Today I went for a walk in my garden, which is nestled among the fields and woods with late summer flowers. It was humid and hot. The leaves of the near by maple trees had begun to turn yellow and orange, one by one spiraling to the ground. I felt the warmth of the air touching my skin and the wet, flexible soil below my feet. With my awareness I began to sense life itself. I sensed inwardly how the earth breathes and changes. I entered into the blue of the sky; let it permeate my whole being and felt the reverence that embraces the earth. I was filled with joy and reverence of just being.
We live in a world of constant changes. Day transforms into night and summer into winter. Every morning a new day is birthed and every evening it dies away for the night to be born. The moon becomes full, wanes and disappears for three days before it reappears anew. The seasons flow into each other, each giving way for the next. Blessed with these changes, no two days are alike.
Being attentive to these subtle qualitative differences in our daily lives, we will discover that the vegetation changes during the course of the year and colors have different hues in the different light of the day. Shadows lengthen and shorten, the humidity fluctuates through the seasons, and the wind whirls around at times softly, at times vigorously. We come to know, and appreciate deeply, that life emerges in cosmic cycles and rhythms. We live within the rhythms of the sun in our sleeping and waking life, and yearly cycles seem to guide our lives. We become aware that our breathing has rhythms, so does the rhythm of our hearts and digestion. Our menstrual cycle has a rhythm of its own, yet it is also connected with the cycle of the moon. In awe we begin to experience ourselves as human beings of rhythms. The sense of interconnectedness we have with the cosmos awakens feelings of joy and gratitude. We can work with these cycles and rhythms consciously instead of going sleepily through the day, letting life's circumstances blow us this way and that.
Practically, in terms of our daily life style and eating habits, it means that we can consciously create meals that harmonize with the cosmic and earthly rhythms, and find joy in cooking to meet daily and seasonal changes. This is a much different experience than being pushed and pulled by our sensory cravings or intellect, which most often eventually lead to unhappiness and uneasiness. Instead we can create healthy eating habits in rhythm with nature that lays the foundation for clarity of thought, stability of emotions, strength of motivation, and a healthy sense of well-being.
Living harmoniously as a being of rhythm within the rhythms in nature begins with experiencing the daily and seasonal changes with a heartful and conscious presence. These changes are related to the journey of the earth as it rhythmically spirals in an ocean of light belonging to the sun and the many stars. What a marvel to bring this picture alive in the imagination! To wonder at our earth/cosmic presence in the bosom of this life-sustaining light enfolds us in continual awe and reverence.
As I continued strolling through my garden, I gathered a variety of vegetables for our evening meal; leafy greens, round vegetables and roots. I found deep green kale, a few yellow squash still on the vine, and red onions. I dug up a few burdock. This was hard work. Burdock are more strongly connected to the grounding earthly forces than other root vegetables like carrots. They spiral downward, penetrating powerfully and deeply into the ground two to three feet. Now it is time to go to the kitchen to make a well balanced meal in harmony with the rhythms of this season.
Burdock with Cilantro
Fresh dug burdock and cilantro is a wonderful combination. Both available in season at most health food stores. When sautéed in a little dark roasted sesame oil the strong individual flavors of burdock and cilantro blend harmoniously.
2 tablespoons dark roasted sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil
2 cups burdock root grated large or shaved
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
3 tablespoons cilantro finely cut
Edible flowers for garnish
Heat a skillet, then add oil, and sauté burdock until they release a pleasant nutty aroma.
Pour water in the skillet, cover and simmer for 10-15 min.
Season with tamari soy sauce and simmer 2 minutes.
Add cilantro. Mix well and serve garnished with dandelion flowers.
Resources,
Cooking for the Love of the World, Anne-Marie Fryer
Anne-Marie Fryer Wiboltt is a Waldorf class and kindergarten teacher, biodynamic farmer, author and nutritional counselor. She has taught nutritional cooking and counseled for 25 years in her homeland Denmark, Europe and the United States.
She trained as a macrobiotic cooking teacher and counselor and studied the principles of oriental medicine and the research of Dr. Weston A. Price before embracing the anthroposophical approach to nutrition, food and cooking.
This Four week course will explore some of the many benefits of fermented and cultured foods,
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