Grad Night and Julia
Written by Karen on August 19th, 2009
It’s official – I am now a certified Natural Chef. Last night was our final day at Bauman College as we turned in our reports (27 pages!) and contemplated evaluations (hence my delay with this post.) It was a comprehensive program which offered an array of skills and recipe applications focusing on the Eating 4 Health model – fresh, whole foods in their most natural state (you know the kind…it’s what you read about here;-)
Saturday our class put on a ‘culinary showcase’ for a small group of family and friends (see photos) which we aptly named “Spice of Life.” I am still amazed by the gazillions of remedies herbs and spices offer, which is another testament to the healing power of plant foods in particular. Rosemary for inflammation, cilantro for toxin removal, cinnamon for blood sugar, ginger for digestion, and so on. Each dish combined spices with farm-fresh foods, including my dessert – a coconut chai panna cotta with nectarine coulis (recipe forthcoming!) While there may have been limited use of butter (not that there’s anything wrong with that!), I do believe our 5-course meal would have made even Julia proud.
Upon completion of administrative loose ends, our class decided to celebrate by going to see “Julie and Julia.” Like so many of the reviews have stated (this one being my favorite), Meryl Streep nailed it again in her role as Julia – a role that I dare say would be virtually impossible for anyone to claim. Amy Adams was terrific, too, as Julie, the blogger in a dreary daytime job who takes on 524 of Julia’s recipes in 365 nights. Many people have let her whining get in the way of the ‘bigger picture.’ I saw it as a love story about real people with their own struggles of ‘what to do with their lives’ (that just so happened to involve food:), the commitment some were willing to take on more than others (with support at home), and the successes AND failures which come with taking a chance – not knowing which way it will go (uh, methinks this might be a bit revealing;-) That Julia Child influenced the world as she did in such a self-effacing way instills even more confidence as I continue deciphering which path(s) to follow in the months ahead. You can bet teaching, baking and videos are involved.
20 years ago in Aspen, I was peddling a specialty item called “Karen’s Sweet ‘n Sassy Mustard” under the tent at the Food and Wine Festival. When Julia stopped by for a taste and exulted in delight, I took her aside and whispered the secret ingredient. That will always be my spice of life: butter.
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Good for you Karen! Great job and nice story!! So happy for you!
xoxo
Susan
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Congratulations! Here’s to continuing your successful journey. May all of your special ingredients (in life and in cooking) always be bountifully at hand!
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Congrats Karen!! I really enjoy reading and trying the recipes!
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A very warm congratulations to you Karen. What a wonderful accomplishment. Can’t wait to see what you take on next!
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Congrats, Karen…that’s outstanding! Keep following your dreams!…looking forward to the coconut dessert recipe!
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Congratulations! That is quite an accomplishment. Can’t wait to see the great things you cook up!
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I love the picture when I opened up your blog of you and my sister Amy Cohen! Congratulations!
Teddi Gilderman
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Thank you, everyone! You are my inspiration…
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Everything I want to say seems so cliche’, which is not appropriate because you are so NOT cliche’! Congratulations Karen….it’s a fabulous achievement. I wish I had half your determination, maybe if I ate the way you tell me to I would!!
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Hey Karen!
Congrats! You look like a professional chef! Well, you are one now! =) I cant wait to take advantage and learn some more recipes (especially the dessert recipes! =) All of your latest recipes look AMAZING! We will have to try them out soon! Ok, well come over any time! I love you!
~Your favorite 12 year old neice!
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Wait, you actually met Julia Childs? How cool!
The fact that her favorite ingredient is butter is such a big part of the movie. You called it!
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Just got a chance to read this one! BRAVO on your latest accomplishment, you ‘A’ student, you… And thank you for the wonderful note about the movie and Julia’s appreciation of your cooking. Great minds… (Hers and Bob/mine