Evening Excitement! Cooking without Waste 101

September 11, at 7:30pm, Chef Alison Mountford will be at Recess to help us learn how to save time, money and the Planet by cooking without waste.

In the United States we waste 40% of the food we produce and the largest amount of waste comes from our own homes! That means, we’re buying food to just throw it away. Not only is this a waste of money, food in the landfill is a top driver of methane emissions and climate change. Even if you compost, the water, labor, gas, oil, and plastics used to produce it are wasted.

Chef Alison Mountford is a San Francisco based Chef and mom of two, who has been catering and cooking for families, celebrities, and businesses for 15 years. Her newest initiative is Ends+Stems a meal planning app that’s aimed at making your life easier while reducing food waste in one step.

In this class, she’ll share the secrets of meal planning, kitchen inventory, and how to get easy weeknight meals on the table. We’ll even dip into tips and tricks for setting up healthy eating and cooking habits for your kids.

We’ll be making 3 dishes with the produce stars of the fall and Back to School Season - apples.

We’ll make apple cider vinegar from scraps, use the fruit in a cravable entree salad, and use the vinegar to make a marinade and dressing.

All participants will receive a $15 CREDIT to use with Ends + Stems!

Simple Tools for Pain Relief: Strength + Alignment - A Workshop for Dads

Parenting can be rough on your body.

If your current exercise routine consists of bouncing and hauling kids, and new aches and pains have surfaced, feeling better is not about crunches or planking on repeat.

Join us on September 29, 11:30am for a special workshop for dads: Simple Tools for Pain Relief: Strength + Alignment. In this experiential workshop for dads, you'll get a clear, simple framework, and try new tools to get back on track so you feel good in your body. Find strength from the inside out with a confident core, right movement, and active relaxation.

We'll focus on pain relief and prevention (low back, neck, and shoulders, I'm looking at you...) along with general tips for self-care and safe movement while lifting and carrying your child, bending to pick up toys, hauling the stuff, working at the desk, and play time… all those things that we want and need to do without fear of injury.

You will discover how to support your low back (and shoulders, knees, neck) with the right movement and breath, rebuild your energy, and incorporate doable techniques that fit into your life.

PLEASE NOTE: Wear comfortable clothes to get down on the floor and move. Bring a mat if you have one. For the sake of focus, it is highly preferred that kiddos do not come to this workshop. However, if it's a choice between not coming and coming with your little one, you can bring them.

COST: Sliding scale, $20-$45

August Updates

We have lots of exciting programming slated for the coming months designed to support you & your family.

• 8/18 CPR - infant, child & adult CPR plus choke saving. Join us Sunday morning to learn these life saving skills. 9:30 am.

• 8/19 Ask the Lactation Consultant. Katie Howser will be our guest expert for Monday's New Parent Group (0-12mo) at Noon. Connect with other new parents and get a little support as you make your way through the first year with your little one.

• 8/22 Baby Sign Language Playgroup 12:30pm. Learn to communicate with your child before they can verbalize.

• 8/29 Meet the Doula 6:30pm. If you’re expecting, join us for an evening to learn more about the role of a doula, and meet some local doulas.

SEPT:

• Closed 9/2 for Labor Day

• 9/10 Introducing a New Sibling. If you're expecting, please join us to learn how to make the transition from 1 to 2 a smooth one.

• 9/11 Cooking without Waste 101. In this fun, hands-on class, you'll learn how to make apple cider vinegar, salad dressing and a delicious salad as you also gain tips for reducing food waste (& saving money!) as you feed your family.

• 9/14 10am. Infant Sleep Workshop with Dr. Angelique Millette at 10am. Angelique is a top notch expert in the field of sleep and child development, and an absolute wealth of information.

• 9/15. Childbirth Preparation. If you're expecting, we hope you'll join the incredible Kelly Gray to gain information and confidence as you welcome your little one to the world.

• 9/20. Estate Planning 101, at 11:30am. Learn what you should have in place, especially now that you're a parent.

• 9/29. Yoga for Posture and Alignment for Dads. We hear a lot about self care for moms. Here's a workshop especially for the papas out there. Taking good care of your body will enable you to keep up with the little ones as they only get faster!

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if there's anything I can do to make Recess a supportive oasis for your family. Hope to see you soon, Lisa

Music for All Ages

Do you love music as much as we do? It’s an incredible learning tool for young children, it snaps us grown ups out of a bad mood, and it brings people together.

Join us this summer for music designed to delight and engage all members of our community. And please spread the word, because music is more fun with friends!

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Summer Music Activities at Recess

a perk of membership!

Mondays

Little Ladybugs Early Childhood Music Class with Toby. Last Monday of the month @ 9:40am (June 24, July 29, August 26):

Toby’s small group classes for mixed ages (newborns - 5 years) include lots of fun singing, movement, instruments, and are a great chance for the Little Ladybugs (your young musicians!) to connect with you, their parents and/or caregivers, and also with the other musicians in the class. We develop our sense of rhythm, pitch, melody, and have a lot of fun in the process. Classes are developmentally appropriate for the Little Ladybugs in each class!

Tuesdays

Stories & Song with Regina at 11am

In a classic “circle time” format, Regina reads a few stories and leads the group in interactive songs. This playspace activity is great for all ages and takes place in the playspace for families to join in.

Thursdays

Music Time with Carissa at Noon,
(most Thursdays this Summer, not 7/4, 7/18, 7/25)

Introduction to songs, props, musical instruments and fun! 

One Saturday a Month, Live Cello Music

Classical Cello with Hannah, 10am

Canadian cellist Hannah Addario-Berry has been delighting music lovers around the world for over a decade. Specializing in chamber music and solo repertoire, Hannah is passionately committed to performing music by living composers. Along with her exquisite cello playing, Hannah's warmth and unique presentation style enable listeners to forge a deeper connection with music. She lives in San Francisco, CA.

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Other Great Opportunities for Music Around Town:

Charity Kahn’s JAMboodas

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

Music for Aardvarks

Rock Band Land

Golden Gate Park Band