May we keep our compassion alive by eating in such a way that reduces the suffering of living beings, preserves our precious planet, and stops contributing to climate change.  -4th Contemplation

It’s Summer

If you are in a hot climate, here are two recipes for cooling down this summer. MangoNadas and Watermelon Basil Mint Gazpacho.

Also, Mark Your Calendar for the Peace is Every Bite Online Course from Deer Park Monastery starting September 13!

Happy Solstice!  Celebrate with compassionate food.

Parallax Press has a KickStarter Campaign to support creation of the Plum Village Cookbook! Check it out!

We are launching our first Kickstarter campaign, to help support the Plum Village Cookbook. This thoughtfully-crafted cookbook will include beautiful photos of the monastery grounds, kitchens, and farms in Southwest France.

We’re currently crowdfunding to help cover printing costs for this lovely 240-page hardcover that will illustrate Thích Nhất Hạnh’s vision of how the community comes together around food and mindfulness. We would love for you to join us.
If you’d like to support, but aren’t looking to expand your cookbook collection, you can help by spreading the word and forward this email to fellow lovers of plant-based cooking and mindfulness in daily living.View the Kickstarter Campaign

 

Wonderful News! Jem Fredhamn (formerly our brother Phap Ho) has shared a video he offered about the Compassionate Eating Mindfulness Training he offered to all of us. To learn more about Jem (who was one of the initial founders of Earth Holders) and Golden Path visit here.

 

Mindfulness Training on Compassionate Eating
Aware of the suffering caused by human exploitation of animals for food, clothing, cosmetics, medical testing, and the pet industry, I am committed to recognizing the preciousness of all life.

I will learn about the situation of animals as well as establish relationship with wild and domesticated animals in order to deepen my understanding of their happiness and suffering.

I will continue to take steps to lessen my consumption of animal products and to help others to do the same, in a joyful and loving way.

I see my transition to a plant-based lifestyle as a necessary ingredient in a collective awakening and a comprehensive approach to mitigating catastrophic climate change.

Cooking or serving a plant based meal, I shall also remember the plant life this is being offered to sustain my life.

Mindfulness Training in English/Spanish, French, German

 

Announcing the reboot of the Compassionate Eating Webpage 

On October 12, 2007, Thay shared the Blue Cliff Letter and encouraged all of us to move in the direction of compassionate eating. 

Lay communities should be courageous and give rise to the commitment to be vegetarian, at least 15 days each month. If we can do that, we will feel a sense of well-being. We will have peace, joy, and happiness right from the moment we make this vow and commitment. 

To honor and embody Thay’s aspiration and our commitment to the earth, the Earth Holder Community is re-kindling our efforts to share new ways to make plant-based eating easier, more delicious, and more fun.

Members of the Earth Holder Community invite you to learn how to choose and prepare food that supports your commitment to a compassionate world. This way of eating cares well for the planet, for our fellow animals, and for our health.

We are offering the information here to offer support to those who wish to explore, and perhaps move toward, a compassionate, more plant-centered diet. We hope these recipes, nutrition guides, and other resources help you in this important journey.  If you are interested in working together on more ideas for compassionate eating, please email EhcCompassionateEating@gmail.com and let us know!😊

Do you see that, my dear spiritual family? Being vegetarian is already enough to save the world.        

–Thay

The Compassionate Eating Mindfulness Training

Jem Fredham (formerly Chan Phap Ho) wrote our Mindfulness Training several years ago. Here is a short video teaching he has offered to reflect on its manifestation. We are so grateful to our Brother for this gift. 

 

 

Monthly Featured Recipes

We also hope to offer a few new recipes a month to reflect the many food traditions of our global community. 

March:  Soup! The ultimate comfort food. Here are some soups to warm you up on chilly day.  

February:  The year of the Horse begins this month on Feb. 17th. We can celebrate in a fun and delicious way– Spring Roll Party! Spring Roll Party Recipe

January: This new year we will start with a plant-based Hoppin’ John! a traditional African-American Southern New Year’s dish from Chef and culinary historian Kevin Mitchell. Also, a Creole Hoppin’ Jean from Chef Bryant Terry adapted from his Vegan Soul Kitchen. Enjoy and good luck in the New Year.   

