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.

Stability

I always knew when I got to the Brussel sprouts, I was on thin ice. ~ Aaron Brown

I must apologize. Since I was busy with an upcoming book, I worked ahead on the blog. There's this cool little feature that should have time released my postings like an alka seltzer. It worked great for a week or two but for whatever reason stopped. That will teach me to leave the magical kitchen on autopilot. I should count myself lucky that I didn't have an incident like the one with the Sourcer's Apprentice in Fantasia (think Mickey Mouse and the brooms). The good news is I have several releases all at once. Enjoy!

Stability
The one thing that can be said about stability is that we all need it. Whether we admit it or not, we all need a place to bring us back to center. Sometimes that's a frame of mind, other times it's a routine, or person. It can apply to our finances, relationships, or health.

Beside food, stability often comes from doing something specific. For me it's being out in nature and gardening. Though I do meditate, those early mornings in the garden when  the sun has just come up, the dew hasn't burned off the grass, and the world is still quiet, are every bit as important if not more so. In fact, I often think of it as active meditation, in which I can just be. The added advantage of having my four gardens by the lake allows me to see everything from blue heron to mink to rolling carp--freaky if you don't know what's happening. But that's another story.

We planted our stability food last summer and are still enjoying them through the winter. If you're interested in planting Brussel sprouts keep in mind that they take up a lot of space by the end. It was easier to  cut the leaves off first so that the stalks looked like weird spinal cords and then use garden clippers rather than break them off.
 


Foods of Interest 

Brussels sprouts from our garden. Photo by Erika Celeste

There's just one food known for stability, Brussel Sprouts!

So it may not be the first thing to come to mind but there you have it. The tiny ball-like vegetable has been cultivated since the 1200s and is said to encourage endurance and stability. It's one of those love 'em or hate 'em foods. I happen to love 'em. They come in over a hundred varieties including one that tastes like horseradish. So if you like a little extra kick in your meals this is the way to go.

They do have a reputation for being stinky and having a strong taste, but that only happens when they're over cooked. No one knows exactly where the sprouts first came from, though it can be assumed that Belgium played a key role! Back then it was common to identify new foods by their region. Kind of like Buffalo wings, Philly Cheese steaks, or Kentucky Bourbon. 

Brussels Sprouts Panzanella

Brussels Sprouts Panzanella. Photo by Erika Celeste

Ingredients:

6 slices of bacon

2 C blanched brussels sprouts

½ loaf Italian bread

1 C pecorino romano (freshly shredded)

¼ C red wine

½ C olive oil

1 finely chopped shallot

1 t garlic powder

1 meyer lemon (these are sweet if you can’t find one use an orange)

1 large tomato

fresh basil

1 t fresh sage

1 t pink Himalayan salt

Directions:

I was lucky enough to have a large brussels sprouts harvest from my garden this year. So I simply blanched them and bagged the cool vegetables in double handfuls in ziplocks. Then labeled and froze them for quick and easy access. If you don’t have your own or they’re not in season, please use frozen sprouts as opposed to canned. They will taste worlds better. In most cases these will already be blanched, but if for some strange reason they’re not, go ahead and blanch them.

Cut the loaf of day old bread into squares and toast in the oven at 200 degrees until hard (about 10 minutes). While the bread is toasting, fry bacon until crispy. Drain, crumble, and set aside. Chop tomato. Shred cheese.

Mix all ingredients mentioned thus far in a large bowl. Mix wine, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, and shallot in a small bowl, then drizzle over the other ingredients in the large bowl. Mix everything with your hands. Add pink salt to taste.

This is best if it sits at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before it’s served. It does not keep well over night!

Clarity

As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans. ~ Ernest Hemingway (A Moveable Feast)

Clarity
Dictionary.com defines clarity as clearness or lucidity as to perception or understanding. However, in this case, I'm not just defining clarity as having an understanding of something, this type of clarity goes much deeper. This type of clarity pertains to knowing yourself or the things you want at a gut level. I'm talking about a knowing beyond knowing, a certainty like no other. Some people go their entire lives without experiencing such a thing. 

