The Growing Edge

For the New Year

Found on Pinterest.

Coconut Curried Chickpea Soup

Son BJ gave me a soup cookbook (300 Sensational Soups) for Christmas, and today I cooked my first one from that book. It is both vegetarian and vegan. Chuck and I liked it a lot, much more than I anticipated.

I will put the recipe below with my changes/additions in italics and parentheses.


Coconut Curried Chickpea Soup

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. curry powder
2 pinches cayenne pepper
1-lb. small red-skinned potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
4-6 cups vegetable stock
1 cup (1 can) unsweetened coconut milk
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 zucchini (yellow squash), cut into 1/2 inch cubes
(2 large carrots, scraped and sliced)
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. lime juuice
2 cups packed baby spinach



1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and saute until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add curry powder and saute for 10 seconds. Add potatoes (and carrots) and stir to coat.

2. Add stock and coconut milk; cook for 10 minutes. Add chickpeas and zucchini (squash); cook for 10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Stir in brown sugar and lime juice. Add spinach and stir until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. If desired (I didn't), garnish with toasted coconut.

Snyder, Carla and Deeds, Meredith. 300 Sensational Soups. Toronto, Canada: Robert Rose, 2008. 124.

Just Keep Swimming!

My friend Nancy gave me a beaded bracelet with a fish for Christmas. It is entitled the "Just Keep Swimming Bracelet," which struck me as being odd at first. A day later, in our very quiet house, it is helping me to focus.

With our children back in their homes (in Austin and Houston, TX and Seattle, WA)--and at work today--I can see beyond the holiday to my commitment of finishing my master's degree in theology, a mind-boggling task for me in narrowing down topics to even begin. Nancy's gift is a physical reminder to keep on keeping on.

The bracelet came with this little aphorism:

"Life can be as hard to live as swimming against a tide. But at the worst of times, if you will just remember to keep swimming, sooner or later you will develop the ability to swim through life like a fish through the ocean."

It is too easy for me to sink into a muddle of doubt followed by old patterns of denial. My piano teacher points out that I start such waffling when I make a mistake while playing, which throws me so completely off-track that I am lost and can't find my place. This is a huge awareness to help me learn a new pattern of behavior. I think the fish will remind me!

Emma's First Christmas

20 Different Ways to Be in Silence

This was totally written by Samuel Gentoku McCree and lifted from Tiny Buddha. I was so impressed with it, I had to post it here. I need these reminders today as I easily slip into "Panic or cinnamon"! (Excitedly getting ready for all my children to start arriving tomorrow.)

“Silence is a source of great strength.” ~Lao Tzu

For over two years I spent one out of every four weeks in silence. At the time I was living at a Zen Monastery and every month we would have a week-long silent retreat.

During this retreat we sat meditation in silence, ate in silence, worked in silence, and only communicated through hand gestures and written notes.

At first living like this was hard, but over time I learned to grow to appreciate silence. By the time I left I learned that silence was my friend and teacher.
What did silence teach me?

1. Satisfaction

I used to think I needed to watch TV every night. But at monastery I went without and discovered I didn’t need it.

Silence taught me to be happy with less. Pick something that’s weighing you down and let it go. Your life will thank you.

2. Expression

When you can only talk by writing a note, you only say what’s important. Before the monastery I talked a lot but said little.

Silence taught me that a few simple words well spoken have more power than hours of chatter. Think of one simple thing you can say that would help someone feel better and say it.

3. Appreciation

Being able to speak makes life easy, but when I couldn’t talk I learned how much I relied on others.

Silence taught me to appreciate the value of relating to others. The next time you see your friends or family, try to really listen. Deep listening expresses deep appreciation.

4. Attention

Several times at my first retreat I thought my phone was vibrating. But then I would remember I didn’t have my phone. It showed me how my phone divided my attention.

Silence taught me how important it is to let go of distractions. The next time you are with someone you care about, try turning off your phone and putting it away. It will make paying attention easier.

5. Thoughts

I once sat a retreat next door to a construction project. What amazed me was how easily my thoughts drowned out the noise. I realized if my thoughts were this loud, I’d better make them as wise as possible.

Silence taught me the importance of shaping my thinking. Take time each day to notice your thoughts and let go of thoughts that don’t serve you.

