For me, the kitchen is a special place. It always has been.
When I was young, I remember coming home from school, and when I opened the door, there was the smell of freshly baked bread in the air. The scent went right from my heart to my belly. I would rush into the kitchen, and the loaves were on the kitchen table, fresh out of the oven. I would slice a piece of bread, and as I put a slab of butter on it, it would instantly melt; it tasted like heaven.
I am so grateful that I was raised in a family where food was a priority. My mom made everything from scratch. I mean everything.
Now there were times as a child when I didn't always appreciate homemade food. When my friends were eating Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese, my mom would make homemade. I wanted the KD, and I wanted it desperately. Still, it took me only a short time to recognize and appreciate all the time, energy, and love that went into my mom's food preparation. You could taste it
The love of food runs deeps in our family for generations.
My mom grew up on a farm in Prince Edward Island and was the oldest of 15 kids. I love hearing her stories about the food they would have. Everything was fresh off of the farm.
She tells us how even with such a large family, there was always extra food for anyone who might pop by, and they did regularly. Looking back, my mom has said she knows that some people could not afford food, but there was never any judgment. Everyone was welcome.
Today at 91, my mom still warms our souls with her pies, biscuits, and butter tarts. No one can match them. Her food tastes like love, and cooking is her love language.
She has passed her love of food on to my siblings and grandchildren, who share the passion, each person with their own specialties in the kitchen.
I love this quote by Maya Angelou,
"Eating is so intimate. It's very sensual. When you invite someone to sit at your table and you want to cook for them, you're inviting a person into your life."
Food is essential to our survival and much more than that. When prepared with love, it nourishes our souls.
It may be hard to find joy in cooking or preparing food; for many, it can feel like a chore during a busy day. One approach and mindset that is helpful and meaningful is to consider the energy that goes into the preparation. Let me give you an example.
One summer, I volunteered several times in the kitchen at a Vipassana silent retreat in Washington state.
At the beginning of the retreat, we were given an orientation. What sticks out most is when we were told our state of mind can impact the food. For instance, if we were experiencing heavy emotions or negativity, they asked that we leave the kitchen, take care of ourselves, and return when we were ready.
We were asked that when preparing the food, we treat it like a meditation. To be present as we chopped, stirred, measured, and infused the food with thoughts of love and kindness. When people ate our food, they would taste and be nourished by the love.
Have you ever tasted someone's food, and it tastes like love?
There is something about it – something that goes to your belly and to your heart, like my mother's homemade bread. For me, this is someone who is cooking with loving intention and care.
When we prepare food with love, intention, and care, this energy is infused into the food. It nourishes each person's body, mind, and soul.
As I share my story, I am also aware of how many people in our city and around the world cannot afford to eat healthy food and go hungry daily, which saddens me.
I volunteer at Ark Aid, an incredible organization that helps folks who need support, including offering daily meals. This is an organization that touches my heart. The staff are so loving and kind. You can tell it is a calling for them.
I appreciate and am deeply touched by how they prepare delicious homemade meals daily for their community members. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve food (and love) alongside them.
With this in mind, may we prepare our food today with a happy mind, loving heart, and calm body.
May we
Be Present
Breathe
Feel our body
Observe and be aware as we do each task
Envision the meal we are preparing
Think about the people we are feeding and how it will nourish them in every way
"Say a little prayer, do a little dance, and serve with love."
With love from the kitchen,
Diane.