Spoonful January/February 2024

Celebrating

Years of Cooperation 1974 - 2024

Plus:

JAN | FEB NEWSLETTER 2024

What's New at the Co-op?

Slow-Cooker Recipes New Year's Cleanses & Detoxes

Happy New Year to all our Customers, Owners, Employees, and Suppliers!

It is a time to plan for positive changes for this coming year - and if you are looking for a positive lifestyle change - Common Market is the best place in town to look for the products that will help you do that. Eating healthy is the best preventive medicine we can get, and we have over 200 local suppliers, 700 local products, and great organic and natural selections to help you get started: • Our Café products are all made in house with local, natural, and organic ingredients. Best sandwiches and smoothies in town and amazing salad bar. Tip: try our street corn salad – my personal favorite.

• Our Meat department carries a wide selection of sustainable seafood, local and grass-fed meats.

• Our Wellness department has a great selection of products and a knowledgeable staff ready to help you. They also have an amazing general merchandise area.

• Our Produce department has a great variety of fresh, top quality local and organic produce. Top pick in the area.

• We have perhaps the biggest bulk department in the area and just expanded our pet department to better serve our customer's best friends – this includes a wide selection of foods, supplements, treats, and toys.

• We have over 12 doors display of amazing ice creams.

• Our Grocery department has a large selection of some local, organic, unique and amazing products that you will not find anywhere else in the area, including one of the best selections of non-alcoholic spirits in the area.

• As always, our knowledgeable and friendly staff are ready to make your shopping experience a great and unforgettable one.

Together we will embrace the goodness that will come from this year, looking to continue bettering ourselves and supporting each other and our larger community. We are grateful for the continued support of our Employees, Customers, Suppliers and Owners – this is what keeps us going and has helped us get to where we are today.

Thank you for your continued support,

Román Diaz, General Manager

Editor & Ad Sales - Susan Schulman | Design & Layout - Kayleigh Montgomery-Morris, Jenni Jones Classes & Education - Amanda Harmon | Contributors - welcometothetable.coop Contact marketing@commonmarket.coop with contributions. Contact sschulman@commonmarket.coop for advertising rates.

The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Board, management, staff, or consumer-Owners of the Common Market. Nutrition and health information are given for informational purposes only and are not meant as a substitute for a consultation with a licensed health or dietary practitioner.

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS Julie Richards President

Alecks Moss Vice President

Juan Ducos Treasurer

Megan Schneebaum Secretary

Joe Eastwood Kai Hagen Armando Martinez Merrick McKelvie Toby Schermerhorn Directors

Zoë Brittain Staff Liaison

JA N

27

6 - 9 PM

FE B

24

6-9PM

The Common Market Board of Directors meets monthly via Zoom. All are welcome to attend.

To join a meeting, please click on the ZOOM link provided on the Board of Directors page of the Common Market website.

FIFTY YEARS!!

My dear fellow MemberOwners, we are all part of an absolutely incredible and successful experiment!

For a variety of political and sociological reasons, the early and mid-1970s was a time when many food Co-ops were started in the United States. But they didn’t all last. Only a small group of grocery Co-ops open today can boast that they have been around, survived, and thrived for fifty years or more.

The Common Market Co-op is now officially part of that group!

When our beloved Co-op was first started, it was the year 1974, a handful of families in Frederick County decided to try something.

Working out of one of their houses, these folks challenged the status quo and used their collective buying power in order to obtain healthy and affordable food for their families.

Fifty years later, the results of this experiment are clear. Today in 2024, our Co-op boasts over 8,000 Member-Owners and operates two full-service grocery stores in Frederick that are open to anyone who wishes to shop.

Over the past five decades, there surely have been ups and downs, but the same motivation that drove those founding families to start this in the first place, has continued to inspire us. Simply, we all still want the same things they did: healthy and affordable food for ourselves and our families, and to challenge the status quo of how we collectively make that happen.

And so, as we enter our fifty-first year of The Common Market Co-op, and look toward our next fifty years, I suggest we borrow a line from the 1974 hit song On and On, by Gladys Knight and the Pips: “Here we go.

On and on. We gotta go. On and on. Keep on movin’. On and on.”

