I don’t know how to start this blog.  I’ve been trying to find the perfect words, phrases, to communicate the last few months …and nothing.

Then in a moment of zen ….all I want to say I hear from a song.

Zen’s heart is broken.  Zen’s success has always been because of it’s heart and soul.

The question we get asked the most during interviews is our role in our budding company.  I’m always quick to say the same thing over and over and totally unexpected.  My answer has nothing to do with who handles what – but the core values of Zen.

Czarina is the heart of Zen…and she is quick to say that I am the soul.

 She has always been the voice of zen.  Every blog is HER voice – and for all of you that have known her for years – her HEART is in everything she writes.  It’s been a bit difficult for her to find her voice the last few months – especially with Zen – so for the next few months I will have to speak for her.

Czarina has been blessed with a baby boy named Evan.  What should have been a joyful time for her has been the most difficult time of her life.  While I can try to communicate her journey so far – her blog can better do it than I can.

 http://accidentalpurpose.com/

Czarina’s heart is broken – because Evan’s heart is broken.  Literally.  I can attempt to give you the scientific terminology – but in simplest terms – his heart didn’t form correctly.  So his fight started when he was born 3 days ago and will continue until he is an old man.  Which is the reason for this blog.

The heart and soul of zen is not the amazing food we create daily – it is what we do with our success and how we take care of those we love the most.  Zen has always and will always be a family business – started by two sisters – who believe that faith, love, and family are the most important things that will get us through anything.  Which is why – the core of Zen is our Karma Program.  Our Karma Program gives a percentage of what we make to a local charity monthly.  Without actually thinking about it (actually – I forgot I even did it) – we signed up to give to Children’s Medical Center every month.  It’s been close to 2 years since we’ve been doing it – and who knew that now someone we love so much would be the beneficiary of their services.

So – on February 25, 2012, Zen will be hosting a fundraising benefitting the Heart Center at Children’s Medical Center.  All ticket and silent auction proceeds will go directly to the Heart Center and the amazing people that has been helping Evan and all the other children get through another day.  It will be an evening filled with music, art, and food – so very Zen and so very Deep Ellum.  Check back often for details and the line up for the evening!  Please join us and help us support the hospital that has been so critical in giving Evan a chance at life.

So – I end with this.  I miss Czarina.  I miss seeing her smile (and sometimes silent grumble) as we get up at 6 in the morning to open the restaurant.  I miss her OCD on inventory, timelines, and orders.  I miss my partner – but most of all I miss her easy grace and daily faith affirmation.    But as I talk to her on the phone and discuss how I will be helping her take care of Evan – I realize that our time together will now be spent taking care of her “little” heart.  And – like the start of Zen…it will be something that we will both put our heart and soul into doing…

Baby Evan

From “I Won’t Let Go” by Rascall Flatts

watch?v=HqrR8AgTo_A

It’s like a storm

That cuts a path
It’s breaks your will

It feels like that

You think your lost

But your not lost on your own

Your not alone

I will stand by you.  I will help you through

When you’ve done all you can do


If you can’t cope


I will dry your eyes


I will fight your fight

I will hold you tight
 – And I wont let go

It hurts my heart

To see you cry
I know it’s dark

This part of life

Oh it finds us all

And we’re too small

To stop the rain
 – Oh but when it rains

I will stand by you

I will help you through


When you’ve done all you can do

And you can’t cope

I will dry your eyes

I will fight your fight


I will hold you tight

And I wont let you fall


Don’t be afraid to fall

I’m right here to catch you.  I wont let you down.

It wont get you down

Your gonna make it
.

Yea I know you can make it

Cause I will stand by you.

I will help you through.

When you’ve done all you can do

And you can’t cope

And I will dry your eyes.


I will fight your fight.


I will hold you tight.

And I wont let go.


Oh I’m gonna hold you.


And I wont let go.

Wont let you go

No I wont

]]> http://zenbistrodallas.com/zens-heart-is-broken-by-chonnie-richey/feed/ 1 http://zenbistrodallas.com/home-sweet-zen/ http://zenbistrodallas.com/home-sweet-zen/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:53:33 +0000 admin http://zenbakingcompany.com/?p=147 I believe….the mantra of every child this time of year. And at Zen Baking Company…we also believe. After all, belief is the core of faith. It is with great thanks that Zen wishes all of our customers, our staff, especially our families a Merry Christmas and a Healthy (sweet!) New Year! It has been a [...]]]>

I believe….the mantra of every child this time of year. And at Zen Baking Company…we also believe. After all, belief is the core of faith. It is with great thanks that Zen wishes all of our customers, our staff, especially our families a Merry Christmas and a Healthy (sweet!) New Year! It has been a fantastic journey so far – and we are looking forward to the success of our sweet (and savory) venture! Thank you for believing in us!

Wishing you and yours a safe and wonderful Christmas season!

Chonnie & Czarina

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Upcoming Events:

Christmas Eve Brunch: Our Filipino Bistro will be serving “Paksiw na lechon.” Roast Pig slowly stewed in a garlic, liver sauce. We will also have Filipino pastries available just in time for Christmas!

New Year’s Eve Dinner: Join us for a 3 Course Tasting Menu from 6 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Every table gets a free bottle of Champagne! Enjoy dinner in one of Deep Ellum’s newest neighborhood restaurant! $35

First Course: Zen App Trio: Zen Chicken Osso Bucco Wings, Roasted Spring Mix Salad, Zen Lumpia

Second Course: Braised Short Ribs with Wasabi Mash Potatoes

Dessert Course: Zen Dessert Duo: Cakeball and Zen Cassava Cake (Coconut Rice Cake)

Zen’s Artist Series coming soon!

