No Excuses....

It seems that a lot of people have some excuse or another for not cooking, eating well and generally taking better care of their bodies and health. Of course ultimately, a price will be paid for living this way as your body can only take so much abuse.

I come across this time and again - reasons why a person can't find the time to cook or eat properly, look after themselves, and carry out the very basics of self-care. What is worse, is these same standards will be passed onto the next generation.

For the most part, I am as busy as the next person, and some might go so far as to say, I am a bit busier. We homeschool our children, I write and care for several animals, tend a large enough garden and cook all of our food from scratch. So I know it does take some effort to get going at least initially. 

If you want to get started yourself around your home with doing more for your family, begin in the kitchen with some very basic guidelines. 

1. Get Organised

This is paramount to eating healthy, feeling better about life and actually seeing results from your efforts. I have found the best way to be organized in the kitchen is to have nearly everything in glass jars, ceramic and wooden bins or paper cartons and bags.

Not only are the natural materials a much better vibration, there is no chemical leaching from plastic into the foods stored inside. With the glass jars, I can visually see how much of an item I have on hand and can find things at a glance in the cupboards.

2. Be Prepared

I have gotten used to thinking a little bit ahead when it comes to meals. Basically we know we will want to eat at some point tomorrow (or if fasting this might be a few days) so, beans or lentils could be soaking, vegetables could be bought and on hand. A favourite rice could be picked out and ready to cook. 

Or as I am doing here, jams, sauces, preserves might be made in batches and stored for use when needed. The cupboards could be kept well stocked with something for every occasion. Then there is no last minute rush or panic wondering what to eat. Food is on hand, simply prepare and serve.

3. Buy in Bulk

These days for anyone feeding a family or living as a group of flatmates, purchasing your food in larger quantities is a must. Not only is this an economical way to obtain your staples, from an energy standpoint this is far better. 

When you buy a large bag of lentils for example (25 kg), they often come in paper and no one has picked through them and bagged up little plastic bags of 250 gram each. Less handling overall means less energy to contend with at your table. 

Unmolested food.

4. Get Interested

If you like to eat, you might as well get your head around loving to cook. If you love to cook, start thinking seriously about the quality of that food and ways to improve it. Experiment, play in the kitchen, try out new things, take a cookery class - but do something to motivate yourself where eating, food and your health is concerned.

For me, I have been running a kitchen since I was 12 years old, so to not be cooking would be very strange. However, I didn't always love the cooking, that came about gradually as I learned more about how to feed myself properly and got more creative with my meals. Also having children helped because I was so determined to feed them and teach them to look at food as medicine as well as nourishment. 

5. Grow a Garden

One of the best ways to learn and understand more about the food we eat is to plant some seeds in a garden and watch them grow. All of life springs up from the earth in this way, it is the basis for understanding our essence and who we are. Through this garden you will connect to the seasons, cycles, ritual, ceremony, patterns and all of humanities ancient roots, lost to so many of us. 

Even if your garden consists of a few herbs and some peas, there is no greater sense of accomplishment  when you see these items on your plate having cared for them for a season. Your energy will have gone into each plant, combined with the earth's, added to your meal, thus completing the circle.

~~~

The reconnection to the earth and her pulse is ultimately what this modern day journey is all about. 

Have a healthy day,

April

One of my favourite meals - very simple basmati rice, brown lentils in cumin, stir-fry of leek, onion, garlic and carrot