Cooperatively Yours,

Megan Schneebaum Board Secretary The Common Market Board of Directors

In Our Community

Cranksgiving & Christmas Alive

Thank you to all of our generous customers who rounded up at the register this holiday season to support food donations in our area. Cranksgiving is an annual food drive sponsored by the Bicycle Escape and Christmas Alive benefits families affiliated with the Frederick Rescue Mission.

SHIP Homeless for the Holidays

The Common Market was happy to support a toiletries drive for the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) this holiday season thanks to the many generous donations to this worthy cause.

The Birthing Circle

Thanks to those of you who cleaned out your closets, giving your gently used toys a new life, and supporting Santa's Secondhand Workshop benefitting the group's Doula Project. Your donations helped many Frederick moms in need!

Textile Recycling

November was a busy month for cleaning out closets, in partnership with Frederick County Recycling and Helpsy, Common Market customers helped save 2 tons of textiles from the local landfill! Keep an eye on our events calendar; this event will be happening again in the early spring!

4

Girl Scouts

We loved having a local troop of Girl Scouts in store for an afternoon of learning how to read food labels, A-Z scavenger hunting, and building your own fruit bowls! Pomegranates were the fan favorite that many girls had not tried before! We’ll be looking forward to welcoming the Girl Scouts to both store locations when these young entrepreneurs sell cookies – look for them on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays from February 2 – March 10.

Chestnut Festival

For the second year in a row, the Common Market café team were invited to create a special menu for the SilvoCulture annual Chestnut Roast. This year, the fundraising luncheon was held at the beautiful Thorpewood Lodge. Chef Adam Pierce served lunch to 125 people, including the delicious chestnut butternut squash bisque pictured above.

FCC Wellness Fair

Common Market was impressed at the great turnout for Frederick Community College’s Wellness Fair, we loved pouring fresh juice samples from our café…the Heart Beat – organic beet, carrot, ginger and apple – was voted best in class! Stop into either of our cafes to try one for yourself!

Everyone can shop, anyone can join!

You don’t need to be an Owner to shop at the Common Market, but we hope after reading this you’ll want to join our community of almost 9,000 like-minded individuals who are part of an organization that focuses on keeping resources in our community, supports local farms and home-grown businesses, and encourages fair, ethical, sustainable, and just business practices. The Common Market measures its success through a three-tiered bottom line: people, planet, profit, which correlates to social, environmental, and economic development.

In addition to the personal benefits of a variety of discounts within the stores, Ownership allows the opportunity to have a voice in the operation of the organization. From voting for Board Members and other strategic initiatives, to selecting where our donations are directed and attending free or discounted events and classes, Ownership offers the chance to shop with a conscience and feel invested in your community.

Become an Owner today by simply completing an equity share form and making a payment. An equity share is a one-time cost of $200 and payment plans are available.

Jan

Feb 2024

5

Michelle

Caitlyn

Wellness Steward

Wellness Backup Buyer What brought you to the Co-op?

I have always shopped at the Co-op and thought it would be nifty to work here.

What do you like best about your job?

What brought you to the Co-op?

Passion for organic foods and the amazing Curbside Pickup service made me want to be part of the team! (Thank you, Erin!)

I love everyone I work with! They make me smile all the time.

What do you like best about your job?

What is your favorite food to make?

What is your favorite meal to make?

When you have 30 minutes of free time, what do you do?

When you have 30 minutes of free time, what do you do?

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

Mac & Cheese

Play video games or play with my dog!

I would love to learn to be a successful tattoo artist. It has always been a dream of mine to get into it.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Helping others

Oatmeal with blueberries

Play with my pup!

Fly a helicopter

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully continuing to help others.

Hopefully in a nice house in the woods with all my dachshunds (maybe 5).

What's the best meal you've ever eaten?

What's the best meal you've ever eaten?

What's your biggest splurge ingredient?

What is your favorite clean-out-the-fridge meal?

What is your favorite clean-out-the-fridge meal?

What is something always in your pantry/fridge?

What is something that's always in your pantry/fridge?

What is your food philosophy in 20 words or less?

What's your food philosophy in 20 words or less?

My best friend's Beef Wellington.

Either soup or some sort of skillet meal.

Rice and Sriracha!

Always try something new! That is how I found out I LOVE shakshuka!

6

My son's homemade pizza Ceylon Cinnamon Sautéed veggies Granola

Good for me and good for the planet!

Send Us

Your Stories!

Join us on our trip down memory lane! We're celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2024, and we want to hear your stories. Do you have a special connection to the Co-op?

