Summer 2018: Don’t Blink or You’ll Miss It.

Posted on May 27, 2018 by wheatgrassaloon

Summer is about to bust a move in Livingston, Montana. June, July, August, they go by fast and and are jammed with good events. The 4th Friday Art Walks are a local favorite. Green Door Gallery at Wheatgrass Saloon has an exciting mix of art on display throughout the summer. Be sure to stop by for the artist receptions from 530pm – 8pm on art walk nights beginning June 22.

The Livingston Chamber of Commerce is a useful place to go to discover what is going on around town. The summer months are a perfect time of year to enjoy a stroll through Livingston’s Historic Downtown District. Currently, the city is improving Livingston’s historic downtown by updating some very the old infrastructure. It might take several months, but in the end we will have not only updated sewer and water systems but also safer and more graceful transition ramps for strollers, wheelchairs and toddlers on bikes and finally be in compliance with the American Disabilities Act standards. With that, however, comes some large pieces of construction equipment on the streets. If you need a parking spot, look beyond Main Street or 2nd Street: head east to B and C streets or west to 3rd and Yellowstone streets. It is a little messy at times, but imagine you’re in the old wild dirt-covered west. You’ll find us, Wheatgrass Saloon, at 120 North Main Street, right next door to The Stockman Bar. Wheatgrass Saloon offers the perfect antidote to whichever bar you might visit this summer. Our drinks are named for music or cocktails that you might recognize, like the Man in Black.

Stop by the juice bar on your way to float the river or a to do a day-hike for some energizing to-go juices, smoothies, bowls and snacks. We have some additions to the menu during the summer months: kale caesar, taco bowl, avocado or nut butter flax toast and coconut based soft-serve ice cream. As always, everything we do is vegan, gluten-free, soy- free and never any peanuts.

The folk at Timber Trails can provide you tips on where to hike, fish and float according to your needs. And, at The Jumping Off Point you can get just what you need for the perfect campout adventure. If you’re in search of some downtime or the weather isn’t cooperating, head upstairs at Wheatgrass Saloon with a super healthy lunch from the juice bar. Upstairs you can enjoy viewing the current show in Green Door Gallery, using the wifi, writing a postcard or browsing the shelves of Elk River Books.

Green Door Gallery, Green Eats & Green Dot Sales

Posted on June 26, 2017 by wheatgrassaloon

Green Door Gallery

The 1956 song by Jim Lowe, Green Door, was the inspiration for the newly designed Green Door Gallery at Wheatgrass Saloon. Thanks to Gigi of Synergigi Designs the gallery has a cohesive look that balances elegance and fun and provides plenty of wall space for artwork throughout the summer as well as year round. The first show, Landmarks & Landscapes of Livingston features art from four different artists: John Zumpano’s photographs of Crow Fair; Tandy Miles Riddles’ paintings of the Livingston Depot and of grain elevators; Tony Demin’s photographs of downtown Livingston and its surrounding valleys; Beth Gregory’s fine silver and enameled copper pieces of the Yellowstone, the Abasaroka mountains and the Teslow building. Proceeds of Beth’s Teslow building pieces will go to the Teslow Preservation Fund. The show will remain up until August 19th.

We will have three more art walks this summer each on the fourth Friday of the month from 5-8pm.

July 28th – August 19th with Natalia Boise’s Badass Beauties: The Culture of Rebellious Femininity.

August 25th- September 16th with Ian Lange’s photographs, Storrs Bishop’s linocuts and Marc Beaudin’s poetry in Murmurations: A Flight of Birds in Imagery & Poetry.

September 22nd – October 21st with a juried show, Dangerous: A Mural Arts Competition. Please check out the competition details and consider entering some pieces. The deadline for entries is September 8, 2017.

Green Eats:

A couple of extra bowls for the summer are the Taco Bowl and the Timeless Seeds Hummus Bowl. Both are vegan, gluten-free, plant-based deliciousness. A new kombucha flavor to try is the Mango Habanero. Plenty of bottled, cold-press juices available in the grab ‘n’ go cooler to stick in your cooler for your summer adventures.

Green Dot Sales:

We will continue to add to the “Green Dot” sales table to offer extra affordable gift buying options for you along with the plentiful array of other options in the boutique — earrings, candles, t-shirts, koozies, cards, journals, posters, incense, chocolates, etc.

