MADHURITHERAPEUTICS.COM
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
    • SESSIONS
    • DISTANCE REIKI
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • What's New?!

Madhuri's Blog

"NO SUCH THING AS A FEAST FOR ONE" – STONE SOUP

11/24/2020

16 Comments

 
Picture

*repost from 11/2018

Mid-November. Cold and blah.
I begin the day by counting my blessings and writing a check...
When I lived in NY, I made a commitment that even in lean months – oh yes, there have been many of those – I would donate to our local food bank. Healthy & accessible food being a "cause" near & dear to my heart. I like to give a little extra at Thanksgiving, a holiday that celebrates the abundance of harvest. It's my form of tithing and helps to keep the flow of gratitude going in my life. Now, in my new home, I will send my check to Oregon Food Bank www.oregonfoodbank.org/

I also clean out the freezer.

Uh. Where's the tie-in? Well... borne of thrifty habit from years past, and now by preference, I save just about every food scrap imaginable: onion skins, carrot ends, mushroom trimmings, leafy bits of celery, kale stalks, bones, drippings, gristle, fat. All popped into zip-loks and tucked in the freezer. Eventually things start spilling over, my stash of frozen stock is depleted, the thermostat drops, and I know it's time to get boiling.

A stock pot simmering on hearth or stove has been the backbone of all world cuisines for millennia, and the tradition continues in restaurants today. In times past this was a way to get a lot of nourishment from a small amount of ingredients. "Food historians tell us the history of soup is probably as old as the history of cooking. The act of combining various ingredients in a large pot to create a nutritious, filling, easily digested, simple to make/serve food was inevitable. This made it the perfect choice for both sedentary and travelling cultures, rich and poor, healthy people and invalids. Soup (and stews, pottages, porridges, gruels, etc.) evolved according to local ingredients and tastes. New England chowder, Spanish gazpacho, Russian borscht, Italian minestrone, French onion, Chinese won ton and Campbell's tomato...are all variations on the same theme... The modern restaurant industry is said to be based on soup. Restoratifs (where the word "restaurant" comes from) were the first items served in public eateries in 18th century Paris [including] broth (Pot-au-feu), bouillion, and consommé" www.foodtimeline.org/foodsoups.html

Observing the unspeakable mess that resided in the upper part of the fridge, I know it is time. Out comes the giant stock pot and in goes bag after bag of the above-mentioned items. Plus a few bonus containers of potato & veggie water (left over from steaming or cooking). I sometimes do "bone broth," or a pure vegan/veggie broth, or just chicken or beef, but this particular stock was a mishmash; a beautiful, rich golden-orange color thanks to a lot of squash innards, a rich woodsy flavor from the wild mushrooms. The bones & fat contributed a silky, unctuous texture. It smelled incredible. I can't wait to taste the soups that will come from it. 

All this goodness from things that would have been thrown away! Garbage, some might call it. The process brought to mind the old children's tale, Stone Soup, in which the stingy villagers are cleverly tricked by a band of traveling soldiers into contributing their precious hoarded food to a communal stew. In the end they are amazed at how delicious the meal turned out, and shower their visitors with gifts of food for their journey home. The soldiers tell them, "There is no secret, but this is certain: it is only by sharing that we may make a feast."

As a forager & gardener I'm in a constant state of awe at Earth's abundance. Nature gives and gives, freely and without recompense. Even in this chilly month there's seldom a hike in the woods, a stroll along the rail trail, or a visit to my sadly-neglected garden, that does not bless me with something edible and amazing. Similarly, when there might appear to be cash "no" instead of cash "flow," I try to look around & find a way to give. It could be actual money, material goods, love, or time, or kindness. Generosity is the kissing cousin of abundance – one can't exist without the other. It's one of life's confusing but glorious paradoxes, and one tiny secret to maintaining happiness. And yes, this country, the entire world, may appear to be on the highway to Hell, with cruelty, disconnect, loneliness and greed running rampant. Yet here is my part: on this day of thanks, when I sit down to a bounteous table ​surrounded by loved ones, I'll remember: there's no such thing as a feast for one. It is only by sharing that we make a feast.
Bright Blessings! Happy Thanksgiving!

16 Comments
assignment help in uk link
7/31/2019 10:40:05 am

I love the story of the Stone Soup. I remember reading this book in Kindergarten and our teacher let us help her make the stone soup, and it was delicious. I remember cleaning off a big stone and putting it in the soup! It was a very hilarious. I recently picked up the book in our local bookstore. It brought back so many good memories. Looking forward to reading this for my kids and making the soup together.

Reply
mybkexperience link
6/7/2021 10:29:29 pm

I found this on internet and it is really very nice.
An excellent blog.
Great work!

Reply
Best spray tan near me link
7/8/2023 12:17:07 am

Thanks for sharing, very cool and informative information on this website.

Reply
儲值 link
6/24/2024 11:54:00 pm

I really appreciate this post! I've been searching everywhere for this information and finally found it on Google. You've made my day with this insightful and well-written content. Thank you so much!

Reply
alpha funding solutions link
7/3/2024 11:56:36 pm

Great insights on myalpha fund! I love the emphasis on planning and the practical tips for maximizing storage. Thanks for sharing!

Reply
The world of dominatrix services link
7/29/2024 11:03:34 pm

Very informative and valuable post. I appreciate the insights! Please keep sharing such helpful content.

Reply
fake dior link
12/1/2024 10:58:42 pm

Great post! I found the insights on Replica Christian Dior Handbags helpful. I’ve shared similar tips here.

Reply
ysl teddy jacket link
12/22/2024 09:29:52 pm

Great insights! I’ve shared similar ideas here: Would love your feedback!

Reply
cash buyers for houses link
1/7/2025 09:14:55 pm

Great post! I found your insights on Real Estate very helpful, we also focus on Real Estate investor-home - buyers in Florida. Thanks for sharing such valuable information.

Reply
Topical CBD Pain Roll-On link
1/12/2025 10:28:03 pm

Great post! I found your insights on CBD pain roll on 3500mg very helpful. We recently covered a similar topic here. Thanks for sharing valuable content.

Reply
Santa Ana Translator Long Beach, CA link
1/21/2025 01:52:31 am

Great post! I found your insights on [specific topic] very helpful. I’ve also covered something similar here. Keep up the great work!

Reply
Best hair colorist Brooklyn link
5/5/2025 02:43:17 am

Great post! Very informative and helpful. I also wrote something similar on my website – feel free to check it out.

Reply
Organic DHA spray tan link
5/5/2025 11:53:22 pm

Great post! If anyone’s looking for expert Bronzed by Julie - Mobile Spray Tanning, this guide might help too.

Reply
Sunderland Tranny link
6/8/2025 08:18:33 am

I love how resourceful you are with using leftover ingredients.

Reply
yono games link
7/10/2025 07:30:40 pm

thanks for sharing this informative and valuable post. I appreciate the your work! Please keep sharing such helpful content.

Reply
7 day cruise from tampa link
7/10/2025 07:31:52 pm

nice blog! Tampa cruise ships are known for offering top-tier amenities, from world-class dining to exciting entertainment.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Alice Madhuri Velky LMT
    Healer, Hiker, Yogi, Forager, Cook

    Archives

    November 2020
    December 2017
    June 2016
    May 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM  •  phone: 845-797-4124   •  email: [email protected]
All content ©2020 Alice Velky                                                                                                                                                                                      Proudly powered by Weebly  
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
    • SESSIONS
    • DISTANCE REIKI
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • What's New?!