No. 010 | December 2023

ISSUE 10

DECEMBER 2023

DRAX DIGEST A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE DRAX COMMUNITY

12 PAGES MARK OUR LONGEST ISSUE YET!

GIFT GREEN

THANKSGIVING PHOTO GALLERY

Michael Ennis | Publisher

Giving for a More Sustainable Future

DRAX PUBLISHING

Eleonora Fogg | Editor

CONTENTS 02 EDITOR'S NOTE

03 DRAX PUBLISHING

04 TEAM PROFILES Meet our two team members behind the scenes at DRAX Publishing.

07 - 08 A VERY DRAX THANKSGIVING Who else would do Thanksgiving right but the DRAX family?

11 RECIPE OF THE MONTH

An introduction to DRAX’s newest company: DRAX Publishing.

05 - 06 DRAX NEWS Featuring Wellness+ Studio, Burr Hall Farm, Bread Story, The William J. von Liebig Foundation and DRAX Productions.

09-10 GIFT GREEN Give a more meaningful gift this year by learning about more sustainable gift options for a brighter future.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Dearest DRAX Community, It's hard to believe that we're already approaching the end of the year and will soon be celebrating our firstanniversary issue of the DRAX Digest.

I have always deeply loved writing, having always found it to be the purest form of self-expression. I’ve found that in such a digital-centric world, it is so important, now more than ever before, to connect, not just make connections. In addition to connecting more deeply and intrinsically with myself and who I am as a person, sharing other people’s stories, whether through their personal journeys or those of their businesses and missions, is one of the most fulfilling parts of writing. As a writer self-taught in digital design, I am honored and incredibly grateful for your support as I grow, learn, and improve with every issue.

As we embark on this exciting new year with the DRAX Digest, I introduce this issue featuring DRAX Publishing our vibrant community of creators, readers, and thinkers. Our mission at DRAX Publishing is simple yet powerful: to provide a platform for emerging artists in writing, design, and photography to share their unique voices and perspectives with the world.

Thank you for joining us as DRAX Publishing begins to flourish. Together we can foster a publishing space that celebrates a new, diverse generation of designers, writers, and creators and changes the face of the publishing landscape into a more inclusive and socially conscious place.

With heartfelt gratitude, Eleonora Fogg Editor, DRAX Digest

Don’t hesitate to contact us with your ideas for future issues at eleonora@svvl.net!

02

DRAX Publishing As a newly formed company, DRAX Publishing is gifted with the exciting task of creating an identity for itself. As we learn what the publishing industry is missing, we get to explore the wide array of needs we can fulfill and all the exciting potential ways we can excel as a business.

At the core of DRAX's mission is a commitment to providing an outlet for emerging artists in writing, design, and photography. The goal is not just to showcase talent but to be a guiding force, equipping these artists with the necessary tools and opportunities to present their talents to wider audiences.

As a woman-owned company with diversity as its guiding principle, DRAX Publishing amplifies a multitude of voices that often go unheard in a vastly patriarchal industry.

DRAX concentrates greatly on uplifting women's voices and stories, recognizing the transformative power of empowering women and minority artists.

This commitment extends beyond the pages of publications—it's a step towards inspiring change and creating a more inclusive, vibrant, enriching, and socially conscious world.

Fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and creativity is not just a mission statement for DRAX but a lived reality. Regardless of background or experience level, artists are welcomed into a community where they feel supported and valued. DRAX envisions not just a publication but a space where creators, readers, and thinkers converge—a community passionate about the transformative power of storytelling.

DRAX is on a mission to set the standard for excellence, creativity, and social impact in the publishing industry. It's a journey that invites both artists and readers to embark on a collective exploration of the creative landscape.

03

TEAM PROFILES This month we are highlighting not just one, but two of our talented team members!

Natalie and Ele are the brains and visionaries behind DRAX Publishing’s projects. Their work on Mrs.: The Book, which acted as a beautiful gift for Mrs.’s 93rd birthday, inspired the birth of DRAX in the publishing space.

They foster a collaborative atmosphere that makes working together on projects a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

Natalie Bagaturia Having been with DRAX since 2018, Natalie is an integral part of the New York team. With a keen eye for design, Natalie brings style and beauty to her work with DRAX Publishing. Her humor, positivity, and kind and gentle nature make every project a fun adventure.

Eleonora (Ele) Fogg As editor of DRAX Digest, Ele felt a little strange writing a profile on herself for this issue, so she opted for a letter from the editor instead (page 2). But here is a picture of her to put a face behind the newsletter!

DRAX NEWS

WELLNESS+ STUDIO Among the many exciting happenings, things have been picking up at the studio with new clients, photoshoots, and article interviews! Don’t forget to get some of the studio’s famous tea with some honey from Burr Hall Farm with the purchase of a gift card!

BURR HALL FARM Chickens, geese, kittens, and Houdini goats

(who

pulled

some

impressive

escape acts) are snuggling together and finding

new

routines

as

the

farm

prepares for winter.

Look out for an announcement next month for an event to learn what our community needs and how best we can serve them!