Spring 2017

Posted on May 1, 2017 by wheatgrassaloon

Who doesn’t love this time of year when the hum of lawnmowers and early morning birds replaces the metallic scrape of snow shovels. The earth is providing all the dandelions and nettles that our bodies need to cleanse away winter’s sludge. Dandelions are tough plants that contain plenty of vitamins and nutrients and are powerfully healing to the liver and the blood and, like kale, have anti-cancer properties. If you prefer they not take over your yard, mow before they flower or pick them and toss the leaves in your salad or sandwich.

Springtime also means that Wheatgrass Saloon will extend juice bar hours beginning May 1st to our full day of 10am – 5pm Monday – Saturday. We are done with warm soups until the fall, and we will be adding a vegan taco salad bowl to the summer menu. Come try something new! We also will be experimenting with being open for a few hours on Sundays, May – September. The juice bar will be open on Sundays from 11am – 3pm with a limited menu. The items available will be: bottled cold-press juices, smoothies, taco salad bowl and shots of wheatgrass and, always, chocolate. Burnt Fork Bend Chocolate is handcrafted in Stevensville, Montana and Righteously Raw Chocolates travel from a small family-run business in California.

Burnt Fork Bend and Righteously Raw Chocolates at Wheatgrass Saloon

Livingston Art Walks will take place on the 4^th Friday of the months of June, July, August and September. The first art walk show, Landmarks and Landscapes of Livingston opens with a reception on June 23^rd and will feature the works of John Zumpano, Tony Demin, Tandy Riddle and Beth Gregory. We will be showing art upstairs in the newly designed Green Door Gallery which is a current work-in-progress thanks to the help, once again, of Synergigi Designs.

Be sure to have a look at the beautiful new website for the Livingston Gallery Association that local artist Kay Potter has developed for the local galleries. We have a total of 15 galleries participating in the Art Walks as well as many Sponsors and Friends of the Gallery Association.

In the boutique, we continue to add items to the shelves that make great gifts for graduation, birthdays, mother’s and father’s day, etc. We have jewelry, candles, bath items, doTERRA essential oils, diffusers, 406 T-shirts & onesies, dresses, lotions and more. As always the emphasis is on local and regional artists and designers, as well as on women’s coops around the world.

Essential oils can provide pleasant relief from seasonal allergies. Try diffusing a combination of Lemon which supports healthy respiratory function, Lavender that can calm sinus issues, allergies and other respiratory issues, plus Peppermint which promotes healthy respiratory function and clear breathing. If you’d like to order any doTERRA products online, the place to go is here.

As the days get longer we’ll be setting up the tables and chairs on the sidewalks so that you can soak up the warm sunshine while enjoying a meal or a drink.

Our co-habitant, Elk River Books, has a great line-up of upcoming readings and events for the busy months of summer as well as the celebration of their 6^th birthday on Thursday, May 18^th.

At Wheatgrass Saloon we are well into our 5^th year of business. Thank you for helping us survive another windy winter in Livingston and come help us welcome summer in the coming weeks.

Hello, 2017!

Posted on December 22, 2016 by wheatgrassaloon

As 2016 comes to an end, here’s a bit of news for winter 2017 at Wheatgrass Saloon.

IN THE JUICE BAR:

Wheatgrass Saloon as a whole will remain open 10am-5pm Monday through Saturday. The juice bar will continue with its condensed winter hours of 11am – 3pm Monday through Saturday. We’ll continue to have soups each day as a warmer option and bottled cold-press juices in the Grab n Go fridge. Remember that you can call in an order to pick up after 3pm. We will have it all ready for you!

CLEANSES:

We will begin the year with a group ayurvedic cleanse led by Kristine Backes January 15-18. There still are spaces available, and you can sign up here. Kristine Backes will lead a springtime group ayurvedic cleanse at a date yet to be determined.

Wheatgrass Saloon group soup cleanses will occur on a monthly basis beginning in February. Each will be a three-day soup cleanse consisting of one broth, three lighter purees and one heartier soup. Sign-ups will begin in January. The cost is $120/per three-day cleanse.

The Wheatgrass Saloon Soup Cleanse is designed to detox your body, boost digestion and support optimal organ function. Loaded with plant-based ingredients, the soup cleanse decreases your overall caloric consumption and increases your nutritional intake. When our bodies get the nutrition they need, cravings disappear. Here is the schedule for the soup cleanses: February 6-8; March 6-8 (the week before Livingston’s spring break); April 10-12 (easter is the 16th); May 15-17.

IN THE UPSTAIRS GALLERY:

I’m grateful for the beautiful works of Everett C. Hoffman that will remain up through the winter. Keep his pieces in mind when you are in search of a creative gift or treat for yourself. At first glance they appear very similar. Spend some time with them. They are all distinct, each with a little story to tell. At $125, a great deal!

