Let us celebrate Mother Nature, on this day after Mother's Day!! We honor her and all that she brings to our lives and this earth.
Season~ Each of the four seasons of the year (spring, summer autumn and winter) marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting for the earth's changing position with regard to the sun. This may be the definition of season, but I know the seasons mean so much more to us than just weather and daylight hours. Everything has a beginning, middle and an end??? Isn't that what they say? How about the parts of the season, beginning, middle and the end, different parts bringing different moods, emotions, feelings, memories. This doesn't mean you need to break up your seasons into parts, I think we already do, without even noticing. Sometimes by events that are happening, holidays, birthdays, yearly parties or celebrations, seasonal activities... Many parts to the season.
Sometimes it is just as simple as loving the middle of summer, or the beginning of fall. Something that is given by the season or even taken, can bring a special part to the season. Maybe take some time to appreciate the experience of the season, the duration, the beginning, the middle and the end, the flow, the transitions. Traveling can introduce us to new experiences with different parts of the world and their seasons. I remember going to Fiji for my honeymoon in October and buying magazines to read. I was surprised to see pictures and ads with bathing suits and sunscreens, summer clothing and activities. Then I realized that it was the end of their spring, moving into summer and at home it was fall moving into winter. This difference was due to the definition of season and the earth's changing position with regard to the sun.
What part of summer is your favorite, what part of autumn do you enjoy the most, so many parts to each season. What part of the season is best for planting your garden? What part of the season is best for finding the ripest watermelons? What part of the season should we prune or trees and plants. There are parts to each season that look different to everyone and mean something different as well. Spend some time with each season, think about the season, appreciate the season. How amazing are they and the way this beautiful earth works and what is given and shared. What would the world be like without seasons, without the changes they bring. No one ever really thinks about the world without seasons, they are such a part of how we live and who we are as a community, a tribe, a family. Seasonal flow, each and every part!!!
Cashew Chicken and Broccoli
Ingredients:
for the sauce
1/2 cup chili sauce or hoisin sauce (they do make gluten free)
1/4 cup tamari
1 tbsp real maple syrup
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp sriracha
pinch of red chili flakes
pepper to taste
cashew chicken
3 tbsp sesame oil
11/2 lb ground chicken to turkey
1 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
1 tsp paprika
1 1/2 cups broccoli
2 tbsp salted butter, ghee or avocado oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 cup chashews
1/3 cup pickled ginger
4 green onions, chopped
Directions:
For the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk. set aside
In a large skillet, heat the sesame oil, add the chicken, cornstarch, paprika and black pepper. Cook over medium heat, breaking up the meat until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the butter (if using), garlic, grated ginger and cashews, cook another few minutes.
Pour the sauce over the meat and cook until it thickens slightly, then add the broccoli and pickles ginger. Cook another 5 minutes or so.
You can enjoy as is, or serve over rice or rice noodles, save a little of the sauce, maybe about 1/3 cup, and you can pour over the rice and meat when serving.