So how might one find this deep soulful knowing? Just like great basketball players or charismatic orators some people are just born with it. But most of us have to work at it. I have a friend who wanted to play football when he was in high school. The school allowed anyone who wanted to join the team, but most guys sat in the bench. My friend was one of the slowest guys when they ran drills. But then his coach shared something which has served him well throughout his life. He told his team that most people give up too easily. Whenever his guys got tired, he encouraged them to use it a cue to push on through and not give up. My friend took those words to heart. He got up early every morning and hit the track before school. He ran at lunch and after school too. Pretty soon he moved to the middle of the pack when running drills and then to the front, until he eventually made quarterback. My friend didn't stop there. He applied the simple philosophy to his schoolwork and went from a C student to an honor roll student. But the most incredible application of this came after he was hit by a drunk driver. My friend slipped into the deepest coma and wasn't expected to live. When he came out he'd not only suffered a traumatic brain injury, but broken both his legs and various other bones in multiple places. He was in extreme agonizing pain for months. Doctors told him he would never walk again. Today he not only walks, he runs marathons! The thing that gave him the clarity to know what must be done and vision to drive push on through was his simple philosophy to never get up just because he was tired.  

Meditation is also a great way to gain clarity. You don't have to sit in the lotus position with fingers ringed, invoking the perfect sound of Om. Sometimes sitting quietly is just effective. I like to lie down and count backwards from 10 to 1 taking a deep breath in and out with each number. Each time I relax a little more until I'm so mellow it wouldn't take much to fall asleep. (Be careful this can happen if you let it.) I focus my energy and somehow the world opens up and answers are found. But like my friend who never gave up, it does take a little practice!

Foods of Interest
Avocado is high in healthy fats which are said to promote clear, unclouded thoughts. The oil of avocado is also very healthy for the same reason and was used by ancient cultures to create clarity another sort through smooth clear skin. Buddha is often represented sitting under a banana tree to demonstrate the futility of life. That's because bananas don't fertilize through flowers like many plants. Instead they are sterile and simply send off another ground shoot which lives on after the original tree dies. For this reason the Chinese often leave bananas on their alters to ask for education or enlightenment at work. Blackberries are often used in Wiccan rituals to invoke the clarity of the Goddess. They are also thought to be good for healing, protection, and prosperity--all things one might need in order to have a clear mind. Sunflowers were sacred to several Greek gods including Apollo, Demeter, and Helios. Therefore their seeds were thought to carry great powers of their own bridging the distance between heaven and earth. One who ate them would certainly uncover great wisdom and clarity of mind. They were also thought to impart integrity and virtue to those who ate them. Peanut butter is often associated with masculine energy because of the phallic shape of peanut shells. Certainly they provide another super protein that aids in mental agility and clarity.  Finally red wine, the favorite drink of Dionysus is also thought to bring clarity to those who drink it. The Greeks thought it embodied the spiritual presence of their god. There's no denying wine had its place. After all it was much safer than water for a long time. And certainly those who drank too much had some unusual "moments of clarity" in which they did or tried things they never had before. Indeed such wonderful inventions as Buffalo Wings, Farrington B (those squared off numbers on your credit cards), quidditch (Harry Potter's favorite sport), Shark Week, The Marines (yes as in the armed forces), pet rocks, and Southwest Airlines were all created in bars more than a little under the influence. Isn't the world better off for them? That's true clarity!

Recipes

Shitake Sesame is the best. Photo by Erika Celeste.

Hands down my favorite oil-based salad dressing is Annie’s Shitake Sesame. I could drink this stuff...well maybe not. But I just love the flavor. I’m the kind of person who is often still hungry after just a salad, but with this dressing I’m totally satisfied and don’t feel hungry. I’m sure it’s psychological but hey it works!

For those of you not familiar with the Annie’s brand, it is all natural and organic. It can be found in most health food stores, Whole Foods, and the health food sections of many regular groceries. When I couldn’t find it at my local health food store, I talked to the manager and she special ordered three bottles for me. Pretty soon my friend went in and asked for it too. Than another friend requested it as well. It took about a year of special ordering it whenever I was out. But recently the manager told me so many people request it these days that it’s easier to stock it! However, if there’s no Annie’s Shitake Sesame available or you want to make your own dressing the following works well too.

Dressing:

½ C Olive oil

½ C Red wine

1 t Basil

1 t Rosemary

1 t Thyme

½ t Powdered garlic

Directions:

Mix olive oil and wine. Add herbs and garlic. Shake well. Immediately drizzle over salad.

Salad:

Baby spinach

Avocado

Strawberries

Sunflower seeds

Directions:

Wash and tear spinach to bite sizes. Slice avocado in half. Peel. Cut avocado in lengthwise slices. Place on spinach. Cut strawberries in quarters. Add to salad. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds. Drizzle with dressing.