Local artist Betsy Hall has some whimsical pieces in the entryway: playfully arranged wreaths and shadowboxes. I love Betsy’s ability to take the odd and the ordinary objects of our lives and give them a new thoughtful job to do.

IN THE BOUTIQUE:

doTERRA is here! As a juice bar owner, this seems like a natural addition for me. Whether ingested in the form of food or received in the form of oils (diffused, applied topically or ingested) plants are the bomb and are here to heal and protect our bodies. doTERRA offers certified pure therapeutic grades oils and is a company that I feel confident representing. Come check out the wide variety of room diffusers, wool dryer balls, spa items, resource books, necklace diffusers and oils available at Wheatgrass Saloon. If you’d like to order online here is the link to my Wheatgrass Saloon doTERRA website. I’m also happy to place an order for you if that is more helpful and to answer as best I can any questions you might have.

One of my favorite doTERRA offerings is the Hope Oil Blend that combines Bergamot with Ylang Ylang, Frankincense and Vanilla Bean Absolute. Its inviting scent is only one thing that makes dōTERRA Hope Touch so awesome: the full purchase price ($20) of each dōTERRA Hope Touch bottle is donated to the dōTERRA Healing Hands Foundation™ which supports O.U.R. Rescue. O.U.R. Rescue is an organization that consists of the world’s experts in extraction operations and anti-child trafficking efforts. They have come together to combat child slavery and sex trafficking.

Have a beautiful holiday season. Stay warm and healthy. Be sure to show up on January 9^th for lunch and get a free 8oz juice with any bowl and on January 13th for Hoppin’ John vegan style!

Happy New Year 2017!

Get Out (of the kitchen)

Posted on October 3, 2016 by wheatgrassaloon

These are photos of my very sweet Grandmother, Lillian. Like many first generation Italian women she was defined by the work she did in the kitchen. She more than lived up to the measure as her hands and heart created the most delicious sauces, gnocchi, scrippelle, biscotti and pizzelles. The reason that I love these photos of her is that she is very definitely not in the kitchen. She is in Yellowstone Park and having a ball. She shone that day, filled with the delight of nature and the freedom of being far away from the creation of food for loved ones.

With that goal in mind, you can take a break from some of your busier weeknights and get out of your own kitchen by grabbing some soup-to-go at Wheatgrass Saloon this fall and winter. We began making soups a couple of weeks ago and are enjoying having a different one each day of the week. Each soup is made with health and energy in mind, loaded with local and regional vegetables and beans and served on a gluten free grain. Soup is available from 11am – 3 pm and after 3, from the grab ‘n’ go case.

Get out to discover the new items are arriving weekly at Wheatgrass Saloon to fill the Boutique for the holiday season. Aquiesse candles, Michel Design soaps, colored pencils by Sprout that you can use for the Re-Mark coloring cards and bookmarks, jewelry and more.

If you missed Matt Phillips’ September art walk reception, get out and take the chance to run upstairs to the Gallery space and see his really beautiful show before it comes down October 17^th.

Matt Phillips with pieces from his show Monotypes and Magic.

There are a few upcoming events in the Gallery and store as a whole. On Thursday, October 20^th from 6-8pm there will be a reception for the show Madness and the Macabre curated by Angelina Froke and including works by Edd Enders, Aaron Fowlie, Angie Froke, Autumn Hudson and Willie Ramirez. Get out, come down and enjoy a celebration of the macabre.

Marc Beaudin, co-owner of Elk River Books, looking rather Macabre in his makeup for the upcoming Shane Center’s production of Macbeth. The show opens October 21st and is directed by Kory Gunderson.

Another reception will take place on Friday, November 4th when Betsy Hall and Bob Datilla share with us their personal collection of works by Everett C. Hoffman. Both framed and unframed pieces will be available for purchase. The show will remain up through the holidays. Find your way out through the probable cold and wind for refreshments and an introduction to these fabulous pieces.

The Holiday Stroll falls on December 2^nd this year. We’ll have fun and celebration in the Saloon in honor of our 4 year birthday. So, you know, get out!

In the meantime, stay well, enjoy the change of season and brace yourself for the winds to come.

Mid-Summer Happenings

Posted on June 29, 2016 by wheatgrassaloon

The sidewalks are heating up in downtown Livingston, Montana as folk roll into town to celebrate the three-day party for the 4th.

