Drax Digest No. 013 | April 2024

DRAX DIGEST: AN EVOLUTION // ASIAN MEATLESS SHIITAKE BOLOGNESE

What

Have you read Mrs. The Book? Get a sneak peek here!

All your DRAX updates in one place

An Evolution

Christopher’s latest masterpiece.

Dear Readers,

In this issue we present bolder choices, bigger creative risks and explorations, better proofreading (yup, we noticed those, too), and just an overall better digest.

We have a bright vision for this monthly publication, hoping to eventually share it with more than just the DRAX community. We are actively making moves and choices to elevate it in any and all aspects. That being said, we’d love your feedback! What would make these newsletters even better? Tips and tricks? More content? Less content? Better imagery and visuals? Different stories? Activities? Local suggestions and recommendations? What content would you like to see? How can we improve our design or copywriting?

Really, hold nothing back. Comments, feedback, and constructive criticism are the perfect recipe for growth and improvement; I’m sure our famous chef Christopher would back me up on that ;)

With love and light,

DRAX Digest is published monthly by DRAX Publishing, LLC.

Publisher Editor

Don’t hesitate to contact us with your ideas for future issues at eleonora@svvl.net! Michael Ennis Eleonora Fogg

MRS.

“It's been famously said, ’Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it ’ Suzanne von Liebig, however, is one who does see beauty She also lives it because her life is her art

Many things make this woman so unlike anyone else you've ever met remarkable Uppermost is her creative vision She sees the beauty that others do not often recognize She is quick to perceive those essential values that are the source of what makes people, places, and things truly beautiful She appreciates, admires, and acknowledges those qualities in her own life and work and that of others

In this book of paper and print, prose and pictures, you will meet this unique woman A patron of the arts and haute couture, cuisine, and joaillèrie A philanthropist A socialite An entrepreneur A pioneer An advocate and ambassador of abundance

Titles and honorifics set aside, we who laugh with and learn from her, who are the objects of her kindness and caring, the beneficiaries of her wisdom, and who love her and are loved by her call her Mrs; because that's the name she likes best ”

Excerpt from Mrs : The Book, written by John Fogg

At a stage when most would settle for reflecting on a life well lived, Mrs is embarking on a new and eclectic mix of exciting creative contributions From repurposing the von Liebig Foundation to become a leading advocate for animal welfare to reinventing her Drax Hall estate in Connecticut into Burr Hall Farm, actively exploring innovations in sustainable, organic agriculture, egg production, and the commercial growing and distribution of medicinal herbs Additionally, she fostered the Wellness+ Studio in New York City, which combines diverse healing modalities such as nutrition, mindfulness, meditation, fitness, and yoga in a synergistic approach to achieving ideal health and wellness

And as if those endeavors are not enough, Mrs partnered with master chef Yann Ledoux to create Bread Story in Stuytown, the East Village, an award-winning, authentic artisanal craft French boulangerie that, according to numerous reviews, is "The best bakery in New York City " As such, Bread Story delivers daily to the city's leading Michelin-star restaurants just after they drop off a selection of much-loved croissants, brioche, and baguettes at her home on 5th Avenue

Excerpt from Mrs.: The Book, written by John Fogg

BUSINESSES

Burr Hall Farm

SvLI INSTITUTE

The new face of philanthropy?

The Suzanne von Liebig Institute is paving the way in philanthropic endeavors with a somewhat unconventional approach By listening to the non-profit organizations already giving everything they have to better our communities, we can learn how to serve best That could include collaboration with their existing programs, creating our own initiatives, or acting as a bridge between smaller organizations and large funders We are excited to host another community outreach event on April 6th, so watch for coverage in our next issue

Have you always wanted to try our farm’s honey? Have you wondered where to get your hands on our fresh farm produce? Well your chance is coming this summer, when you can get your Burr Hall treats at a farmer’s market near you! Stay tuned!

WJvL Foundation

The WJvL and SvLI team attended the Protectors of Animals annual Mardi Paws Gala in CT, which hasn’t occurred for three years due to the pandemic With an evening of food, dancing, and adorable pups, Protectors of Animals successfully surpassed their fundraising goal of $25,000!

