Unity

No one who cooks, cooks alone. Even at her most solitary, a cook in the kitchen is surrounded by generations of cooks past, the advice and menus of cooks present, the wisdom of cookbook writers. ~ Laurie Colwin

Unity
Humans learned the value of unity early on. It kept us safe from predators, helped us find and grow food, and learn from each other. Yet even today in the modern world, we still need unity. There have been studies done in which babies deprived of attention have not matured physically or mentally as fast as their counterparts with strong nurturing family units. Even as adults a strong support system or united front helps us cope with loss, celebrate benchmarks, or just get through the day. 

Some of the most unifying dishes are those that our families have passed down through generations. We may not have known our great grandmothers, but we know what her food tasted like. Or more basically, food unifies a group of people. After traveling abroad and eating exotic food for an extended period of time, there's nothing like a juicy hamburger. And when I was sick as a child, my grandma's mashed potatoes ans gravy hit the spot. 

These days the unity meal at our house is made by my husband. His family came from Italy between the World Wars with his father being the only child born stateside. They were very proud Americans with all five boys fighting in WWII. But they kept their ties to each other and the homeland with special meatballs from their hometown in Italy. Though my husband has three siblings and they can't always get together for the holidays, no matter where they are the meatballs are part of Christmas Eve dinner.

Foods of Interest
Among Pacific Islanders coconuts are believed to increase diversity and open people up to positive influences ie bringing groups together. Both green vegetable (especially green peas) and lychee are Chinese symbols of unity and family ties. While sticky rice--a special rice which can be rolled into balls and eaten with the hands is also a symbol of unity. Lemon verbena and sage are also known for their unity properties. For added effect add some white roses to a special meal to amplify unity.

Recipe

Mike's Meatballs photo by Erika Celeste

Mike’s Meatballs

2 lbs ground pork

1 T minced garlic (about 4 cloves)

4 T finely diced onion

1 T Italian seasoning (preferably Graziano’s Brothers from Des Moines, Iowa)
1 T finely chopped sage
1 T finely chopped rose petals (make sure they're free of pesticides organic is best)

1 C fresh bread crumbs from day old Vienna bread

1 tube of Ritz crackers (to be more unifying try substituting rice crackers)

2 eggs lightly beaten

½ C marinara sauce

Mix all ingredients except meat together. When they are all combined add meat last for more tender meatballs. Form into small meatballs (size of quarters) for Pasta Achiena or large half dollar size for spaghetti and meatballs. Fry meatballs in olive oil in batches until lightly browned. Turn to cook evenly. Drain on paper towels or wire wrack.

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.

Energy

Wait. Why am I thinking of Krispy Kremes? We’re supposed to be exercising. ~ Meg Cabot, Big Boned

Energy

Western researches usually don’t recognize human energy as a scientific quantifier. In other words, because there is no accurate way to measure human energy or describe it (as there is with machines) there are few studies on it. And yet, it’s difficult to deny the transfer of energy between newborns and their mothers, or the energizing power of a well-timed hug or a kind word. Acupuncture, kinesiology, and even chiropractics all deal with human energies.

The average adult has much energy stored in the fat of their body as a one-ton battery!* A good thing to know as we gear up for the holidays. Because of it scientists around the world are looking for ways to harness that energy. Some ideas along those lines include a gym in Portland, Oregon which would harness the energy of its clients a they work out to power the facility and a dance club in the Netherlands that has built a special floor to take advantage of clubbers’ dance energy to power its facility. There’s also a new invention stateside that takes advantage of the electromagnetic energy in eyes to flip a switch and will soon be applied to a variety of different electronics!

Whether you’re using your energy to power your home or just your body the following foods will be of great help.

Foods of Interest

Amaranth is an ancient herb and grain with a nut-like flavor. Long ago the Hopi people used the rich red flowers to dye ceremonial robes. Many cultures still associate red with energy and speed. Think red sports cars! Tea from the grain relieves gas and will ease queasy stomachs. Red peppers or ground chilies create a chemical reaction in the body when eaten that produce endorphins filling the body with extra energy. Spice peppers relieve allergies, congestion, and increase metabolism. Caraway seeds are attached to a long line of home remedies—which helps explain why they’re associated with energy. Healthy people have more of it! They not only aid in digestion and relieve gas, they also sooth colic and cure earaches. European traditions often speak of filling a small cloth full of caraway seeds and placing it under a baby’s cradle to protect him or her from harm.  Some magical circles believe that cinnamon gives those that eat it the power to change anything. The spice comes from the bark of a tree in the laurel family. In ancient Egypt it was one of the key oils used in mummification. (Can you say yummy mummy?) Cinnamon is known to raise the energy of the crown chakra and is also sacred in Hebrew and Greek rituals. It is also said to raise spiritual energy and increase the powers of any herb mixed with it. Because cinnamon is a stimulant it works wonders as a pick-me-up tea. Garlic is one of the oldest herbs on record. As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, it’s been used as far back as 3000 BC! It’s a member of the lily family and cousin of the onion but few plants pack as much punch into one little bulb. It was used to treat leprosy for centuries and thought to prevent anthrax in cows as well. As a first aid option it can be used to treat bruising, swelling, and wounds. Garlic is also gives strength to those who consume it. As a proven antibiotic it reduces blood pressure and cholesterol. Ginger is like cinnamon in that it is believed to increase the powers of other herbs it is coupled with. Chewing ginger is said to release energy amplifiers into the body to increase power. It is known for curing hangovers, headaches, motion sickness as well as general nausea. Nutmeg is the dried fruit, which can be ground into a spice. Like cinnamon it was often used in mummification. It is also known for improving joint health. But most importantly it is used for attracting joy and happiness, which often spur higher levels of energy!

Recipe

My husband and I share cooking responsibilities. One of his favorite recipes when I cook is my curry. This is another one that I make by taste. It’s just one of those things I’ve never written down until now. It could be that non-conformist streak in me, or maybe it’s my attempt to conserve my energy for other endeavors:) In any case, I was pleased to realize it’s a natural energy booster incorporating nearly all the energy herbs I’ve mentioned.

Curry

3 lbs pork roast cubed

1 can coconut milk (12 oz)

¼ C chicken broth

1 C fresh cilantro (chopped)

1 green onion

1 T fresh ginger, grated

5 garlic minced

1 stalk lemon grass, finely chopped

1 shallot, minced

olive oil

1 ½ curry

1 t mace

½ t turmeric

2 t paprika

¼ t cinnamon

¼ t nutmeg

¼ t black pepper

½ t cayenne

½ t cumin

Directions:

Cube pork. Brown with olive oil on the stove. When the meat is cooked set aside. In the same pan add a little more olive oil (enough to brown new ingredients) and add garlic, shallot, ginger, and lemon grass. Cook until tender and slightly translucent.

Add coconut milk and mix all ingredients well. When everything is mixed add the chicken broth. Add all spices and mix well. Add cilantro and cook down for five minutes. Add pork cubes and mix well. Let the curry simmer for 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors. Serve over rice.

*"Harvesting Energy From Humans." Popular Science. N.p., 29 Jan. 2009. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. <http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2009-01/harvesting-energy-humans?page=2>.