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In this issue: 
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Many of you are familiar with our
Nourishing Connections Cookbook. It's a book that not only offers a large collection of recipes and tips on eating for health, but it also shares the story of how Ceres got started, and of some of the teens and clients who've been part of our family.
When JoEllen DeNicola and I wrote the book in 2009, Ceres was just two years old. This week, I've been editing the first chapter, which tells the story of Ceres. We're getting ready to do a third printing, and a lot has happened in the ensuing years!
Our cookbook is in every U.S. state and a number of countries around the world. Julie Burford and Ann Wathen were inspired to bring Ceres to Marin County, we planted a garden, piloted a program in Sonoma Valley, and this year we've opened two new program sites in Santa Rosa and Alameda.
Today, Ceres Community Project is truly
the co-creation of thousands of people, each of whom said "yes" in a moment of awareness
that they had something to contribute, that there was a role to play in
something larger.
I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who has--and who continues to--say YES. Together, we're re-weaving the fabric of our community, and creating thousands of healing moments each and every week, here in Northern California, and around the country thanks to our Affiliate Partners.
In Gratitude,
Cathryn Couch
Executive Director
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 CeresFest returns to Lagunitas Brewing
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Cold beer, delicious food, live music and good times...all in support of Ceres
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Monday, May 2
5:30 - 8:30 pm
Lagunitas TapRoom
Lagunitas Brewing Company
1280 North McDowell Blvd, Petaluma
Ticket prices
$25 for adults
$12. 50 for 5-12 yr olds
Under 5 free
Price includes organic dinner (with vegetarian and vegan options)
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Tickets are selling fast. Get yours today!
Buy tickets and get more details
here
.
Invite friends on Facebook!
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Ceres Featured on NPR!
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Ceres and
our Alameda program site are honored to be featured on NPR's The Salt and KQED's Bay Area Bites blogs.
We appreciate this great opportunity for others to learn more about our program, buy our cookbook, join our community and better understand Ceres' dedication to nutrition, youth empowerment and helping those in our community who are struggling with illness.
Click here to read the full article.
We give thanks to KQED for their story!
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Filled with beautiful photos and inspiring stories, our Annual Report is a celebration of a year's service to our clients and teens, and of the many hearts and hands that make our work possible. We hope reading it will make your day a little brighter!
Here is a link to our 2015 Annual Report
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April in Ceres' Garden: A Photo Essay
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Ceres Community Garden, located in Sebastopol, is lovingly tended by youth gardeners, adult volunteers, and garden manager Sara McCamant.
Youth have the opportunity to gain a "soil to table" experience of food, as many of the volunteers rotate between the garden and kitchen.
Spring is a busy time in the garden. See and read about what the garden team has been up to this month:
Have a look at our
photo essay
to learn more and enjoy a virtual tour!
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Gratitude from our Client
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" Your meals - which taste of love, started at the beginning of the month of radiation. I have felt so cared for each week, by the chefs, the delivery Angels, my wonderful liaison Sara, and everyone connected to the Ceres Project. What you do is important, significant, educational, and appreciated. My life and body are nourished and I thank you."
- Ceres Client
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Help Ceres Grow
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Take 5 minutes to rate Ceres, and you'll help more donors & volunteers choose Ceres.
Great Nonprofits is like the Yelp of the nonprofit world. Share your experience as a volunteer, client or donor and you can inspire others to join in and widen the circle of people working together to build community, mentor youth and nourish our neighbors in health crisis.
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Catering by Ceres
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Your next event can feature delicious, nourishing food AND you'll be providing work experience for Ceres' teens
Here are just a few of the benefits of having Ceres cater your event:
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Vegan, gluten free and other dietary needs happily accommodated
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We use only foods raised and sourced sustainably, with most ingredients certified organic and locally-produced
- You'll be supporting Ceres' programs empowering youth and supporting low-income community members with healthy, organic delivered meals during illness
Learn more about our catering program
here.
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Nutrition Article: Soy Benefits and Concerns
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by Thais Harris, NC
Nutrition Education Manager, Ceres Community Project
Soybeans and soy products have fallen into the category of controversial foods, because, well, they are. I wish there was a clear cut answer to whether soy is healthy, but I haven't found one. Here I will do my best to point out some of the health benefits of specific whole soy products (the fermented kind: tempeh, miso, tofu and natto) and some of the concerns around soy, which namely are in regards to GMO soy and highly-processed soy products (certain soy milks and tofu, soy isolates, and other derivatives).
"In ancient times in China, soy was valued as a superb green manure for the nitrogen-fixing ability of its roots. However, it was not eaten, either by animals or by people until a slow fermenting process was developed, which reduced its gas-forming indigestibility and the anti-nutrient effects of many of its constituents" (
American Nutrition Association).
