To gain wisdom and knowledge about the world of food it’s important to understand the interconnectedness of eating to history, culture, politics, recipes (or not), new and well-loved cookbooks, community action, thought leaders, and a multitude of stories in this case focusing on the African Diaspora.

Last Wednesday was a glorious day! Hoop house survived the previous night’s high winds. Collards, kale and cabbage collards in the outside garden glistened in the light. Harvested my first bunches for Thursday’s giving thanks day. That evening held my last class in the 5-week Bring Your Own Self to Zen course. My heart sang with joy after participants shared what they’d gotten out of the course each with 10-minute presentations. They inspired me to hold the course, again.

Later that evening, cleaned greens in the sink. What started out as a pot filled to the brim cooked down to delicious, spicy greens. Maybe they were a little too spicy, but always got to add a little kick of heat to certain dishes.

Thursday, I was in my feelings, got up and took a short bike ride to start the day right with reflection. Talked off and on with family and friends on the phone. Took no food pictures, but had a pleasant meal of baked sweet potatoes, apples and plantain; greens; baked spaghetti and cheese (improvised cause no elbow macaroni on hand); and cornbread dressing with roasted chicken. Split everything up 3 ways with enough for a few meals each “way.”

Week ended eating leftovers. Looked out front window, jumped up from chair after sighting first deer on property, wisely and quietly slipped outside, and took pictures of him meandering down the road.

Hope that your giving thanks day was good and that you enjoy these few bites of wisdom.

“Knowledge is learning something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day.” by Asad Meah, 35 Inspirational Quotes On Wisdom | AwakenTheGreatnessWithin

"Inhale. Exhale. Slowly, deeply breathe. (Week 24)" by Ellen Harris, Live Life in Full Color, 52 Inspirations to Achieve Your Zen (Journal Book) (thirdwardzen.net)

“No one who cooks, cooks alone. Even at her most solitary, a cook in the kitchen is surrounded by generations of cooks past, the advice and menus of cooks present, the wisdom of cookbook writers.” by Laurie Colwin, Food Quotes: Wisdom (foodreference.com)

"Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s nourishment of the soul and body; it’s truly love." by Giada De Laurentis, Food Sayings and Food Quotes | Wise Sayings