Meet Callie Longenecker | Chef, Farmer, Doula, Herbalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Callie Longenecker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Callie, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“How you do anything is how you do everything”. This quote has always stuck with me because it’s something I’ve always immediately picked up on when I observe others (and myself). Your approach to the greater things is also how you should approach the smaller things. Everything with detail, intention and dedication.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I come from a family of 9 and grew up sort of already woven into the work I do now. It’s almost like it was always meant that I would end up where I am right now. My mother is a doula and birthed my siblings and I at home, so at a young age I was already connecting with midwives and assisting with home births. I took on a lot of the cooking as the oldest daughter in my house and it always felt really natural for me. I didn’t like following recipes and I was always trying to make things more flavorful, more artful. As I got a little bit older, I knew I wanted to work with women in some way and I also wanted to follow my passion for cooking. I ended up spending my teen years with my nose in birth books, nutrition books and cookbooks. After high school I moved to Colorado and just really hit the ground running. I went to a trade school to study Nutrition and Herbal Medicine while also pursuing my Doula certifications. Shortly after graduating from those programs, I enrolled in culinary school, started working on organic farms, ran a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), got really involved with the Colorado Grain Chain and started a private cheffing business for postpartum mothers. From there, I worked several years in fine dining, including Michelin-starred restaurants in Northeastern Italy. I sort of just threw myself into any and every thing that sparked passion and made me feel creative. And I knew those things had to do with food/art, earth and mothering. My brand, Earthen Hands was born out of that vision during my pregnancy with my son. That time really inspired me to bring everything together and plant some seeds. I created a food-based, farm-to-skin body care line, specifically crafted for mothers and babies (although anybody can benefit from using them!). I wanted to create skincare that was as safe as food and allowed me to use my culinary skills, while serving the community of mothers and supporting the community of farmers. There is a lot more to come as I’m hoping to expand this work that tends to the future of mothers and food. If we can honor these two things again, I feel we can make significant strides for the future.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d definitely spend a few hours at Tattered Cover Bookstore. I love a few hours of book shopping. The Conifer Shop on Blake Street might just be one of the most thoughtfully curated boutiques. Caitlyn owns the shop with her partner and her sweetest fluffy cat. It feels like you are walking into their home and everything is so thoughtful, from the tables and shelves she made with her dad, to all of the little touches of dried flowers she arranges. There’s the coolest pop-up bakery called Funky Flame where they sling pizzas and pastries for a few hours on the weekends. Good pizza is a must. I’d do an evening of swing dancing over at the Mercury Cafe on California Street. That place is always moving and grooving. We’d wander through the Milk Bar and Denver Central Market for some snacks (mainly cheese and chocolates). A 7x Wagyu burger at Annette in the Stanley Marketplace and Gelato Boy for gelato and waffles is probably a good idea. We would have to get up to Boulder for some picnics and hiking! There’s some great spots up Flagstaff that give the most glorious views of the Flat Irons. I love packing a picnic lunch and spending time out on the trails. Everything is covered in spruce and sage – the aromatherapy in these mountains is enough of a reason to get up there. While we’re in Boulder, we’d do some relaxing at the St. Julien Spa , followed by a pastry (or two) from Moxie in North Boulder, and end it all with one of my favorite restaurants, Frasca Food & Wine, for a Frico Caldo and a glass of white wine.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother who taught me attention to every detail and finding meaning in all things. And all mothers who continually show me how incredible and powerful women truly are.

Website: https://www.earthenhands.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthen.mother/