I am a huge fan of The Kitchn’s Weekend Meditations, and recently came across this older one about labor/love in the kitchen. I love that the weekend affords a bit of extra time in the room I like to consider my home office. Dana Veldon writes,
There are myriad ways to express love and none is better than the other. Much depends on timing and personality and intention. But one of the most common and most powerful ways is though labor–or, to be more descriptive, through making an effort beyond one’s own self-concern.
And the kitchen is a perfect place for this labor of love to be expressed.
I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with recipes and mastered cooking for one in my earlier twenties, but nothing quite compares with cooking for other people. At the risk of sounding hippy dippy, I think we can taste the difference between a hurried meal (it might taste like a microwave or the inside of McDonald’s bag, for example) and careful, caring plate. You can taste the lurve.
A lifelong pastatarian vegetarian, I’ve recently taken to preparing meatarian consumables for Nick. Sometimes I get a wee bit grossed out, but I always feel good about being able put a finished dish on the table. And he hasn’t been poisoned yet, so that’s a good thing. For me, making a meal is the perfect way to wind down the day. I like the challenge, and the chance to put things together. I don’t make hot dogs, though. Ew.
Today was heavenly. I put on yoga pants (which are highly butt enhancing… I’ve heard actual yoga has a similar effect) and some old school Destiny’s Child and got to baking. I had chocolate covered Oreos to send to my high bidder in Diana’s Bake Sale for Haiti and once I got started, I had trouble stopping.
Chocolate-covered Tic-Tac-T'Oreos
Whole grain apple cinnamon muffins (Buddha approved)
The pink chocolate hearts might be a bit much..
Beyonce belting out “Emotions,” help for Haiti and lots of chocolate? Now that’s a recipe for a lovely Sunday afternoon.
Also On Tap for Today:
- Watch the Pro Bowl and DVR Emma (Part 2 of 3) on Masterpiece Theatre
- LOST begins on Tuesday and I need cake ideas. Anyone?
- Add Bubbe to my Google Reader
Can you taste love in your food? Or have I been drinking crazy water?
Wow, look at all those great eats! Nice job with your cookies!
Oh wow ! Everything looks so good ! It was too late for me to register for the bakesale but she told me there are plenty of bakesales online. I might try that, looks fun. Your stuff sure has a nice presentation.
I spent my day in the kitchen too : cranberry-apple muffins, lemon-rosemary-shrimps with grapefruit and avocado salsa, brownies (missed again), soup, and dishes. Lots of dishes.
Thanks, girls! Terry, it sounds like you’ve been cooking up a storm, too! Cranberry apple muffins sound delicious. Do you have a recipe?
haha I wrote today on my blog that we are kindred spirits, then I come to your blog today and you have a buddha! Well now it’s official. I LOVE BUDDHAS!! :0 I have a fabulous collection of them!!
And the gingersnaps are gone!! (oops)!
Thanks again for the package, I’m having a love affair with the lip gloss!!
your cookies are adorable! Love all the pink!!!
Thank you! I was on pink overload yesterday.. which can be a good thing.
I want those Oreos. Now.
mmmmm… chocolate covered oreos… ::drool a’la Homer Simpson::
Oh, and the yoga pants comment – too funny! I (gasp) own a pair of yoga pants. I have taken One yoga class. And since it was Bikram – I did it in shorts. But you are SO RIGHT about the butt thing. Holy Crap, my ass looked like planet.
I haven’t worn them out of the house since then, but I do want to eventually go from a planet to a moon. And maybe even get smaller than that.. hehe.. Have a great weekend! (oh, and let us know what you did for the Lost premier!)
Yoga pants, I’m telling you… they’re miracle workers. I didn’t end up baking for the Lost premier, but I promise to whip up something good for the finale. In the meantime, there are so many questions to be answered this season!
Yes, I can taste love in food. Yours looks like love.