It has been a very challenging time for the nonprofit community in Philadelphia and the country. Concerns, particularly about federal funding, and about ensuring that our organization has sustainable resources to continue to provide nutrition education through cooking in our community are constantly on my mind. 

Obviously, I also have to give an extra special shout out to the Philadelphia Eagles for winning the Super Bowl and for brightening the spirits of the fans and people of Philadelphia! Go birds! We love you, Saquon!

We can only control what we can control, so I’ve tried to be intentional about trying to set myself up for success with nourishing meals for the day. Much of these choices have been made around what’s in my pantry or available in our office. 

To that end, of late, my breakfast of choice has been a riff on our Creamy Banana Oatmeal with a scoop of peanut butter and a handful of berries, if I have them. Though our recipe specifies using the stovetop, I’ve been chatting with our recipe development team about writing alternative instructions for using the microwave. On busy mornings, a 3-ish-minute, one-bowl, no-pot-to-clean breakfast is so convenient and delicious, and I feel far more equipped to face big challenges head on. 
Creamy Banana Oatmeal

I feel so grateful every day for the caring and thoughtful community of colleagues at Vetri Community Partnership. Members of our team frequently help to ensure, both consciously and not, that we are all fed, nourished, and feel a connection through food. On days when you really need a snack, by some miracle that feels like mind reading, fresh stove-popped popcorn appears in the Teaching Kitchen ready to share. One day as it crept towards the later afternoon, multiple team members asked me, “Have you eaten your lunch yet?” urging me to take a beat and grab a bite. A mention of famous homemade chocolate chip cookies are inevitably brought in to share. Peeling off a segment of a perfect orange to share because it’s *so* good and it wouldn’t taste nearly as good if you ate it alone. Folks scrounging up lunch from the “up for grabs” section of the fridge are cheered on and given suggestions about enhancing their dish. 

Often heard around our office and Teaching Kitchen: “You have to try this!” “You’re going to love this.” “This reminds me of you.” “Would you like some?” “That smells so good!” “Ooooh, what do you have for lunch today?!”

Our wonderful VCP team!

We spend so many hours in our workplaces, and I feel endlessly grateful that ours is filled with people who inspire connection through food – both in our office and the community. The care that our team has for one other and our community ripples out through a love of sharing delicious, wholesome food. Through these pantry meals and shared moments, I am assured and reminded that building community through food is something that will keep me going – far more than a bowl of oatmeal in the morning!