Alicia’s Cookin’ at Bee Natural…And Lots More!
Text and photos by Deborah Whitehouse

One of San Miguel’s most creative cooks has joined Bee Natural, the inspired organic foods store in Centro.

When I first met Alicia Rivero she was serving lunch to 20 people on Wednesday afternoons in the back yard of her home in Col. Aurora. The fortunate 20 were seated at a long shaded table where we got to know each other while dining on some of the best fresh foods in San Miguel.

 When winter arrived, her “Loncheria” evolved into a take-out falafel business (aka “Falafel House”). Now Alicia is preparing these same sumptuous foods and many more at Bee Natural, one of San Miguel’s most progressive organic food stores.

What a change! Alicia’s original food creations are made from the store’s finest organic produce, grains and legumes including her famous falafel salad with tahini dressing, rice cakes with steamed greens, lentil salad with fresh aioli, whole wheat pasta salads with roasted tomatoes, 3 bean salads, all with a variety of dressings. The main dishes include lasagnas, quinoa casseroles and quiches, fresh vegetable soups with gourmet garnishes, and sides of hummus, nut pates, and guacamole. Add to this her gourmet jams, muffins and snacks for a wonderful assortment of earthly delights!

“We use products that are chemical free, organic, and when possible, local.” Alicia says. “The menu will rotate to offer whatever is fresh and in season.” Although the service is take-out, the back patio will soon be open so that people can eat outside with fresh organic fruit drinks and coffee from the bar.” 

Alicia has been in professional kitchens since she was 14 and studied the art of pastries at the famous Culinary Institute of America, but she began her cooking career in San Miguel as chef at La Carpa. In spite of her professional success, she still claims that her life-long passion for cooking is inspired by a life-long passion for eating!
 

But that’s not all. Over the past three years Bee Natural has become a leader in the organic food movement in San Miguel by supporting local, organic growers.

According to owner Jorge Catalán, the organic food industry in Mexico is growing at a very fast rate and small local producers are now formulating guidelines and setting standards for the future organic foods business and sustainable living in Mexico. 

Jorge Catalán’s vision for Bee Natural, supported by partners Lynn Learned and Andy Blair, is a place where people can not only enjoy the finest foods possible, but also create a community where information and new ideas can be shared for a better future. 

One quantum leap in this direction involves the sharing of organic farming information and ideas with the local campesinos and engaging their participation in this process. According to Jorge, a movement is now underway to unite local farmers in a cooperative effort to promote healthy farming standards throughout the area. Local farmers Luiz Suárez of “Las Glorias del Huerto” and Ettore Steffani are spearheading the movement. These and other local farmers are creating their own standards and certifying procedures, while acting as watchdogs for each other in order to avoid corruption, a pitfall of International Organic Certification in many areas. 

Today, Bee Natural hosts a unique assortment of products and services from a wide range of organic producers. In addition to those mentioned above, Karl Jankay and Polita of “La Trinidad” supply a variety of greens and beets, Patricia Hernández supplies cow and goat cheese and yogurt , Toyán, supplies onions, broccoli, wheat, and green beans; and Tere Gaherdo supplies fruit jams.

Bee farmer Alejandro Bianchi, who is also a bee therapist, supplies local honey, bee propolis, pollen and cough remedies. In addition to this, his practice includes the use of bee venom injected in acupuncture points to relieve aching tendons, muscles, and arthritic joints. According to Alejandro, bee venom is one of the strongest anti-inflammatories known and much easier on your body than pharmaceutical cortisone.

Other interesting products at Bee Natural include a frozen raw dog food, 

BARC, and biodegradable pooper-scooper bags. No joke. BARC is a safe and properly balanced dog food created by animal behaviorist Charlotte Pelz. As for the pooper-scooper bags, resident pet enthusiast Andy Blair is incredulous that biodegradable dog droppings are put in plastic bags destined for land fills when there is an alternative for less than 2 cents a bag! 

Buying from local organic growers enables Bee Natural to support the organic food chain in San Miguel with an eye to future sustainable living in an area already pushing its infrastructure to accommodate development. Many hope this trend will continue to grow as more people become aware of its value. For those already in the loop it’s a gift! 

Bee Natural’s new location in Centro is Calle Nueva 7, across from the Fish Taco Palapa behind Espino’s. 154-8629.