05

DRAX NEWS

BREAD STORY It’s that time of the year again! The time for treats, sweet things, warm coffee and tea, and beautifully baked bread is here, and what better place to get your fix of all of the above than your local bakery, Bread Story?! Stop by for some surprise holiday-themed goodies and some warm cocoa or coffee.

And don’t forget to grab the latest Bread Story Story of the Month while you’re there to learn more about Bread Story’s coffee partner!

WILLIAM J. VON LIEBIG FOUNDATION The applications for the 2023 von Liebig Prize are now closed. Stay tuned for our next issue featuring the foundation and the prize to find out who our 2023 prize winner is!

DRAX PRODUCTIONS

Actually, there is no need for the baseball

Are you a fan of horror? Well then, keep

bats; you are safe and nothing bad is going

your eyes peeled and your baseball bats

to happen to you (that was not meant to

handy for some scary stuff from DRAX!

sound like a threat either).

06

A Very DRAX Thanksgiving The DRAX team came together for a beautiful and intimate Thanksgiving celebration hosted by Mrs. The beautiful meal consisting of everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving classics was lovingly made by our very own Christopher Varroux Renaud, who cooked for days in preparation, while the tasty sweet treats were the thoughtful invention of another valuable Denisa Batista. The pumpkin tiramisu and the sweet corn are still fondly remembered.

Thank you so much to everyone who came and to those who participated in making this evening so special!

Gift Green Giving for a More Sustainable Future In a world dominated by consumerism and capitalism, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters during the holiday season. This year, as we seek out meaningful and sustainable gift options, let's consider giving the gift of a greener planet. By embracing carbon offsetting (investments in projects reducing or removing greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere to compensate for carbon emissions) as gift options we can make a positive impact on the environment while challenging the status quo of materialistic holiday traditions.

Carbon Offsetting Gift Cards by GoClimate Amid the holiday shopping frenzy, GoClimate offers a refreshing alternative. Their digital gift cards help counterbalance carbon emissions from our lifestyle choices, allowing us to contribute to the fight against climate change. By enabling the recipient to support projects such as renewable energy, forest protection, and clean cooking solutions, GoClimate's gift cards empower individuals to align their values with their actions. https://www.goclimate.com/us/gift-cards CarbonFund's Event and Gift Offsets Beyond individual carbon footprints, the holiday season often involves gatherings and celebrations that contribute to environmental degradation. By gifting CarbonFund’s event offsets, you can alleviate the environmental impact of events such as weddings, birthdays, or corporate gatherings or give a gift of positive imimpact. This transformative gesture not only promotes sustainability but also encourages a shift towards more conscious and responsible celebrations. https://carbonfund.org/productcategory/events-gifts/

09

Amid the materialistic culture that permeates the holiday season, embracing the idea of giving a meaningful gift with a greater purpose allows us to rediscover the core values of this cherished time, where we refocus on love, peace, and community. It presents an opportunity to shift our attention from material possessions to fostering sustainability and positive change to continue living our vibrant lives on a beautiful and inhabitable planet.

It is vital to remember that although we have this wonderful giftgiving option, we should avoid falling into the trap of harmful consumerism. Rather than using carbon offsetting as an excuse or a way to compensate for our habits and behaviors without taking deliberate action to change them, we should be mindful of our choices and strive for a more sustainable lifestyle, using carbon offsetting as a supplemental tool. Doing so can positively impact our planet and create a healthier future for all.

By choosing to give carbon-offsetting gift cards or event/gift offsets, we challenge the consumer-driven narrative. We show our loved ones that we care not only about their happiness but also about the well-being of the planet we all call home.

Consumerism and capitalism have steered the holiday season away from its true purpose.

But by shifting our perspective and engaging in conscious gift-giving practices, such as supporting carbon-offsetting initiatives and donating to environmental causes, we can redefine the meaning of this time of year.

This holiday season, let's give the gift of a greener planet, inspire others to prioritize sustainability, and create a positive impact on the environment.

By reclaiming the spirit of the holidays, we can spread joy, love, and a commitment to building a better future for our planet and future generations.

10

Veggie Crumble and Rosemary Cream

by Christopher Varroux-Renaud Ingredients For Vegetables: 1 large onion, diced 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 2 leeks, sliced 1/2 butternut squash, peeled and cut into small chunks 1 can crushed tomatoes For Crumble: 1 cup grated parmesan 1 cup chestnut or plain flour 1 cup cold butter, diced For Rosemary Cream: 4 oz. goat cheese 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 TB fresh rosemary, chopped Salt & pepper

Directions: 1.Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a pan, sauté the onions in olive oil on medium heat for about 5 minutes or until translucent. Add the rest of the vegetables and cook for another 10 minutes. Salt and pepper, add the crushed tomatoes, and simmer for another 10 minutes until all the vegetables are soft.

2.In a medium bowl, mix the cold butter, flour, and grated parmesan to form a crumble with a sandy texture. Add a pinch of salt. Keep chilled until use.

3.Pour the cooked vegetable mixture into a baking pan and sprinkle the whole crumble on top. Bake until golden and vegetables bubble.

4.Make the cream by mixing all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle generously on top of each serving and enjoy!