Tapping into Passion

Cooking = art, therapy, love

My passion for cooking brings out my creativity. Being creative is rewarding on so many levels. Creating seems to come from some intuitive thought. I enjoy transforming raw food into a delectable feast of the senses. All is well when I am in that creative, intuitive space….it’s like art, therapy and love…it just feels so good. I feel free and clear in that space. You have experienced the power and energy of creativity and passion haven’t you? That sort of energy is transforming. Have you ever noticed that when you are in your passion…..you are joyful, grateful and optimistic. Eckhart Tolle, in his book “A New Earth” explains “awakened doing” as having three qualities: acceptance, joyfulness and enthusiasm. When I’m in my passionate cooking mode I see that I am in a high state of “awakened doing.” Tapping into that space of passion creates joy. There’s nothing quite like it. Enjoy.

Washing spinach - with passion
I began meditating several years ago and although I admit I have fallen off it on occasion, I always come back to it because it just feels good. When I meditate, I sit and I focus on my breath and I empty my mind. This might sound weird, but this evening as I was washing spinach, I noticed that I felt the same way as when I’m meditating. I was so focused on cleaning the spinach, that cleaning spinach was the absolute only thing I was doing. I wasn’t thinking, I was cleaning spinach. I’m grateful to have spinach to wash.

Mediterranean Swiss Chard

Here’s a wonderfully quick, simple, and highly nutritious side dish that pairs beautifully with a piece of poached or grilled fish, broiled chicken breasts, even Filet Mignon. Fresh Swiss chard is abundant at your local farmers markets right now. I recommend red or rainbow chard. Enjoy, and enjoy it often.

Ingredients:

2 large bunches Swiss chard

1 medium/large clove garlic, pressed

1 TBS balsamic vinegar

EVOO to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:
Bring lightly salted water to a rapid boil in a large pot. Wash chard leafs, cut off and discard bottom stems. Coarsely chop leafs then add to boiling water and simmer for 3-5 minutes, until tender.

Strain through colander and press out excess water. Keep warm and/or immediately toss with rest of ingredients. (Don't toss chard with dressing until you are ready to serve. Otherwise the flavor will become diluted.)

Serves 2