Bean-Up
In a world seeking fiber, we are seeking community
I’ve been overcome with joy today. I feel like the soluble fiber is starting to take hold of my life, and things are starting to gel.
This became apparent to me last weekend, at a Bean-Up.
What is a Bean-Up?
If you are from the Bay Area, or have been a subscriber for a while, you may know of something called “Cake Picnic.” Now think of that, but for beans. Everyone brings a bean dish to share, we have a potluck, and enjoy the beauty of community and legumes in my favorite city on earth, Berkeley, California. Last weekend was my 7th Bean-Up.
Past Bean-Ups have been about 25 people, and I’ve been thrilled. These events are what inspire me to keep innovating in the world of legumes. Meeting others who are passionate, trying their incredible creations, and sharing a meal in community has always been one of my greatest joys.
In recent affairs, however, we had over 70 people. As I write this, my eyes fill with tears. A year ago, when I started Bean Supporter, I never could have imagined having a Bean-Up, let alone a gathering larger than any class I took in undergrad.
I guess the manifestation meditations I do while cooking myself like a bean in my sauna bag every morning are paying off.
Why a Bean-Up?
On a mission for health, I left the walls of my bean cave and entered the world.
Okay, I’m taking too much credit. I didn’t enter the world, Bean Supporter did.
Beans in a park? I have never been to a run club, let alone hosted a bean bonanza.
I do best in the unknown, off the path, picking herbs, collecting plums to pickle in the pockets of my wool leggings. To be seen terrifies me.
But the only thing that might bring me more fear than the idea of interacting with the community at large is the idea of our community not getting enough soluble fiber.
But in this day and age, where I feel like I can’t go 5 minutes without hearing about an AI agent, I think it might be important that we all take a moment to step outside and sit in a park, maybe touch some grass, and actually eat food made by a hand rather than a machine.
History:
In late August, I got a message from a fan over my Beanthday Cake, asking when I was going to hold bean meetups. In a state of “new year, new me,” I decided to host my first Bean-Up a week later in Berkeley’s own Willard Park.
I think about 20 people came, but life isn’t always about numbers; it is about joy:
The Bean-Ups continued through the ups and downs of rain and shine:
So where are we now? Seven Bean-Ups in, with gatherings of 60–70 in the finest park in the land—Willard Park.
My hunger for beans, however, is only growing. As is my hunger to build a bean community.
Our Bean-Up is traveling, and this time to New York.
Next Bean-Up will be 6/27 from 1–3 p.m. at Sheep’s Meadow in Central Park, NYC.
Want to read more?
We have been featured in:
Berkeleyside
KALX Radio
Foodprint
What You’re Eating
Coyote Media
and… my childhood forever dream…
NPR
Stay up to date on the latest Bean-up announcements here.
Thank you all for continuing to spread the luxury of legumes with me.
Tell someone you love them,
Xoxo,
Bean Supporter