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| We're grateful to Sonoma County's Alive & Healing, who provides the organic tempeh we use in our kitchens at a generous discount. |
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Recipe of the Month
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Sweet and Sour Tempeh
Here is a healthy soy-based tempeh recipe that our Kale Club members received some time back. Kale Club members make an incredible difference to our work by being committed monthly donors.
This savory meal is nutritious and high protein. Enjoy!
Click here
for the pdf of the recipe.
We love to hear from you when you've tried our recipes. You can post your experiences here on our
Facebook page.
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Ceres is grateful to all of the generous businesses that support our work. Here are just two examples:
RISK Dance Company is putting on a production at Analy High School Theater in Sebastopol on Saturday, April 30th, and will donate all of their proceeds after expenses to Ceres.
Thank you for your generosity!
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 Upcoming Classes & Events
Please note the location of events, as this calendar lists events for our Alameda, San Rafael, Santa Rosa and Sebastopol locations.
You can also find our events listed on our website
here.
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Volunteer Orientation - Santa Rosa
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Take the first step towards becoming part of the Ceres volunteer family.
If you are interested in attending, please visit the volunteer pages to learn more and register. Registration opens the first day of the month of that orientation
. (Parents of teens need not register.)
Invite friends on Facebook!
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Healing Foods Essentials - Sebastopol
6:00 - 8:00 pm
If you have already taken the Healing Foods Basics class and would like to know more, this class is for you.
In this class, we will delve a little deeper into:
♥ Anti-inflammatory Foods
♥ Fats: which to use and how to cook them properly
♥ Managing your blood sugar
This class involves a hands-on portion, and we will make a healthy dish together!
Healing Foods Essentials is open to those who have taken a Healing Foods Basics class.
Space is limited, so please register early.
Invite friends on Facebook!
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Adult Volunteer Orientation - Alameda
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Apr
28
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6:00 - 7:00 pm
Ceres is Now Serving Alameda County!
Join us and make a life-changing difference!
The Alameda program site will open in March 2016 at the Alameda Point Collaborative kitchen. We are looking for adult volunteers for mentoring, food prep, client support, meal delivery, and more.
Reservations are essential due to space limitations.
To RSVP or for more details contact Aileen at [email protected]
Invite friends on Facebook!
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CeresFest 2016
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| May 2 |
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5:30 - 8:30 pm
Featuring live music, an Irish - inspired dinner, and an exciting raffle
Join us and make a life-changing difference!
Lagunitas Brewing Company
1280 North McDowell Blvd, Petaluma
Price includes organic dinner (with vegetarian and vegan options)
Ticket prices
$25 for adults
$12. 50 for 5-12 yr olds
Under 5 free
Thanks to our sponsor and host,
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Reservations are essential due to space limitations.
To RSVP or for more details visit us here.
Invite friends on Facebook!
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Adult Volunteer Orientation - San Rafael
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Ceres continues to grow in Marin County, and invites teens to attend an orientation to learn about the volunteer roles.
This orientation will take place at:
Ceres Marin Kitchen
4308 Redwood Highway, Suite 100
San Rafael, CA 94903
Note: The kitchen is in "The Vineyard" on Frontage Road between Freitas Parkway and Smith Ranch Road.
Reservations are essential due to space limitations.
Please contact Kay Law, Adult Volunteer Coordinator, to reserve your space at 415-342-3242 or email [email protected].
Invite friends on Facebook!
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Volunteer Orientation - Sebastopol
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Take the first step towards becoming part of the Ceres volunteer family. If you are interested in attending, please visit the volunteer pages to learn more and register. Registration opens the first day of the month of that orientation
. (Parents of teens need not register.)
Invite friends on Facebook!
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Teen Volunteer Orientation - San Rafael
5:00 - 6:00 pm
Ceres continues to grow in Marin County, and invites teens to attend an orientation to learn about the volunteer roles.
This orientation will take place at:
Ceres Marin Kitchen
4308 Redwood Highway, Suite 100
San Rafael, CA 94903
Note: The kitchen is in "The Vineyard" on Frontage Road between Freitas Parkway and Smith Ranch Road.
Reservations are essential due to space limitations.
Please contact Rebecca Schilling, Teen Program Coordinator, to reserve your space at 415-450-5251 or email [email protected]
Invite friends on Facebook!
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Healing Foods Basics at Sonoma Valley Hospital
6:00 - 8:00 pm
This class offers an overview of Ceres' nutrient-rich approach to healthy eating while providing a fun environment and loving community.
Healing Foods Basics is open to the public.
Space is limited, so please register early.
♥ Whole food nutrition basics
♥ Shopping strategies
♥ Foods to add and to avoid
♥ Eating well on a budget
♥ Healthy lifestyle choices
Space is limited, so please register early.
