Today, I want to introduce you to Brandon, who exudes hospitality, and his DC restaurant FishScale, which has 95 reviews and 5 stars on google. It’s not only Brandon, whose hard work is threatened by this crisis, but that of his entire family, who have sacrificed collectively to turn a concept and a conviction into a brick-and-mortar reality. If you're feeling a little - or more than a little - overwhelmed by this crisis, I invite you to listen to Brandon. Even as his dream and livelihood are threatened, he found a way to make me smile, relax, and find a little faith. No wonder his customers love him!

Address: 637 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Website: FishScale Restaurant

Instagram: @wearefishscale

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearefishscale

Twitter: @eatfishscaledc

Of all the conflicting information we’re receiving these days, I’m having the most difficulty reconciling the call to support small, local businesses with the command to stay home as much as possible. Can I support small restaurants without contributing to the spread of the virus? I felt the best way to answer this question was to hear the stories of businesses in crisis and ask THEM my questions. A variety of guests including owners, farmers, and journalists, are participating in this series, so make sure you check back to get a new perspective each day.

Pradeep, my guest for Episode 022 "Every 100 Kilometers in India", is a trained medical doctor who teaches pharmacology in Mangalore, India by day and photographs for restaurants in his spare time. When I listened back to my interview with him, all I could think was how ignorant I sounded regarding the food, geography, and culture in India - and how patient he was with my many questions! But really, curiosity is the heart of this podcast - we can’t know about other cultures or bear witness to the lives of others without simply asking questions. Pradeep taught me something Indians say about their own country: “Every 100km, different food, different people, different culture.” I’m so thrilled today to share a little bit about the people, culture, and food that have shaped Pradeep.

Instagram: instagram.com/distilledstills

Facebook: www.facebook.com/distilledstills

Tina Zaccardi, winner of The Great American Bakeoff Season 4 inspires me in two ways. First, she reminds us that everything takes time. On the other hand, as an amateur baker who never attended culinary or pastry school, she also reminds us that time IS sufficient to master any craft. Second, what I love most about Tina and her Nana’s child-friendly sprinkle cookies, is that Tina’s success (and this recipe) were ultimately motivated by the simple but lofty motive of baking delicious things to make others happy. And it’s nice to know that’s enough. 

Website: www.tinazaccardi.com/

Instagram: @theitaliancookie

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tinazaccardibakes/

Enchanting is the word for this episode.

Enchanting describes Claire Marie's laughing voice, and The Valley of the Kings, where castles are as common as mushrooms (where Claire Marie finally settled after moving 15 times).

Finally, enchanting is just the word for the incredibly light, crispy, golden French pastries made only by the people in her very specific region of France. Claire Marie's grandmother taught her to make these bugnes (beignets) to celebrate a mid-Lenten carnival named Mi-Careme.

Despite the enchantment around her, Claire explains that pain touches every person of every generation, even those living in the Valley of Kings.

The truly beautiful and timely part of this episode is that Claire Marie sets an example of redeeming our pain with empathy and forgiveness, and making things easier for those in our care. I am just thrilled to introduce you to Claire Marie today!!

Instagram: @clairemariecuisine

I know you fell in love with compassionate, confident, and humble Murielle AND the stories she shared in the episode I released Wednesday, “From Sunny Africa to Snowy Canada”. 

There was one portion of our conversation that I believed was too interesting and important to edit down into that episode, so I’m releasing it right here, right now as a bonus episode. 

Murielle shares the reasons she chose veganism, how this choice has affected her and her family, and candidly discusses the struggles and benefits of that choice. As a carnivore, I found plenty to challenge me, to research further, and even to which I could relate. 

Website: www.muriellebanackissa.com

YouTube: Murielle Banackissa

Facebook: www.facebook.com/murielle.banackissa

Instagram: @muriellebanackissa

Email: [email protected]

These are some resources suggested by Murielle for those considering Veganism:

Documentaries-

Earthlings (the documentary that made me go vegan)

Cowspiracy (on Netflix)

Best Speech you will Ever Hear - Gary Yourofsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es6U00LMmC4-

Game Changers (on Netflix)-

Land of Hope and Glory: https://www.landofhopeandglory.org/ 

Books-

How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Greger (about the health aspect of veganism)-

Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer (about the ethical & environmental aspect of veganism) YouTubers, Podcasters & Activists-

Earthling Ed: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVRrGAcUc7cblUzOhI1KfFg-

Mic the Vegan: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGJq0eQZoFSwgcqgxIE9MHw-

Colleen Patrick Goudreau’s Podcast, Food for Thought, available on Apple Podcast,

Stitcher & Spotify 

My Favorite Vegan Bloggers-

Lauren Toyota (Hot For Food): https://www.hotforfoodblog.com/-

Richa Hingle (Vegan Richa): https://www.veganricha.com/-

Laura Wright (The First Mess): https://thefirstmess.com/-

Alexandra Daum (Occasionally Eggs): https://www.occasionallyeggs.com/ ** I am not sure if she is 100% vegan but most of her recipes are- 

Natalie (Feasting on Fruit): https://www.feastingonfruit.com/