Page 34 - Vibrant Living Scrapbook

Nourishing the Soul
A pleasant meal is about so much more than just taking in nutrients. It is about engaging the senses, sparking memories, enjoying company and tucking into foods that give us real pleasure. Most of all, a pleasant meal almost always includes some emotional connection. We can feel affection for favorite recipes and the people who have made
them for us. There is the anticipation and excitement over foods that are “in season”
like the first vine ripened tomato, spring asparagus, venison, apple cider, eggnog and even commercial “delicacies” like Easter marshmallow Peeps. Helping to prepare the meal and watching others enjoy it instills pride. For many, the company makes the meal and while special guests are a treat seeing
the same folks over the dinner table every
day can be a real comfort. In a household kitchen, householder, staff, visitors and family members all share the table. Lively discussion or sharing stories about our day lets us connect with each other. The lighting and table decorations can help set the mood, from casual to festive.
In no other setting in the household, when folks gather around meals, is there more opportunity for give and take for everyone. We taste, we add to the conversation, we pass the butter, we offer advice, we listen and we laugh. Those things do not come in a supplement.
Community Learning Circle Questions
How do we nourish the soul here?
What rituals are we creating or interested in creating around meals?
How do we represent cultures and regional recipes in our meals?
What could we do to increase the pleasant smells of home here?
What could we do to make our meals tastier?
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