Hard work, devotion, and loyalty are at the core of who Eva Maria Vera is and everything she does From the shining, spectacularly polished silver to perfectly cooked fried eggs that pass even the most arduous inspection, Eva is integral to the proper and well-oiled function of the 969 household She brings the sparkle to 5th Avenue and our days at work Team Profile

Wellness+ Studio

vs baguette Which do you choose? How can you choose? Two vastly different French pastry delicacies, but which one does Bread Story do best? Stop by and take a bite of each to find out

Fine Art

Our DRAX Fine Art company is getting some much-needed TLC and a new website!

Spring has sprung, so it is time to spring into action with Wellness+ Studio! Claim your complimentary assessment to see what your body needs most Experience everything the studio offers to support your goals, including a brand new Signature Massage Ritual, sure to enhance your physical and mental relaxation and health with WA:IT cosmetics' botanical products

DRAX Productions

Movies, TV Shows, YouTube, Sizzles, Trailers Oh My! Where do you think DRAX Productions will go next? If you guess right, maybe you’ll win a prize! (Don t hold us to that, though, cuz we’ll probably forget)

DRAX Publishing

With DRAX Publishing, the sky's the limit; hence, outer space is outside our comfort zone, but we’ll remain open to projects on all subjects

City books, bee books, fashion and art books, you name it, we are interested Have you written a novel or have a great idea for a book? We’d love to talk to you and hear all about it! Just contact eleonora@svvl net!

DRAX DIGEST:

AN EVOLUTION

Over the course of just thirteen issues, the DRAX Digest has undergone a remarkable transformation, a growth that became particularly palpable when creating this page's design a visual testament to DRAX Digest's journey Yet, this evolution extends far beyond the surface, delving into the very core of what this newsletter stands for

DRAX Digest started from a simple question: "Why don't we create a newsletter just for our team?" This idea made practical sense: Our team members, scattered across various businesses, cities, and even states, were often out of sync with the latest developments outside their immediate focus

The DRAX ecosystem was missing something a bridge for connection between the diverse businesses and the individuals behind the scenes Now, connection is at the heart of everything that DRAX embodies, with the SvL Institute acting as our newest commitment to this value of fostering connections and nurturing growth

The upheavals brought about by the pandemic served as a stark reminder that connection, in all its forms, is a gift not to be taken for granted When face-to-face interactions abruptly halted, we discovered the myriad ways in which technology could serve as a lifeline, weaving threads of connection across vast distances

As we look ahead, brimming with excitement, we envision the next phase of the Digest's evolution a journey where we aspire to reach and connect with an even broader audience We are incredibly grateful to all those who have been with us from the onset We invite you to join us as we turn the pages to the next chapter, eager to explore new horizons and forge deeper connections through our stories and art Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey, and here's to the adventures that lie ahead!

MARK TULLY

Meatless Asian Shiitake Bolognese

by Christopher Varroux-Renaud

Ingredients:

Pasta of choice

800 grams Shiitake mushrooms

1 5 cup oil

4 cloves garlic

20 grams ginger

2 scallions

2 shallots

1 TB paprika

1 TB five-spice

1 TB soy sauce

1 TB tomato paste

30 grams sesame seeds

1 TB Asian chili oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Serves 8

Directions:

1 Blend garlic, ginger, shallots, and scallions

2 Add the mushrooms to the blender and chop by pulsing a few times until they reach ground beef consistency

3 Heat about a pint of oil in a pot, and add the mushroom blend, stirring consistently so the garlic doesn’t burn Once fragrant, add the spices, chili oil, soy sauce, tomato paste, and sesame seeds. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes and season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. In a pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the chosen pasta according to the package instructions

5 Once the pasta is “al dente,” almost done, strain, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water In a pan, add the pasta to the Shiitake mushroom sauce, cooking on medium heat until the pasta absorbs the sauce, adding pasta water if needed

6 Serve the Shiitake bolognese on a plate, sprinkling some toasted sesame seeds and fresh dill If you like spice, do not hesitate to add an extra teaspoon of chili powder for an extra kick Enjoy :)