Inspired Edibles

~ wellness, wonder, words ~

Minted Rice Pilaf

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I keep a binder of recipes.  I started it about 25 years ago before the age of the internet and never stopped adding to it.  It holds some of my favorite stuff — handwritten recipes from my mother-in-law, articles written by Joe Schwarcz (food chemist) that my Mom saved for me from the Montreal Gazette, gardening diagrams made by my father-in-law and a bunch of four-leaf clovers gathered by my youngest over the years (I can still see him running full tilt towards me with cupped hands in the kitchen of our Ottawa home).

Of course much of my life is now cataloged on the web, stored in some soulless cloud, but that’s not my preferred resting place.  I like paper, always have, and every time I open the pages of my now tattered, gravy spattered binder, it brings me back to some of the people and memories I love most. …

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Spinach & Mushroom Egg Bake

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There’s a small park about a 20 minute walk from our home.  It’s easy to miss, tucked off to the side of a quiet road without the usual attractions. I stumbled across it one day with my four-legged companion and discovered pretty quickly how different I felt there.  There’s a stream that runs along the right side of the walking path and some heritage oaks lining the left.  Those big old trees with their noble moss-covered trunks (I love running my fingers along their spine) — it’s hard not to feel awed by their visual beauty but it’s their smell that really sets my senses on fire….

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5 Strategies to Ease Constipation & Restore Balance

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While it may not make the best cocktail party conversation starter, if you’ve ever suffered from a bout of constipation, you know how uncomfortable and frustrating it can be, and how welcome effective solutions are.

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Many factors can influence bowel function beyond diet and exercise, including: hormonal fluctuations (pregnancy/menopause/underactive thyroid), stress and medication.  And while there is no one size fits all when it comes to addressing bowel concerns, (particular conditions may require specific protocols), here are a few strategies I have found particularly helpful for easing constipation and restoring regularity: …

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Spring Carrot Cake

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A short list of things that will forever remind me of spring….

 finding toy trucks, random socks and maybe a coin or two under the melting snow (it’s a bit like lifting the sofa cushion, it’s anyone’s guess what’s lurking under there);

 spring skiing and the smell of bain de soleil;

 running streams breaking the long, deep silence of winter;

 daffodils and tulips;

 flowering peach trees (that’s a new addition);

 frittata & carrot cake! …

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Eggplant Lasagna

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I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape — the loneliness of it; the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show – Andrew Wyeth

.<>.<>.

I like the idea of embracing the season of frost, storm and cloud while the story of spring unfolds.

Whether that means hibernating under a pile of blankets to watch the winter Olympics (we’ve been staying up way too late catching the live action); hanging out in the fresh mountain air (hello motherland); or dinner by the fire in the comfort of home (and maybe the promise of something warm, bubbly and delicious baking in the oven). …

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Thai Green Curry with Chickpeas, Cauliflower & Spinach

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Well the good news is that the summer solstice is now only 5 months away.

(Right around the corner, really).

In the meantime, anyone care to join me in my flannels for this mood boosting, winter blues busting, bowl of goodness?  The combination of coconut milk, ginger, lemongrass and coriander is an aromatic feast for the senses – you will love the complexity of flavor, ease of prep and beautiful warming properties as you hear the call of tropical birds singing yonder.

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A Gift for You: Slowing Down to Receive

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The great disappearing month of December.  No sooner do we turn the corner on November and it’s gone.  Just like that, a new year upon us.

Amidst the busyness of the season, and all that it can represent for each of us, I wanted to share this short clip written and read by my youngest son.

He prepared it for his acting troupe to help them relax and refocus before their most recent performance.  I found out about it quite by accident (the way Moms of sons sometimes do); he was running unusually early for rehearsal (typically an unrushed soul) so I asked what was up and he casually mentioned that he needed to get himself settled to lead a meditation before opening night.  Then he pulled out a piece of paper with his handwritten words and read it to me in the car.  When he was done, he slowly looked over at me and asked me what I thought.  Dear precious son of mine, the parenting journey will involve many moments, some of them tougher than others, but these are the ones you’ll hold onto with both hands and feet and carry with you til the end. What do I think? I think I love you to the moon, beyond and back again. 

With his permission, I’m sharing his guided meditation with you today (which he recorded for you) – maybe it will bring a smile to your day and maybe even a moment of peace.  I know I’ve listened to it a few times.

Blessings to All.

Don’t you know yet? It is your light that lights the world ~ Rumi

 

photo courtesy of Li Dingzeyu

Hot and Sour Soup from Scratch

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Squee!

Have you made your own hot and sour soup?

I’ve been a long time fan of this spicy/sour concoction but had never attempted a version at home.  There is a very distinct taste to quality restaurant style hot & sour soup that I suspected wouldn’t be easy to replicate at home (and who wants to do all that work just for a big fat flop).  Even as a relatively comfortable cook, some preparations just seem out of reach. …

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