HAPPY VALENTINES DAY
Food is magic. Food is medicine.
Food is a miracle that keeps human bodies in optimum running order.
So cook for the health, the miracle, and the fun of it.
I look at the beauty of the fruits and vegetables in the bowl atop my kitchen counter and marvel at the vibrant colors before me. Only murcotts, lemon, kiwi and avocados today, but the deep, dark green of the ripening avocados are a counterpoint to the vibrancy of the orange murcotts and the yellow of the lemon. Especially with snow-covered grounds still, the fruit bowl is a visual feast well before my knife pierces the skin.
BEGIN AND END EACH DAY WITH FRESH FRUIT
When my fruit bowl is empty, it feels as though my life is empty. Something is not right. If I go into the kitchen in search of something to eat — no matter what season — I more often than not gravitate to some variety of fruit, ripening and greeting the day. My day without fruit is the culinary equivalent of seasonal affected disorder, and I’m a little sad. I will daily select what greets me from the fruit bowl, cut then up and admire whatever colors grace the plate before beginning to eat. Such is the ritual of food and thanksgiving. Appreciation is a form of love. Whether it’s a simple piece of citrus, frozen blueberries from the freezer, or a sliced avocado, reverence for what I am about to eat precedes consumption. The eyes give approval, the heart love, before the stomach can engage.
It is said that the content of one’s refrigerator is a reflection of one’s life. What’s in your fridge? In addition to staples such as butter, jam, milk and bread, I hope there is more. If not, I challenge you to begin to gradually fill it. Did you get that? Gradually. Don’t bite off more than you can chew (no pun intended). Cooking is an art but also an essential skill. It can be as artful as you want or as utilitarian as you need. Beginning concepts have been our initial focus, and then – when you’re ready – we’ll take on more advanced techniques and preparations. And if you’re into raw food, we’ll take on that, too. It’s all practice. Anytime is a good time to begin. And anytime is a good time for a fresh fruit or vegetable.
I hope you are having a wonderful Valentine’s Day with all of the advanced preparation we’ve discussed. In case you’re alone today/tonight, here is something to make you laugh. Called Rude Food, a short take on (artistically X-rated) vegetarian delights!
