Bethanne led another Cooking for Peace workshop, this one to benefit The Samaritan Women.  This organization, located in Baltimore, “serves women of trauma and trafficking, to help them realize the full life that God has planned for their lives.” Amanda Grant, community coordinator for the Samaritan Women, told us that rescuing victims of human trafficking is the easy part. The challenge is to help them break free from their pimp’s chains and transition to freedom and new life.

Bethanne showed the 38 participants how to prepare raw-vegan and vegan (but not raw) foods. And we enjoyed tasting each dish!

• Watermelon Chia Limeade
• Crispy Raw Corn Chip Nachos with Refried “Beans” and Raw Mango Salsa
• Zucchini Raw Manicotti with Cashew/hemp Ricotta “cheese” and Sun-Dried Tomato Raw Marinara
• Asian Green Tea Kelp Noodles with veggies and Raw Nori Crackers
• Middle Eastern Cauliflower Couscous wiht Kalamata Olives

We enjoyed 4 desserts!

• Birthday Sweet Rice Treats
• Raw “Tootise Rolls”
• Raw Strawberry Shortcake
• Raw “Tea” Cookies

Participants contributed over $1,000 to The Samaritan Women.

Bethanne is a Certified Vegan Raw Food Chef. Bethanne has worked in natural foods stores including Nature’s Cupboard of Love and MOM’S Organic Market as a food demonstrator as well as conducting dozens of classes on subjects ranging from vegetarian and vegan cooking and baking to using a dehydrator and growing micro-greens and sprouting.  Betthanne also teaches at Anne Arundel Community College.  Bethanne has a blog called Raw Bites and Vegan Delights!

Bethanne selected a poem that was read to begin the workshop:
Wisdom from the Elders of the Hopi Nation, a prophesy delivered in June, 2000.

TO MY FELLOW SWIMMERS:
Here is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift, that there are those
who will be afraid, who will try
to hold on to the shore.
They are being torn apart and
will suffer greatly.
Know that the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore.
Push off into the middle of the river,
and keep our heads above water.
And I say, see who is there with you
and celebrate.
At this time in history,
we are to take nothing personally,
least of all ourselves,
for the moment we do,
our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves.
Banish the word struggle from your attitude
and vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done
in a sacred manner and in celebration.
For we are the ones we have been waiting for.