Peanut Butter Stuffed French Toast

Stuffed French Toast. Photo by Erika Celeste.

Ingredients:

Peanut butter

Banana

Berries

1 T sugar

2 Eggs

1 t Vanilla

¼ C Milk

Bread

butter

Directions:

Spread thick layer of peanut butter on bread slices. Close the sandwich with a top layer of bread.

In a bowl mix egg, milk, and vanilla to make eggy batter. Melt butter in a large skillet. Dunk sandwiches in the egg mixture until coated on both sides. Put sandwich in the skillet and fry until golden brown on both sides.

Slice fruit into bite-sized pieces. If necessary, sprinkle a little sugar over the top. When the french toast is finished, top with the fruit.

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>.

Comfort

My favorite comfort food would have be braised beef. You know, beef, slow-cooked in a Dutch oven or in a slow cooker until it falls apart with simple mushrooms, some onions and lots of fresh thyme and garlic. ~ Tyler Florence

Comfort
A warm bed, hot bubble bath,  or soothing cup or tea--we all have different definitions of comfort. But no matter what our specific comforts are, one thing is certain we all need to feel comfortable and take time out once in awhile indulge in creature comforts to be at our best. 

My husband and I have just gone through the licensing process to become resource parents. The older term for this was foster parents. One of the most important things we've learned is that above all else comfort is essential to the well being of the little people who've had their lives incredibly disrupted. As adults we take for granted being able to buy ourselves a great cup or coffee or chocolate bar. We just assume that we will go home to our beds. 

But consider for a moment, the little ones who are removed from meth houses by children's services. Did you know that they literally can't take anything with them when they leave? No blanket or teddy, no favorite doll or matchbox car. Not even the clothes on their backs, because they might be contaminated. In other cases in which the children are allowed to take a few items, 9 times out of 10 their parents throw their belongings into trash bags. It's quick and easy, but consider the message it sends. What do we put in trash bags? Garbage. The kids often come away with the message that not only don't mom and dad want me, they think I'm garbage. Why else would they throw all my things away?

To combat such negativity, resource parents are instructed to bring suitcases with us when we go to pick children up, so that they can at least feel normal in a very small way. Talk about a small comfort! I don't know about you, but it rather humbles me. Somehow not getting my comfort coffee exactly the way I want it when I go through the drive-thru seems like small potatoes!

Foods of Interest

Fish Market in Hong Kong. Photo by Erika Celeste.

Almonds have had a sacred place in many ancient religions Hermes, Mercy, and Thoth all ate them to gain wisdom and prosperity--two of the cornerstones of comfort. Many Americans cite meat and potatoes as their comfort food. But beef found its place as comfort food long before the Americas were a twinkle in humanity’s eye. Egyptian Goddesses Hathor and Isis loved the stuff. It was believed to cause those who ate it to go into a state of bliss. Blueberries are also thought to have a calming effect and thus induce feelings of comfort. Legend has it that witches ate blueberry pies to ward off psychic attacks. Broccoli, which was sacred to Jupiter, was believed to have ramped up one’s strength—sort of Popeye style. We now know that it helps fight off cancer, which is comforting to know in itself. Calendula or marigolds (the petals are edible, just make sure they’re not full of pesticides) are also believed to increase happiness and protection. Who wouldn’t feel comfortable if they were happy and protected? In many areas of tehe world where fish is a staple of the daily diet, it is also seen as a comfort food. As we discussed last week, it was considered sacred by almost every primitive culture. Why not? If ancient people could fish, they would never go hungry. In uncertain times that was most certainly a comfort. Above is a picture of a fish market from my time in Hong Kong. The fish was so fresh there that despite being splayed open the hearts were still beating!  Finally, whole grains are considered to induce comfort. The ancients believed that grain contained the nurturing qualities of Earth. Sheaves of wheat have long been the symbol of prosperity—which is very comforting to those who possess them. Not only does grain keep you regular (it certainly would be uncomfortable if they didn’t) but they taste great. My two vegetarian sisters often turn to grains as their comfort food. A nice big bowl of macaroni and cheese or heaping help of pasta has very soothing effects on most of us.

Skirt Steak. Photo by Erika Celeste.

