Simple Cooking Wisdom - Edward Epse Brown

"Enchant, stay beautiful and graceful, but do this, eat well. Bring the same consideration to the preparation of your food as you devote to your appearance. Let your dinner be a poem, like your dress." - Charles Pierre Monselet

Wisdom from Edward Espe Brown's book Tomato Blessings and Radish Teachings - Recipes & Reflections:

"What makes food food interests me deeply. Not everything that is edible nourishes the spirit, or soothes our deeper hungers, and for food to be food it must  feed. We all know this, and that each of us is nourished by particular foods. Still we forget at times that it is not just the food  in front of us, but our readiness to receive, to be blessed with food, that allows food to be the feeding."

I had the pleasure of hearing Ed Brown speak at Third Place Books this week as they have released the Complete Tassajara Cookbook which includes many of the stories and recipes from Tomato Blessings book I quoted above. He is a cook, author and Zen priest.

For many years I had loudly proclaimed that I am not a cook. I have been changing that perception as I have always cooked things for myself that are delicious. After hearing Ed, I realize what I am is not a follower of recipe books.
The first thing I remember him saying is, "Taste what you put in your mouth." Such simple wisdom.

He talked about people worrying about cooking because it may not turn out right, i.e. exactly like the book says. And how we give up our capacity to make choices to follow what someone else tells us. And he shared anecdotes about writing a recipe with instructions to add seasoning to taste, and his editor leaving a sticky note: How much?.

It was the most refreshing talk on cooking I've ever heard, an affirmation and reminder. What a concept taste your food, relate to your food, use your own knowledge, and if you make a "mistake" you've something. I recommend any of his books which are available directly through Shambala Publications as well as bookstores. All his recipes are vegetarian.

"Food, like a loving touch or a glimpse of divine power, has that ability to comfort." - Norman Kolpas

dustings with earthy brown

simmering pieces golden orange

ah, cinnamon on warm mangoes

May you be nourished by that which surrounds you

Listening - A Magical Skill

"Listening is everything. Listening is the whole deal. That's what I think. And, I mean that in terms of before you work, after you work, in between work, with your children, with your husband, with your friends, with your mother, with your father. It's everything. And, it's where you learn everything." - Meryl Streep

This quote was shared with me by my friend, Jan, who is a superb listener. I am grateful to the many hours that she and others have sat witnessing my life and my sacred stories.

Though I have a grasp of the importance, I have yet to master the skill of listening, to stop the me thoughts cascading over my companion's words looking for a way to regain the verbal floor. . . "that happened to me, too" . . . I hope to allow more openings to partake of other truths.

There's been some kind of a glitch that has prevented me from uploading pictures. I hope to figure it out soon.

May you honor the sacred thoughts and stories around you

On The Theme of Kindness

Found of the website World of Inspiration:

“It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.”

John Andrew Holmes

Found of the website Kindness Rewarded:

Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.
~ Scott Adams

They, also, have stories of kindness, and you can submit your stories of kindness there.

There's a creative article in Women's Day - Improve Your Mood in 5 minutes I enjoyed. It's been a while since I've read their magazine. It is current and inspiring. Here's just a snippet of one of their suggestions:

2. Make up a ridiculous story. If someone is fueling your sour mood, create a goofy character in your head based on that person.

If that interests you, see the rest of number 2 and others at their site.

Edging towards better spending habits, I enjoyed a wonderful homemade carrot, cabbage, garlic and greens soup/stew with veggies from Earthbound Farms. Simple throw in the pot meal yet so delicious.

Doing Good - An Old, Still Potent Favorite

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.

attributed to John Wesley