6. Nature

Because I sat retreat in every season, I know that the sound of wind in fall is different than it is in winter.

Silence taught me to notice nature. Take a short walk outside in silence and you’ll discover the wisdom and peace that nature has to offer.

7. Body

During retreat I noticed that whenever I got lost in thought, I lost track of my body. And when I focused on my body, my thoughts would calm down.

Silence taught me to be in my body. Close your eyes and ask, “What sensations do I feel in my hand?” Learning to feel your body can calm your troubled mind.

8. Overstimulation

Whenever I went into town after retreat, the world seemed so loud and fast. I came to realize how much our senses have to process most of the time.

Silence taught me the importance of reducing the stimulation. Enjoy some quiet time everyday. The less you see and hear, the more settled your mind can become.

9. Sound

People would come to the monastery and remark how quiet it was. But living at the monastery I knew all the noises, from frogs, to owls, to the sound of sandals on the sidewalk.

Silence taught me that the world is a rich texture of sounds. Sit in front of your house and close your eyes. You’ll be amazed at what you hear if you listen long enough.

10. Humanity

During retreat I was surrounded by imperfect people who were doing their best. Some were happy, some were sad, but all were wonderfully human.

Silence taught me that people display great beauty. Find a good spot to people watch with an open heart. What you see may inspire you.

11. Space

For a long time anytime something difficult came up, I would just distract myself. But retreat taught me that if I avoided something it would never go away.

Silence taught me that space helps me face hard times. The next time you face something difficult, pause and honor whatever’s arising.

12. Love

I used to think love was this big thing. But in retreat I found that I felt love for so many things.

Silence taught me that love can be simple. Think of someone you haven’t said I love you to recently and tell them.

13. Courage

I used to think courage was about facing danger, but during retreat I realized that real courage is about facing yourself.

Silence taught me the courage it takes to be still. When we stop moving everything we’re running from catches up. The next time you are afraid, stop and wait for it to pass. There is immense courage inside your heart.

14. Perseverance

Every retreat reminded me that speaking is easy, but staying quiet is hard.

Silence isn’t flashy, but it has an immense power to endure. The next time someone doubts you, instead of disagreeing, silently vow not to give up. Action is speaks volumes.

15. Faith

I often ask for reassurance or feedback. But living is silence meant I had to trust my instincts.

Silence taught me to have faith in myself. The next time you begin to feel anxious, sit in silence and see if you can find the space of deep faith that lives in your heart.

16. Honesty

I used to lie so I wouldn’t have to explain myself. But when I couldn’t talk I began to notice this impulse and how much it degraded my integrity.

Silence taught me the importance of telling the truth. Notice times where you tell little lies and try telling the truth instead. It isn’t always easy but it’s the first step to trusting ourselves and others. 

17. Gratitude

During retreat I didn’t have a lot of comforts. It helped me see how much I took for granted and how much I had to be grateful for.

At the end of every day sit in silence and ask yourself what am I grateful for. You’ll be amazed at the blessings you discover.

18. Simplicity

I used to love drama and conflict. But at retreat I found I was happier when I kept it simple.

Silence taught me that simplicity and joy are close companions. Pick one space in your home you could simplify. Keep it simple for one month and enjoy the ease it offers your life.

19. Connection

I used to think I had to talk in order to feel connected. I realized during retreat that I can feel connected just by being near people I care about.

Silence taught me that words can get in the way. Do something in silence with someone you love. It will be awkward at first but eventually you will see what it means just to be in someone presence.

20. Truth

I studied philosophy in college and I thought I could read about truth. But retreat taught me that truth is found in silence.

Silence has taught me a deeper truth than words ever could. Sit in silence once a week and feel the truth in your heart. It’s there whether you can express it in words or not.

Cinnamon or Panic?

Remember God

"At any time in the day, take a break and remind yourself of God's presence. . . say a prayer. Or just pause and create silent space inside of you. Feel God's love filling you. Remember God when you see a child laughing or witness a stranger's kind words to another. Remember God when you hear tragic news or observe a friend's sadness. Remember God when surrounded by a crowd, sitting alone, or lying in bed in the quiet of early morning. Remember God when you check your email or when you receive a text message. Remember God. God is there, waiting for you to remember."

~~Beth Richardson, The Uncluttered Heart: Making Room for God During Advent and Christmas

Church Christmas Pageant--in the 21st century

Stop!

