Mushroom Walk

It’s widely known that some fungi are decomposers, but did you know that they can also eat plastic, clean up oil spills, hunt for prey, and enable trees to talk to each other? Join mycology educator, macro photographer, and author, Meg Madden, on a mushroom curiosity walk to learn more about the lives of these fascinating organisms. On this walk, we will explore the woods and talk about the mushrooms we find along the way including what they are and how to identify them. From building soil to connecting trees, we will go over the essential roles that fungi play within their natural communities. From environmental remediation to mycelium-based green building materials, we’ll also learn about some of the unique ways fungi can help us navigate our way in a more planet-friendly manner. Meg will also discuss the importance of community science, how you can contribute to Vermont’s growing database of fungi species on iNaturalist, and share tips and tricks for taking scientific-grade mushroom photos. We will meet at Wright Park on Seymour Street Extension at 5:00 pm. Wear comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and bring your questions and curiosity! Signed copies of Meg’s new book, This Is A Book For People Who Love Mushrooms will be available for purchase.

Fungi educator, author, and photographer, Meg Madden, can often be found in the forests of her childhood practicing what she calls “mushroom yoga” — laying on the ground, standing on her head, or balancing precariously on a log — to capture the perfect snail’s-eye view of her favorite photo subject: Fungi! Her colorful, highly detailed mushroom portraits offer an intimate look into the often-overlooked world of these extraordinary organisms. Inspired by the belief that people are more likely to take care of something they love, she finds great joy in facilitating fun and meaningful connections between humans and nature. Meg shares her knowledge and contagious passion for the fantastic world of fungi through visually engaging presentations, mushroom walks, and via her Instagram gallery @megmaddendesign. An advocate for fungal diversity and community science, Meg teaches iNaturalist workshops and is helping to compile an Atlas Of Fungi for the state of Vermont.

Advance registration is required. Please register at least one week in advance. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. This class will be capped at 15 participants. All classes are $30, or FREE for members of the Co-op’s Food For All Program. To register, please click here. 

Self Care and Herbs for Menopause

Have you been told that menopause symptoms are inevitable? Have you tried lots of treatments and are still experiencing hot flashes? Brain fog? Poor sleep? Dryness? Slower metabolism? All the symptoms of menopause are the results of shifting hormone levels and their imbalances. Despite popular belief it doesn’t have to be that way. You can find new balance within yourself and reduce and even eliminate symptoms—and the recommended practices may surprise you. Join Ayurvedic Health Counselor Jennifer Peterson to learn about Ayurveda, Yoga’s sister science, and herbs, and diet and lifestyle practices that can support your best second half ever!

Jen Peterson is an Ayuvedic Health Counselor, experienced Yoga Teacher, and Reiki Practitioner living in Bristol, VT. Her business, Yoga Grace offers individual sessions, group classes, and workshops using the powerful tools of Yoga and Ayurveda to help you heal yourself and thrive. 

Advance registration is required. Please register at least one week in advance. This class is capped at 12 participants. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. All classes are $30, or FREE for members of the Co-op’s Food For All Program. To register, click here.

Flavors of South India

Delna’s journey from India to California to Singapore to New York and, finally, to Vermont, has given her vast experience to understand different global cuisine. She seeks to share with her Vermont community the rich heritage of Indian cuisine, which is diverse and not just limited to the widely popular North Indian food many are familiar with in America. Join Delna in this hands-on class where we’ll prepare a few of her favorites including a classic regional Chettinad chicken coconut curry with lemon rice. Delna’s approach to home-style cooking centers fun and creativity while building kitchen confidence with basic knowledge, simple techniques, and local ingredients!

Delna Khambatta is the founder/owner of Delna’s Kitchen, located in Williston, VT, where she prepares ready-to-eat frozen meals inspired by her rich cultural heritage. She grew up in the predominantly vegetarian state of Gujarat but enjoys cooking all regional Indian cuisine. When she isn’t cooking up meals to stock the shelves at Co-ops and other local retailers, Delna enjoys culinary teaching, catering, hosting pop-up kitchens, and making pottery. She enjoys adding creative twists to traditional family recipes, substituting local and plant-based ingredients whenever possible. Her culinary instruction focuses on home-style Indian regional cuisine, which is balanced and very different than what is typically served in Indian restaurants in America. Her style of cooking is easy and simple to follow, focusing on simple techniques and inspired by local ingredients.
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Advance registration is required. Please register at least one week in advance. Classes are capped at 12 participants. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. All classes are $30, or FREE for members of the Co-op’s Food For All Program. To register, please click here. 

How to Make and Use Four Thieves Vinegar (Fire Cider)

Yes! You have what you need to support yourself and your family’s immunity and health this winter in your kitchen! With a variety of medicinal and culinary herbs, fruit, and spices, you can go home with a potent remedy that can be used daily to enhance both culinary salad dressings and/or to simply add to sparkling water for an immune-enhancing drink. Join herbalist Julie Mitchell to explore recipes and have a better understanding of the herbal actions of the plant medicines involved in this warming concoction. Bring a glass quart canning jar with a lid, if you have one. If not, we’ll have you covered! 

