This time of year is very food focused, with lots of special, rich and sugary dishes showing up at our tables. Often we have recipes that sit in the back of our recipe files all year long, but come out now to help us celebrate the season. Some remind us of relatives long gone, some are recipes shared by good friends and some may be new ones we've been waiting to try. Pull out those rolling pins, bunt cake pans and shopping lists! Now's the time!
In between those treats, though, this is also a good time of year to really nourish ourselves and the ones who gather around our tables. Simple, clean and healthy food can fuel us in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle. My favorite centering lunch is a bowl of brown rice and steamed vegetables, served in a bowl, cradled in my palms. I love the feel of the steam swirling up from the bowl, the crunch of the just tender veggies and the clean feeling my guts carry into the afternoon.
As I looked at my sprouting potatoes this morning, and did a little online peeking for what to do with them, I learned something new. Did you know that latkes, one of the traditional Hannukah foods, are fried in oil to celebrate the Miracle of the Oil? To read about Mollie Katzen's quest for the healthiest frying oil, click here.
If you hang bird feeders at your house, and would like to nourish your feathery neighbors this month, check out this recipe for homemade suet.
And if you are able to share some nourishment with folks who are facing a lean holiday season, click here for a link to food pantries and soup kitchens and food banks across the nation.
Where do you find nourishment at this time of year?
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P.S. I am happy to report that Henry was freed from his cone yesterday, and with a long term course of meds, we expect him to be just fine. We thank you for your good thoughts.
P.P.S. It's not too late to throw your name in for HOLIDAY MAGIC giveaway #1!
In between those treats, though, this is also a good time of year to really nourish ourselves and the ones who gather around our tables. Simple, clean and healthy food can fuel us in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle. My favorite centering lunch is a bowl of brown rice and steamed vegetables, served in a bowl, cradled in my palms. I love the feel of the steam swirling up from the bowl, the crunch of the just tender veggies and the clean feeling my guts carry into the afternoon.
As I looked at my sprouting potatoes this morning, and did a little online peeking for what to do with them, I learned something new. Did you know that latkes, one of the traditional Hannukah foods, are fried in oil to celebrate the Miracle of the Oil? To read about Mollie Katzen's quest for the healthiest frying oil, click here.
If you hang bird feeders at your house, and would like to nourish your feathery neighbors this month, check out this recipe for homemade suet.
And if you are able to share some nourishment with folks who are facing a lean holiday season, click here for a link to food pantries and soup kitchens and food banks across the nation.
Where do you find nourishment at this time of year?
* * * * * * *
P.S. I am happy to report that Henry was freed from his cone yesterday, and with a long term course of meds, we expect him to be just fine. We thank you for your good thoughts.
P.P.S. It's not too late to throw your name in for HOLIDAY MAGIC giveaway #1!
Hi Karen, I'm glad I found you, too, through Judy Hartman. Your sensibility is so calming! I'll visit now and then to refresh! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCo-op Hanukah party at our house 12/11 - wish you could come! We "inherited" the event from a Jewish woman in the co-op. It may be the only long standing Hanukah party with often no Jewish participants! We do indeed have latke's though:-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Henry's doing better:) Nourishment ahhh... food-wise a big pot of soup, otherwise it's taking time away from the bustle of getting prepared for this season, to spend quite moments with friends and family, who are the reason for the season!
ReplyDeleteI just ate some latkes tonight at a potluck at our synagogue. We'll be having more Sunday when we host a party here at our home. You should try substituting sweet potatoes for the white sometime. Very delicious and I suppose a tad bit healthier. I know what you mean about how the body feels after eating healthy food. So much better. Why is this difficult to remember sometimes? Too much bad food is easily available too much of the time.
ReplyDeleteSince it's part of my tradition, i immediately thought "latkes! Karen's going to make latkes!" when i saw your picture of the box grater and the potatoes. For me, 'tis the season to eat hearty healthy soups!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that Henry is freed from the cone and on his way to recovery!