Marinated Skirt Steak

Skirt steak

½ C Olive oil

½ C Red wine

Garlic powder

½  t Rosemary

½ t chamomile

1 t Marjoram

½ t Powdered coriander

1 t Basil

2 green onions chopped

1 t Salt (or to taste)

½ t cracked pepper

large ziplock bag

Directions:

Combine all ingredients except steak in a bowl. Mix thoroughly. Place skirt steak in the ziplock and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag. Work the marinade over the meat. Let marinade for up to two hours. (This is a very thin cut of meat. It will be overpowered if you wait much longer.) Place the meat on a searing hot grill. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side. Remove from heat and let sit at least 5 minutes. This is best if sliced very thinly as shown in the picture. A little goes a long way and you will feel more content with less if you eat it this way.

Trout Almondine

6 Trout Filets

½  C Flour

2 T garlic powder

½ C Milk

¾ C Panko

1 t Marjoram

1 t Chamomile

1 t Lemon balm or verbena

½ C toasted, slivered almonds

1 Lemon

3 cloves garlic minced

Salt to taste

Cooking spray

Directions:

You will need three bowls. The in the first mix flour and garlic powder.  Pour the milk in the second. In the third combine Panko, marjoram, chamomile, and the lemon balm or verbena, and the minced garlic. Dip the fillets first in bowl one, making sure to thoroughly coat them, then into bowl two, and finally roll them in bowl three covering both sides with bread crumbs. For baked fish you may add almonds to the breading mixture. For fried wait as they will come off in the oil.

You may either fry or bake these. To fry drop the fillets into a very hot pan filled no less than ½ deep with canola oil. It isn’t necessary to completely cover the fish in oil. When they are golden brown on one side flip. Remove from oil when ready and drain on paper towels. Place sliced almonds on top before serving. For oven baking, spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and lay the fillets on the sheet. Place in oven preheated to 450 degrees. Cook for 8-12 minutes. You will know they are ready when the fish flakes.

Squeeze lemon over the fillets and add salt to taste. For an added ounce of comfort you may want to serve the fillets with garlic steamed broccoli.

Concentration

Hunger in adults produces nervousness, irritability, and difficulty in concentration. From a 2005 survey by Food Life Line

Concentration
Who can concentrate these days with all the nasty campaign ads from both sides of aisle? Luckily, we only have one day of the nonsense left. Then it will be on to using our minds of steal to concentrate on other worries such as taking finals and holiday planning.

The website Study Guides and Strategies has some excellent tips for improving concentration. Though it suggests them specifically for studying they would work well for any number of scenarios in which heavy concentration would be needed.*

• Get a dedicated space, chair, table, lighting and environment
  Avoid your cellphone or telephone
  Put up a sign to avoid being disturbed or interrupted
• Stick to a routine, efficient study schedule
  
• Before you begin studying, take a few minutes to summarize a few objectives, gather what you will need, and think of a general strategy of accomplishment
• Create an incentive if necessary for successfully completing a task,
  such as calling a friend, a food treat, a walk, etc.
  
• Changing the subject you study every one to two hours for variety
• Alternate reading with more active learning exercises. Ask yourself how you could increase your activity level while studying? Perhaps a group will be best? Creating study questions? The more active your learning, the better.
• Take regular, scheduled breaks

To help along those lines there are a number of great foods to aid in concentration whether it's through a caffeine or sugar high or actual nutrition to help our brains focus. When I was writing a book in Hong Kong, my favorite concentration treat was to run down to the very formal expats McDonalds, which had a full coffee house, and grab a cappuccino. It always gave me the lift I needed to forge ahead!


Foods of Interest

Cappuccino in Hong Kong. Photo by Erika Celeste.

Mayans and Aztecs thought chocolate had magical powers, which I believe many women still attest to today! Back then the cocoa beans were so valuable they were used as currency. Besides the tenuous gathering, drying, and roasting process which made them valuable is the fact that the chemicals in chocolate are known to heighten positive emotions and increase alertness. Because of this it is also associated with the fourth chakra or heart chakra from which love flows. Coffee also has its prized place in history with records of it being consumed in Arabia since 800 AD. College students pulling all nighters, OTR drivers, and those trying to sober up all drink the brew to increase their mental awareness and stay alert. Fish is not only sacred in nearly every primitive culture, the  proteins in many fish are known to "feed" the brain keeping it healthy and warding off many aging diseases and strokes. Another food that helps slow the aging process and thus helps keep the brain mentally up to par is ginkgo biloba. As we age our digestive system slows down and doesn't process foods as sufficiently as it once did. Because our circulatory systems slow down too our brains don't get as much oxygen as they once did. Ginkgo biloba contains bioflavinoids that reduce free radicals and help our bodies and especially our brains gain back some of that lost activity. Ginseng works quiet similarly to ginkgo biloba. It is also associated with the first chakra stamnia and energy. Nuts are high in vitamin E which is also an antioxidant. Eating a handful a day can greatly improve concentration without fat or sugar.

