Raw + Vegan = Not Gross
What Fuels Cookbook Author Laura Miller
By Becky Corning
Librarian, Pauline Robinson Branch
During a presentation at Central Library on June 11, cookbook author Laura Miller talked about finding her voice, what motivates her to eat vegan, and how she, as an introvert, handles things like making videos and talking to large crowds.
Miller is the author of Raw. Vegan. Not Gross and is also known for her YouTube videos about cooking and her food-as-body-decoration photos on Instagram.
“I was embarrassed doing videos at first,” she said. “My family thinks it’s hilarious. They’re like, ‘you don’t talk at home.’”
Self-care, such as periods of relaxation before and after performances, is her secret for getting over her self-consciousness in front of the camera and crowds, she said.
“I have to force myself to do stuff; it’s like: self-care, then do the thing, then self-care, or I will end up in a puddle.”
As far as her motivation to eat vegan and raw, Miller said she is not motivated by what she will look like. She is motivated by how she is going to feel. She also enjoys the “juiciness and pleasure” that raw fruits and vegetables bring to everyday life.
“Eating a mango on your lunch break, scooping the meat out of a coconut in your kitchen, breaking open a pomegranate and watching the seeds burst out – each of these experiences is grounding and connects you to nature in a tangible way,” she writes in the introduction to her book.
Following Miller’s presentation, the crowd was treated to samples of two recipes from her book: chocolate avocado pudding and banana ice cream.
July Events: Pauline Robinson Branch
Preschool Storytime | Wednesdays July 6, 13, 20, 27 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for 3-5 year olds and their parents or caregivers.
Magic Variety Show with Dennis Michael | Wednesday, July 6, 2 p.m.
A fun-filled, interactive magic show, including a special ukulele sing-along. No registration required.
Anime Club | Saturday, July 9th, 3 p.m.
Anime watchers, Manga readers and Anime Lovers alike come join us the second Saturday of the month. Watch, read, talk, act, eat and breathe Anime and Manga. For grades 8-12.
Computer Basics: Introduction to DPL Catalog | Tuesday July 12, 12 p.m.
Learn the basics of using the DPL Catalog. Keyword, author, and title searches will be taught. No computer experience required. Space is limited, please call the library at 720-865-0290.
Computer Basics: Open Lab Class | Wednesday, July 13, 12 p.m.
Bring your computer, tablet and laptop questions to be answered based on your needs. Space is limited, please call the library at 720-865-0290.
Coloring for Families | Thursday, July 14 & 28, 4:30 p.m.
Come for a nostalgic hour of coloring – in or outside the lines. Use our supplies to unplug and color your way to serenity.
Caricatures with David Lowenstein | Tuesday, July 19, 2 p.m.
A caricature is “a picture, description, or imitation of a person or thing in which certain characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect. Lowenstein will be here to draw caricatures, for teens 13 and up. No registration is required, but there will be a sign up sheet the day of the program.
Too Fit to Quit! with the Denver Zoo | Thursday, July 21, 2 p.m.
Some of the zoo animals think they have the best super skill to help them survive. Meet these animals and decide who is the most fit. Let the competition begin. No registration required.
The Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, July 23, 12 p.m.
This month’s selection: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Drop-ins are welcome.
Fused Glass Workshop with Michael Thornton | Tuesday, July 26, 2 p.m.
Come learn about fused glass and create your very own a pendant or key chain. Glass is not ready on the day of the show, but will be ready about 3 weeks later. For teens ages 13 – 18 years old.
Glitter Tattoos with Hummingbird Henna | Wednesday, July 27 @ 2 p.m.
Enjoy receiving a dazzling, sparkling, waterproof glitter tattoo for summer fun. Limited to 25 participants. Registration required. For teens grades 6 to 12.
July Events: Park Hill Branch
Tuesday Tech Hour | Tuesdays at 4 p.m.
All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Baby Storytime | Thursdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m.
Toddler Storytime | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Time Travel Trunk | Wednesday, June 29, 3 p.m. and Friday, July 1, 3 p.m.
Come see historical Colorado images in 3-D through a stereoscope, start your family tree, use a working telegraph kit to type your name in Morse Code, and dress up our American Girl dolls as you read about their lives in Denver 100 years ago! You can even check out some classic books. Recommended for all ages – children and adult attend together.
Sewing Lounge | Saturday, July 2, 10 a.m.
Have a project you want to work on, but don’t have a sewing machine? No problem, use ours. Grab your supplies and head on over. We’re here to answer your questions.
Rhythm Within with Jonah Berger | Wednesday, July 6, 3 p.m.
An interactive drumming and singing presentation. Jonah Berger is an engaging presence who works with the group to connect, play and sing together! No registration required.
Canvas and Water Color Art | Friday, July 8, 3 p.m.
