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Wabi Sabi

Wabi Sabi - space for silence, a place for the soul
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Laurie & Kevin at Purple Adobe Lavender Farm

madgood started as a food lab in the kitchen. So many health problems had accumulated in our lives… it was time to come clean. Was there a way to eat foods that reduce inflammation in the body while still tasting good and feeding our souls?

Owl & Lark in La Grange, Illinois

April 1, 2025

This month, I’d like to share with you this fantastic cafe in the Chicagoland area. Being gluten and dairy free, sometimes finding food can be a challenge. After a long day of wandering through Brookfield Zoo, we needed a little sustenance before continuing with our day’s events. Using Happy Cow, we found Owl and Lark!

After a fantastic avocado toast on a gluten-free bagel, we enjoyed a delicious smoothie, banana bread, and an apple cinnamon muffin from their all-gluten-free bakery case. A great place to stop for nutritious snacks and treats when you’re in the Southwest Suburbs!

Owl and Lark is a cozy coffee shop in La Grange that focuses on specialty coffee drinks and wholesome, nutritious food. The cafe offers a variety of fresh juices, superfood smoothies, and avocado toasts, all made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Their menu includes a popular specialty coffee drink infused with natural lavender essence and a favorite lunch choice featuring a delicious everything bagel with avocados and fresh vegetables. The cafe prides itself on using whole ingredients, avoiding artificial additives, and creating a positive, artistic atmosphere for its customers.

In madgood Tags owl, lark, cafe, La Grange, Chicago, Illinois
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Two Tomato Soups

March 1, 2025

Typically, I would make the Martha Stewart version of tomato soup (below), but my sister sent me one that’s a little easier (for the days when you need things to be easy…)

Melissa’s Easy Tomato Soup

1 - 28 oz can San Marzano peeled tomatoes

1 - 14 oz can fire-roasted tomatoes

1/2 onion roughly chopped

4 tbsp butter (or olive oil)

1/2 - 2 cup vegetable broth, cream or vegan half and half

Salt to taste

Put into a cast iron pot on medium for an hour. Use an immersion blender (or a regular blender in batches) until smooth. Add salt to taste. Finish with the vegetable broth or cream - add just enough to bring it to the consistency you like (if you like a less acidic soup, add cream).

So easy and delicious!

Another great tomato soup adapted from Martha Stewart’s Tomato Soup

Martha got it right with this soup recipe. Once you make this simple soup yourself, you’ll agree that buying tomato soup in a can is a shame. Plus you get the added benefit of adding as much (or little!) salt as you like, but if you’re making it for nostalgic reasons, you might as well add all two teaspoons. Let’s face it – some of us were raised on the canned stuff (and we love it!)

If you want to feel good about your salt, try Celtic Sea Salt or this amazing Norwegian Sea Salt from Salty Provisions - Double the magnesium, nearly triple the potassium over other brands. Hand harvested from the crisp, clean Norwegian Sea. 

Try this soup with a delightfully simple gluten-free grilled “cheese”! Seen here with bread from Wheat’s End and vegan “cheese” from The Dill Pickle Food Co-Op.

New Development!

If you chill on the reheating of this soup, it makes a fantastic gazpacho. Top with some fresh basil and you're ready to go on a hot summer day!

Makes 6 cups

  • 5 - 6 T coconut oil

  • 1 medium yellow onion (chopped)

  • 2 cloves garlic (chopped)

  • 24 ounces jarred or canned plum tomatoes

  • 3 cups veggie broth

  • 1 - 2 t sea salt to taste

  • 1/4 t freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 t nutritional yeast (optional)

  • dash turmeric (optional)

Melt oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion, garlic and turmeric, and cook (stirring) until onions have softened (about 15 minutes). Add tomatoes, veggie broth, salt, pepper and yeast, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook until tomatoes, onions, and garlic are soft (10 to 20 minutes).

Working in batches, transfer soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Return to saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until soup is heated through. If soup seems too thick, stir in some extra broth to thin. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

In vegetarian, vegan, grain-free, gluten-free Tags soup, lunch, tomato
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Kevin usually makes this delicious dish. So this is his recipe :) 

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8 medium potatoes·

a massive amount of garlic (if tolerant)

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After a summer of bottom-rot on our tomatoes, I found the perfect one ❤️

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