Have you been shopping here since you were a kid? Share your favorite memory or story (pictures too, if ya got 'em) with us and you'll be entered to win a $50 Co-op gift card, and we might feature your story on social media and as part of our anniversary party in August!

Send your stories and photos to Marketing@commonmarket.coop

Jan

Feb 2024

9

Co-op 101: The Basics

During our 50th anniversary year, the Spoonful will be a spot where we look at everything cooperative – our business model, the Coop principles, stories about the Common Market’s history, and more. Enjoy!

What is a Co-op?

A cooperative business is one owned by the people who use its services. Co-ops operate under the idea that we are stronger together. The Common Market is a member of the National Co-op Grocers along with about 200 other food co-ops in the US. We join together to leverage buying power and collaborate.

During the months of January and February we’ll focus on co-operative principles 1 and 3.

Principle #1: Voluntary and Open Membership – Anyone age 18 and older may join.

Anyone can shop at the Common Market but we’d love for you to join us in becoming a MemberOwner. The Common Market believes that a business owned by its customers is in the best position to meet the needs and desires of those customers. Our data shows us that Member-

10

Owners are more loyal to the co-op, shop more frequently, and like having a vested interest in the grocery store where they do most of their shopping. Each equity share is $200 which can be paid in installments. Anyone from a household can take advantage of Member-Owner benefits and discounts, but only the primary Member-Owner can run for a Board position and vote in elections.

Principle #3: Member Economic Participation - All owners purchase a legal equity share and further invest through shopping at their co-op.

February is a great time to become a Common Market Member-Owner during our Friend us in February Owner Drive, put as little as $25 down toward your equity share and receive a special goodie bag in addition to your regular Member-Owner benefits. Now is the time to become part of the 9,000+ strong community of Common Market Member-Owners!

To learn more about personal benefits, community benefits and giving the gift of Ownership, visit the Own It section of our website: www.commonmarket.coop/about/own-it

Dry January Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution to drink less or a full-on detox, dry January might be a great way to check in with yourself as you ring in the new year. Alcohol contributes to anxiety, low mood and depression. Get the most out of this time by using the month to reassess & adjust your drinking habits in order to make energy to exercise, eat balanced meals and feel more present mentally.

You can be the life of the party even if you are forgoing the booze! Try one of the many alcohol-free mocktails, beers, or wines available at the Common Market.

grapefruit rosemary

mocktail

Rosemary Simple Syrup Ingredients: 1 cup water 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup grapefruit juice grapefruit zest and fresh rosemary

Combine all the above ingredients in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 6 minutes until the sugar is dissolved. Cool the grapefruit rosemary simple syrup before using.

Grapefruit Rosemary Mocktail Ingredients: 1 oz rosemary simple syrup 4 oz FRE Sparkling Brut 2 oz grapefruit juice Fresh rosemary and grapefruit to garnish Pour the above ingredients into a glass over ice and garnish with rosemary and grapefruit!

Recipe from frewines.com

Jan

Feb 2024 11

What's New at the Market?

A Few Fresh Finds at the Co-op!

1. Balm of Gilead Frankincense + Myrrh Rubbing Oil Naturally soothes and relives dry, itchy skin - Ideal for men, women, children, and the elderly - safe and effective moisture deep into the skin.

2. Country Life Papaya Digestive Support Wafers Digestive enzymes, such as those naturally found in papaya, papain and protease are essential to the bodys absorption of food nutrients. This chewable wafer has a delicious pineapple-papaya flavor-great after any meal.

3. Garden of Life Herbals Eye Health Softgels Garden of Life Herbals Eye Health formula includes multiple clinically studied ingredients to support macular, retinal, and photoreceptor health, so you can live out the vision you have for your life to its fullest.

12

4. Tasty Orchard Real Fruit Mixers Crafted with simple ingredients like real natural fruit and botanicals, Tasty Orchard Unsweetened Real Fruit Mixers offer a delicious way to enhance your favorite beverages and culinary creations.

5. Coffee Llamas Half Caff & Decaf Arabica Coffee Organic, chemical free and fairly traded beans, decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process. This process removes the caffeine, while maintaining the bean's distinctive origin and flavor characteristics.

6. Blue Stripes Urban Cacao Water Hydrating, plant-based water with natural electrolytes made from the cacao fruit. Full of cacao's natural superfood benefits, it's the lemonade of the tropics.

