Are you an Olive fan? Check out Alive & Well organic olives which come from small, family farms and village co-ops in Greece, who follow the same traditional agricultural methods used in the region for thousands of years. Some of the trees are over 1,000 years old. The raw, heirloom olives are grown, harvested and cured to capture their delicious flavors while delivering naturally occurring probiotics and essential nutrients - active cultures, with 3.6 million CFUs (colony forming units) and 55 million CFUs per jar.​ Enjoy as an appetizer, or in your favorite entree!

Together is a storybook of 50 recipes of The Hubb Community Kitchen in London, a group of women who have come together to prepare fresh food for their community after being displaced following the Grenfell Tower fire. Hubb means 'love' in Arabic. They began to use the kitchen at Al-Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre. They all shared the kitchen for two days every week, preparing food and eating together. Word spread and more local women began to join in embracing community and supporting their neighbors in their time of need.
Soon there were women from different cultures all cooking, swapping recipes, talking and laughing. As they cooked they began to heal and look forward and describe it as a place of good food, love, support and friendship.
The women invite you to make their favorite simple dishes, many handed down over generations from the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Eastern Mediterranean, and include vegan and vegetarian. For those not vegetarian you can use tofu, tempeh or other plant based meat. Recipes include Green Chili and Avocado Dip, Eggplant Masala, Carmelized Plum Upside-down cake, Spiced Mint Tea and lots more.
Every dish tells a story of history, culture and family, and the book includes a forward by HRH The Duchess of Sussex. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this book will help the Hubb Community Kitchen to strengthen lives and communities through cooking.

Spying on Whales The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures by Nick Pension is called “the best of science writing” (Edward O. Wilson) and named a best book by Popular Science, a dive into the secret lives of whales, from their four-legged past to their perilous present. 

“A palaeontological howdunnit…[Spying on Whales] captures the excitement of…seeking answers to deep questions in cetacean science.” --Nature
We at Gratitude Gourmet highly recommend this book to our readers.

"Whales are among the largest, most intelligent, deepest diving species to have ever lived on our planet. They evolved from land-roaming, dog-sized creatures into animals that move like fish, breathe like us, can grow to 300,000 pounds, live 200 years and travel entire ocean basins. Whales fill us with terror, awe, and affection–yet there is still so much we don’t know about them. Why did it take whales over 50 million years to evolve to such big sizes, and how do they eat enough to stay that big? How did their ancestors return from land to the sea–and what can their lives tell us about evolution as a whole? Importantly, in the sweepstakes of human-driven habitat and climate change, will whales survive?

Nick Pyenson’s research has given us the answers to some of our biggest questions about whales. He takes us deep inside the Smithsonian’s unparalleled fossil collections, to frigid Antarctic waters, and to the arid desert in Chile, where scientists race against time to document the largest fossil whale site ever found. Full of rich storytelling and scientific discovery, Spying on Whales spans the ancient past to an uncertain future–all to better understand the most enigmatic creatures on Earth."

Nick Pyenson is the curator of fossil marine mammals at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. His work has taken him to every continent, and his scientific discoveries frequently appear in the New York Times.
Enjoy reading this book!

Here's a great Recipe for Green Lentil Vegetable Lasagne For Two courtesy of Explore Cuisine.

 Prep Time 20 minutes
 Cook Time 20 minutes

• Ingredients:
• 5 sheets green lentil lasagne cooked 6 minutes, drained
• 1  Japanese eggplant sliced thin lengthwise
• 1 Red Bell Pepper sliced into oblongs
• olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 2 oz Mozzarella
• 1/2 cup bechamel sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Lightly coat the vegetables with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast on a baking sheet until tender. Turn down the oven to 325°F.
2. Lasagne 2 oz. Mozzarella, shredded 1/2 c. béchamel sauce olive oil
3. In a baking dish the approximate size of lasagne sheets – brush the dish with a small amount of olive oil. Place one sheet of lasagne on the bottom. Layer with vegetables, mozzarella, béchamel and lasagna sheets. Repeat. Top with last lasagna sheet with béchamel. Bake at 325°F until heated through

Enjoy!!

BetterBody Foods Organic Chia Seeds:
Did you know that chia seeds can be used in baking as an egg replacement?  These magical little seeds are small in size, but they pack a punch in terms of nutritional value, texture, taste AND versatility.  In fact, “chia” was the ancient word Mayans used for strength.

