A Filler Post

Hi everybody, I'm happy to say that I didn't actually fall of the face of the earth (although I may have fallen off the virtual one). Things got rather hectic around my neck of the woods and I put the blog at the end of my priorities. I'm going to share a favorite story of  mine this week instead of the deeply thought out literary analysis I had planned to tide you guys over until things settle down. I really enjoy this story because not only is it profound and makes you feel good, it's about food. It's called "The Samurai and the Zen Master" (if you have heard it before you can either read it again or wait until my next post for a different topic):




A certain samurai had a reputation for impatient and hot-tempered behavior. A Zen Master, well known for his excellent cooking, decided that the warrior needed to be taught a lesson before he became any more dangerous. He invited the samurai to dinner.

The samurai arrived at the appointed time. The Zen master told him to make himself comfortable while he finished preparing the food. A long time passed. The samurai waited impatiently. After a while he called out: "Zen Master - have you forgotten me?"

The Zen master came out of the kitchen. "I am very sorry," he said. "Dinner is taking longer to prepare than I had thought." He went back to the kitchen.

A long time passed. The samurai sat, growing hungrier by the minute. At last he called out a little softer this time: "Zen Master - please. When will dinner be served?"

The Zen master came out of the kitchen. "I'm sorry. There has been a further delay. It won't be much longer." He went back to the kitchen.

A long time passed. Finally, the samurai couldn't endure the waiting any longer. He rose to his feet, chagrined and ravenously hungry. Just then, the Zen master entered the room with a tray of food. First he served miso shiru (soybean soup).

The samurai gratefully drank the soup, enchanted by it's flavour. "Oh, Zen Master," he exclaimed, "this is the finest miso shiru I have ever tasted! You truly deserve your reputation as an expert cook!

"It's nothing," replied the Zen master, modestly. "Only miso shiru."

The samurai set down his empty bowl. "Truly magical soup! What secret spices did you use to bring out the flavor?"

"Nothing special," the Zen master replied.

"No, no - I insist. The soup is extraordinarily delicious!"

"Well, there is one thing . . ."

"I knew it!" exclaimed the samurai, eagerly leaning forward. "There had to be something to make it taste so good! Tell me - what is it?"

The Zen master softly spoke: "It took time," he said.


It may be easier to demand instant gratification, but it wont benefit in the long run (and we're all here for a very long time, whether you like it or not). Sometimes the best dinner in the middle of winter is the slow-cooked stew. It's rarely the stuff in the can that you zap in the microwave. Doesn't life work the same way, too? It's hard to wait for a good thing, you never know if it will ever come along, but in the end it's totally worth it.


I promise, a literary analysis is coming soon!

Hello! You're So Great!

Hey everyone! I hope that all of you had a great week, I sure did. Now we're just winding down for the end of the year here at my house.

Today I decided to do a post that will essentially give you, the reader, a virtual hug. I honestly feel like that there's too much negativity out in the world right now. For example, I went to look at Google News and the first story that came up was about a couple of doctors being charged with fetal homicide. Wow (which is seriously all I can say). Because of this, I feel like writing an encouraging post.

Okay, puppies and kitties are pretty cliched, but I like this picture.

Guess what? No matter what you do, who you are, where you live, how much money you make, or even how you laugh, you are an amazing person. Why? Because you're here. Right now. Alive. And you have the ability to smile. Maybe life totally sucks, or maybe you're not feeling like enjoying yourself for whatever reason. Things can always get better or worse. You decide if you're going to let it be better or worse.

Keeping a positive attitude will help you have a clear mind to solve your problem. And while you're brushing yourself off from that horrible incident, or trying to figure out your life, or trying to find happiness, or just trying to survive, think about this:

• this universe is specifically calibrated so that you can be alive right here, right now
• the stars are always over us, even when we can't see them, so that you can wish on one right now
• you have the ability to change the world right now, even if it's just helping that little old lady across the street
• today is not yesterday, so you can make today as good or bad as you want (I call that ability "power")
• you have a purpose, even if you don't know what it is
• you have the ability to create something beautiful (a joke, a story, a piece of art, food, laughter, smiles, goofy faces...)
• you can feel pain, which is totally important for survival and recognizing nice things when they happen

"Who has never tasted bitter does not know what is sweet." --German proverb

And think about how somewhere in the world right now:

• someone is praying for you
• someone loves you
• nuns and monks are praying and writing mantras to end your suffering and ensure the continuity of your happiness
• there is an inspiring song being made right now that will touch your heart
• there's a person who just wants to sit down and hug you until all the bad goes out of your life
• there are people trying to make sure that you have a safe and clean life
• children still think that the world is a big, wonderful place where anything can happen
• a book is being written that will change the world for the better
• something ridiculously funny is happening that will make you laugh so hard that you pee your pants

Hope you like this, and I hope that it makes you feel happier. Have a great day!

Here's a recipe: 

Yogurt Coffee Cake

From The Rodale Whole Foods Cookbook, page 592

Topping:

3/4 cup chopped nuts (I like a walnut/almond mix)

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons honey, warmed

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Cake:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1/2 cup honey, warmed

2 large eggs

1 1/3 cups white whole wheat flour (white whole wheat flour is milled from white wheat grains)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup plain low-fat yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Mexican vanilla is great if you can get your hands on it)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Celsius). Butter and flour a 9x9-inch baking pan.

To make the topping: In a small bowl, combine the nuts, flour, honey, and cinnamon.

To make the cake: With an electric mixer, cream the butter. Beat in the honey and eggs.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Beat portions into the butter mixture, alternating with the yogurt. Beat in the vanilla.

Pour half of the cake batter into the baking pan. Cover with half of the topping, then add the remaining batter, and top with the remaining topping. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let cool slightly and cut into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

Makes 8 servings