In the Raw

photo credit: muchadoaboutfooding.com

As a result of an invitation to attend a seminar for the book A Course in Miracles I received another invitation to take part in a "raw food experience". Anyone who knows me at all knows that I have a very special relationship with food, am a self proclaimed foodie of sorts and the chances that I would turn down an opportunity to take part in any type of food experience (especially a free one): slim to none.

I readily agreed and prepared my palate as best I could for whatever awaited me. Now, I feel I must say that I have toyed with the notion of having a strict plant based diet- knowing all of the benefits that come with it and have every time dismissed the notion heartily. One of my favorite foods is oxtail...how could I turn my back on such succulence? I could if I wanted to but the bottom line is I discovered I didn't want to- and over the years that has not changed. I also had the benefit of growing up in a household where, although the candy dishes were never empty, when I wanted a snack I was given fresh fruit generally. Not only were my meals balanced, delicious and interesting but my mother frequently prompted me to try new things (the responsibility of my appetite for new and wonderful vittles rests squarely on my mother's shoulders) her wisdom: "the worst thing that could happen is you don't like it and if you don't like it you don't have to eat it". Thanks mom- that was one of the best gifts you could have given me :) (I often scoff at how other people limit their diets to what is familiar- a tendency often reflected in how they live their lives...but there are so many dishes, cultural flares, ingredients and creativity...*sigh* on and on I could go)

I digress...perhaps. So anyhoo, I drove myself and my friend the short distance to where our fates awaited. We were ushered into a uber cat friendly home and invited to make ourselves comfy (I must say I was waiting for the other guests to arrive...but it was just us three) We were informed that there would be a feature film to accompany our meal. Eating, the 3rd edition was that film and as we watched we were served giant bowls of watermelon (my favorite fruit, REad: score!) and deep burgundy cherries.

(Stay tuned for my impressions of the movie in another post)

photo credit:antonvandenberg.wordpress.com

After the movie we began discussing all manner of things- of course beginning with the implications of a plant based diet, the political basis of our "good American diet", and moving into the state of our communities and ending with our personal experiences as truth seeking soulful beings.

Our discussion was punctuated by generous portions of a salad topped with a homemade cucumber and creamed cashew dressing. The evening ended with scoops of "apple surprise" consisting of finely chopped apple and cranberry. Not so bad, I secretly was expecting cups of beet juice and garden picked brussel sprouts (my least favorite vegetable). As I have found when like minded beings come together, free spirits seeking truth, I felt content and full and it had little to do with the physical food consumed. We communed and bonded over the shared experience of being a human seeking to realize our potential. We shared stories and insight in a comfortable environment and wisdom was shared in mutual respect for each others' unique view point and as the youngest of the bunch- I found that I had much to offer as well and it was received in mutual respect.

So my first raw food experience was successful and satisfactory on a few different levels- my kind of party :)

Have you had any raw food experiences?

Be Your Best You

CL

Make Time for Laughter

Photo Credit: sayyestotennis.com

A recent non assuming trip to south street with my Twin Soul (Twin) for a bite to eat turned into perhaps one of the longest laugh-a-thons in history (well mine anyway).

The Scene:
After supporting my Twin in her latest venture (healthy weight loss)- listening to a delightful petite woman, her daughter quietly by her side, share her weight loss story with a group of attentive weight loss hopefuls (side note: the subject is of no interest to me but I think I would sit through a lecture on the molecular structure of an atom if she asked me too- such is our relationship), sampling weight loss smoothies and snack bars and observing with amusement how effective stories really are at selling products- it was finally over and the real fun could begin!

We had no plan (we generally don't) but we had a mission: to find and consume some real food (usually the precipice to all of our adventures). A suggestion was made regarding an 'underground' food joint on south street that served the most delectable chicken kabobs in South Philly...and off we went- following a caravan of hungry soon-to-be-dieters off to south street, my Twin and I chit chatted about this or that, trying to distract ourselves from the hunger pains racking our bellies.

10 minutes later we joined a small group of her friends and family, ordered, and waited for our sustenance to arrive. There was a jovial attitude in the group, made more so once my Twin and I decided what we were going to eat, and it was fun listening to this inter-generational group of women dialogue with each other.

Photo Credit: panhala.net

As our cheese steak and kabobs came steaming to the table (don't judge us :) ) and we split each dish so we could satisfy both of our cravings, the stories became nostalgic as the older women reminisced about the days gone by and their school day mishaps- our laughter lit up the small narrow food joint but we cared not...we were in good company and the food was equally amazing (for an 'underground food joint in S.P.'). 

When we had had our fill of food and laughs we said our goodbyes and ventured out onto the street to enjoy the summer evening air- this time joined by a mutual friend and her ridiculously adorable pint sized daughter who is just learning to put sentences together. Needless to say our small group of 3 1/2 evolved as the hours rolled by to a sizable group of  8 1/2 and the most memorable part of the night: the laughter!

We laughed at ourselves, people, society, everything- we laughed so hard we cried, our breath got caught in our chest and our guts ached. It was good belly laughter- profound in its innocence and powerful because we were sharing it- in some cases with strangers.

Photo Credit: Sound of Laughter-Hersley

Our fun kept us out until dawn, no one really wanting to let go of this treasure we had haphazardly discovered; leading us to a very early breakfast at a local diner where the laughter continued- now tinged with fatigue and hunger(again) but still equally good.

There are many things that take place in our lives- hiccups and hangups but what I realized is that laughter (and love) really is the best medicine & sometimes the most memorable moments are those that are unplanned and spontaneous


Live Your Best Life
CL

What Say You?