I love Cocker Spaniels and here are some cute pictures of someone's Cocker with good quotes:

The Best Prayer

"The best prayer is to rest in the goodness of God, 

knowing that that goodness can reach down 

to our lowest depths of need."

~Julian of Norwich

From Inward/Outward. Subscribe here.     

Sweet Baby

Emma, almost 2 months old

Advent: "Something is on the horizon."

"The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before. . . . What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God's (back) fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon."

~~Jan L. Richardson

Journal Prompts for Advent

 

Today is the first day of Advent and also the first day of December. Here are some journal prompts for each day of this month until Christmas.

The 2007 post at  ExploreFaith.org , which is no long available on the website:

 I found these suggestions for journaling each day of Advent. I'm not sure that I'll do it, but I may pick and choose a few. Here they are for your perusal:

Journaling Daily During Advent

Day 1 When I see someone in pain, I respond by… Day 2 When someone is being spoken of in a mean-spirited way, I respond by… Day 3 When I see a child laughing, I respond by… Day 4 When I feel my heart is heavy, I respond by… Day 5 When I encounter someone I dislike, I respond by… Day 6 When my activities are more numerous than the hours of the day, I respond by… Day 7 When I see a handicapped person, I respond by… Day 8 When someone is unkind to me, I respond by… Day 9 When I am asked to do an unpleasant task, I respond by… Day 10 When I have questions about my faith (or lack of it,) I respond by… Day 11 When people disagree with me, I respond by… Day 12 When I am surprised by grace, I respond by… Day 13 When my child or grandchild misbehaves, I respond by… Day 14 When I partake of an excellent meal, I respond by… Day 15 When things aren’t going my way, I respond by… Day 16 When a decision I make turns out to be wrong, I respond by… Day 17 When someone I love is thoughtless, I respond by… Day 18 When I feel warmed by another’s presence, I respond by… Day 19 When I lack what I need, I respond by… Day 20 When God seems far away, I respond by… Day 21 When I meet someone completely different from me, I respond by… Day 22 When others don’t listen to me, I respond by… Day 23 When I hear bad news, I respond by… Day 24 When I hear good news, I respond by… Day 25 What is the gift of my life that I will offer heaven this day?

Friday Five: Advent Confidential

Mary Beth brings today's Friday Five to RevGalBlogPals:

Good morning, all! In the United States we are waking up from our annual turkey feast, a day and meal surrounded by traditions of all sorts.

One of my favorite Thanksgiving morning traditions is listening to a National Public Radio program called “Turkey Confidential,” in which Lynne Rossetto Kasper and a selection of celebrity cooks take calls from people with problems like, “I put too much cayenne in the cranberry sauce!” and get advice like, “Add a little fat, like cream, to cut that heat.” It’s folksy and amusing, and celebrity chefs join in as well. And I do it every year, so: it’s a tradition.

Waiting for us, just around the corner, is Advent, which almost all of us observe in some way…whether by that name or no, we are all preparing for the coming of the Christ.

Today’s Friday Five, following that line, is Advent Confidential. What are your favorite traditions, observances, hymns, or memories of Advent? Is there something you remember from childhood that you’d like to do again? A funny story you can share about the time the Advent wreath got a little over-lit?

1. Advent Candles: I did not grow up celebrating Advent or having an Advent wreath,probably because I grew up in a family that went to church only on Easter and Christmas. Chuck and I did not see or know about Advent candles until we started attending church in the 1990's. Thus, my children did not grow up with lighting Advent candles, except for being chosen several times in both the Methodist Church and the Episcopal Church to light a candle during the service.

2. Advent Calendars: My mother sent Advent calendars for the children to open daily in December. For a long time, I did not connect this to "Advent" but only to the month of December and the countdown to Christmas.

Being much more aware of the Christian implications of Advent--preparing for the birth of Light in our hearts--I have posted in past years about online Advent calendars (and other Advent resources).

And here is a site that offers easy homemade Advent calendars for children: Super Easy Advent Calendar.

3.  2013 Advent: This Advent I am taking an on-line Advent course conducted by Cynthia Bourgeault using the Gospel of Thomas. I am looking forward to this opportunity, especially as two dear friends, Nancy and Paige, are also participating.

Another thing I love about this Advent is learning to play Christmas carols on the piano!

