The Season of Creation (Sept. 1 – Oct. 4) celebrates God’s abundance and reminds us to live in right relationship with creation. Befriending beans, a basic plant-based protein, connects us with many food cultures that rely on legumes for inexpensive, healthy and tasty food traditions. Pico de Gallo (peek’ o  dee  guy’ o) is a fresh Hispanic bean dish for the Season of Creation table!

“Brother” Lady Jacoba was a close personal friend to St. Francis of Assisi. We make and eat these cookies in celebration of St. Clare’s legacy, her relationship with St. Francis, and her fidelity to the teachings of Christ; St. Clare was a role model for many women at the time, and many still to this day. Watch this YouTube Video and reflect on the unique experiences of these two Holy women. 

Summers in the Midwest are the best time to eat fresh, local berries and stone fruits. Add some to your favorite yogurt and make it into a sweet, frozen summer snack! All of our ancestors ate early versions of yogurt. As you enjoy yours, consider how valuable it is to have a sense of global community when developing ideas and products.
 

Summer family reunions and ethnic festivals celebrate relationships, identity, values and food. All are welcome to Native American Pow Wows, tribal/family reunions that have favorite foods like Fry Bread.  Learn about the tragic history of Fry Bread and about First Nation Food Sovereignty. Try a Fry Bread recipe enjoyed by many tribes and other ethnic groups.

Celebrate the dawn of a new season with the bright and summery flavors of tomato, cantaloupe, and burrata! When you eat in-season foods, it’s much easier to eat clean and local. You can find Farmers’ Markets near you with this USDA Local Food Directory, or read about Community Supported Agruculture groups (CSAs) and look into local participating farms here.

A simple recipe for Pasta Primavera makes use of the fresh spring vegetables available at this time of year.  June 8th is World Environment Day which invites us this year to learn more about Ending Plastic Pollution which, unfortunately, effects not only our waterways, but our food.

A simple recipe for Pasta Primavera makes use of the fresh spring vegetables available at this time of year.  June 8th is World Environment Day which invites us this year to learn more about Ending Plastic Pollution which, unfortunately, effects not only our waterways, but our food.

Today we’re celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a delicious, sweet sticky rice recipe! We invite you to scroll through the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center’s "Care Package" and read/listen to/watch Asians, Indians, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders demonstrate their heritages and cultures and discuss their lived experiences.
 

The 2nd Sunday in May (May 11) is World Fair Trade Day. It encourages us to make Fair Trade purchases that promote Principles of the Franciscan Economy and gain economic justice, taking a stand for workers, farmers, and business around the world.  Try a delicious recipe for Banana “Nice” Cream and explore Fair Trade products like coffee, tea,nuts, chocolate and bananas!

As we celebrate Arab American Heritage Month this April, try out this recipe using the Arabic spice blend “za’atar” and learn about its historical significance. Watch this short video on the geopolitics of harvesting za’atar, and write to the Editor of your local newspaper or contact your representative to speak up for Palestinians living under illegal occupation.

Convenience is “king” in the typical US kitchen. “From scratch” cooking doesn’t have to be drudgery, and is a great way to limit consumption of  the many “ultra-processed” foods that line our grocery shelves. You are invited to make a quick recipe for Baking Mix and enjoy simple or fancy pancakes from a few pantry staples. 

Enjoy a family recipe for Crispy Pan Fried Fish and read the Story about Fish for the Future. Join in to help FSPA and the Sierra Club to STOP LINE 5. Line 5 is a fossil fuel pipeline that puts in jeopardy the waterways, land and way of life of tribal people and all creatures who need clean water. You can even create simple origami fish to protect Sister water!