#AllCoopedUp with Elana Horwich, Founder of Meal and a Spiel
Elana Horwich began cooking as a young child because the kitchen was the only place in the house her mother couldn’t find her. In 2010, Elana founded the Meal and a Spiel cooking school out of her parents’ kitchen, and now travels the country teaching people how to make phenomenal food, easily. She is a former high school history teacher who has also written and performed stand-up comedy and led experiential vacations throughout the boot of Italy. She’s super funny and a breath of fresh air during quarantine. I rely on her recipes every week to keep things light and delicious in our household. - Jenna
Use code KITCHENBADASS20 to get 20% off Elana’s book which will teach you to be an intuitive cook.
What’s your profession, and what does your day-to-day work experience look like now?
I had been on a book tour for my cookbook Meal and a Spiel which ended a bit early due to the Coronavirus, so I started teaching online cooking classes to meet the needs of people at home, desperate to learn to cook. A few times a week, I go online and cook, answering questions from the students as we go. It’s so fun!
Are there objects or spaces in your house that you are newly appreciating? Or are there objects and spaces you have come to loathe?
I turned an area of the living room into an altar/meditation space, which means I added room on the Moroccan rug for my meditation pillow, and I don’t allow any work or social media to enter into that corner of my home. I also was in the process of buying a new dining room table, and that empty space has now become my personal yoga studio. I love it like this!
Describe your at-home quarantine uniform.
Loose ripped Moussy jeans and an easily washable top. P.S. Sometimes my pajama tops become my daytime tops because they’re cute with ripped jeans (or at least that’s my excuse)!
Who are you quarantining with? Do you feel the need to “get away”? How do you make it happen?
I’m quarantining with myself, which as a writer, can be a blessing.
What’s the last thing you purchased online? Regret or obsessed?
A box of 72 votive candles and I think I already need more. Every night my home and bathtub becomes a candlelit sanctuary.
Tell us the best shows, podcasts, or books you’re loving right now.
Crip Camp is an incredible documentary that will totally inspire you. The Obamas are executive producers, in case that helps convince you to watch it. I also watched Unorthodox, the acting in which is incredible, but I’m trying to stay off watching things and using downtime to read. I just finishing a great non-fiction book, called Something Beautiful Happened, about a community on a small Greek Island that saved a family of Jews during the Holocaust.
Do you have any new quarantine activities or rituals?
I have committed to doing at least 20 minutes a day of sun salutations, and then any other poses I want. I am usually a bit complacent about my workouts, so I’m impressed that I am doing them with my own discipline. I actually enjoy it, because I put on great music and make the “classes” fun. I’m the teacher, so I get to decide the flow.
What is your favorite quarantine snack? What restaurants are you ordering takeout from?
I don’t order take out, but I will share my favorite quick meal: I make a big batch of quinoa and lentils in my rice cooker. Then, when I need a meal, I sauté leek, green onion, garlic, and freshly grated ginger in some olive oil. I add some of the quinoa and lentils, add salt, and heat it all up together. It’s like stir-fried quinoa. It’s delicious.
What is the one item you’re glad you stocked up on? What do you wish you’d stocked up on?
I wish I’d stocked up on Ceremonial Mayan Cacao from Legacy Cacao. I make some every day. It’s nourishing on a body level and you can immediately feel your heart open with the first sip.
What is your creative outlet and how are you making space for it?
I’ve started working on my next book. Before this all started, I was actually hoping to make space to write it. Well, prayers answered, kind of. The topic is still a secret for now, and it’s not a cookbook. I cannot wait to share it with the world. I’m bursting.
Describe your biggest quarantine indulgence.
I’m staying up as late as I want (to around 1 or 2 am) and not setting my alarm in the morning.
What are you doing for exercise?
Aside from the yoga I mentioned above, every day that it’s not raining, I walk for at least an hour. I am not sure if this is more an exercise for my body or for my mind. Psychologically, I need the fresh air and the movement from one location to another. I also make it a practice to hug trees when I walk these days. They are not only healing for us in terms of the essential oils they release, but it’s my way of thanking Mother Earth and letting her know I appreciate her and am willing to slow my life down so she can regenerate. I’m a hippy at heart.
Are you sharing recipes with friends?
Oh yes!! I have invited the world into my free online cooking classes. Plus, I am sharing extra videos of me making food from home so people can gain confidence as I throw together things impromptu, as I do.
When this is over I cannot wait to ___________.
Have a party!
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