Thich Nhat Hanh writes, “When you say something like I love you. . .with your whole being, not just your mouth or your intellect, it can transform the world.” Because we are interconnected, when we awaken love in ourselves and express it, our love changes the world around us. The hearts of those we touch are opened, and they in turn touch the hearts of others.
Love is the basic nature, the goodness of all beings, waiting to manifest. Whether we offer love in silent prayer or aloud, we are helping love to flower in all beings everywhere. This expression of our deepest nature is the living power of loving kindness – as the Buddha said, “it glows, it shines, it blazes forth.” A quote that brought me to tears today from Tara Brach’s Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha
Cooking with Love
Fatto a mano in Italian means “hand made” and fatto in casa “home made“. To prepare home made meals by hand with love is an active meditation and the creation of loving kindness. Just like a hug, a tender kiss, a warm embrace, preparing a meal for friends and family with the intention of savoring some time together around the table, is a beautiful way to touch each other’s hearts.
Meals can be sacred. Taking a moment of silence before eating, saying a prayer of gratitude together can make a meal sacred. A lovely prayer-poem from 13th Century Persia and direct quote from Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
Some nights stay up ’til dawn as the moon sometimes does for the sun.
Be a full bucket, pulled up the dark way of a well then lifted out into light.
Something opens our wings, something makes boredom and hurt disappear.
Someone fills the cup in front of us, we taste only sacredness.
Some of the coolest new kitchen tools to help make meal preparation a little bit easier.
The Pot Clip – less mess on the counter.
On Amazon Trudeau Pot Clip,Assorted Colors
The Citrus Sprayer – for a fresher than fresh spritz of lime, lemon and/or orange.
On Amazon Lekue Citrus Sprayer Set
The Rinse Bowl and Strainer – such a smart idea.
On Amazon Umbra Rinse Bowl and Strainer, White
The Onion holder – because I cringe when I see my daughters slice onions. Safety first.
On Amazon Norpro Onion Holder/Odor remover
A pancake pen – creativity in the kitchen. The ultimate fun do it with a kid in the kitchen tool.
On Amazon – Tovolo Pancake Pen
Of Undisputed Origin 