September 2021

Looking Forward to September

Well, darlings, August was a tough month. For Haiti, Afghanistan, Tennessee, California, and Louisiana.  And maybe for you and me, too.  I had high hopes for September when I was scheduled to present at several events. In person!  With other people!  But the Delta variant has had other ideas. Covid has canceled parties, presentations, travel, and fun. But I remain hopeful. And, maybe out of sheer cussedness, grateful. Again (and again), I send out gratitude to bighearted Chef José Andrés and his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen. 

Thank you for feeding those in need everywhere.

Maybe because the Jewish High Holidays are this month, or because of the catastrophes we’ve faced, I’ve been thinking Lot’s wife.  Remember her from the Bible? She looked backward, and look what happened to her. Despite everything, I’m determined to look forward, not backward, and September gives us a lot to look forward to, just when we need it most. 

September is Self Care Awareness Month., and holy cow, do we need it. Self-care isn’t selfishness. It’s about resilience, yes, that overused word. Especially these days, we need to treat ourselves as the rare and valuable creatures we are.  The best way to do that is a plant-based diet.  Yeah, that again. Not only does it have science-based benefits for our beautiful, one-of-a-kind bodies, during my Peace Advocacy Network cooking class, new vegans talked about how switching to a plant-based diet boosted mood and gave them a new sense of well-being.  That’s what resilience is.

In the serendipitous ways of things, September is also Whole Grains Month  — 30 delicious days to bring whole grains into your life and onto your plate. So do your whole self some good with whole grains.  

Here are a few ways to do it, all perfect for Rosh Hashanah, too.

• Seven Sacred Foods Salad

• Biblical Barley and Herb Salad

• Barley Porridge aka Belila

• Bulgur Three Ways

Last but not least, September is National Latin Heritage Month. Look for my upcoming interview with award-winning cookbook author, Sandra Gutierrez for Huffington Post Food and Drink, and some other happy things even Covid can’t cancel.

Wishing you happiness, wellness, resilience.  

September Calendar

September 6 Labor Day

This year, it coincides with Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sundown. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year is always a  time of hope and renewal.

September 15  Yom Kippur begins at sundown

September 16  National Guacamole Day Break out the avos and party.

September 27  2pm Catch me on Chef AJ LIVE!

Join me on YouTube, when I prepare some plantbased yumminess from my forthcoming book, Miami Vegan.