Laurel Herman, at The Blogs

Nov 22, 2023, 7:02 PM

Black and White Cookies, a Culinary Metaphor for Antisemitism

Gluten free Black and White cookies photo credit Laurel Herman

"The very first thing I saw this morning was a quote from Elie Weisel. "We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." Food as Metaphor I have always seen...

Nov 15, 2023, 7:10 PM

Your Prayers Are Not Small, Demons Don’t Go Quietly, A Conversation

I had posted my first" who would hide us?' Two people answered. I was surprised at who it was. I am an observed person, I make a lot of observations, but really I am mostly observed. You never know...

Oct 27, 2023, 5:41 AM

Tips for Dealing with Non Jewish Friends American Edition

What ever to do? .. I have some strategies that might help. Read on. Firstly thank you to anyone who has read my last post, especially those who commented. I am most grateful for your feedback. I am a keen...

Oct 25, 2023, 11:38 AM

Featured Post

I’m getting more Jewish by the day

After a week of crying, I found myself ashamed to have thought of myself as an American first. Now my only comfort is in the company of other Jews

Apr 7, 2023, 5:44 PM

A Surprise Visit, Beloved Ghosts of Pesach Past

My Grandmothers ruby dishes and my fathers Haggadah

I am making my Matzoh brei this morning and recounting the events leading up to this post. I guess you could say this all started with my grandmother's chicken soup. Her name was Bessie Friedman. My memories are going...

May 24, 2020, 2:59 PM

Having Surgery in the Time of COVID-19, What It’s Teaching Me

This is the view as I arrived last Monday morning in the socially distanced waiting room of VCU Medical Center in Richmond Virginia. The oddest thing was not having my daughter allowed to go with me. I reflect with...

Apr 21, 2020, 6:34 PM

Turkish Beetroot Salad, Grounding Culinary Medicine for an New Reality

I have been craving beets ever since this new reality of ours has surfaced. Every grocery order that I do, I inadvertently forget the beets. Not this time, I really needed them. Here'e why. A few months ago I taught...

Mar 16, 2020, 11:23 PM

It’s Not Me I’m Worried About, It’s YOU. It’s Not Paranoia, It’s Self-Love

I was just walking my dog and saw my neighbor unpacking a car full of toilet paper. Didn't they get the memo? STOP HOARDING. I was shaking my head watching this display of disrespect, disregard, and selfishness. It's only...

Mar 3, 2020, 8:14 AM

Navigating Choppy Waters, on Aging, Plants, and Swimming

At the end of April, I'll be 65. No biggie. People turn 65 all the time. The past few months, I've noticed I'm a bit more tired, things ache more. I call my friends 65 and older and ask"...

Feb 11, 2020, 10:38 PM

Valentines Day, Cliches, Hallmark Holidays, and Oneness for the ‘Still’ Single

Valentines Day, its big business, and in my line of work, we sell love through food. Don't get me wrong, I love food and romance. I romanticize food ALL the time in photos and descriptions. I even have an...

About Me

Laurel Herman is a Chef Instructor, Culinary Storyteller, and Culinary Medicine practitioner, residing in Richmond, Virginia. A classically trained chef in the European style( Thames Valley University, London, U.K. and The Institute for Integrative Nutrition) Her style is anything but classic, its fun, and relaxed. Laurel's passion is bringing people together through food goes back to growing up in a home which welcomed everyone. Her workshop and retreat work use storytelling combined with cooking and music to evoke a sense of remembrance. She has taught at various venues throughout the Richmond area. Now retired, but never from the love of food, active on Instagram Laurel also loves doing her podcast Chai talk with Laurel on Spotify. Her books, The Blissed Out Chef was published in 2015 and the Inner Kitchen, Balboa press in 2011.

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