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 Last week, I experienced a pleasure I had never had before. Carting a large basket of clean, wet clothes, I entered my new back yard late in the afternoon and proceeded to hang my wash on the line. It seems strange to say this, but it had never occurred to me to hang my wash in lieu of an electric drying method, but having the opportunity present itself, I dove in enthusiastically. Really, I was giddy with excitement; this method of saving money and energy appealed to my Yankee sensibility and I was thrilled
because I had the sense that I was sticking it to our utility company, declaring my independence with each clothespin I closed over wet cloth. After the initial high wore off, I began to pull away from my thoughts and simply observe what was around me: the dappled sunlight glowing on the lawn, bugs buzzing, and my two year old daughter spinning with her arms open are the images that come to mind. To be outside in lovely weather, to take the time to observe nature, and to be connected to the moment and to acknowledge the gratitude for this simple pleasure was a sacred experience, an experience I wanted more of. During further reflection, I wondered how I could bring this enlightening experience to my relation to food. Of course I feed myself, but also my two children and frequently my partner; and I am the family shopper, so food is central to my daily routine. Because of that, I often find my food planning, shopping and preparation of food a duty, things that I "should" and "must" do. How do I make the mundane into an act of pleasure and gratitude? One thing I have been doing is a simple acknowledgement of gratitude of abundance. Sometimes the concept of abundance eludes me, with so many people locally and globally do not have enough to eat I feel it is a betrayal to those in need to believe that the world is innately pleasurable or abundant. I am learning to let go of the indulgence of guilt, and now as I stroll through the Co-op's plentiful offerings I offer a silent "thank you" while offering a thought for those around us who do not have enough, and hope that this little offering makes a difference. Groovy Granola 4 Cups quick oats
1/4 cup hemp seed or flax meal
1 cup chopped nuts and seeds
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup sunflower or canola oil
2 Tbsp. water, or as needed
3/4 cup dried fruit (orange cranberries are my favorite)
3/4 cup shredded coconut
Preheat oven to 300°F. Mix oats, hemp and mixed nuts and seeds. Pour honey, oil and water over this mixture and stir well. Spread on a large cookie sheet and bake 35-40 minutes. Stir granola often while baking, every 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to plate to cool. Add dried fruit and enjoy!
Caitlin Cole would like you to know that using hemp in the following recipe will not give you the munchies. |
