Wisdom

You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans. ~ Ronald Reagan

Foods of Interest
By now you may have noticed that certain foods have been repeated more than once in my blog. That's because quite often herbs and various fruits, vegetables, and other sundries have more than one meaning. That's because over time food has migrated across the globe accruing various meanings and myths according to the belief systems of various cultures. We all see things in our own way. However, it's interesting to note how often times cultures separated by time and distance have assigned similar meanings to things.

Thai Basil photo by Erika Celeste

Basil as you may recall was so sacred to the Greeks that women weren't allowed to touch it. What a shame as it is one of my all time favorite herbs. It is prized for stimulating both the heart and sacral chakras. In other words love and creativity--both needed to gain wisdom. Cayenne Pepper is often noted for its zing which can certainly "wake" its users up. Metaphysically it is said to aid in separation and soothing the heart. As the old saying goes sometime it takes wisdom to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run. Hazelnuts are believed to stimulate the second chakra known as the third eye. This is the area through which some believe humans gain wisdom and insight. Beside promoting wisdom the nuts are also used to increase fertility. Ginko Biloba is also said to be an excellent channel for wisdom. Though we've already covered it before, it is interesting to note that it comes from a tree with no close relatives. You could say it's one of a kind. It's regarded as a living fossil because it dates back 270 million years--thus its shear age would seem to impart wisdom. Licorice has many medicinal qualities including elevating low blood pressure and helping smokers to kick the habit--healthy and wise alternatives to synthetic medications. Rosemary is thought to increase mental clarity and facilitate feelings of affection which often can lead to wise insight. It is also known for eliminating negativity. Sage was scared to both Zeus and Jupiter--some of the wisest of the gods. It has also been associated with the Virgin Mary. In the Middle Ages people believed that the best sage was picked during the first light of summer solstice. It was further believed that the most powerful sage should never be picked by the user but instead bought from a stranger. Like rosemary it has an array of uses including anti-bacterial and preservation properties, digestive aid, and is a natural blood sugar reducer. It is also thought to stimulate artists creative juices giving them creative wisdom.

Herb Rubbed Roast

Herb Rubbed Roast photo by Erika Celeste

Approx 3 lb beef roast (shoulders, and sirloins do well)

4 cloves garlic

1 small onion (chopped)

2 T flour

1 cup beef broth

1 T basil

½ T marjoram

1 T rosemary

1 T sage

½ T thyme

1 T Sea salt

2 T Olive oil

This works best with a pestle and mortar. Put salt in mortar add all herbs, pour oil over the top, mash with pestle. When the mixture has made a thick green paste, pour it into a bowl. Add flour and onion.

Slice each garlic clove into quarters. Make half-inch slits in the roast. Insert garlic pieces into the meat slits. Place roast in a baking dish. Cover the roast in the flour and herb paste. Pour beef broth in the baking dish around the roast. (You may add chopped vegetables such as potatoes, parsnips, turnips, or carrots if you wish. Be aware if you do so, it will slightly change the flavor.) Cover the roast with foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for at least 1 hour. Let roast rest for 15 minutes before eating.