4. Advent Books/Studies: Elaine reminded me of the book The Advent Conspiracy, which I would like to look at again this year.

5. Christmas Books: From 1979 with the birth of DC, my mother sent Christmas books to my children until her death in 1992. I started that tradition with granddaughter Avery in the last few years with the board books:
Christmas in the Manger
Who Is Coming to Our House?
Both of these are lovely stories to prepare for the birth of baby Jesus with small children and so are good for Advent reading.

They are not all religious books, but the tradition of having Christmas books is one I treasure. One of my favorite books is Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, which gives the message of sharing among the animals and Mr. Willowby! I look forward to giving that to Avery, probably next year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grace

Thanks & blessings be
to the Sun & the Earth
for this bread & this wine,
this fruit, this meat, this salt,
this food;
thanks be & blessing to them
who prepare it, who serve it;
thanks & blessings to them
who share it
(& also the absent & the dead).
Thanks & Blessing to them who bring it
(may they not want),
to them who plant & tend it,
harvest & gather it
(may they not want);
thanks & blessing to them who work
& blessing to them who cannot;
may they not want - for their hunger
sours the wine & robs
the taste from the salt.
Thanks be for the sustenance & strength
for our dance & work of justice, of peace.

~ Rafael Jesus Gonzalez ~

(In Praise of Fertile Land, edited by Claudia Mauro

A Different Thanksgiving

In honor of my vegan and vegetarian daughters:

And here is an article about new trends in the American diet concerning such holidays as Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving

It's Cold Enough for Soup!

An arctic cold front blew through TX on Friday, dropping temperatures precipitously. It was 83 degrees F. in the morning, and later in the day it was 40 degrees colder. We drove to Austin to visit our son DC and his wife AA and their two daughters Avery and Emma. It was also Avery's third birthday!

When I got there, I made soup. I love to make soup, which is not a common occurrence in south TX. (I made it so much in New Jersey when we lived there 1991-94 that oldest son DC told me he'd be glad if he never had soup again when we moved away.) Well, I made enough hamburger vegetable soup (from the old LLL cookbook) that he'll be stuck with for several days.

So we came back to Corpus Christi, and I was excited to try a new recipe for soup tonight. Chuck and I both liked it a lot. I am glad that it also is a vegan recipe--for my two Seattle daughters. It is also from a cookbook that I learned about when I visited them this past summer: New England Soup Factory Cookbook (although we were on the opposite coast).

So I am going to copy the recipe here for Vegetarian Mulligatawny Soup, which is the second good recipe I have tried in this cookbook:

VEGETARIAN MULLIGATAWNY SOUP

3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large Spanish onion, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, diced
4 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 cups (16 oz.) canned diced tomatoes (though I used a larger can)
1 can (16 oz.) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 16 oz. bag lentils
8 cups vegetable stock
2 cups tomato juice
3 tsp. yellow curry powder
3 tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 can (16 oz.) coconut milk
2 Tbsp. honey
1 1/2 cups cooked basmati rice
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat a stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the oil, garlic, onion, celery, and carrots. Saute for 7 minutes.

Add the lentils, tomatoes, chickpeas, stock, tomato juice, curry powder, cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes.

Stir in the coconut milk, honey, rice, cilantro, salt and pepper.

Makes 12 servings.

Druker, Marjorie and Silverstein, Clara. New England Soup Factory Cookbook. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007. 101.

Delicious!

Wake up!

"A man found an eagle's egg and put it in a nest of a barnyard hen. The eaglet hatched with the brood of chicks and grew up with them.
"All his life the eagle did what the barnyard chicks did, thinking he was a barnyard chicken. He scratched the earth for worms and insects. He clucked and cackled. And he would thrash his wings and fly a few feet into the air.
"Years passed and the eagle grew very old. One day he saw a magnificent bird above him in the cloudless sky. It glided in graceful majesty among the powerful wind currents, with scarcely a beat of its strong golden wings.
"The eagle looked up in awe. 'Who's that?' he asked.
"'That's the eagle, the king of the birds,' said his neighbor. 'He belongs to the sky. We belong to the earth--we're chickens.' So the eagle lived and died a chicken, for that's what he thought he was."

~Anthony de Mello. Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality. NY: Doubleday, 1992. 3. (originally published in Song of the Bird by de Mello.)