What Do We Do?

Folks at the kitchen like to talk about the horrible things in the world. I don't think its good to bury one's head in the sand, but how do you even start to try to fix what's gone wrong?
I heard a piece on NPR the other day about teachers cheating on standardized tests on behalf of students, and the experts proposed a number of possible solutions: have someone else proctor the tests, make it harder to cheat. There was no mention that perhaps standardized tests were not an effective measure of educational success, that ideas and solutions will take us farther than answers, especially multiple choice ones. This is how I feel about all the world's ills, I feel like we aren't even asking the right questions, but at least I am glad that people are asking something!
I've been thinking a lot about the picture of the world that most young people are exposed to. Its like they only have a, b, c, and d to choose from when considering their own lives and futures. Even when we tell them they can be anything they want, how can they choose something they don't even know exists? I never thought I would be 37 and have no idea where my life was going, but how many people did I know as a child who where contented wanderers?

Mending

I've been spending the last few days doing close to nothing as I try to give my arm a break from the repetitive use that has caused it to become an extremely loud complainer. In the spring I developed some pain in my arm and wrist from all the veggie chopping I'd done all winter. My fantastic chiropracter helped me through that and I have now sought the aid of an accupuncturist, who is also helping my get rid of the splotchy skin rash I've had off and on for the past 3 years. Anyway I started out the weekend feeling very much like an invalid, but have spent my time wisely in feeding myself well and examining my inner uncertainties. I am feeling stronger and more directed and looking forward to the purpose and comradery of the kitchen again tomorrow!

Healing Retreat

I spent a renewing and relaxing weekend in the middle of nowhere. My dear friend Alysoun, whom I have not seen since she was pregnant with her first child (who is now 5) and her husband Tarry (and now 2 children) live in Mendocino county where he is the manager of a small organic farm. The only way to get there is to spend almost three hours on the exasperatingly winding Highway 1, but once there, the town of about 450 residents and the farm nestled in a fertile valley are charming and delightful. The farm and their house are totally off the grid. They are in the midst of making some improvements, but both toilet and shower are currently outside (and it is none too warm) and until a second yurt arrives this week, the parents' bed is in the living room. I stayed in the guest shack, which might sound unpleasant, but Alysoun has always been a masterful nest-maker, so I slept swaddled in down with a hot water bottle and was in heaven!
I read lots of sweet English storybooks to Brendan and Sophie, ate tons of fresh, delicious veggies and apples, visited their heavenly neighborhood bakery, and sat and watched the sea, but what really brought me back to life was our conversations. Alysoun and Tarry and I were all at Emerson together and there was plenty of good reminiscing, but we also share similar wishes and frustrations, and it was such fun to dream together. Alysoun is a brilliant listener and attention-giver and I just felt so taken care of all weekend!
On Sunday they packed my car full of produce; apples galore, a pumpkin, onions, garlic, greens, tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, a bunch of fresh rosemary, and two sandwich bags of chanterelle mushrooms! I have eaten like a queen ever since!
I have felt lighter and more at ease since our visit and look forward to going back soon!

Kraut

I'm going on a kraut campaign. Okay, I'm a little late in following the fad of fermented vegetables, but I have got a sick, sick relationship to sugar and I am told it can be cured by having a fling with sauerkaut on the side.

Our class today was about medicinal uses for culinary herbs, very inspiring! We made fire cider by adding garlic, ginger, horseradish, cayenne and lemon rind to apple cider vinegar. We have to let it sit for 4 weeks, then strain off the liquid and it is a good immune booster and digestive tonic.

Going with the Flow

The theme of my writing seems to have been all about what's next lately. I can't seem to have a converstaion without moving 6 months ahead of where I am, if not years. I have been pretty frustrated by the fact that my next step at this point is very unclear. Focusing on how much I don't know only leads to a downward spiral of blame and negativity, panic and insomnia. So for now I am choosing not to know. I have three months here in Berkeley and I am hoping the program will become more engaging as we are given more responsibility in the kitchen and maybe a little more creative room. I will try to spend my free time enjoying where I am, inside and out, and when I am frustrated, sitting patiently with my questions. Something will come next and after that something else. Maybe my travels will not be so extreme, or maybe they will. Even if I thought I knew what was coming next, we have all experienced that surprises abound, good and bad.