The art walks this year will fall on the 3rd Friday of each month. June 17th kicked off the first walk of the season. At Wheatgrass Saloon Gallery the art work of Angelina Froke and Carol Liljedahl still can be seen. Their earthy and folkloric show, Norwegian Woods and Other Tales, incorporates Norse, Scandinavian and Germanic legends and myths as well as original works of fantasy through paintings and soft sculpture art dolls. Raised by Wolves Studios is a mother – daughter collaboration between Carol and Angelina. They bring together a shared love of faerie tales, primitive art, dolls, antiques and oddities in a way that is distinctive and unique and create original hand-made soft sculpture art dolls and fine art pieces. The show will remain up until the second week of July.

You also will be able to find the works of Angelina and Carol at the Festival of the Arts July 2, 3, 4. The Festival is held in the Depot Rotary Park that runs along the railroad tracks and is adjacent to the Livingston Depot.

Also in June, Wheatgrass Saloon was delighted to host a reading by author Jasmin Singer from her book Always Too Much and Never Enough. Jasmin is an exceptionally fun and engaging speaker. If you missed her dynamic talk about having “been betrayed by a food industry that relied on (her) willful ignorance and by a society that relied on (her) undiscerning willingness to buy into its arbitrary notions of self-worth and beauty,” come get your signed copy here at Wheatgrass Saloon. And, once my tech-savvy kicks in, I will post the video of her talk as well.

Throughout the week preceding the 4th of July celebrations, Wheatgrass Saloon Eco-Boutique will have a blowout summer sale with new categories of items on sale each day:

Monday, June 27th – all T-shirts 50% off

Tuesday, June 28th- all skirts 50% off

Wednesday, June 29th – all body care items 50% off

Thursday, June 30th – all incense 50% off

Friday, July 1st – all non-consignment scarves 50% off

Saturday, July 2nd – all non-consignment jewelry 50% off

Throughout the summer, raffle tickets will be available for purchase at Wheatgrass Saloon to benefit Livingston’s Sister Cities Program.

On July 2nd, during Livingston’s Roundup Rodeo Parade, the kick-off to 72 hours of Independence Day celebratory shenanigans, the horses in the parade will determine the winner(s) of the Roundup Road Apples raffle.

Wheatgrass Saloon will close at 2pm on the day of the Parade. Otherwise, our summer hours are 10am -5pm Monday through Saturday, with the exception of Wednesdays when we close at 4pm in order to get to the Farmers Market.

The July Art Walk is just around the bend. On July 15th, we will have the pleasure of hosting a reception from 5pm – 8pm for John Zumpano. With “Colors of Crow Fair,” John returns with a follow-up to last year’s popular art walk exhibit, “Pow Wow” with a show of new work.

“Colors of Crow Fair” celebrates the vibrancy of Native American regalia, the power of dance and the richness of Native traditions. It’s no coincidence that color can mean hue, tint, tone but also vitality, excitement and zest. The multi-tribal gatherings at a pow wow exemplify both of these ideas. John’s large, gallery-wrapped canvases capture the resplendent patterns, eye-popping color and passion of the dancers.
Come and experience the power of pow wow and the spirit and pride of Native American culture.

We have recently updated our menu. Check it out, and then come try the new, raw vegan Thai Noodle Bowl to nourish your way through the parties of summertime and the Paint it Black to detox from the beer floats on the river. Both have been a big hit.

Upcoming 4th Thursdays are July 28th and August 25th. In July, 10% of net sales will be donated to Livingston’s Sister Cities Program.

In August 10% will go to the Park County Environmental Council, (PCEC).

PCEC works tirelessly to serve its mission “to protect and enrich the quality of life in Park County by preserving and restoring our rivers, wildlife and landscapes.”

The big issues currently being addressed jeopardize our lifestyle and economy in Park County and include:

Two industrial-scale gold mines in the Paradise Valley
- Lucky Mineral’s exploratory drilling in Emigrant Gulch
- Crevice Mining Group’s proposals for road permits and mining operations near Gardiner
Supporting efforts to designate the Yellowstone River as Wild and Scenic
Grizzly bear protection
A gravel pit and asphalt plant on Hwy 89
BNSF rail yard cleanup

Please come support PCEC’s efforts on August 25th from 10am – 5pm and learn more about the issues.

In the Boutique, we are pleased to introduce, Think Body works by local designer, Deborah Amlincoln Monaghan. Silk scarves and cotton bandanas inspired by the anatomy of the head of the horse are a beautiful addition to our shelves.

Enjoy the sunshine, light breeze and stay hydrated through these fleeting, dog days of summer.

