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The monthly meeting is more than a book group.

Even if you haven't read the book, please join your fellow paleo people as we explore the world of food, agriculture, sustainability, and paleo living.

All are welcome. As always we look forward to seeing you. 

This month's book is: The Primal Connection by Mark Sisson.

From Amazon: Mark Sisson, the leading voice in the Evolutionary Health movement and author of the bestsellerThe Primal Blueprint, extends the primal theme beyond the diet and exercise basics in this much anticipated sequel. The Primal Connection presents a comprehensive plan to overcome the flawed mentality and hectic pace of high-tech, modern life and reprogram your genes to become joyful, care-free, and at peace with the present. You’ll make scientifically validated, highly intuitive connections across the board, emerging with a renewed appreciation for the simple pleasures of life and our most precious gifts of time, health, and love.

We meet in the study room.

Free street parking on Sundays.

If you haven't yet, join in the discussion here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/115751761806267/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/seattle.wapf/

to RSVP for this go to the following — http://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Biohacking/events/199719942/

Now here are the details:

At this meetup, we'll dive deep into the world of nutrition to explore how what we eat affects our health and performance. We are experimenting with a new format for this meetup – we will have a panel of experts lead the discussion. We're so fortunate to have this incredible group of presenters:

• Jim Marlowe: Jim came highly recommended from our own Kelly Pierce! Jim has studied nutrition for the past 37 years, is a strong proponent for the fundamental value of Eating in Harmony with Our Metabolism, and he was the chief nutritionist at Dr. Mercola's Optimal Wellness Center from 2000 to 2007. He brings a wealth of knowledge to our panel!

• Alexandria Cotie: Alexandria is a sports nutritionist at SportFuel, an integrative nutrition consulting firm and also the team nutritionists for the Chicago Blackhawks! Alex works with elite and professional athletes from various sports, so she'll bring great insights into the relationship between nutrition and performance.

• Nick Wernimont: Nick is a former MMA fighter (he went 16-0 during his career) and nutrition played a critical role in his success. He is now the founder of Factor 75. He has a fascinating history with nutrition and he will give the panel an athlete's perspective on how diet impacts our performance. • Lynette Geris: Lynette has followed a Paleo diet for over two years and it has dramatically altered her health. She is now starting a non-profit to promote healthy habits in Chicago. She also blogs about the Paleo diet and is a Paleo specialist on Fitocracy. She'll be the panel's Paleo expert and will bring a unique social perspective to our discussion. During this meetup, we will…

1. Discuss the latest in nutrition science.

2. Learn each panelist's personal experiences with diet and nutrition.

3. Highlight actionable takeaways that each of us can experiment with to improve our health and performance.

As always, there will be plenty of time for Q&A so bring your questions!

Because space is limited, there is a $5 cost to attend the event but that includes a Paleo dinner from Factor 75 (a $12 value). • When: Monday, August 25th. 6:00pm – food and social time. 6:30-8:30pm – panel discussion. • Where: IIT Institute of Design (350 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60602). It's on the 6th floor. Call my cell phone at [masked] if you have any troubles.

http://nwchocolate.com/

At a new venue in 2014: Bell Harbor International Conference Center. (2013 was at the Convention Center.)

As someone who attended last year, I can say this event was THE BOMB. We stuffed our faces with chocolate as we moved from booth to booth, taking extras for our goodie bags. I discovered Criollo (cree-o-yo) which is a rare varietal that resembles milk chocolate even when it's blended to highs of 85%. Hawai'i is home to the only American-grown chocolate in the world.

Starting at 10 a.m. each day, culinary professionals and artisanal-chocolate makers will descend on Bell Harbor Pier to lead a roster of 80 classes, chocolate tastings, and workshops. In the past, events have ranged from hands-on activities, such as crushing cocoa beans with traditional tools to seminars on cocoa agriculture, where attendees met cocoa farmers from Peru and Ecuador. During tastings, connoisseurs might sample fruit straight from the cocoa tree—a rarity in the United States—or experiment with chocolate and drink pairings.
Northwest Chocolate Festival

Chocolate lovers unite at the Northwest Chocolate Festival, an annual event dedicated not just to eating chocolate in its many forms, but to tracking its journey from cocoa bean to confection. Visitors hone their expertise through seminars on trade equity and cocoa farming, chocolate-making workshops led by confectioners, and tastings where palates learn to distinguish between milk chocolate and a chocolate bar clumsily forced inside a milk jug. A portion of the proceeds from the event benefits local nonprofits aligned with the festival’s mission. Recipients are announced yearly.

Hundreds of Artisan Chocolates to Taste
80+ Classes and Workshops and Chocolatiers From Around the Globe!

From chocolate bars made through traditional techniques, single-origin chocolates, and organic and fair trade cocoa growers from around the world, the Northwest Chocolate Festival is as much a celebration of the creation of chocolate as it is enjoying chocolate. Get your fill when you use this deal for your single-day ticket to this decadent festival on either Saturday, October 4 or Sunday, October 5.

For the sixth year in a row, you can head down to the Bell Harbor Conference Center for more than 80 chocolate-centered classes and workshops, plus tastings. From crushing cacao beans and meeting cacao farmers to trying different chocolate and drink pairings, you'll really get a flavor for how chocolate travels from trees to your taste buds.

Parking:
Saturday park in the Art Institute garage and take the foot bridge to the conference center.
Sunday, street parking is free.

Mark knows cheese! And he says he will do a class anywhere someone can offer a suitable hosting space.

Got milk? Make cheese! Learn to make cheese in your own kitchen in two classes coming up at Mangia Bene in Maple Leaf- Monday September 15, 2014 for soft cheeses
Monday September 22, 2014 for hard cheeses. Both classes are from 6:30-9:30 pm. Mangia Bene has four stoves so there will be opportunity for hands on experience. In the soft cheese class you'll learn how to make seven different cheeses including mozzarella, ricotta, chevre and mascarpone. We'll make some of the cheeses in class and learn how to make all of them using simple equipment you have at home. In the hard class class we'll make a hard cheese and learn the steps involved in making almost any hard cheese. We'll taste a variety of homemade hard cheeses including Cheddar, Gouda, and Colby and learn what you need to know to make them in your own kitchen. In both classes you'll learn some cheese chemistry and find out about sources of cheesemaking equipment and ingredients. Gift certificates are available. For more information go to www.seattlecheesemaking.com

Address:
3270 Spring Creek Road
Barrington, IL 60010

If you remember how much fun last year's farm tour was, you won't want to miss this one! Reunion!!

Cliff has been so kind to make this Saturday afternoon available to our group on his farm.

Hope to see you there!

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9/26 Update: the farm unfortunately doesn't have much meat inventory; however, they have some eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, vegetables, and sauerkraut available to sell. Bring cash or check for payment – as they don't accept credit/debit.