7. Uncle Matt's No Sugar Added Lemonade Juice Boxes There is no cane sugar in these juice drinks – just a stevia sweetener and zero grams of sugar! There are also added wellness benefits like vitamins C, D and zinc.

Available in lemonade and strawberry lemonade.

10. Le Petit Francais Ready to Bake Breads Authentic French breads & pastries to enjoy anytime!

Made with unbleached, unfortified French flour to create their unique, fresh taste. Available in croissants, chocolate croissants and mini baguettes.

8. Midwest Juicery Cold-Pressed Juices Carefully crafted 100% organic, cold-pressed, raw juices that are delicious, low in sugar, and predominantly vegetables.

11. Alexia Roasted & Ready Potatoes These Baby Heirloom Potatoes are artfully seasoned and roasted to savory excellence. Ready in minutes. Simplicity and convenience never tasted so extraordinary. Available in Rosemary & Garlic, Himalayan Salt, and Steak Seasoning.

9. One Mighty Mill Sliced Bread Stone-milling captures the full natural flavor and nutritional richness of whole grains. Pair this process with organic farms for breads that are better for taste buds, bodies, and the planet. Available in whole wheat and power grains.

We're always on the lookout for new items! If you have suggestion for us, visit Jan Feb 2024 www.commonmarket.coop/connect/new-item-suggestion/ and fill out the form.

13

CLASSES & EVENTS Visit www.commonmarket.coop/classes-events for the most up-to-date list and full descriptions.

COOKING Learn more about cooking techniques and experiment with fresh, new ingredients.

ENVIRONMENT Cultivate awareness and engage in the topics of local and global preservation.

BACKYARD AGRICULTURE For the first-time gardener or avid green thumb to explore the potential in one's own backyard.

HEALTH & WELLNESS Obtain the knowledge that can help restore balance to your body & mind.

ARTS & CRAFTS Get creative, express yourself and learn new skills.

EVENT Exciting happenings at the co-op and around town.

January Optimizing Gut Health

Saturday, January 6 | 4 - 5PM @ 7th Street Community Room $40 or $20 for Owners Having a thriving metabolism is KEY for having healthy and happy digestive functioning. In this Optimizing Gut Health course, you’ll learn how to empower yourself with several root-cause strategies to support your digestive system & metabolism and their proper functioning.

From learning about general digestion and the metabolism to understanding how your body works biologically, you’ll be able to incorporate easy, sustainable healthy habits to better your gut health, reduce the unwanted bloat, and overall health at a cellular level.

You will also get to sample a delicious gut healthy appetizer and digestive elixir!

Sticky Resolutions: How to Make Sustainable Change

Tuesday, January 9 | 6 - 7:30PM @ 7th Street Community Room FREE | Please RSVP Introducing a Life-Changing System for Achieving Your Goals!

Do you find yourself making a resolution every year, only to fall short of your mark? Do you want to break out of bad habits and implement new ways of living? I have the solution for you! This system will help you achieve your 2024 New Year Resolution and create a life of possibility.

It’s not a magic pill or a get-rich-quick scheme; it is based on science, and it works! Learn to create sustainable, lasting transformation!

Did you know?

Baking World-Class Sourdough at Home with Twin Bears Bakery [2-Day Workshop] Saturday, January 13 & Sunday, January 14 10AM - 6PM @ 7th Street Community Room $250

Embark on a culinary journey to master the art of sourdough baking. This comprehensive course will guide you through the intricacies of sourdough starter creation, dough development, shaping techniques, and baking methods, transforming you into a confident sourdough baker. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a curious novice, this class will equip you with the knowledge and skills to create crusty, flavorful sourdough loaves that will impress your family and friends.

Eating for Longevity: How to Cook the Blue Zone Way [5-Week Series]

Thursdays Starting January 18 11:30AM - 12:45PM @ 7th Street Community Room $60 per session ($30 per session for Owners) Want to live to 100? Certain communities around the world, dubbed Blue Zones by Dan Buettner at National Geographic, may have the key. The largest populations of centenarians live in Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California, and their longevity seems to be tied to a variety of common healthy behaviors, including (if not especially) how they eat, which is a mostly plant-based diet. In this 5-week cooking demonstration series, led by culinary coach Alison Wexler, you will learn about a different Blue Zone each week and how to cook plant-based dishes from that region.

