January Classes
Warming Winter Soups
Tuesday · January 6 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
There's a lot of winter ahead of us, so let's hunker down and put on a pot of slow simmering homemade soup. Join Chef Paige for a cozy evening of ideas and recipes to fill your soup pot. Paige will warm you from the inside out with Cream of Chicken & Mushroom Soup with Wild Rice; Vegetable Barley Soup; Gingered Carrot Soup; and White Bean Soup with Sausage & Swiss Chard.
With the addition of Wheatfields bread and a piece of cheese you have a meal! You'll leave class nourished and inspired.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Herbs to Help Conquer Colds & Flu
Saturday · January 10 · 2-4 PM
taught by Ocoee Miller
There is no reason for you or anyone in your family to have to suffer with colds and the flu this winter. For thousands of years people have successfully used herbs to avoid winter illness. Knowing how to use the appropriate herbs can keep you healthy throughout the gloomy months. In this class Ocoee will teach you which herbs will strengthen your immune system.
She will cover which herbs to use once you have succumbed to a cold or flu in order to get well quickly. Using simple teas and tinctures along with a few capsules of herbs, you can feel great all winter long. Everyone needs to know this valuable information.
$12 per person, $10 for Merc Owners & seniors
Eating Well on a Busy Day
Monday · January 12 · 7-9 PM
taught by Hilary Kass
After a busy day you can put together a quick and satisfying dinner by using the many ideas you'll gain from this class. Hilary will show how to cook several protein foods, vegetables and grains that can be mixed and matched throughout the week to create a variety of tasty meals. You'll learn how to roast vegetables, bake tofu, saute green vegetables and other healthy and tasty foods. You'll see that it really is possible to eat well even on a busy day.
$15 per person, $13 for co-op Owners & seniors
More Exotic Moroccan
Tuesday · January 13 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Chef Nancy is back with more Moroccan recipes. So if you missed the first class, or are hooked now that you've tasted Nancy's exotic flavors, sign up quickly for a second trip to Morocco. Enjoy Oil-Cured Olives in Harissa; Merguez (lamb sausage) with Flatbread; Chicken Tangine with Preserved Lemon & Olives; and Moroccan Carrots with Cous Cous. We'll end our meal with a sweet surprise from Nancy. A class guaranteed to delight you and your taste buds!
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Environmental Toxicity and Detoxification
Thursday · January 15 · 7-8:30 PM
taught by Amber Belt, ND
Are you confused by the media blitz around toxins in our environment? Join naturopathic doctor Amber Belt in this class that will demystify PCBs, BPA, heavy metals, and other toxins found in our environment. We will cover strategies from a naturopathic perspective that will help minimize toxin exposure as well as the most reliable ways to uncover your past exposure to environmental toxins. There will also be an opportunity to discuss ways to support the body's natural detoxification processes.
$12 per person, $10 for co-op Owners & seniors
Kids Make Pancakes in The Merc Kitchen
for children 7-12 years old
Saturday · January 17 · 1-2:30 PM
taught by Connie Detweiler
Join the fun learning to make your very own pancake mix then decorate a pancake with fresh fruit and other healthy toppings. Kids go home with a beautifully wrapped pancake gift mix for giving, a mix recipe so you can make additional gifts and a tummy full of pancakes.
$15 per person, $13 for children of Merc Owners
Fabulous Winter Pasta Dishes
Wednesday · January 21 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
Put on a kettle of water to cook up pasta dishes like you've never had before. Paige combines pasta of all shapes and sizes, the best winter vegetables, accentuated by cheeses and meats to create wonderful cold weather pasta dishes that will satisfy and warm you. Paige will prepare Baked Penne with Cauliflower & Two Cheeses; Rigatoni with Broccoli, Capers & Olives; Orecchiette with Sauteed Wild Mushrooms; Fettuccine with Leeks, Walnuts & Cream; and Fusilli with Greens and Sausage. It's another Paige feast you won't want to miss!
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Flat Breads & Winter Warming
Soups (Dals) from Bengal
Saturday · January 24 · 2-4 PM
taught by Debjani Bhaduri
Few things can beat the irresistible taste of warm soups and flat bread during the cold winter days. This class will feature Batura - fried soft bread; Chana - spiced chickpea soup; Rooti - chapatti flat bread; hearty Lentil soup rich in vegetables and onion; Naan - flatbread with onion stuffing; and Cholar Dal - yellow split pea soup with raisins and coconut.
Wash it down with Moshla Cha - spiced tea or chai. Vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike will enjoy this class.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & seniors
Savory Pastries from Around the World
Tuesday · January 27 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Every culture and cuisine has some type of signature savory pastry where delicious dough is wrapped around a flavorful filling. Chef Nancy will take us to three countries to demonstrate and sample a variety of pastries along with a sauce accompaniment. Nancy will prepare Chicken Chorizo Empanadas with Harissa Aioli; Potato Pea Samosas with Mint Chutney; and Pan Fried Dumplings with Soy Vinegar. What a tasty journey you'll take.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Bean Cooking Basics
Wednesday · January 28 · 7-8 PM
taught by Nancy O'Connor, Nutrition Educator
This may not be the most seductive class title but don't pass by an opportunity to learn just how easy, affordable, nutritious and scrump-tious the humble bean can be. Beans and legumes are just goodness waiting to happen and you'll learn how to transform them into delicious meals. We'll discuss cooking methods, digestion (yes, we will address this issue) and then get to cooking. We'll prepare Black Beans with Yellow Rice; Braised Kale with Cannelini Beans served over Homemade Polenta; Roasted Squash with Corn & Pintos; and Lentil Spinach Soup.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & seniors
ADHD to Autism: Natural Options for Treatment
Thursday · January 29 · 7-8:30 PM
taught by Amber Belt, ND and Sue Westwind
Are you looking for alternative or complementary options for yourself or a loved one? Join us for recovery stories, review of research, and specific strategies from a naturopathic point of view. We will discuss diet, heavy metals, neurotransmitters, gut issues, vitamins and supplements. Bring your questions about how to safely and successfully utilize a natural approach.
$12 per person, $10 for co-op Owners & seniors
The Mysterious Cuisine of Crete
Saturday · January 31 · 2-4 PM
taught by Ocoee Miller
The Mediterranean diet has been widely promoted as an optimal diet. One particular version of this diet outshines all the others - the cuisine of the island of Crete. The people of Crete are astoundingly healthy, enjoying the fourth highest longevity in the world, living active fruitful lives into advanced old age. They have almost no degenerative diseases, a very low rate of heart disease, cancer is almost unknown, negligible advanced age dementia or Alzheimer's, a very low rate of diabetes, and they maintain strong teeth and bones throughout their lives. In this food philosophy class Ocoee will share information about what she's learned after spending a month last spring on the island of Crete studying and experiencing the delicious and economical local diet. Please note this is a discussion class and not a cooking class.
$12 per person, $10 for Merc Owners & seniors
