Food is Life
Making plant dyed goods and cooking are somewhat similar. Some pots, a stove, a little heat, little of this, little of that and you can make something really lovely. For sure cooking has grown into a similar joy for me and as the days go by I find myself becoming more and more captivated by it. So recently I took the plunge and volunteered with a global nonprofit, Lasagna Love, a group that strives to connect neighbors through handmade meal delivery. The organization also seeks to eliminate stigmas associated with asking for help when it is needed most. Their mission is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. How beautiful is that! I love the idea that there is no specific criteria to have a lasagna, made and delivered, to you. Just a simple request. First up for me was making batches of sauce and freezing it (because you don’t skip on good sauce! ). When I get better at writing actual recipes I will share and hope that maybe some of you will have some tips! A great way to make a connection and give to back to your community.
Over the years I have had many thoughts on how much energy we spend overthinking food, and how it feels like it should be a whole lot easier to feel nourished. Long story short it lead me on a path to a certification as a Health Coach, through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, a journey I thoroughly enjoyed. My intention is to dabble in the world of food inequality and see where I land, volunteering as a lasagna chef seems like a good place to start!.
After spending 432 hours learning about all things food and nutrition, some things became quite clear to me. For sure counting calories is not a sustainable or joyful way to live. Focusing on eating to feel satiated and at peace with what’s on your plate is far more beneficial. Which leads me to a phrase i have heard many a time from my mother “guilt free food” which implies there should be guilt present in our relationship to food, a philosophy which I strongly disagree with. I don’t believe in associating ‘good’ or ‘bad’ connotations with food. I believe in eating what makes you feel truly good in the moment, in a way that you find most enjoyable. Which brings me to the world of banning foods otherwise known as dieting. I do focus my cooking the use of whole, unprocessed foods the majority of the time. the truth is that all food has a place in our lives. As with anything, healthy eating can be taken too far. Stressing about eating the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ thing doesn’t make anyone feel good. I think if it’s causing us stress, it’s not doing us much good in the long run anyway. Food is at the heart of our everyday lives and deserves to be fully embraced.
With all this said, I hope you will take a peek at the Lasagna Love website and spread the word, or volunteer to make a lasagna!