Introducing…

Posted on March 10, 2016 by wheatgrassaloon

When I bought Wheatgrass Saloon, previously known as the Drawing Room, September 1, 2012, I never planned on nor imagined having the need for 9-10 employees to help run the Saloon. As it turns out, there is a high demand for nutritious food and drink in Livingston, Montana and beyond. And, so, there is a need for employees. At long last, I am pleased to introduce to you the stunning souls without whom Wheatgrass Saloon would not exist. I would have given up long ago without the hard work, good ideas, dedication, humor, kindness, energy, inspiration and creativity of the following people.

: Cindy

Cindy was born in Minnesota and came to Livingston as a child. She has two grown children and a grandchild, Daniel, who lives in Germany with his parents. She has been at Wheatgrass since the Saloon doors opened on December 1, 2012. She is invaluable to the business and to me and holds a very special place in my heart.

Tasha Enjoying Life Beyond the Saloon Doors

Tasha moved to Livingston in 2013 and is in the process of obtaining her master’s degree in social work, with the goal of becoming an LCSW. When she is not studying she enjoys hiking with her partner, David, and their dog Liam. Tasha loves cooking from scratch, gardening, running, reading, and watching movies. Her favorite items at Wheatgrass Saloon are the Little Red Corvette, Kale Caesar Salad, and We Got the Beet. I cannot imagine what I would do without the presence of Tasha in my business life. She has the wisdom and maturity of a sage and her energy is a joy to experience.

Artwork by Alyssa

Alyssa was born and raised in Livingston. One of her favorite things to do in her spare time is sketch and paint. She loves working at Wheatgrass Saloon and learning new recipes that inspire her to be creative with healthy food choices at home.

Angie Says Cheers

Angie is an artist, crafter, horror movie junkie, animal lover and co-owner of Raised by Wolves Studios. She finds inspiration in all things vintage and macabre.

Two of our staff members will leave Livingston at the end of the summer in order to go on to college:

Michelle

Michelle has grown up in Livingston, MT. She will head south to attend university in Prescott, Arizona to study art and psychology. She is passionate about holistic health and nutrition, and is looking forward to see what the future brings.

Siobhan with Lily & Rosie

Siobhàn was born and raised in Paradise Valley. She will attend Amherst College in Massachusetts in the fall where she plans to study biology with a focus on genetics. She loves skiing, hiking and her weiner dogs.

Wheatgrass Saloon is fortunate to have three very awesome high school students who have been training this winter by closing the juice bar after school and by working some Saturday shifts in preparation for the summer. I very much look forward to having their enthusiasm and good work help us out in big ways during the upcoming months. They are Nacoya, Peter and Zoe:

Nacoya on the Ice

Nacoya is also Livingston born and raised and loves the Montana outdoors. She enjoys playing ice hockey and traveling and looks forward to seeing you at Wheatgrass Saloon.

Peter Upside Down

Peter is a sophomore at Park High. You might run into him on the soccer field or see him doing back flips on skis as he races down the mountain.

Zoe Looking Crafty

Zoe is a student at Park High School. She loves to play tennis. She also enjoys making jewelry and being crafty.

When I look at the calendar for the months ahead, I am overwhelmed by all the events. Let me introduce you to some of them now:

Fourth Thursdays at Wheatgrass Saloon will fall on Thursday, March 24th this month. Ten percent of net sales will go to McNair Skate Park .
Breathing Room Yoga will host its Spring Equinox 108 Sun Salutation Celebration Friday, March 18th 6-8pm. After finishing your 108 sun salutations you can enjoy a shot of Greentini juice from Wheatgrass Saloon to celebrate the return of the sun and get a coupon for $5.00 off the Juice Cleanse at Wheatgrass Saloon.
Tap into Montana takes place April 4th – 9th. Wheatgrass Saloon will once again host Art on Tap . This year Parks Reece will teach a finger painting class and Craft Beer and Brats will be served. Sign up at Wheatgrass Saloon or by calling 333-2330.
One April 29th, Wheatgrass Saloon will serve vegan ice cream at this year’s Taste of Livingston which benefits Montessori Island School.
Summer hours will begin May 2nd. Wheatgrass Saloon will be open Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm.
Wheatgrass Saloon Upstairs Gallery is currently taking submissions for two art shows for the Livingston Summer Art Walks: Icons and YNP Hot Pots.
This year, the Art Walks will take place on the 3rd Fridays of the month June – September.
The first art walk of the season will take place June 17th and will feature the work of Angelina Froke and Carol Liljedahl of Raised by Wolves Studios.

That’s enough introductions for now. Get outside. Things are blooming!