April Classes
Saturday, April 1, 2-4:30pm
Vegetarian Suppers
taught by Mari Ruck
Deborah Madison's new cookbook, "Vegetarian Suppers," provides the
inspiration for a wonderful and delicious class. Mari will prepare several
dishes from the book including a fabulous Lasagna, a Tofu dish and a Gratin.
As Mari has said, "it's really difficult to choose from this book as
everything is so good." With Mari's culinary skills and knowledge combined
with Madison's recipes, this will be a class not to be missed. Participants
will have the opportunity to purchase the book after class at a special
price. $15 per person, $13 for co-op members & seniors.
Tuesday, April 11, 7-9pm
How Sweet It Is - Cooking And Baking With
Natural Sweeteners
taught by Hilary Kass, Nutrition Educator
Looking for an alternative to white sugar in your diet? This cooking class
will introduce you to all the sweeteners that we carry at The Merc:
molasses, turbinado, agave nectar, sucanat, barley malt, and stevia to name
just a few. You'll get to sample each and learn their unique nutritional
make-up including vitamins and minerals and information about how they rank
on the glycemic index. Hilary will prepare sweet and savory dishes including
Thai Black Rice, made with brown rice syrup, Barley Malt Granola Bars, and
Ambrosia with Agave Lime Cream Dressing. Come expand your understanding of
sweet! $15 per person, $13 for co-op members & seniors.
Wednesday, April 12, 7-9pm
How To Buy A Home
taught by Thomas Howe
Curious about how to go about buying a home? This class will show you the
process, from finding out how much home you can buy, working with mortgage
lenders, how to locate homes that meet your needs and tastes, negotiating a
contract, title insurance, home inspections, all the way through closing and
moving in! What are closing costs? How do I find out my credit score? What
do interest rates have to do with buying a home? Can I do it? Get the
answers to these and other questions at this home buying seminar. $12 per
person, $10 for co-op members & seniors.
Tuesday, April 18, 7-9pm
European Pastries
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
Fabulous European-style pastries are easily within reach of home bakers
with recipes and instructions from Chef Paige. In this class Paige will
prepare, and you'll sample, Danishes, Linzertorte, Cream Puffs, and Pear &
Walnut Butter Cake. Wow! Need we say more? $18 per person, $15 for co-op
members & seniors.
Wednesday, April 19, 7-9pm
Movies At The Merc: "The Future Of Food"
sponsored by The Merc
There is a revolution happening in the farm fields and on the dinner tables
of America, a revolution that is transforming the very nature of the food we
eat. "The Future of Food" offers an in-depth investigation into the
disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered
foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery shelves for the past decade.
From the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada, to the fields of Oaxaca, Mexico,
this film gives a voice to farmers whose lives and livelihoods have been
negatively impacted by this new technology. The health implications,
government policies and push towards globalization are all part of the
reason many people are alarmed about the introduction of genetically altered
crops into our food supply. Shot on location in the U.S., Canada, and
Mexico, this film examines the complex web of market and political forces
that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to
control the world's food system. The film also explores alternatives to
large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable
agriculture as real solutions to the farm crisis today. Organically grown
popcorn and juice will be served. $2 per person which will be donated to the
Locally Grown JAMS summer program. Limited to the first 20 registrants.
Tuesday, April 25, 7-9pm
Massaging The Stress Points: Hands, Arms,
Shoulders, And The Neck (a partner class)
taught by David Haigh & Anne Wilsey
Ease into spring with this partner massage class. The material covered will
include stretching and breathing for relaxation and massage methods that
will leave the giver feeling energized rather than depleted. Remember, an
important part of successfully helping another is to take care of yourself
as well. This is a partner massage class. Two people need to enroll together
as a pair. $20 for 2 people, $18 if one partner is a co-op members or
senior.
Thursday, April 27, 7-9pm
Tofu Basics
taught by Nancy O'connor, Merc Education Director
In this beginner tofu cooking class we will demystify tofu by providing
basic handling and cooking information that will help you succeed with soy.
We'll prepare Simple Pan Fried Tofu, Tofu Sandwich Spread, Marinated Tofu &
Rice Salad, Tofu Peasant Pie, and Barbecued Tofu. Each class participant
will receive a complimentary pound of locally made Central Soyfoods tofu to
take home that you can use to create a tofu success! $15 per person, $13 for
co-op members & seniors.
Saturday, April 29, 2-4pm
Wheat-Free / Gluten-Free Baking
taught by Mari Ruck
At last we've found the perfect instructor for a class we've had numerous
requests for. Mari's culinary training combined with years of experience
working with customers at her former business The Food Bin provides the
right skills and knowledge to teach participants how to cook without wheat
or gluten. Mari will make Basic Wheat-free Bread as well as delicious
Wheat-free Brownies and Gooey Almond Cake. You'll pick up lots of wheat-free
cooking and baking tips to help you create satisfying foods you can enjoy.
$15 per person, $13 for co-op members & seniors.
