not be possible on our regular menu. Gluten Free? No Problem! Both Menus will be Gluten Free this year. We'll be announcing the full details shortly, including instructions on how to RSVP. 

     Going to the Market? We'll be at this upcoming Saturday's, the 12th, University Farmer's Market hosting a soup demo. Stop by between 11-1 for a taste, and some great tips on working with seasonal ingredients. On the 22nd, we're hosting a Public Health Cafe at our West Seattle location. The PHC is an open forum discussion hosted by the UW; it centers around a key environmental health topic, this month is Pesticides & Food: What are the Health Risks? read more!

     The flu and cold season is here, and has already had major impact across our community. Take power into your own hands; drinking fresh juices with immuno-supports, like ginger and garlic is a great start. Our Flu Buster for example: apple, orange, ginger, lemon and garlic, topped with cayenne - served hot - or the Immune Boost: Apple, Pear, Carrot, Celery, Parsley and Ginger. Refined sugars lower your immune response, meaning you'll get sick easier and faster, so if you want something sweet this month, we would recommend something that has both natural sugars and systemic value, like a fresh smoothie. Our Peachier Peachy Keen is a great example; made with frozen bananas, peaches from Rama Farm and raw hemp milk, it will put the best "ice cream" treat to shame - it contains, among others: vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B-6, fiber, manganese, vitamin A, B-carotene, omega-3, omega-6 and protein. 

      We are partnering with Found & Foraged edibles for our January specials, in our perpetual endeavor to source the best local and sustainable ingredients. They harvest wild foods and do so with a mission. They believe in the culinary and medicinal benefits of what they offer, and bring back a connection to the land. Their products are harvested throughout the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to southern British Columbia, from the Pacific Ocean to the continental divide. Keeping the focus on local Pacific Northwest products ensures consistency and quality, as well as reducing the time it takes from the forest to the plate. We have chosen the Chatarelle mushroom in particular; sauteed with anaheim peppers, wrapped with rice, beans and a little cashew cheese, inside our GF Buckwheat tortilla, topped with a spicy tomato ranch sauce - our Gluten Free Chantarelle Burrito. 

     This month we are also proud to offer a Raw Burger, a nut and veggie patty served on lettuce, with raw ketchup and both marinated and dehydrated onions - the words "Raw Burger" may in any other case terrify, but in this case, do not fear! Love Breakfast? We've introduced a Chia Pudding! With Hemp and Coconut Milk, Maple Syrup and sliced Banana, topped with toasted almond and coconut flakes, it may be too much to pass up. Chia is much more than a fun sculptural decoration, it's nutritive and delicious. read more about chia!

     We Wish you the Best January and the Best year Ahead - let not only the Earth sing, let us raise our voices in song together. Check out our website and facebook for upcoming events & more information about the Valentine's Dinner. 

Love,

The Chaco Canyon Family