Advance registration is required. Please register at least one week in advance. Classes are capped at 12 participants. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. All classes are $30, or FREE for members of the Co-op’s Food For All Program. To register, please click here.

Pregnancy and Postpartum Homecare for Real People

Are you curious about non-pharmaceutical techniques to support your mood, energy, and forever-changed life? In this course, we will begin with an experiential (and optional) ear acupuncture session to resource your nervous system. Then, you’ll learn foundational homecare practices for prenatal and postpartum care from a Chinese Medicine perspective. Ranging from milk-building recipes to infant massage for colic and anxiety-releasing techniques, this course is designed for real parents of all genders who want access to time-tested wisdom that can easefully be woven into their busy life. We’ll also have a solid 20 minutes for you to ask your questions of a prenatal and postpartum acupuncture expert. (Ear acupuncture is optional and can be done with pins or non-puncturing earseeds.) Your instructor is Rebecca Cariati, owner and head acupuncturist at Bristol and Burlington-based Refuge Acupuncture. All participants will receive a special offering for acupuncture.

Rebecca Cariati (they/them) is the owner and head acupuncturist at Refuge Acupuncture – an inclusive, trauma-informed practice that centers LGBTQIA-2+ community, prenatal and postpartum parents, neurodiverse people, folks in big bodies, children, people with mental health challenges, those who are afraid of needles, and people with unnameable ailments. Located in both Bristol and Burlington, Refuge Acupuncture was born of Cariati’s own healing through acupuncture during which their chronic pain resolved and they found a deeper sense of belonging in their own body and mind. According to Cariati, “This is what I aspire to do for my clients whether you’re taking your first or your last breaths on this planet — to play a part in supporting the sensitive and the spicy amongst us to find refuge right where you are.”

Advance registration is required. Please register at least one week in advance. Classes are capped at 12 participants. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. All classes are $30, or FREE for members of the Co-op’s Food For All Program. To register, please click here.

Mushroom Walk

It’s widely known that some fungi are decomposers, but did you know that they can also eat plastic, clean up oil spills, hunt for prey, and enable trees to talk to each other? Join mycology educator, macro photographer, and author, Meg Madden, on a mushroom curiosity walk to learn more about the lives of these fascinating organisms. On this walk, we will explore the woods and talk about the mushrooms we find along the way including what they are and how to identify them. From building soil to connecting trees, we will go over the essential roles that fungi play within their natural communities. From environmental remediation to mycelium-based green building materials, we’ll also learn about some of the unique ways fungi can help us navigate our way in a more planet-friendly manner. Meg will also discuss the importance of community science, how you can contribute to Vermont’s growing database of fungi species on iNaturalist, and share tips and tricks for taking scientific-grade mushroom photos. We will meet at Wright Park on Seymour Street Extension at 5:00 pm. Wear comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and bring your questions and curiosity! Signed copies of Meg’s new book, This Is A Book For People Who Love Mushrooms will be available for purchase.

Fungi educator, author, and photographer, Meg Madden, can often be found in the forests of her childhood practicing what she calls “mushroom yoga” — laying on the ground, standing on her head, or balancing precariously on a log — to capture the perfect snail’s-eye view of her favorite photo subject: Fungi! Her colorful, highly detailed mushroom portraits offer an intimate look into the often-overlooked world of these extraordinary organisms. Inspired by the belief that people are more likely to take care of something they love, she finds great joy in facilitating fun and meaningful connections between humans and nature. Meg shares her knowledge and contagious passion for the fantastic world of fungi through visually engaging presentations, mushroom walks, and via her Instagram gallery @megmaddendesign. An advocate for fungal diversity and community science, Meg teaches iNaturalist workshops and is helping to compile an Atlas Of Fungi for the state of Vermont.

Advance registration is required. Please register at least one week in advance. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. This class will be capped at 15 participants. All classes are $30, or FREE for members of the Co-op’s Food For All Program. To register, please click here. 

Chicory Charm

Do you know your frisée from your puntarelle? Your radicchio from your escarole? Join us to celebrate Vermont’s 3rd Annual Chicory Week with this hands-on class celebrating the bitter beauty of chicory! Vermont Chicory Week is a celebration of all things chicory, from escarole, puntarelle, and radicchio to chicory root coffee, bitter cocktails, and chicory-centric culinary dishes. For this class, we’ll be led by Janis Reinke of Frog Hollow Farms to explore the culinary potential of veggies in the Chicory family. Bring your excitement, curiosity, and willingness to get bitter as we explore the flavors of Chicory! 

Advance registration is required. Please register at least one week in advance. This class is capped at 12 participants. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. All classes are $30, or FREE for members of the Co-op’s Food For All Program. To register, please click here.