Cooking
a meal to show love for a friend can be an act of activism.
“When
diet is wrong, medicine is of no use.
When
diet is correct, medicine is of no need.” – Ancient Ayurvedic Proverb
These
two notions crossed my path in the same week I was invited to a gathering where
guests brought all that “health” food kind of stuff, from quinoa and avocado
salads to hummus.
The
part about cooking came from “Love Activism,” Stacy Russo’s book calling
readers to approach everything they do with hope, empathy, non-violence and
creativity. She asks us to be mindful during our meals and appreciate the food,
the workers who brought it to us and the natural world that grew it.
Consider
a silent meal to be truly mindful, and make a proper setting for your repast,
even if you must dine in a space of cleared papers on your desk. This is
another example of how my tiny fork helps me consider each bite.
Russo
shares her conversion from vegetarian to vegan in a thoughtful way and discusses
Love Activism in several aspects. Some ideas: Visit the sick; mail someone a
surprise post card; and truly listen and be present when someone is speaking to
you.
She
asked readers to consider the beverage they may be drinking while reading her
book. If it was something other
than safe tap water, they have options they may not realize. If someone has
access to clean water at no extra charge and still has money to buy coffee,
tea, bottled water, etc., then he or she has money that could be used in the
service of others.
Going
very green
A
“restaurants near me” search in Houston steered me to The Green Seed, a vegan
restaurant on Almeda Road. It had a modern, yet classic neighborhood feel with
a variety of patrons lining up for lunch.
After
perusing the menu above the counter, I chose a Solburger: Raw hemp nut patty
topped with microgreens, spinach, tomato, red onion and spirulina aioli on a
collard wrap.
I
wanted to see how they got a collard to stay folded over a wrap. I waited with
my number, which featured the proverb about good diet. I thought I’d love to
get two paper menus to give to two friends who have interest in food in
general, and specifically these types of offerings. Well, this restaurant was
so “green” that they didn’t have any sort of menu. Staff suggested I take a
photo of the posted menu. Come to
think of it, I didn’t actually see any big sign stating the name of the place
on the outside building. My phone got me there. Maybe they were trying to save
paint.
This
place was an experience, and I’m pleased to say my collard wrap stayed wrapped
and was completely delicious.
Darragh
Castillo loves trying new things and wants to hear what you’ve been tasting
lately. Contact her at:
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