Eating Within the Seasons
Live within the seasons. Eat fresh, local fruits and vegetables in season to get the nutrient rich foods our bodies intrinsically crave. It’s best for us, the environment, our local growers, our planet. As I just made a rather drastic change in location from the long, cold, rainy winter of Northern California to the jungles of Costa Rica, I have found myself asking “What should I be eating?” My neighbour solved the problem for me by suggesting a local organic farm which was delivering foods to her the next day. I happily perused the long list of fruits, veggies and herbs available, some familiar, others a mystery. Too fun!
As I had just been remarking that I’d forgotten to bring a bottle of turmeric with me, I was very happy to find ‘curcumina’ listed among the plentiful foods available from the organic farm. Hey, isn’t that turmeric? A google search proved it to be so, and led to a wealth of information about the root. It looks like a small, orange variety of ginger, and is commonly used in South Asian, Indian, Persian, and Thai dishes. It has a long history throughout the ages as a medicinal plant used as an antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and this antioxidant rich root is commonly used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. It’s being researched for its benefits in Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, arthritis, gastrointestinal conditions, and other clinical disorders. It has also been valued for centuries as a natural cosmetic and dye, coloring everything from foods to the vibrant saffron robes of Buddhist monks.
The next day a box arrived full of all sorts of fresh goodies. For two days I played in the kitchen with the various foods, most unknown to me. I chose to make lentils and a vegetable curry, both choices based upon the ability to use my turmeric root. First the lentils, which are honestly some of the best I’ve ever made. Next a green curry made from vibrant green basil, fresh coconut milk and a host of intriguing vegetables like hearts of palm, and yuca. ¡Delicioso!
ooOOoo the woman from the farm brought me the most Amazing greens, too! Aren’t they Beautiful? I wish I could let you smell them, Dear Reader! Earthy, with hints of basil and oregano. It’s Fantastic, and I swear I was dreaming of the salads I’d make with them while I slept last night.
Allowing our bodies to eat seasonally is the most natural way to get what we need. I knew that allowing myself to explore new foods in Costa Rica would be a fantastic way to provide healthy sustenance for my body in a fun way. It’s allowing me to get to know the culture, the foods in season, and eat the way Mother Nature intended. What foods could you be utilizing in order to assist self and the whole?
Las Mariposas de Costa Rica
One of the first things I noticed about Costa Rica were the brightly coloured butterflies drifting about the lush green jungle. As the travel van transported me through the windy mountain roads, the sugar cane fields squares standing out against the valley floor behind us, fertile rainforest surrounding us, I couldn’t help but delight in the occasional emerging butterfly. These Beautiful and enchanting creatures have always held a special place in my heart, and I was thrilled to learn of a butterfly sanctuary not far from the village in which I am staying.
My friends and I grabbed our cameras and headed to the local butterfly sanctuary, hoping the rain would hold off long enough to get in some great viewing and pictures. Sure enough, we were Blessed with an abundance of mariposas, as they’re called in spanish, lazily floating about the flourishing plants. There were smaller red ones darting between lavish overgrowth, and more elusive blue-winged Beauties which I tried to capture to no avail. I knew that patience was key, and stayed still, awaiting the opportunity to acquire my perfect shot.
While visiting an enclosed space full of these delicate insects is an Amazing way to see them, and provides many great photos, I am enchanted by the way they flutter by throughout the day. An orange mariposa was flitting about me as I made my way down the street this morning, adding its Loveliness to my day. Little white and yellow butterflies danced along the beach with me when I visited the Gorgeous oceanside yesterday. They make their way through restaurants, cafes, and local shops. That is one of the many gifts this spectacular country has to offer. It’s a Joy to share with you, my Dear Readers, and there will be many more treasures to come, I’m certain.
Love and Blessings,
Antonia
Life Surfing
My life is like a stroll upon the beach,
As near the ocean’s edge as I can go.
As a friend of mine and I both happen to be visitors in Southern California this week, we chose to journey to the ocean together yesterday. According to Google she was a mere 44 minutes south, if I could avoid traffic, and so I set off upon what felt like a synchronistic meeting. I was Grateful to find that driving down the six to seven lane stretches of freeway to Orange County came with the ease of many years of practice, despite its dramatic difference from the curvy back roads of Northern California to which I’ve now become accustomed. I don’t recall having visited Huntington Beach before, but my friend promised it was close and Gorgeous. She was quite right about that and despite overcast skies it was incredibly Beautiful and surprisingly warm. We both craved the ionized, healing breezes as much as the calming and rebalancing waters, and Joyously danced along the sand upon arrival.
We lay out towels, and quickly made our way to the ocean’s edge, darting back and forth, challenging waves, our laughter carried out to sea. The clear aqua seafoam waves crashed before us, while distant gray skies sat above us, reflecting the unrevealed in our lives. There are always Amazing womyn around me whose processes are similar to my own, and as my friend and I are both Adventuring the unknown, we were able to support each other in the knowledge that with clear goals in mind, we could trust that all works out for our highest good. We presented our goals at the feet of the infinite body of water before us, allowing the desires to drift out into the World, just as we wish for our gifts to pour forth.
I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.
While the beach wasn’t crowded, there were many surfers appreciating the waves. We watched as they balanced themselves in the unexpected, a Wonderful example of grace and ease. I have never been surfing before, but I’m told that it’s important to stay balanced in the present moment, not to over think, and to have fun and enJoy the ride. Sounds like pretty right on philosophy to me! I know that the ocean is an incredible gift for which I am appreciative, and that heading there with a friend was twice as nice.
Love and beach Blessings,
Antonia
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