May Mama Message
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“I think preparing food and feeding people brings nourishment
not only to our bodies but to our spirits. Feeding people is a way of
loving them, in the same way that feeding ourselves is a way of
honoring our own createdness and fragility.."
- Shauna Niequist
As we sit down to eat supper these days, my husband often comments on how fortunate we are. We eat with a sense of gratitude and marvel at how wonderful everything tastes. Is the state of the world altering our senses? We are filled with such appreciation for our food that is abundant and healthy. We understand that our time is fleeting on the earth, and that we are grateful for every moment of health and togetherness. Our children are home and healthy… our extended family is well…our friends are fine and they are in communication regularly. There is much to be grateful for.
Preparing and eating meals together is the ultimate act of nourishment of body and soul. We have always focused on a healthy lifestyle with a desire to eat fresh, local, and organic food whenever possible. Yet
we are looking at this deeper awareness of nourishment on many levels. We often comment that we can tell that the meal was made with love. Cooking has always been a huge part of my family legacy. My maternal grandmother’s meals are still the topic of conversation at family gatherings. She would manage to have our favorites ready whenever we arrived as a sign of her love for us. Friends still comment on the foods she lovingly prepared for our wedding celebration many years ago!
We hold onto and prepare these recipes that have been passed down on both sides of the family. We adapt and add new traditions to our meals and special celebrations. Cooking for my family, or preparing meals together, anchors us and provides the nourishment that goes far beyond providing the micronutrients that our bodies need. The time spent together is precious, and we never take this for granted.
Spending time outside in fresh air and surrounded by gorgeous nature is another form of nourishment. It offers so many positive gifts… calming and grounding energy, oxygen and sunlight, uplifting scents, activity to stimulate our appetite, calm our nervous system, and aid in deeper and more restful sleep. We are nourished by the plants and animals that we come in contact with on a soul level, by the wind that blows through our hair, and by the water that is the very essence of life. The garden calls us to plant and cultivate more of our own herbs, fruits, and vegetables. In growing and cooking some of our own food, we are taking part in the full cycle of life. Our children are instinctively drawn to these activities and want to be a part of every little step.
When we combine all of these in family meals together outdoors, we are enlivening every aspect of our humanity. For many people right now, these ideas are just memories or dreams to look forward to. Maybe we
can only cook a lovely meal for ourselves and pick a fresh flower for the table. Perhaps we are with one other person to support, nurture, and inspire, and we can invite a conversation on future dreams. For those who are dealing with larger family groups, it can be a time to increase our gratitude and awareness of our daily nourishment as we struggle with balancing all of our activities.
Whatever your current situation is at this unusual moment in time, know that every little action that we take towards a healthier future is causing a ripple effect throughout the world. The food we grow, purchase, prepare, share, and eat has an enormous impact on our own well-being, and on the health of the whole planet. When we can do this with awareness, reverence, and gratitude we are becoming the change we are longing for.
Have a healthy and happy month.
Warmly,
Maria