Common Market Owners receive 50% off most Community Room Classes!

Read more about Ownership at www.commonmarket.coop/about/own-it

14

January (cont.)

Queer Art Social!

Pilates: Open-Level Class

Thursday, January 18 | 4 - 5PM @ 7th Street Community Room FREE | Please RSVP Calling all Queer creatives!!!! Come paint, draw, create, make and mingle every third Thursday of the month in our Community Room! Bring something you are working on and or start a new project! We will have a co-creative canvas going throughout the evening for those that wish to participate. This is a FREE drop-in social gathering! Music, sparkly drinks, tea and limited art supplies will be provided.

Friday, January 26 | 4 - 5PM @ 7th Street Community Room $30 or $15 for Owners Are you seeking a Pilates class to help you achieve better posture, strength, and stability?

Look no further than our open-level class, suitable for beginners and experienced Pilates students. Our classical Pilates class will teach you the art of control, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and energized. Join us today and experience the benefits of Pilates for yourself!

Introduction to Breathwork

Saturday, January 20 | 1 - 2:30PM @ 7th Street Community Room $40 or $20 for Owners Join Sheldon James Breath for a group breath workshop! In this workshop you will learn how to implement proper breathing patterns and habits, understand the benefits of breathwork and witness the health & vitality that breathwork will bring to your life. You will walk away with practical tools to use in your everyday life to help manage stress, improve your overall energy levels, focus, attention, and much more!

www.commonmarket.coop/classes-events

February Fall in Love with Transit!

Tuesday, February 13 | 5:15 - 6:30PM @ 7th Street Community Room FREE | Please RSVP We’ll teach you how to read the schedule and how to use Google Transit to plan your trip.

Join Transit Services of Frederick County and the Common Market for a quick and informal travel training session. We’ll learn about Google Maps to plan trips and we’ll hop onboard the 60 Connector right outside The Common Market. We’ll ride down to the Transit Center and transfer to the 61 Connector, returning to the Common Market shortly after.

Queer Art Social!

Thursday, February 15 | 4 - 5PM @ 7th Street Community Room FREE | Please RSVP Calling all Queer creatives!!!! Come paint, draw, create, make and mingle every third Thursday of the month in our Community Room! Bring something you are working on and or start a new project! We will have a co-creative canvas going throughout the evening for those that wish to participate. This is a FREE drop-in social gathering! Music, sparkly drinks, tea and limited art supplies will be provided.

Harmony in Healing: Monthly Homeopathy Exploration Tuesday, February 20 | 4 - 6PM @ 7th Street Community Room $10

Unlock the secrets of holistic healing! Join our Monthly Homeopathy Study Group – a vibrant community where curiosity meets knowledge. Dive deep into the world of natural wellness as we explore the principles of homeopathy, share insights, and empower each other on our journey to optimal health.

Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just starting your holistic adventure, our study group is the perfect place to discover the transformative power of homeopathy.

Pilates: Open-Level Class

Friday, February 23 | 4 - 5PM @ 7th Street Community Room $30 or $15 for Owners Are you seeking a Pilates class to help you achieve better posture, strength, and stability?

Look no further than our open-level class, suitable for beginners and experienced Pilates students. Our classical Pilates class will teach you the art of control, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and energized. Join us today and experience the benefits of Pilates for yourself!

Jan

Feb 2024 15

Cleanses & Detoxes What's the difference?

When beginning a health journey, many people want to begin with a cleanse or detox.

According to health and wellness experts, your body naturally detoxifies itself, but these methods can help to rid your body of extra toxins and give a sort of reset as you embark on your healthy resolutions. But what is the difference between a cleanse and a detox?

CLEANSE

DETOX

A cleanse is a refresh. It cleans your body, sometimes using supplements or pills, by eliminating any toxins directly. Cleanses tend to focus on the gut and digestion.

Detoxes work to support your body's own detoxing centers--the liver and kidneys. Detoxes can use supplements and restrictive diets to eliminate the toxins from your system, giving your liver and kidneys what they need to function optimally.

So, what should you be on the lookout for if you want to start a cleanse or detox in the new year?

Our Wellness Department is stocked with kits to meet your cleansing needs, from a whole body cleanse kit to kits for specific needs or concerns. The kits will provide dietary guidelines for you to follow during your cleanse. There are also teas and tinctures available, which are gentler and more formulated for everyday detoxing purposes.

