December 18, 2021

I Will Speak To You In Poetry

December 18, 2021/ Jenny Mahan

When saying the words

with normal talk feels

raw

crass

naked

petty

I will hand you poems instead

I will tell the story in shining

heart breaking

word-paintings

you can taste

like dust and moisture on your tongue

during the first rain storm after

a season-long drought

that you can carry in your pocket like smooth beach stones

warm from the sun

cold from eons tumbling in the water

who tell their story without speaking

who sing the songs without words

Dark Basalt

Red Granite

Crystal Quartz

Gritty sandstone

born from pyroclastic cataclysm

shaped beneath ages of pressure

and erosion

and waves of fierce beauty

like my heart

December 02, 2019

Stop Vilifying Food

December 02, 2019/ Jenny Mahan

Sure, there are things we’d do well to eat more or less of. But extreme postures toward food and health, especially vilifying and glorifying foods, is counterproductive and harmful. Let’s change the conversation from nutritionism and food extremism toward growing healthy relationships with food in delicious ways to feel better and be well.

Simplify, Reconnect, Thrive.

We’re craving fresh nourishment after a long winter.

What if eating well to feel better didn't have to be about elimination, deprivation, shame, guilt, shoulds, diets? What if it could be about delight, deliciousness, and sane nutrition?

Instead of focusing on all the things we’re supposed to avoid, instead of feeling guilty about “slipping up” or “falling off the wagon,” let’s focus on adding in more good stuff and enjoying it.

Savoring it.

Let’s focus on feeding wellness.

There are lots of wholesome ways to feed wellness, but today I want to focus on feeding wellness via the power of plants, while ditching diet culture stress and enjoying good food.

I love food, and eating, and not feeling crummy or getting sick—like most of us do.

One of the easiest and most satisfying ways to eat well and save time and money is the magical "one pot wonder." This week we move on from soups and stews to other one pot wonders, starting with hash.

Hash is made traditionally of diced or chopped meat, potatoes, and spices that are mixed together and then cooked either alone or with other ingredients such as onions.

Many cultures the world round have some traditional dish that is a variation on this theme, which is not surprising as it is a quintessential "stick-to-your-ribs" comfort food.

Today, we'll make a healthful turkey hash, and a vegetarian version, as part of our celebration of healthful one pot meals.

This is an easy meal to make with leftover bits and bobs you may have that need to be used up— so feel free to experiment and try adding other grains (barley?), vegetables (sweet peppers?), beans, leftover chicken, etc. to this adaptable dish.

This week we're celebrating a one pot meal that brings together sweet, fiber-rich sweet potatoes; good-for-you, savory curry spices; and nutrient-packed, filling chickpeas.

This is a warm, healthfully rich and satisfying comfort food to nourish you and those you love.

Chicken noodle soup is one of the iconic traditional foods as medicine.

Chicken and Noodles's nutrient dense, fiber-rich nourishment is a powerful food-as-medicine for preventing, managing, and even reversing chronic disease many of us modern people struggle with: heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, etc.

AND, it's another easy, quick one-pot meal that saves us time and money while supporting good health.

"Good soup is one of the prime ingredients of good living." —Louis P. De Gouy, ‘The Soup Book’

Carrot Soup—a super simple, easy, tasty, and nourishing soup that's quick to make.

Using plain cocoa powder rather than a drink mix allows you to control how much and what kind of sweetener and milk you consume.

This week swirling Autumn leaves and dwindling daylength has me contemplating the gifts of a slower season of life, the fleeting nature of things, and the need to savor the moments and things that really matter to us most.

The little things matter. Build positive momentum, positive synergy, with small steps toward the life you want to live and the health you want to enjoy.