The advent of the Internet has definitely brought the world of health closer to home (the world of everything else too, I suppose). Those of us who have always had or have only recently discovered a small inclination towards wanting the best health and whole foods for ourselves and our families and friends, now, more than ever do we have this information and these resources at our fingertips.
It’s quick and easy info. But sometimes when there is so much information, there is too much information and people in general tend to shy away when overwhelmed. As I try to write something about the swathes of yummy foods now available to us, I come across this quote by the Dalai Lama:
“We have bigger houses, but smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicines, but less healthiness. We have been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We built more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication. We have become long on quantity, but short on quality. These are times of fast foods, but slow digestion; tall man, but short character; steep profits but shallow relationships. It’s a time when there’s much in the window but nothing in the room.” H.H The XIVth Dalai Lama
This beautiful quote so accurately with sincerity says it like it is. I’m reminded to never take for granted the beauty that surrounds me; to always be grateful for my ability to access such healthy, fresh, organic foods. I am blessed to be able to eat the mighty mulberry and sprinkle spirulina on my salad. I am to slow down and use only what I need in life; to make my footprint on the planet as small as necessary and live in peace and simplicity.
In this simplicity, I find time for the important things such as nurturing my garden and chewing my food thoroughly. Indeed summer has begun, and with it more fresh fruit and veggies to know what to do with.
I am patiently waiting as my garden grows from seed to plant. The peas have shot up and little tufts of spicy greens grow bigger by the day. This afternoon I was able to snip the first of the leaves to create an amazing Summer Bounty salad with other fresh produce from the farmers market! But hen I spot the masses of rose bushes all around the mountains, they smell like heaven would smell if it indeed had a scent. As their petals blow in the breeze, I grab a few mid-air and gobble them up. Wow! What deliciousness! I bet they would taste amazing on a summer salad…
Summer Bounty Salad:
- A mix of spicy greens – mustard greens and arugula with red leaf lettuce and romaine
- half an avocado
- Two red radishes, sliced thin
- 10 snap peas, shelled
- a pinch of sesame seeds
- a few rose petals
Bounty Bliss Dressing:
- ¼ cup tahini (sesame paste)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon miso
- ½ tablespoon of wheat-free tamari
- 1 small clove garlic
- A small handful chopped fresh fennel greens
- ⅓ cup water (more if a thinner sauce is desired)
Instructions: Blend the above in a high-speed blender then in a metal bowl using tongs, mix well with salad greens then transfer to serving bowl and place radishes, avocado, fresh peas, sesame seeds and rose petals on top!
With the advent of the Internet, I share this with you. Where I live, the beautiful wild roses are in bloom and their sweet scent penetrates the valleys and wafts by on winds of change. I love their scent but I love their taste even more! Be sure to say thanks and definitely take your time to stop smell the roses (and eat a few too).