16

VS

But be careful when starting a cleanse. "Detox flu", is a potential side effect of cleansing and detoxing that can make you feel lousy. But it’s just during the time your body is getting rid of those toxins. Once you’ve finished, you’ll feel better. So, you may suffer short term, but long-term, you’ll feel revitalized.

So, if you’re considering a cleanse to kickstart your New Year, be sure to stop by the Common Market to get “out with the old, and in with the new.”

COMMUNITY PARTNER Spotlight!

Valentine's Day @ the Co-op!

Squadstyle Work & Wellness Cowork & Fitness Space

Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day or want to show your friends and family some love this February, the Common Market can help make things special. From sustainable seafood – think scallops and lobster - to special cuts of grass fed beef; fair trade florals, organic chocolate covered strawberries, and chemical-free soaps or bath bombs, your local and natural holidays always start here!

Join us on Monday February 12th from 12 – 3 PM at both store locations for special department demos and samples as you plan how to show that special someone that you care!

Why we stand by Squad Style Work & Wellness: Squadstyle Work 'n Wellness is not your typical coworking space. They''re the ultimate hybrid of workspace, gym, and social club, conveniently located off of TJ

ADVERTISE WITH US! Fill out an advertising request form here

Drive. Their unique approach seamlessly integrates work and wellness, empowering business owners and entrepreneurs to crush their professional goals while prioritizing their well-being.

Their vibrant community and the power of social connection that sets us apart. By bonding over shared healthy habits, they not only make meaningful connections and inspire each other to reach new heights, but also better our work-life balance. They celebrate each other's successes, cheer each other on during challenging workouts, and offer support when things get tough.

Their tip: be part of a supportive community and let it work wonders for your personal growth and professional success.

We all rise individually, but together in Squad-style :)

Common Market Owners: Owners receive two free weeks of access to the work & or visit www.commonmarket.coop/ connect/advertising-request-form.

Contact Susan Schulman at 301-663-416 ext. 105 or email sschulman@commonmarket.coop/

wellness space, and $0 enrollment fee.

www.worknwellness.com Our Community Partners Program continues to grow, offering our owners many options to save and support local business!

Visit our website to learn about all of our Community Partners.

Slow and Easy When convenience counts, turn to your slow cooker for flavorful meals that are low effort, high reward and worth the wait.

Reprinted by permission from grocery.coop. Find recipes, plus information about your food and where it comes from at grocery.coop.

Slow Cooker Orange Chipotle Beef Tacos Serves 6. Prep time: 4 to 8 hours; 20 minutes active.

11⁄2 pounds beef chuck roast 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 teaspoon chipotle powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 ⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt 4 cloves garlic, peeled 2 large seedless oranges, quartered 12 taco shells or corn tortillas 3 cups shredded lettuce 3 medium tomatoes, chopped 11⁄2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Serves 6. Prep time: 8 hours; 1 hour active.

1. Place the beef in a slow cooker. Stir together the tomato paste, chipotle, cumin, oregano and salt in a small bowl, then rub the mixture over the beef. Place garlic cloves and oranges on top of the meat and cover the pot. Turn temperature to high and cook for 4 hours, or on low for 7 to 8 hours. When the meat shreds when pressed with a fork, turn off the cooker and take out the insert to cool. Use tongs to transfer the meat to a bowl to cool, and shred the beef.

2. Place a strainer over a small pot and strain the liquids from the cooker into the pot. Squeeze the oranges over the strainer. Bring the juices to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes, until reduced to a syrupy consistency. Pour over the shredded beef and toss to coat. Taste for seasoning; add salt or more chipotle, if desired.

3. Serve with taco shells or warm corn tortillas, lettuce, chopped tomato and shredded cheese. Pair these tacos with tortilla chips and homemade guacamole or your favorite salsa. The meat can also be folded into larger tortillas with leftover cooked rice to make tasty burritos.

A slow cooker transforms affordable cuts of meat like chuck roast, pork shoulder and chicken legs into tender, juicy main dishes.