Invite friends on Facebook!
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Youth Volunteer Orientation - Santa Rosa
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Take the first step towards becoming part of the Ceres volunteer family.
If you are interested in attending, please visit the volunteer pages to learn more and register. Registration opens the first day of the month of that orientation
. (Parents of teens need not register.)
Invite friends on Facebook!
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Teen Volunteer Orientation - San Rafael
5:00 - 6:00 pm
Ceres continues to grow in Marin County, and invites teens to attend an orientation to learn about the volunteer roles.
This orientation will take place at:
Ceres Marin Kitchen
4308 Redwood Highway, Suite 100
San Rafael, CA 94903
Note: The kitchen is in "The Vineyard" on Frontage Road between Freitas Parkway and Smith Ranch Road.
Reservations are essential due to space limitations.
Please contact Rebecca Schilling, Teen Program Coordinator, to reserve your space at 415-450-5251 or email [email protected]
Invite friends on Facebook!
____________________________________________________
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Volunteer Orientation - Sebastopol
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Take the first step towards becoming part of the Ceres volunteer family. If you are interested in attending, please visit the volunteer pages to learn more and register. Registration opens the first day of the month of that orientation
. (Parents of teens need not register.)
Invite friends on Facebook!
___________________________
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Healing Foods Essentials - Novato
6:00 - 8:00 pm
If you have already taken the Healing Foods Basics class and would like to know more, this class is for you.
In this class, we will delve a little deeper into:
♥ Anti-inflammatory Foods
♥ Fats: which to use and how to cook them properly
♥ Managing your blood sugar
This class involves a hands-on portion, and we will make a healthy dish together!
Healing Foods Essentials is open to those who have taken a Healing Foods Basics class.
Space is limited, so please register early.
Invite friends on Facebook!
_____________________________________________________
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Volunteer Orientation - Santa Rosa
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Take the first step towards becoming part of the Ceres volunteer family.
If you are interested in attending, please visit the volunteer pages to learn more and register. Registration opens the first day of the month of that orientation
. (Parents of teens need not register.)
Invite friends on Facebook!
___________________________
__________________________
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Healing Foods Basics - Sebastopol
6:00 - 8:00 pm
This class offers an overview of Ceres' nutrient-rich approach to healthy eating while providing a fun environment and loving community.
Healing Foods Basics is open to the public.
Space is limited, so please register early.
♥ Whole food nutrition basics
♥ Shopping strategies
♥ Foods to add and to avoid
♥ Eating well on a budget
♥ Healthy lifestyle choices
Healing Foods Basics is open to the public.
Space is limited, so please register early.
Invite friends on Facebook!
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More Ways to Support Ceres
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*Join Our Kale Club*
Become one of our monthly donors and you'll automatically be enrolled in our Kale Club.
Kale Club membership perks include a monthly email with a collection of delicious and healthy recipes from the Ceres kitchen!
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*Purchase the Ceres Cookbook*
Ceres'
Nourishing Connections Cookbook is filled with
delicious and healthy recipes...
PLUS read about how Ceres came to be, and benefit from the extensive section outlining Ceres' Food Philosophy and hands on strategies to empower you to make healthy change in your life. More details and sample recipes here.
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*Whole Foods*
Visit Whole Foods Market and enjoy a delicious, healthy deli salad or soup adapted from Ceres' Nourishing Connections Cookbook.
Ceres receives a $1.00 donation for every pint purchased. Look for special signage in these Whole Foods locations:
Santa Rosa (Yulupa)
Coddingtown
Sebastopol
Petaluma
Sonoma
Blithedale
Novato
Mill Valley
San Rafael
Napa
and other Northern California locations!
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*Community Cards*
Earn funds for Ceres when you shop at Oliver's Markets, Petaluma Market, Fircrest and other local markets.
Pick up your eScrip Community Card the next time you shop, and designate Ceres as your beneficiary. The markets will donate 3-5% of your spending to us.
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*AmazonSmile*
You can easily support Ceres through the purchases you already make on Amazon.com.
Visit Smile.Amazon.com to choose Ceres as your beneficiary organization and then access Amazon via Smile.Amazon.com every time you shop.
The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Ceres.
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OPERATING PRINCIPLES
Heart Centered & Love Guided
We are committed to expressing love, trust, respect and integrity in our lives, work and organization.
Everything Matters
Nothing is left out. We work to have every action and choice lead to the greatest positive impact.
Young People are the Future
Young People are intelligent, responsible, capable, creative and caring, and must be central participants in shaping our collective future.
The Universe has a Purpose
Everything is connected, and life continually invites us to experience gratitude, abundance, connection, community and healing.
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