Discover your inner artist and create a painting on canvas or on watercolor paper. Recommended for K-5th grade, younger children welcome with an adult.
Magic Club | Monday, July 11 and Monday, July 25, 4:30 p.m.
Are you a teen in grades 6-12? Do you already play Magic: the Gathering, or are interested in learning? Join us two Mondays a month to play and meet other teens who are also Magic-Minded.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, July 12, 6 p.m.
Teens ages 13 and up are invited to join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan library events and projects at the Park Hill Library, talk about your favorite books, and make your opinion count.
Hogs of the Wild West with Top Hogs | Wednesday, July 13, 3 p.m.
An amazing, comedy-filled, trick-pig show that is action-packed and fun for the entire family. No registration required.
Active Minds presents Water in Colorado | Wednesday, July 13, 6:30 p.m.
Water may well become the most disputed natural resource of the 21st century. Population growth, climate change, urbanization and other factors have put increasing pressure on a finite resource. Competing water interests have affected Colorado’s history for over 100 years. The legal right to divert and use water in Colorado has been debated, legislated and litigated since before the time of statehood in 1876. Join Active Minds to understand our water history, the current challenges, including the drought in California, and what the future holds for our use of this precious resource.
Super Mario Brothers Makey | Friday, July 15, 3 p.m.
Join us as we learn how to use bananas and other items to build a joystick and then use the controller you made to play a game of Super Mario Brothers! Recommended for 2nd to 5th grade, younger children welcome with an adult.
No Strings Attached Book Discussion Group | Saturday, July 16, 11 a.m.
Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.
Nursery Rhyme Olympics | Saturday, July 16, 11 a.m.
Jump over the candlestick; balance your eggs during the Humpty Dumpty “egg” races; toss the ring around the rosie, plus more fun for ages 2 and up with their grown-ups. No registration is necessary.
Genre Chat 2nd/3rd Grade Book Club | Tuesday, July 19, 3:30 p.m.
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
Activity: Make “dirt” pudding with gummy worms!
Teen Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow | Tuesday, July 19, 6 p.m.
Calling all teens in grades 6 and up! Join us for a fun evening of playing The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow—a very addicting, interactive murder mystery. The moon is full this night—be prepared for anything. Refreshments provided. *Door prizes
Robots! with Robots 4-U | Wednesday, July 20, 3 p.m.
Explore various materials for creating robots, watch them work, and take home your own paper robot! Limited to 25 participants. No registration required.
Blooming Readers 4th/5th Grade Book Club | Thursday, July 21, 3:30 p.m.
Rump by Liesel Shurtliff
Activity: Yarn web
Perler Bead Craft | Friday, July 22, 3 p.m.
Kids and families are invited to make pictures using Perler beads. With some applied heat (done by an adult) they melt and stick together. Perler beads are small and do require some fine motor skills to arrange. This program is recommended for ages 5 and up.
The Finest Traditions of My Calling: One Physician’s Search for the Renewal of Medicine with Dr. Abraham M. Nussbaum | Saturday, July 23, 2:30 p.m.
Dr. Abraham M. Nussbaum draws upon personal stories, validated studies, and forgotten history to chronicle one physician’s experience in healthcare reform. He takes readers inside pathology suites, academic mental centers, antiquated asylums, CrossFit boxes, and medical marijuana dispensaries to find hope for the renewal of medicine. Dr. Nussbaum lives in Park Hill with his wife and three children, all of whom are proud customers of the Park Hill Branch.
Magic Variety Show with Dennis Michael | Wednesday, July 27, 3 p.m.
A fun-filled, interactive magic show, including a special ukulele sing-along. No registration required.
Ukuleles: “Uke” Can Do It! | Wednesday, July 27, 6:30 p.m.
Grab a friend and boogie on by for a couple hours of zany music making with the enigmatic ukulele. We’ll strum a little, we’ll plink out a tune or two; and of course, you’ll be ready to tiptoe through the tulips afterward. Loaner ukuleles available, or bring your own.
North of 50: This Is Your Brain on Dance | Thursday, July 28, 4 p.m.
Learn what current research can tell us about the hidden cognitive health benefits of dance, movement and the importance of the mind-body connection. Discover how your brain is activated when you move and even try out a few moves yourself at this fun and interactive program taught by the Alzheimer’s Association and local dance artist, Lisza Gulyas.
Diffusion Art | Friday, July 29, 3 p.m.
We provide liquid color, bingo markers, eye droppers, coffee filters and other materials. Kids learn about diffusion and absorption while making art! Recommended for all ages. This can be messy — and may stain clothing — please dress in play clothes.
Camp Read S’More | Saturday, July 30, 10 a.m.
Calling all happy campers. Families are invited to join us for campfire stories, activities, s’mores, and of course lots of reading at Camp Read S’More! Please join us and come prepared to curl up with a good book. We will provide books, but you are welcome to bring your own.