14 ounces diced canned tomatoes 1 large onion, chopped 1 medium green pepper, chopped 1 medium zucchini, sliced 2 ribs celery, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt 1 ⁄2 cup dry red wine 1 ⁄2 cup chicken stock 4 ounces tomato paste 6 chicken legs, skinless 2 cups brown rice 1. In a large slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, onion, green pepper, zucchini, celery, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, red wine, chicken stock and tomato paste. Stir to mix, then add the chicken legs and press down to cover them with the vegetable and spice mixture as much as possible.

Set the cooker on low and cook for 7 hours.

2. Start cooking the rice about 45 minutes before the chicken is finished cooking.

3. When chicken cooking is completed, taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve a cup of cooked brown rice in a wide bowl or pasta plate, with a chicken leg and vegetable sauce.

Jan

Feb 2024 19

Crockpot Calico Beans

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Beef Ribs

Serves 10. Prep time: 5 hours, 15 minutes; 15 minutes active.

Serves 6. Prep time: 7 hours, 30 minutes; 30 minutes active.

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 yellow onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 15-ounce can pinto beans 1 15-ounce can butter or cannellini beans 1 15-ounce can kidney beans 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes 1 ⁄3 cup ketchup 3 tablespoons maple syrup 2 tablespoons tamari 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce Salt and pepper to taste

4 pounds beef short ribs (about 4 inches long) 3 ⁄4 cup teriyaki sauce 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce 2 tablespoons sesame seeds 2 medium scallions, finely chopped Canola oil

1. Rinse and drain the canned beans. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and saute the onion, pepper and garlic for 5-10 minutes until tender.

2. Add the onions and peppers to a slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients and stir well. Turn the slow cooker to low and cook for 5 hours. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve warm.

20

1. In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon or so of canola oil over medium-high heat, and swirl to coat the surface with oil. When the pan is hot, place several ribs, meaty side down, in the hot oil. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to sear and brown the surface. Transfer the ribs to a 4-quart slow cooker, and continue until all the ribs are browned, adding more oil as needed.

2. In a cup, mix the teriyaki sauce and Sriracha sauce and pour over the ribs, turning to coat. Cover the slow cooker and set to low. Cook for 7 hours.

3. Uncover the ribs and transfer them to a platter; cover to keep warm. Pour the liquids from the cooker into a small pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a strong simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, to reduce and thicken the sauce. If desired, skim the fat from the sauce.

4. Pour the sauce over the ribs and sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions. Serve warm.

Citrus-Chile Pork with Herb Sauce Serves 6. Prep time: 6 hours, 30 minutes; 30 minutes active.

6 cloves garlic, sliced 2 large jalapeños, seeded 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon salt 3 1⁄2 pounds pork butt or shoulder, bone-in 1 large orange, quartered 1 large lime, quartered 2 large scallions, chopped 1 ⁄2 cup fresh cilantro 3 cups cooked brown rice 1. In a food processor or food chopper, mince the garlic and jalapeños; remove half to use later for the sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, cumin, oregano and salt and process to mix.

2. Trim extra fat layer from the roast. Place the roast in a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Rub the olive oil mixture all over the roast — make sure the whole roast is covered. Place the orange

and lime quarters on top of and around the roast, then cover tightly. Cook on low heat for 6 hours.

3. When the pork is tender, transfer to a cutting board, reserving the juices and the citrus quarters for the sauce. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting; keep warm while you make the sauce.

4. To make the sauce, place the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a small pot and place over medium-high heat. Add the reserved garlic and jalapeño mince and saute for about 1 minute. Squeeze the reserved orange and lime into the pot, using a strainer to catch any seeds.

Pour in the reserved roast juices. Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Add the scallions and cilantro and simmer on low for 1 minute.

5. Remove the bone, then slice the pork and serve it on a bed of rice, drizzled with the citrus sauce.

Jan

Feb 2024 21

From the Archives

22

Empowering Lives...

One Spine at a Time!

8701 Antietam Dr Walkersville MD 21793 Dr. Mimi and her staff are fantastic! I am happy to report that my migraines/ headaches have decreased in both severity and intensity -Bethany Stockdale Kirby

Call today for a complimentary consultation!

M-W-Th: 9-12:30, 3-6:30 Tues: 4-6 • Sat: by appt.

WWW.DR-MIMI.COM | 301.898.8005

Shopper Reviews This is one of my favorite places. Lots of hard-to-find items for many dietary restrictions!

- Inga K. Always have fresh food and good customer service. If you want local products and food, support your people and shop here.

- Alisha S.