• Just one serving of organic chia seeds gives you protein, fiber, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, thiamin and omega-3 fatty acids
• Because of all their fiber, chia seeds can absorb around 12 times their weight in water, which then gives you more sustained energy and helps you feel fuller longer
• Shake and bake — Shake some Organic Chia Seeds into your favorite muffin recipe, or use as an egg replacement by mixing 1 Tbsp. Organic Chia Seeds with 3 Tbsp. water and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Protein power — You'll find 2g of protein in every serving of Organic Chia Seeds. Add to your smoothie or juice. Sprinkle on yogurt, salad or cereal to add a nutritious boost.
• Neutral Taste — Chia seeds are virtually tasteless and can be added to your favorite foods. For added texture and protein, add chia seeds to smoothies, oatmeal or yogurt for a satisfying snack
• Suitable for All Diets — This omega powerhouse supports all dietary restrictions considering they are gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, raw, low-carb and paleo-friendly
• Check out this COOL Blueberry-Lime Chia Popsicle Recipe courtesy of Better Body Foods!
  ​

BetterBody Foods Organic Quinoa
Organic Quinoa really does have it all going on. Quinoa (keen-wah) has taken the world by storm because it takes on the flavors you cook it with, adds protein and fiber to any dish, and is easy to make. Quinoa has grown in Bolivia and the mountains of the Andes for thousands of years, acting as a staple food for indigenous people in South America. It didn’t appear in the United States until NASA discovered the super food as they searched for a nutrient rich food to give astronauts on long space missions.

• Organic Quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids that your body needs every day
• One serving of this delicious blend has calcium, iron and six grams of protein. 
• Quinoa is one of a few complete plant-based proteins. It contains all nine essential amino acids.
• Use in place of rice, couscous or other grains. Great for salads, soups, breakfast and more. It’s a great choice for everything from hot cereals to dinner side dishes. 
• One serving of Organic Quinoa contains six grams of protein. Go ahead and power up.

Smooth Feet is a beauty product created by Legendary Apothecary a new beauty brand based in Los Angeles, California. Smooth Feet is a simple "Old World" recipe that really leaves feet soft, smooth and hydrated. Simple ingredients include vegetable glycerin, pure lavender oil and grain alcohol (does not dry out the skin).  Made in the USA, Smooth Feet is organic, vegan, cruelty-free and KIND. Currently 10 percent of Legendary Apothecary profits are donated to human, animal and environmental efforts. Product Specs: Size, 1.0 Fl oz.; MSRP: $35.00. Enjoy your smooth feet!

We recommend this new book and will give it to the children  and parents in our lives: The Parents Guide to a Climate Revolution - 100 Ways to Build a Fossil-Free Future, Raise Empowered Kids, and Still Get a Good Night’s Sleep.
​
“Relax,” writes author Mary DeMocker, “this isn’t another light bulb list. It’s not another overwhelming pile of parental ‘to dos’ designed to shrink your family’s carbon footprint through eco-superheroism.” Instead, DeMocker lays out a lively, empowering, and doable blueprint for engaging families in the urgent endeavor of climate revolution. In this book’s brief, action-packed chapters, you’ll learn hundreds of wide-ranging ideas for being part of the revolution — from embracing simplicity parenting, to freeing yourself from dead-end science debates, to teaching kids about the power of creative protest, to changing your lifestyle in ways that deepen family bonds, improve moods, and reduce your impact on the Earth. Engaging and creative, this vital resource is for everyone who wants to act effectively — and empower children to do the same.

Endorsements
“This is a book for anyone, of any age, who believes in the power of human creativity, or anyone who needs a dose of hope. It’s not too late to seek a newer world.”
— Richard Louv, author of The Nature Principle, Last Child in the Woods, and Vitamin N

“Trust me, this is going to be fun.”
— Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature

“A great prescription for anyone concerned about protecting future generations. The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution is encouraging, entertaining and, most of all, deeply empowering.”
— Catia Juliana, climate activist and mother of Kelsey Juliana, youth plaintiff in the Juliana v. U.S. climate lawsuit against the federal government

“I love this book. Our current climate crisis can easily feel overwhelming, well beyond the reach of any single individual. This sense of powerlessness is often magnified for parents. In this wonderful, inspiring book, Mary DeMocker offers up a potent antidote — a compelling collection of simple, yet effective activities that any child, teen, or adult can engage in. The pathway to a thriving future will emerge from a vibrant vision of our destination, and steps to take us there. The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution is brimming with ideas to carry us on the journey!”
— Scott D. Sampson, PhD, president & CEO of Science World British Columbia; author of How to Raise a Wild Child; science advisor and host of PBS Kids Dinosaur Train

