The Poetry of Food
These past few weeks, I have been cooking every single meal in my home.
Rich, fragrant Chinese red braised oxtail, caramelized just right and falling-off-the-bone tender,
Milky, hand kneaded Chinese steamed buns, their scent carrying just the slightest suggestion of the the aroma imparted by the bamboo steamer,
The freshest squid vermicelli stew, done in the Southern Chinese style of flavoring with mini dried seafood, bursting with umami goodness,
Soul-warming herbal Chinese black chicken soup, infused with all the earthy richness of the soil from which the roots and sticks were borne…
There is no quicker way to be in communion with the vaster aspects of Life than to work with food.
To handle and create food out of fruits, vegetables, and animal flesh is to be swept deep into the belly of the Earth and come face to face with the very essence of all creative processes.
Physically, it may seem as if we are confined to the Earth’s skin - her terrestrial, dense crust. When we work with food though, a transcendent and magical doorway opens up. A path straight to her heart, deep in her core, appears.
Preparing and cooking our own food is a dialogue between the Great Mother and us. A sensual, immersive communion transpires as we transform her nectar into nourishing creations. Work with food - parts of Earth that come from deep within her bowels - and you will know her exaltation of us.
An added layer of poetry may be found if we work with the same food of our ancestors. In working with that which they tilled, sowed, tended, harvested, and cooked - even if our work now does not stray beyond that last step - our bodies remember. And in turn, as you take in the food, the Earth remembers you back.
New Guided Meditations
The Art of Total Self Acceptance - A practice for working towards a healthy, loving self acceptance that doesn't force or push and respects all your parts without shame or judgement.
Learning to Trust and Surrender - To surrender is to allow the healing power of Life to wash over you and repair you. Feel true, embodied surrender in this meditation.
Sowing the seeds of community
As mentioned in the previous newsletter, I am preparing to birth a new business to offer more of…this :) in a cohesive, grounded, and artful way that goes much deeper than what my newsletter and guided meditations can offer.
If you have any friends that would be nourished by my work, I invite you to share this newsletter with them!
Much love,
Eden Harmony