This chocolate-coffee cupcake recipe is one of my favorites. In fact, since we had an outdoor picnic/beach style wedding reception on our lake front, I wanted our guest to be able to pick up and carry all their food. So instead of a wedding cake, we had a huge cupcake display. To fit with my theme of summer and new beginnings I used wrappers that looked like flowers from Wilton and ordered edible butterflies from Esty to decorate the tops instead of the usual almonds or nuts.

Chocolate-Coffee Cupcakes

Wedding cupcakes. Photo by Brian Glick.

Cupcakes:
1 C butter
½  C soda water
2/3 C cocoa powder

2 C all-purpose flour
1 C light brown sugar

1 C white sugar

2 T instant coffee crystals
½ t salt

½ t grated ginseng

½ t ginkgo biloba
1 ¼ t baking soda
3 eggs
½ cup sour cream

½ applesauce

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk butter, soda water, cocoa, and brown sugar in a sauce pan. Remove from heat once the sugar has melted.

In a large bowl blend salt, flour, sugar, baking soda, ginseng, coffee crystals, and ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo can be found at both health food stores and Asian markets. You may use the contents of powdered capsules in a crunch. (It’s similar to the cooking powder.)

Pour the cooled liquid mixture into the dry mixture. Mix together. Add the eggs, applesauce, and sour cream. Cream everything together until smooth.

Scoop batter into cupcake wrapper cups. Bake in oven for 25-28 minutes. They will be done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Frosting:
1 C butter
4 C confectioners sugar

1 T meringue powder

2 T cocoa
4 ½ T coffee (brewed or instant)

milk
chopped almonds

Directions:

Cream butter and meringue together. Add confectioners sugar one cup at a time. Add cocoa and coffee. Mix. Gradually add milk until the frosting consistency desired is achieved. Spread on cooled cupcakes. Top with chopped almonds.

* "Study Guides and Strategies." Concentrating While Studying. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.studygs.net/concent.htm>.

Longevity

The foods that promote longevity, virtue, strength, health, happiness, and joy; are juicy, smooth, substantial, and agreeable to the stomach. ~Bhagavad Gita

 

Longevity

I can't think of anyone who wouldn't want to live a long, healthy life. After all self-preservation is a kind of built in mechanism for most humans. But a 2011 study from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis (shout out to my birthplace!) found that women who take multivitamins don't live longer than those who get their nutrition from food alone. The study even suggests that women who use vitamins appear to have a slightly higher early death rate. (1) 

 

I have a terrific imagination which often wanders off on "what if tangents" and so I sometimes think about people who are over zealous in their need to eat right. You know the type. Never shall sugar or fat or anything remotely delicious pass their lips. I imagine them dying early and getting to heaven (or whatever afterlife scenario you prefer). Then I imagine a the pearly gates conversation going something like this:

 

"St. Peter, I think there's been a mistake. You see I've been a very good girl. I've eaten a completely raw (or insert any kind of health craze) diet of only twigs, nuts, and berries for the last 40 years. I've sacrificed and been a slave to clean living. So you see I'm much too young to die, if you could just send me back..."

St. Peter would then furrow his brow and say, "Well that's too bad. You were put on the earth to learn and experience all kinds of things. That was part of the point of being there and you blew it!"

Don't get me wrong. I do believe in eating healthy. But I also believe in moderation. Anything taken to the extreme can have reverse effects. What good is a healthy long life if it's not happy and well-rounded? Food is not only a way to experience pleasure but also learn about other places and cultures.

 

When we eat foods that please us our bodies release the endorphin, dopamine that makes us feel good. Likewise when we share food in a social setting our bodies also produce more of the happiness chemicals. A study in the 2011 journal Applied Psychology reviewed more than 160 studies of animal and human subjects and found that "happy people tend to live longer and experience better health than their unhappy peers." (2) So consider the fact that once in awhile it is all right to indulge. It just may help you live longer!

Foods of Interest:

The following are all foods which are in some way linked to longevity. Many of them as you will see are high in antioxidants. These little lifesavers or rather life-prolongers help block free radicals which can damage our cells.

