Monday, April 12, 2010

Kale Harvest

Grandfolks are in Japan. Got to the island last week. Here, watching the house, the cats, the dog, Guinness, and enjoying the land until the 22nd. It feels so magical to be out of the city. My breath comes back, more steady; deeper. I feel whole walking along dirt paths, admiring the sweet birdsong all around me. I feel small out here. Maybe a little insignificant. I haven't met all of my powers that I can offer out as strong as my clay-coloured Mother can. Not yet, at least. It's like entering someone elses world. I'm a foreigner in a land of 'Just Be; Just Is'. But, I feel strong here. Grounded. My demons are closer to me out here, although, less overwhelming. Maybe all the flowers soften them up a bit. Everything just feels like it will be okay here. My work feels easier here. I can manage. I don't feel the need to control my thoughts - to do my best to have positive ones, and do my best not to let the negative ones surface. Here all is welcome, and I just let them pass, and know there's no harm. Nothing to fear. There's a silent, powerful, feminine-rich strength growing between the grass blades, under the flowering dogwoods, next to the wild tulips. 

After a deep morning sweat, J Dilla inspired yoga and a wander through the Vashon Bookstore for an early birthday present to myself, I came home to a kale harvest thanks to my grandpa's garden. I had 'Lost In Translation' beckoning to be played, so I turned the flame of the stove on low and cooked my garden kale with beets and asparagus and sprouts and avocado and red peppers and my variation on my grandma's oil-free hummus. I took the time to arrange everything in patterns; carefully and meticulously planned out for my aesthetic enjoyment and fulfillment. It felt good to put that much effort into myself.


CHICK PEA DIP
hummous bi tahini
'Lebanese Mountain Cooking' Mary Laird Hamady

(2 1/2 cups serving; 6 servings)

  • 2/3 cup dry chick peas/garbanzo beans & 2 1/2 cups water (or 1 can garbanzo beans - save liquid) 
  • 1/3 cup tahini (a sesame paste)
  • 3 tablespoons saved chick pea juice
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1-3 cloves garlic, crushed (more if desired) 
If soaking own chick peas: Rinse and sort chick peas. Soak overnight in 2 1/2 cups water. Cook in soaking water until very tender, about 1 1/2 hours. You should have 1 1/2 cups. Reserve several tablespoons cooking liquid. Then either mash peas by hand or use blender or Cuisinart.
Stir/mix in tahini; then slowly add 3 tablespoons reserved chick pea juice. 
Continue mixing slowly, adding lemon juive. Mix in salt and garlic to taste.

6 comments:

  1. Yum! What kind of yoga? & Missed your recipes.. Trying this week.

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  2. Aw, good! I've missed being inspired in that room. Haven't been very active in the kitchen these past months. Yin yoga... It's magical. A great book on it is by teacher Sarah Powers:

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590305981/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000KI5T9Y&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0MZQZMX17CKP06CAA979

    Her videos are helpful, too.

    My mom shared the light and I've found it's greatly helped me with my scattered thoughts, restless breaths and internal organ functions since it works around the meridians and how different, long(er)-held floor poses effect our various organs. It's very low-key, but you can definitely feel it! Just remember to breath through the pain... Haha. It'll make you stronger!
    Hope you like the hummus, too! I've been using as a salad dressing and just well, in and on everything. Real light and fluffy yum.

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  3. Yes! Hoping for some more recipes! & Thank you for the book rec, will look into. Have a blessed day.

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  4. Have you ever considered living on Vashon? You seem really intouch with yourself whenever you are there..

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  5. Are you still a Raw Foodist? - Some Like It RAW

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  6. Sweet! Enjoy, Anonym! :)

    majikmama - I toy with the idea of coming back, but I have lived here on and off since moving to Washington and just am not sure that it's the right living fit for me now... Definitely a wonderful place to relax at, though! Are you familiar with the area at all?

    Jenna - Not fully due to a weakened digestive system. It just wasn't working with me to be 100%. But, I'm seeing someone and we're working on strengthening it through herbs and whatnot and through my yoga. I eat as much as my body can handle, but have found cooked grains a must for me! Are you full raw? Blessings!

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