Please call 214-390-3269 or email customerservice@zenbakingcompany.com for more information.

I know…you loved us for our balls.

Ummm…that was awkward.

But really, thank you for embracing our cake balls and our sweet treats.

But just like our cake…we offer so much more than your average treat.

When we opened up our retail space, we decided we wanted to expand our menu to include a simple lunch.

You know…sandwiches, drinks, etc.

But if you REALLY know us, you know that we just can’t just do the regular stuff…so of course we’ve decided to do something more, erm, ZEN!

We created a lunch and dinner menu that we hope will transport you to new levels of yumminess.

Our menu was inspired by our Filipino roots.  The heart of who we are.  My sister and I wanted to bring Filipino cuisine to everyone who had not had the chance to try it.  We wanted to give the food justice – show off the beauty and our culture.

Thus…Filipino tapas/Asian tapas was born!

Get small plates with big flavor…

- Lumpia (the BEST eggrolls you will EVER eat)

- Braised Short ribs with Wasabi mash

- Coconut braised collard greens

- Tocino with garlic rice

Just to name a few.

And then end your meal with our famous Zen Cake Balls…

Oh Dallas Mavericks…how I love thee.  How I loved your mantra this playoff season of “The Time Is Now.” Not taking NO for an answer…no matter what the obstacle.

And because I love you and am having basketball withdrawals, I’ve decided to take your playoff mantra and translate it to Zen!

“The Time Is Now.”

To say Zen has been blessed with opportunities in our short time as a company is such an understatement.  We’ve been blessed beyond our wildest imaginations.

But really, Zen isn’t about the fab cake balls.  It isn’t about our new retail space.  It isn’t about our ambitious restaurant with the Asian tapas.

The core of Zen is about our Karma program.  Raising money every day for organizations that need it.  Organizations like “Impossible Possibilities,” St. Jude, North Texas Food Bank…just to name a few.

But there is one organization that is very close to our hearts.

Texas Scottish Rite – specifically – the Hands Down Support Group.

As a mom, I prayed and prayed for my little nugget growing inside me to be healthy.  And when Iz was born, I rejoiced as I kissed her hands and feet – counted 10 little fingers and 10 little toes.

Now…imagine as a parent…the sudden joy of having a child is suddenly overshadowed with fear and sadness.  When you look down at your sweet creation and she’s missing a hand, a finger, maybe whole limbs.  But, the love you feel is just as great – and you still kiss those little hands and those little feet – you just don’t get to count to 10.

That’s what happened with my niece.  My sister and co-owner of Zen, Chonnie, had that moment with Sofia.  When Sofia was born 5 years ago, her heart swelled with joy as she felt the warm little body next to hers.  But, her joy was marked with sadness – sadness for her daughter who only had one hand.  I remember Chonnie telling me the first thing that crossed her mind was that when the lucky guy asked her daughter for her hand in marriage – the fairy tale moment would be altered – since Sofia didn’t have a left hand.

But, I reassured her that the moment would be just as special.  Just as magical.  But, I knew my words were somewhat hollow – not truly able to relate to how she feels as a parent of a child with a disability.

Enter in…Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.  An amazing organization of physicians, volunteers, loving souls who help families and children of born with disabilities – that are outwardly visible.  I say that because really – who ISN’T born with some kind of disability…my niece’s is just visible

Chonnie and her family found Scottish Rite and joined the Hands Down Support Group.  In that group Sofia was surrounded by other kids that had “baby hands” or no hands at all.  But, she saw how the kids didn’t let those minor imperfections from holding them back from being like every other kid who could tie their shoes, play sports, write, put on play makeup…you know…all the important things about being a kid.

The reason why Zen was born because we wanted to do something – have a business – so we could make money and give money to organizations that are dear to us.

So…The Time Is Now.

With our retail space in full swing, with us doing business on a daily basis, with our talented chefs making great food, with our fantastic staff making bubble teas and making people’s day, with our triumphs and our challenges…. The time is NOW that we take Karma to a whole nutha’ level.

Thus – Saturday is going to be a special day.  It’s Sofia’s 5th birthday.  And Zen is throwing her a birthday party unlike any other.  From 1pm – 5pm, expect to see our staff in pink and purple princess garb.  Expect to see cake ball scepters being made.  Expect chaos as her friends from The Hands Down Support Group gobble down fresh baked Zen cookies and cold ice cream.

Expect something magical.  Because during that time from 1pm-5pm, Zen will be donating 10% of all sales (just like we’ve been taught to do), to Scottish Rite.  And Zen will also MATCH what was raised.

Everyday we always pray that when people walk through our doors that they’ll experience a good time at Zen.  But, on Saturday, we hope that people will walk through our doors and experience a good time and get a glimpse of what Zen is truly about.  It’s about using our gifts to bless others.

If you can’t come down and eat ice cream, decorate cake balls, and enjoy the chaos, but want to donate to this great cause, you can mail checks addressed to: Texas Scottish Rite – Hands Down Support Group in c/o Zen Baking Company, 2805 Main Street, Dallas, TX  75226.  We’ll make sure your generosity gets in the baby hands that need it.

I hope to see you – princess gear mandatory – on this special day!

Saturday, July 2nd – 1pm- 5pm

2805 Main Street, Dallas, TX  75226

Oh – so Zen Baking Company opened up a retail spot in Dallas.

And we added Filipino pastries – like Zen Ensaymada (brioche buns), Zen Pandesal, and Zen Casava Cake…just to name a few.

Oh – did I mention our retail location also is expanding to have a selection if Filipino inspired Asian tapas.

And by the way…we also have long list of specialty bubble teas…

Told ya we’ve been busy.