Blueberry bush in Maine. Photo by Erika Celeste.

Blueberries are extremely rich in antioxidants. I did a story on them a couple of years ago for Voice of America. As with many of my stories, this quickly went viral with dozens of other media outlets picking it up. Here's one of the versions that ended up on Media for Freedom http://www.mediaforfreedom.com/readarticle.php?AID=15039

Carrots are said to carry masculine energy the Chinese say they are good luck due to the slightly red color.

Fennel was sacred to the Greek God Dionysus. The Greeks believed those who ate it were purified and healed.

Kale is another super food rich in antioxidants.

Lemons didn't become widely used until the Middle Ages. But when they became popular it was thought that they increased longevity.

Maple syrup is alchemically associated with long life because the syrup is said to carry the spirit and strength of the trees from which it comes.

Mushrooms are known to have anti-viral properties and strengthen the immune system. Therefore, they earned their magical attributes way back in Biblical times as a longevity food. Later, in Victorian times, they were believed to indicate the presence of magical little people like fairies and elves.

Pineapples get their name from pinecones. That's because when Europeans first saw them in the 16th century they reminded them of pinecones. Pineapples are often used as symbols of welcome and luck--which might explain how they came to be associated with longevity. After all, those who live long lives are thought to be lucky.

Rosemary has antibacterial properties that not only work great for cleaning dirty surfaces, but also help preserve other foods they're mixed with--thereby extending longevity. It was also believed in the Middle Ages that rosemary created happy feelings. Science has since proven that optimists and those who have happy dispositions live longer lives. 

Longevity spinach is actually an herb which goes by many different names including Daun Dewa, Akar Sebiak, Kelemai Merah, Mollucan Spinach, Googoolipid, Bai Bing Ca, Nan Fei Ye and Scrambling Gynura. It is easy to grow, looks a great deal like baby spinach leaves, and is said to have many healing properties from lowering blood pressure to helping treat cancer.

Sweet potatoes are a healthy fiber that help with digestion. As one of the staples of the Okinawan diet they have been classified by the University of The Air Okinawa Study Center as a longevity food.

Recipe

I've adapted this week's recipe especially for longevity. (Heck, you'll see that I adapting most recipes to increase the powers of the attribute we're focusing on.) I came up with the fennel recipe about a year ago for another special dinner my husband and I hosted for charity. However to amp up the longevity I've added rosemary and carrots to the dish.

Fennel au Gratin. Photo by Erika Celeste.

Fennel Au Gratin

2 large fennel bulbs

1 carrot (regular)

1 medium sweet onion

1 cup sour cream

2/3 cup half and half

1T granulated chicken broth

½ rosemary

4 T butter (pulgra)

2 T flour or corn starch

¼ Swiss (grated)

¼ parmesan reggiano (grated)

salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions:

Cut the stalks off the fennel. Wash the bulbs and slice in half then slice the two halves into eighths. That should give you several little cup-like pieces. Pull the layers apart. Slice the onion in the same manner. Slice the carrot in long thin strips--more ribbon like in texture. (You may want to use a vegetable peeler.)  If you cut them too thick, they won't cook down as quickly as the rest of these tender roots and will be too crunchy. Add the carrots to  a pan with the butter and sauté until tender, then add the fennel and onions.

 

In a bowl combine sour cream, half and half, granulated chicken broth, rosemary, flour, and the cheeses. Add the vegetables, salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything thoroughly.

 

Lightly spray a 2 quart square/rectangle baking dish. Pour the mixture into the dish. Add french fried onions on top. Cover.  I sometimes switch and pour the au gratin into individual baking dishes for special occasions. These bake more quickly and must be watched until they brown. Usually about 10-15 minutes.

 

Place in a preheated 375-degree oven for about a half hour, until golden and bubbly. (You may have to take the lid off for the last few minutes in order to brown.) Serves 6 as a main dish and 8-10 as a side dish.

 

 

 

1-Joelving, Frederik. "Multivitamins Don't Help US Women Live Longer." Http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/11/idUSL3E7LB07P20111011. Reuters Health, 10 Oct. 2011. Web.

2- Yates, Dinana. "News Bureau | University of Illinois." Study: Happiness Improves Health and Lengthens Life. N.p., 1 Mar. 2011. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://news.illinois.edu/news/11/0301happy_EdDiener.html>.