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Several years ago, I listened to a couple of talks given by Alan Watts, one of my favorite writers.  They were titled "The Art of Cooking Sincerely" and "Cooking with Reverence".  Since this was around the time I was beginning to host events, they sounded interesting...

In person events are now resuming!  I had a great place in mind, but unfortunately, it has permanently closed.  If anyone has a large space and would like to host, knows someone who does, or would just like to attend, please let me know.  Like many past events, there...

"If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed.  If you do, you're misinformed."Attributed to Mark Twain "A key purpose of journalism is to provide an adversarial check on those who wield the greatest power by shining a light on what they do in the dark, and...

If you are going to try a true carnivore diet, which Dr. Paul Saladino describes as nose-to-tail eating including organ meats, you may as well get the highest quality food you can afford, but it can get expensive.  Also make sure to listen to his podcast because it's...

In previous e-mails, I shared various food and health tips including how to boost your immune system, cope with stress, improve sleep hygiene, and where to buy high quality food.  I now want to expand and share some additional information I have gathered over the past...

I mentioned in my previous e-mail that I thought it might help to provide all of you with a forum to discuss everything going on.  For the indefinite future, I want to provide an opportunity to talk about how you are coping and share ideas that might help others.  If...

Although events are on hold, I still wanted to provide a forum to discuss everything that's going on in the world.  So I am going to be hosting smaller gatherings through Zoom.  If you are interested in participating, let me know. Here are some questions that have...

Focusing on the quality of my food has led me to think more about my health, which is especially important at a time like this.  With all the news stories that we are bombarded with, it can be very easy to become fearful and feel like we don't have any control. ...

Since communal gatherings are on hold, I thought I would provide some actionable tips that might be helpful: Small Grocery Stores A few grocery stores I go to are Plum Market in Old Town, Dill Pickle in Logan Square, and Local Foods in Bucktown.  They haven't been too...

"The teacher certification monopoly has nothing whatsoever to do with the mastery of an intellectual discipline.  Indeed every year, many competent people are denied admission to the business or forced out of it because they know too much."  John Taylor Gatto,...

One of Community Dining's new initiatives focuses on screenings of films that stimulate conversation about insufficiently explored topics and challenge people to view these topics through a new paradigm.  Most Likely to Succeed, "a thought-provoking documentary...

"The home-cooked meal is revered as the ultimate expression of food integrity." "Human self-actualization, human self-affirmation, I think is actually encouraged and stimulated when we viscerally participate in the physical elements of life."  "A culture that just...

As we approach Community Dining's three year anniversary, I continue to refine its focus, which has become more about connecting individually with people than anything else.  Perhaps paradoxically, I've begun to prefer private events where I personally invite each...

"Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed and in such desperate enterprises?  If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.  Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far way.  It is...

After hosting 42 Community Dining events since April of 2015 and accumulating an e-mail list of over 1,100 people, almost all of whom I've met, I've decided to take a step back and reflect on how I can continue to build authentic community.  Many of these events have...

"Dialogue is the yeast that lightens the bread; & should be paid for at double rate -- whereas by the word-system it counts the same as the dough." Mark Twain "Beware of virtue.  Lao Tza, the Chinese philosopher said, “The highest virtue is not virtue, and therefore...

In a previous article, I shared my personal story about what led me to start a farm-to-table community dining and wellness club and how my realization of the intimate connection among local and sustainable food, community, and culture led me down a path of becoming...

Community Dining is a local organization that facilitates dinner events that promote the importance of sustainability and health in food. These events are unique because they allow for attendees to socialize in community spaces and frequently meet local decision...

  Upon starting Community Dining nearly two years ago with little idea about what to expect, I knew challenges would lie ahead, but just assumed I would figure out whatever I needed without much difficulty.  Now I have to admit that the recent Sun Time article about...

Due to an article in the Sun Times regarding the Wed., Feb. 15 Community Dining event with Alderman Joe Moreno, I felt that I should respond.  To clear up any confusion, Community Dining is the host of the dinner, and all of the proceeds will go towards the cost of...

Over the past two years, I have been gathering data on restaurants, bakeries, caterers, grocery stores, juice bars, and delivery services that have a focus on sustainable sourcing that engages us in the means by which we fuel ourselves.  I have also looked up the...

I had the privilege of attending the Food Tank Summit last month as a member of the media.  It was filled with interesting speakers and attendees with a background in food and agriculture or who had an interest in these areas.  While many of these events can serve as...

    I learned about an organization called Food Tank when a friend mentioned one of their events last year in Washington, D.C. that focused on a discussion of the real cost of food and the long-term health, agricultural, and environmental consequences of having a food...

Original post:  http://www.personallypaleo.com/entries/communitydining-gunthorpfarms-kitchfix One of the best parts of social media is it's ability to introduce you to new products, new people, new causes, etc.  The community that forms around you is amazing.  A few...

There is a growing movement in Chicago that aims to increase awareness about the importance of growing food locally and sustainably and support local growers that focus on sustainable sourcing.  One can easily find opportunities to learn more about a wide range of...

      Last week, I got to do something very cool. I was invited to a Seafood Themed Community Dinner organized by Paul Sippil.  The dinner was a part of the farm-to-table themed club Sippil started last year, in an effort to connect people through responsibly sourced...

I recently attended the Community Dining Paleo Dinner. Community Dining is Paul Sippil’s wonderful concept focusing on strengthening social bonds through communal dining! This event focused on gathering people to get to know each other, try tasty local food at...

A recent dinner as part of the Community Dining group in Chicago reminded me how nourishing a meal can be – both for the sustenance of the food and also for the exchange of meaningful conversation. As I sat down for a plant-based Indian dinner prepared by the Chutney...

While I have enjoyed connecting people through shared meals, the value of building a strong community delves much deeper, as communities have the power to provide a voice to those who need it most.  The plight of Earth's Healing Cafe serves as a great opportunity to...

Community Dining recently hosted its first community engagement dinner focusing on the topic of wrongful convictions featuring Judy Royal, law professor and co-director of the Women’s Project of the Center on Wrongful Convictions, which she co-founded with professor...