“This book is the most delightful remedy to the feelings of overwhelm that anyone looking seriously at climate change is bound to feel. Read it and enjoy the stories, tangible support, and inspiration from Mary DeMocker’s creative, powerful vision. Engagement really is the antidote to despair, especially for our young people.”
— Kari Marie Norgaard, author of Living in Denial

“The most important thing parents can do is teach their children to grow up loving the Earth. We all protect what we love, just as a parent protects a child. Children should grow up understanding that all life is sacred and that we all drink from the same waters and draw life from the same Earth. I am so excited to see this book in the hands of anyone who wants to create a world we’re proud to pass on to future generations. The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution will empower you and your children to walk hand in hand to turn the tides, gently but effectively, on the biggest issue we face. We owe it to future generations to be the leaders of today so they can have a tomorrow.”
— Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, youth director of Earth Guardians and author of We Rise 

“For the love of children and our planet, devour this essential book and stand with the youth rising across the globe to protect their basic human rights to a livable future. Moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, this book gives you real stories to inspire and concrete ways to be upstanding adults, uplifting the voices of our children in the most important struggle of their lives.”
— Julia Olson, executive director of Our Children’s Trust and lead counsel in Juliana v. U.S.

Chef Patrick Tripp and Eric Wall Owner BottleTaps Craft beer experience in Pleasanton prepared a Special Vegetarian and Vegan Board with a Spicy Prawns added for our visit with Beer Pairings.  If you want to request it, please call in advance. You can also order all the items separately from the menu. The restaurant has a rotating selection of 30 beers on tap and 200 available in bottles or cans, and all of the servers and bartenders are Cicerone Certified Beer Servers.

Here's what our Board included and all items were flavorful, fresh, and the Chocolate Banana Cake is amazing as well! Slideshow Pictures are below.

• Gazpacho - Yellow watermelon, yellow tomato, yellow bell pepper, mango, toasted almonds, and chimichuri served chilled
• Baked Caprese - Heirloom tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil pesto, strawberry balsamic
• Roasted Asparagus - Friseer, pecorino Romano, Meyer lemon olive oil 
• Spicy Prawns - 3 jumbo black prawns, lemon, parsley, chili flake, chunky garlic red pepper sauce 
• Chocolate Banana Cake - Made with fair trade chocolate and rainforest alliance bananas, cinnamon whip

Paired with:
Brother Jordan Brut 
Gilman Blackberry 
Barrel house blonde Sunny days
Old republic Frontier amber 
Kern river Golden coffee 

The 2018 Vegan Chocolate Award Winners by the International Chocolate Salon have been announced, and Gratitude Gourmet is grateful to have been one of the Judges again this year.  See all the Winners HERE.

Are you looking to try something new for date night and add a bit of serendipity by having someone else plan the date night for you, and you can take a phone and digital device break? Check out Bonding Bees where they deliver a date night to your doorstep every month so you can have a date night from the comfort of your own home. Each Bonding Bee’s subscription box includes a game, a recipe with ingredients, a crafting activity, and a relationship building exercise for you to enjoy together. Every month the box is based on a new theme, so the two of you will always have a special surprise to look forward to.

On Sunday evenings in San Francisco, you can now find multi-course tiffin-format dinners priced at either $19.00 or $29.00 per person with optional dessert add-ons at Le Colonial. A tiffin is a steel, stackable, food-separating series of containers. Chef Tuan Phan, a native of Ho Chi Min City, has provided the culinary inspiration for the last 17 years. We chose the following items (pictures below). You must order the Brussel Sprouts and the optional dessert Lemongrass and Lychee Granita, one of the best desserts we've ever enjoyed.

First Tier
Crab Cake Cha Cua - Crispy Coconut Crusted Dungeness Crab Cakes - Cilantro Aioli

Second Tier 
Shrimp Curry Cari Tom - Coconut Curry Jumbo Shrimp Eggplant Mushroom Mango Potato Yellow Onion Taro Basil

Third Tier
Garlic Noodles Mi Xao Toi - Wok Tossed Garlic Noodles Bean Sprouts Scallion

Fourth Tier
Brussel Sprouts Xu Bruxelles - Crispy Sweet Chili Glazed Brussel Sprouts 

Dessert
Lemongrass and Lychee Granita - Kaffir Lime Mousse Coconut Jellies Carmelized Puffed Rice Raspberries