Growth

One of my favorite things about dining outdoors in a warmer season is that it frees hands and bares skin. ... When we don't need to wear or carry heavy clothing, our bodies feel lighter and our hands are freed for other things. Like carrying bottles of rosé; bags of stone fruit, fish, and clams; and a simple kettle and a tiny grill for a quiet, all-day beach excursion. Then we can eat well. ~ Kirstin Jackson

Reinhold Niebuhr has a prayer that many readers may be familiar with called the Serenity Prayer (God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change...). But I see it as a testament to growth. In order to survive and thrive we must all grow. Sometimes those experiences are out of this world. We learn to ride a bike, win an award, or accomplish something we never knew we were capable of. Other times they're pretty lousy like not passing a test, not getting a job we want, or losing a long term relationship. It may sound cliche, but remember even those growing pains can lead to great things because they teach what to or not to do in the future or put us on a path to a better life that we may never have considered if we weren't pushed out by something else. For example, I would have never left Mississippi and I job I really didn't like if I hadn't been laid off. Now I do exactly what I love, found a wonderful husband, and have a great home.

Don't get me wrong that period of growth hurt like hell, but it got me to a much better place. Though I don't wish what I went through on anyone, take heart that growth is essential and will take you to new heights as long as you're open to seeing the positives in even the darkest situations.

Foods of Interest

Corn husking at Plimoth Plantation. Photo by Erika Celeste.

Artichokes are known for encouraging personal growth. They also protect eaters against negative energies.  Hina, the Polynesian Moon Goddess favors bamboo shoots as a growth food specifically where fertility issues are concerned. Corn is also symbolizes growth and eternal life. Specifically Hopi use blue corn to symbolize fertility and red corn to help with birth. What bigger kinds of growth could there be? Melons, especially cantaloupe were thought to encourage spiritual growth in the Middle Ages. So much so that they were originally developed by special monasteries for the Pope. Garlic is often used in homeopathic remedies not only for its antibacterial properties but also because it stimulates growth of the immune and circulatory systems.

 

Artichoke Bamboo Dip photo by Erika Celeste

Artichoke Bamboo Dip

1 small jar marinated artichoke hearts (they’re usually about 6-8 oz)

½ C bamboo shoots (some Asian Markets carry this fresh, but most grocery stores will commonly carry 8 oz cans)

1 C mayonnaise

½ C sour cream

1 C Parmesan Reggiano

pinch of lemon balm or lemon verbena

1 T garlic powder

cooking spray

Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, cheese, garlic powder, lemon balm/verbena in a bowl. Drain artichokes and bamboo shoots.  Separate artichoke heart layers. Chop bamboo shoots into small cubes. Toss vegetables with the mayonnaise mixture and stir well.

Spread the mixture in a small baking dish (no more than 9X9). Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown. 

This is typically served with crackers or toasted bread rounds, however for an extra growth spurt why not try it with tortilla chips?