Food Nation

We have entered a Foodie Revolution. I love it !! I always have felt food was at the heart of the family and now I see it finally playing out in most homes all over the US. I think it has been this way around the world but we here in the states have been in fast food heaven or hell for way too long. Families forgot how to eat after the invention and popularization of frozen TV dinners, "drive-up windows", take outs and microwaves. Computers sit on dining tables instead of plates and people are usually watching their TV while eating prepared and over processed foods. recently I have seen this change. Maybe it is still the same for most families struggling with schedules and finances but I hear more conversations about food and the meals people will prepare. I see the Food Channel as a huge gift into the hearts and hearths of America. It is teaching us how to begin a foodie lifestyle which encompasses more than just filling our bellies. It is a holistic approach to food. We think about what we are making and where the food came from. We carefully plan our meals, find recipes, clip coupons, shop, consider local-organic options and we even read labels. Then we bring our hunting-gathering gifts home to be unwrapped and prepared with a sense of love and gratitude. We may even pretend we are a food star. I can see this revolution being a spiritual journey as well as gastronomic.

I can remember how my family would get dressed up for dinner when I was young and our mouths would begin to salivate the closer the hour came. Everyone would share in conversation about their days adventures and we would pass food and feel a sense of unity. It was a time to connect to our own selves as well as the family as a whole. It was then i knew I had a higher purpose in the kitchen. I am one of those people who thinks about gardening, harvesting, preparing and eating food all the time. I should weigh 300 pounds but I also consider the art of eating slowly and chewing each morsel as if it were the last meal. I read about food and the environment and seek local farmers and growers. I love to attend the farmers market with my cotton totes and lists in hand. I stop by the farm near our home for the best fresh eggs in town and all this for simple survival? No, it is an art form and a way of life. I see this as a conscious way of living and being with our environment and community. It also nurtures our spirits in a deeper way than we realize.

The greatest pleasure I get is seeing people smile after a meal I have lovingly prepared. I remember cooking at restaurants and seeing the folks in the dining room or deli counter smiling ear to ear and rubbing their Buddha Bellies with sheer bliss and the memories of donating freshly baked bread to the homeless shelter and the looks on the faces of people who were being served hot home cooked meals come flooding back into my brain. What a joy !!! and what a wonderful time to contemplate these small acts of giving. Thanksgiving is the beginning of a month long food fest and I will enjoy every tiny bite !!!

My sweet man and I at an outdoor sculpture garden in Asheville

I want to share a little about the man who has been walking next to me for 15 years. He is my handsome and wonderful husband with too many good attributes to mention. I want to share this because I see so many married couples get lost in a sea of apathy and "non-relations". As we approach Thanksgiving, which everyone who knows me knows this is my very favorite holiday. I consider all the years we have celebrated and opened our home to friends, family and strangers who did not have family with which to celebrate, or could not go home for the weekend. The past two years we have been unable to do this. I feel a great loss because I am a "giver", but I feel blessed to be with my loved one no matter where we eat. We spent a fabulous Thanksgiving last yea, and will spend this year with our great friends Kitty and Steven at their home. They, like us, have been a family hub for those during this wonderful holiday. They have friends over who share food, laughs, libations and great conversation mixed with a bit of football. It is something we treasure as this has started a new tradition after we visit a few family members in Detroit area earlier in the day. I look forward to a time when we are able to extend ourselves, home and food to others like we did in years past, but I also feel very lucky to be treated by my dear friends-family with my fabulous and much loved husband. Did I mention he is handsome? Pictures tell all. Truth being: "The heart is more real and stronger than the outside visual; and I am a lucky gal in so many ways". I never take advantage of this reality. If I have not told you how blessed I feel. now you know. I am most thankful.

May your upcoming holiday be filled with love and blessings realized. Then share it on the following Friday for the first "National day of listening". Listen to a loved a one, friend or stranger. Let them tell you how they feel or their story. It might fill you with a greater sense of gratefulness. I will be glad to bedn your ear...hahaha.

What an exciting time in history !

President Elect Barack Obama, our first president of color. What an amazing giant step forward for people all over the world, not just of color, but of all walks of life. It was a tear filled moment for many people. Even those who did not vote for him were touched and filled with a new spirit of unity and hope for future generations. I am sure there are those who feel, for lack of better words,disdain, but I have seen and heard those folks for years and finally they are the minority. For those of you with faith in God, some prayers were answered. If you believe in God you know his prayers are always answered so you can take comfort in that. I on the other hand take comfort knowing my nieces will have more hope for their futures and will finally see themselves mirrored through the lovely two little girls who will now occupy the Executive Home. (no jokes about that).

I watched the TV viewing of his humble and calm speech given around 11:30 pm at Grant Park in Chicago as a quarter million people stared glossy eyed upon the stage with a sense of calm and peace, pre-celebration, which lasted for days. I went to bed after a small victory dance, a big cry and lots of hoots and hollers. The next day was an equally uplifting and surreal day where I felt the shadow of darkness some placed over the election lifted and a new day had indeed begun. I had energy and felt like I could do anything. I raked leaves for half and hour. (that is huge for me now). I even wore shorts due to high temps. It was a sunny sky day in blue clouded bliss. I have my yard sign, buttons, sticker and all the memorabilia I could save to share with my nieces and nephews kids and Doug's sons children when they are old enough to understand(if they have kids). Wow !!!!! I am also equally glad the venomous puss spewing out of a certain woman's mouth will no longer be on the air waves, at least as a VP running mate. She can go back to her independent state where felons can get elected. I do not like hateful people or people who encourage acts of violence and kill wolves from helicopters. Bless her family though, I am sure she is a handful. McCain was very admirable in his speech and he is a good man who will continue to do good work as a public servant.

Health is good lupus wise. Bones still a big issue. The left hip socket is loosening to the point we may need to replace it for the third time. It is a charm I hope, and the two knees will need replacing soon after. I am ready to get back on my feet again. I have been mobile but not really. It is easy to move about the house and do some walking at grocery store or to appointments but with much pain and limps. The AVN being as progressive and incurable as it is, is most disturbing. It can hopefully be taken care of with more surgeries and I look forward to a day when I can ride a bike again and dance. Heck! I would settle for a long walk in the woods with my main man. More on bones later.

Basking in the glory !!! Snow tomorrow and leaves they have a fallen.

Health is good, joy is now

I am very happy to report a good feeling about health situation. I have had little lupus effects on the current regimen and I am in a lot less pain. I have more energy and feel like I am bouncing back. I know that sounds so "wishful thinking" but it is a good feeling to feel healthier and stronger. I can tell when things are getting better and healing is happening deep inside my cells. I know I have to stick to a certain routine and keep on top of PT and all the things which bring my body much happiness. I also count my blessings every day I live here and not in the Congo or Iraq. We are so blessed to be living in a place where we are fed, clothed, loved, warm and dry, Doug and I. For those who are not I am sad, but I must focus on positive things in our control. We all should try to do that if possible. This is a great place to be metaphorically speaking.

I do hope those of you reading this are well and happy. I would love to know who is reading this blog and tell me what's new with your life. I guess I write this more for me than anyone else at this point. It is a journal and sometimes I ramble. We all need an outlet. It is my way of reaching out as well. So reach back if you get a chance !!!
I won't bite.....not hard anyway...........Peace