January 2022
Hello Friend,

Happy New Year! We are so grateful to move into 2022 with each of you! Our year-end campaign was a success, raising over $30,000 to continue on our journey of health equity and environmental justice. A special thank you to Sprouts Chula Vista/Eastlake for their continued support of our year-end campaign through matching funds and to all those who made a gift!

As we embark on a new year, we are also starting new adventures. Our two new educators will be working hand-in-hand with our new garden support staff in school gardens throughout National City. These educators will work in all ten elementary schools to expand the impact of garden-based nutrition education to all K-6 students in National School District. Thank you to Healthy Day Partners for joining us in this effort.

Another new project is our partnership with BrightSide Produce. Currently, Olivewood-grown produce is on the shelves at corner stores throughout National City. This produce is part of a bigger initiative to ensure there is locally grown healthy food available within walking distance of most homes. As both of these projects grow, our Kitchenistas® will play a valuable role in educating adults and youth on creative and healthy snacks and meals.

All of this growth is possible due to volunteers, ambitious community partners, and supporters like you. Please consider supporting Olivewood in the new year. We can’t wait to see you in the garden soon.

Jen Nation, Executive Director of Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center
Upcoming Events
Adult Cooking Class: Build-a-Bowl Soup & Salad
Saturday, January 15, 3:30PM - 5:30PM

Start the new year with new recipes! Be inspired with a plant based, garden fresh soup and salad class with our expert educator, Ellyse.
Save the Date - Valentine's Day Cooking Class and Dinner
Monday, February 14

Save the Date for our annual cooking class and dinner with the amazing Chef Christina Ng of Chinita's Pies! More details to come.

Knife Skills

Saturday, February 19, 3:30PM - 5:30PM

Want to improve your knife skills? Learn new techniques or practice old ones? Come to Olivewood and experience a fun & informative adult knife skills class while creating simple, seasonal dishes to enjoy.
Save the Date - Seedling Soirée
Saturday, June 4, 5PM - 9PM

We are thrilled to announce the date for our 2022 Seedling Soirée! This year we'll be back in-person with exciting changes including hands-on mission-connected activities, dancing with live music, and a pay-what-you-can option to improve event accessibility.

Registration coming soon!
Program Spotlight: Environmental Health Coalition Partnership
This fall, we were excited to collaborate with the Environmental Health Coalition (EHC), a partner organization championing environmental justice, on a SALTA (Salud Ambiental, Líderes Tomando Acción) program. EHC developed this program focused on building resident leadership and has offered it to the community for over 20 years. In our joint cohort, Kitchenistas and community leaders from National City, City Heights, and Barrio Logan participated in an 8-week program focusing on environmental racism, environmental and food justice, advocacy and public speaking, and community building. Forty resident leaders graduated from the program and will continue to lead change in their communities, stay involved in capacity building efforts including EHC's Community Action Teams, Olivewood's ongoing Kitchenista Engagement Program activities, and health coalition development. Congrats to the graduates!
Olivewood Gardens Opportunities
We are looking for passionate volunteers that want to extend their knowledge and skills in community education, group management, nutrition, environmental science, gardening, marketing and communications, and more! For more information, please contact Jackie Ante at: jacqueline@olivewoodgardens.org. Check out the volunteer and internship opportunities and sign up to join us!
Recipe of the Month: Roasted Butternut Squash and Mushroom Galette
Created by Olivewood Gardens
Crust adapted from Minimalist Baker
Ingredients and Directions for Crust:
2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp chopped sage
1 tbsp chopped rosemary
2/3 cup coconut oil (scoop-able, not liquid)*
3-6 tbsp ice cold water

1. Add flour and salt to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.

2. Next add coconut oil in spoonfuls (see photo) and use a pastry cutter (or fork) to cut the two together, until it resembles wet sand - about 30-45 seconds.

3. Add ice cold water 1 tbsp at a time and use a wooden spoon to gently mix. Add only as much water as needed to help it come together and form a dough - about 3-4 tbsp.

4. Form dough into a ball, cover in plastic wrap and place in fridge until filling is ready.
Ingredients and Directions for Galette:
16 oz mushrooms
1 head of garlic, roasted
1 butternut squash, cubed
1 yellow onion, diced
2 tbsp sage, minced
¼ cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

1.Toss butternut squash with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake for 20 minutes at 425°.

2. Meanwhile, sauté mushrooms and onions and medium high heat until golden brown.

3. When squash is done, add to mushroom mixture and mix in spices.

4. Take out galette dough and roll into desired size. For one galette, role into ¼ inch thick disc. For individual galettes, roll out 5 inch round pieces.

5. Fill with galette filling. Roll sides of galette up and over filling.

6. Brush tops of dough with olive oil and salt.

7. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes.
SDG&E Tips
You may qualify for a bill discount or home improvements. SDG&E’s assistance programs can help you lower your energy use and/or monthly energy bill while keeping your home comfortable.

California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program: Save 30% or more every month on your energy bill. Find out if you qualify at sdge.com/CARE.

Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program: If you don’t qualify for CARE and your household has 3 or more people, you may qualify for FERA. Visit sdge.com/FERA for more information.

Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program: You may qualify to receive no-cost, energy-saving improvements for your home, such as new appliances, furnace repair, lighting, insulation and more. Find details at sdge.com/ESAP.