 

Compassionate Eating Mindfulness Training

A great place to start is to learn the Compassionate Eating Mindfulness Training now in English/Spanish, French, and German

 

WHY EAT PLANTS Poster. 

 

The Why Eat Plants poster touches on a few benefits of mindful, compassionate eating.  You can download the poster and print out on 11 x 17 paper!  Please help us share this poster and let us know what you think. Please correct the link at the bottom to read earthholder.org/compassionate-eating . Download here Why Eat Plants Poster

 

Take the Compassionate Consumption Pledge

We invite all practitioners to consider taking a vow of compassionate eating below.  This is a concrete way of supporting your health and the earth.  You can see our new brochure Why Eat Plants Brochure to learn more.

Yes, I will grow my compassion, support my community, care for my health, and protect the earth by taking the Plant-Based Earth Holder Pledge

I pledge:

  • To reflect on the new Mindfulness Training about edible foods regularly.
  • To look deeply into the source of my food and learn new ways to prepare plant-based food and practice compassion in my diet.
  • To shift to a plant-based diet, with the intention to work up to a minimum of 15 days a month as Thay has encouraged us, with an aspiration to move as far in the direction of a plant-based, climate protective, and compassionate diet as possible for me.

 

Recipes, Recipes, Recipes!

Ring in the New Year with January Featured Recipe Creole Hopping Jean for the New Year!

Some more recipes to get us started. 

Yummy No-Bake Truffles: Recipe from our own Earth Holder Eve Heidtmann is here!   Video is here.

Kale and Tortilla Chip Salad: a simple, delicious, and nutritious salad from Earth Holder Super Marathoner Aurora Leon.  Click here to Enjoy this fantastic Kale Salad!  and here is the recipe.

Easy Breakfast Steel Cut Oats:  We are so happy to offer this recipe from our own Aurora Leon- physician, plant-powered Earth Holder, distance runner, and all-around amazing athlete! This recipe is simple and will make sure you get your day, and year, off to a good start!  Steel Cut Oats to Start your day and New Year!

 

The Joy of Mindful Cooking Plant-Based Recipe Database

One of our Go-To Sources of Recipes includes THE JOY OF MINDFUL COOKING This project is an amazing offering of love for community and the planet. You can find many, practitioner-tested recipes here.

If you need a jumpstart, here are our fave ‘frequently-eaten’ easy recipes to get you going. PPEH Starter Recipes

If the Holidays pose a challenge, check these wonderful plant-based holiday recipes Plant-powered fall holiday meals

 

Fact Sheets 

Fact Sheet: Milk, Dairy, and Meat Substitutes If you are looking for ways to replace animal foods in your diet, then this fact sheet is for you.

Cashews-the Key to Creaminess!  

If giving up cheese is your challenge, try our Fact Sheet on plant-based cheeze! CHEEZE PLEEZE!

Health

  • Nutrition video: The Myths of Protein – Learn why our bodies need protein and other nutrients, how much protein is enough, and the best sources in this video from Earth Holder member Dr. Joaquin Carral.

Compassion and Environment

What we eat has a big impact on our planet. Learn more and take action:

Invite your sangha to take action too:

REPORT: How to Encourage Local Governments to address Plant-Based Diets in Climate Planning.

MEAT OF THE MATTER: A Municipal Guide to Climate-Friendly Food Purchasing, by Friends of the Earth and the Responsible Purchasing Network.  The report outlines the issues and a process for addressing climate impacts in the climate planning process. It notes that, although significant actions are being taken to address climate change, one critically important sector that accounts for about one fourth of global greenhouse gas emissions is not being addressed: food.   A wealth of scientific research underscores the urgency of substantially reducing meat and dairy consumption, which accounts for more than half of all food-related GHG emissions. It is clear that the world cannot meet global greenhouse gas reduction targets without curbing consumption of animal products.